5. Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Gracie
I stare at the woman wearing Victor’s overcoat, and I’m desperately trying to process what the hell just happened.
“Is what he said true? Are you Phineas Draven’s wife?”
The woman, who looks oddly put together for having just been kidnapped, nods. “I’m Liliana Draven. But if it helps, I was planning to leave Phineas after I spent as much of his money as humanly possible. I discovered the bastard was cheating on me with my own assistant and best friend.”
I wince having been cheated on before. It’s not a great feeling. Don’t feel sympathy for her. Victor says she’s the enemy. I repeat that to myself over and over as I watch her.
And I believe Victor. Of all the owners of The High Card, he’s the one I’m closest to, but they’re all trustworthy men.
“I hate to be a pain, but can I get those clothes? I’m naked under this thing because after Victor talked me out of my clothes last night, he wouldn’t give them back to me once he found out who I am. That’s the last time I sleep with someone out of spite. Of course I pick the one guy with a gun and a vendetta against my husband. Then again, a lot of people in this city hate Finn. Not that I fucking blame them. He’s a monster.”
Lili is rambling, and I’m doing my best to keep up, but my brain gets hung up on the fact that she apparently slept with Victor. So this was a booty call. I’m angry and can’t stay in this room anymore, so I back towards the door.
“I have some work to finish up, but I’ll get you those clothes when I’m done. The door locks from the outside, so don’t even think about trying to leave.” My tone is icy, but it’s that or I’ll burst into tears.
Lili looks at me for a second and her eyes grow sad. “Oh, honey. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have told you about Victor and me. It should have been more obvious from the way the two of you interact that you have feelings for each other.”
“Just… be quiet,” I say, trying my best to sound forceful. I hurry from the room and head to the end of the hallway where we keep extra supplies for the suites and find a pair of silk pajamas for Lili.
But I don’t take them back right away. I’m irritated that I’ve been pulled into this situation, and that one of Victor’s sexcapades has become my responsibility. We’re friends, but he’s completely clueless sometimes.
I drop the pajamas outside her door, and head to the back room of the sandwich shop and make a plate of sandwich toppings and two bread options plus a bottle of water.
When I open the door, Lili has taken off the coat and is searching the room while she’s stark naked.
I’d be lying if I said she doesn’t have a great body. Even with the scratches down her back that I know are likely Victor’s handiwork, she’s flawless. It makes me self-conscious of my own body, but it also stirs up my inner bisexual, and I force myself not to stare. Then she turns around and I see all the bruises on her thighs and the claw marks on her breasts. Did Victor do all that to her? Some of the bruises look old, so I don’t think it’s all from him. I know Victor has a sadistic side, but these look cruel beyond Victor’s tastes.
“I brought you food and clothes,” I say, trying to keep my tone neutral. Nudity is a common occurrence at The High Card, we are a BDSM club after all, and a lot of the submissives are naked while they serve their Dominant partners.
“Thank you so much. It’s Gracie, right? I’m sorry we got off on the wrong foot. You seem like a real sweetheart.”
My heart softens towards her a bit, despite reminding myself of who she is.
I struggle with what to say as my gaze drifts to the marks on her thighs again.
“My husband left the bruises and bite marks,” she assures me. “Only the scratches are Victor’s. My husband is a monster. Victor was… kind.”
The image of Victor using his long fingernails on her naked body makes my stomach lurch while simultaneously turning me on. It’s a complicated twist of emotions, and I suddenly don’t want to be here anymore.
“I’m sorry I can’t be more help,” I mutter, backing toward the door.
She waves her hand. “Don’t be sorry. Something tells me a discussion in Victor’s office involves less talking and more spanking. I have no desire to get you in trouble.”
My mouth falls open. “What gives you that idea?”
Lili laughs. “I’m married, not naive or asleep. I’ve explored BDSM before. It’s clear you are in some kind of dynamic with Victor.”
“It’s strictly professional.”
“But he does spank you, right?”
I frown. “If I break the rules during club hours, yes, he’s punished me before.” It’s not always spanking. Victor can be creative. But I don’t tell her that. Why am I even answering her questions? Now I’m just annoyed with myself.
“That constitutes a power exchange dynamic, honey.”
I don’t like the way she calls me honey. It sounds condescending. I need to get out of here.
“The room has a microphone. I’ll turn it on. If you need anything, all you have to do is say my name.”
I leave the items I’ve brought on the coffee table and hurry out again.
I take a risk and go in search of Victor. He’s in his office, looking pensive.
“What is it, butterfly?”
“Is it OK to open the shop back up?”
He glances at his watch. “No. Let’s leave it closed today. Don’t worry. You’ll still get paid.”
I shake my head. “I wasn’t worried, Sir.”
He looks up at me with kindness in his eyes that I rarely see him use with others. It makes my heart flutter.
“I’m sorry about springing this on you. Forgive me?”
I give a tentative nod. “Of course. It seems important. I can live with that.”
“Good girl.”
I ignore the little thrill that washes over me at being called a good girl by the one man I’ve wanted since moving to Las Vegas. It doesn’t mean anything. It’s just a habit. I want to ask him if he likes this woman, but that seems like a ridiculous question since he kidnapped her and brought her here naked.
“What are we going to do with her?” It seems like a safer thing to ask.
Victor lets out a sharp laugh. “I have no fucking clue. When I found out who she was, I acted on instinct. Owen is pissed. I can’t get a hold of Luke or Matteo, but I’m sure they’ll be pissed too.”
“They’re in D.C. this week, remember? They’ll be back tomorrow before the party. Tobias is around, though. If you need some extra help.”
He closes his eyes. “Shit. I completely forgot. Thank you for the reminder. Speaking of tomorrow, are you still prepared to scene with me?”
I blush but nod eagerly. “I’ve been dying to do more needles with you. You’re incredibly good at it.”
He winks. “I’m glad you think so, butterfly.”
He falls silent and looks at his computer screen. I stand awkwardly in the center of his office and wrap a curl of hair around my finger. “So… if I’m not opening the shop back up do you want me to stay?”
He blinks and looks back up at me. “What?”
“You said we should leave the shop closed. Do you want me to go home or stay here?”
“Oh. Fuck. I’m sorry. My head isn’t working right. Please stay in case I need to leave. Someone has to keep an eye on our guest.”
“Did her husband really do all of that to her thighs?”
His fists clench on his desk, and he blows out a long breath. Victor can’t stand abusers, and has a history with an abusive relative, but I don’t know the details.
“Yes. Phineas Draven is a bastard. I hope, for Lili’s sake, that she isn’t wrapped up in this, and if she isn’t, I’m sorry to have dragged her into it. But we’re here now and we have to make the best of it. With any luck, Phineas Draven will be in a body bag by morning and his wife can move on with her life.”
He’s quiet again, and he turns his gaze back to his computer screen, so I back out of the office to go clean up the shop. As I walk away, I wonder if he’s secretly hoping that Mrs. Draven will move on with him.