Chapter 19
Gage
The meeting room at Club Red is quieter than usual, but the air is thick with purpose. We don't need loud voices or drama to feel the weight of what we're doing here. It's just the founders tonight. Just the core of us. Carter, Hunter, Ridge, Cade, Mase, Sawyer, Troy, and me. No outside drama.
I lean back in my chair, watching as Carter flips through a stack of papers. The glow from the chandelier above bounces off the polished surface of the conference table, casting gold streaks across our serious expressions.
"Security has held strong since the incident," Carter starts, his voice level. "The extra patrols out front, the tightened entrance process. It's made a difference. There have been minimal questions from members as well."
Hunter nods, arms crossed over his chest. "No new threats either. If anything, the street's gotten quieter."
Ridge chuckles low. "Funny thing, some of the business owners down the block thought we were being targeted. When they saw the extra presence, they assumed it was something major. Called to ask if we were okay."
"It freaked them out," Mase adds. "But then they realized the foot traffic increased from people walking to the main road to grab a ride or park in overflow parking. More eyes on their stores have made them money."
I smirk. "A happy accident. But we can't count on luck again."
Cade lifts a brow. "You got a plan?"
Ridge speaks before I do. "We can't afford another close call.
Even if the added security helped public perception, the last thing we need is complacency.
I'm suggesting a few things. I think we need a software upgrade.
A buddy of mine showed me a program that will take the security footage and catalogue the vehicles.
Then it will keep a database of cars, who they belong to, and how often they appear.
We can link the cars to members via the database and card swipes, allowing us to pinpoint easily any vehicle that shouldn't be in the area. "
"Something like that is possible?" Hunter asks.
"Yeah, I've seen the model at work," I say. "I also think we need to keep security on foot in the parking area. Keeps the traffic moving and prevents loitering. Makes us less of a sitting target."
Troy rubs his jaw. "We'll rotate shifts. Make sure no one's burning out."
Carter nods, making notes. "We'll need to make it look seamless. Not like we're running a fortress. Ridge, can you get us the info on the software?"
"Yep, I will call on it first thing in the morning," he says, scribbling notes on the legal pad in front of him.
We spend another ten minutes discussing logistics, deployment rotations, and shifts. Not anything fun, but necessary.
"And on a different note," I say, flipping to another page in my notebook. "Outreach."
"We talking about the community education piece?" Mase asks.
"Yeah," I nod. "Pink has agreed to do a talk next week at the university. Not a Club Red promo. This is about safe kink, healthy boundaries, and consent. It's a way to open the discussion about adding in the BDSM curriculum I've been working on."
Hunter whistles. "She agreed?"
"After some convincing," I say, smirking.
"But it's a foot in the door. We've talked about this forever.
About making the lifestyle less taboo. Pink's got experience and presence, so she’s the right voice.
Having a man, one of us, speak to a bunch of women is too intimidating, but bringing Pink in will open the conversation. "
Sawyer taps a pen on the table. "How public is it?"
"It's a closed event. We're keeping it female students only, and they have to sign up ahead of time so we can do a basic background check on them.
We aren't allowing cameras or students with any kind of disciplinary actions on file.
But if it goes well, we could make it a bigger event. One step at a time," I say.
Everyone nods. Ridge leans forward. "It's a good move. We've got enough shadows in our pasts. Showing the public we value safety and education might shift how they see us."
"Exactly," I say. "We're more than leather and blindfolds.
We're a community. Plus, classes like this could increase our member count.
I was thinking of offering some kind of incentive to check out Club Red.
They would have to take a one-on-one with Pink, and if she thinks they are a good fit, bring them in as a guest to see it, then offer a special membership price.
We all know if more women are here, the men will follow. "
There's a pause. A shared look passes around the table. This place saved a lot of us. And now we're finally doing more than just protecting it. We're growing it. They all agree with the method and want more details on how it goes.
As the meeting wraps, Carter claps me on the back. "Good work, man. The outreach idea… that's big."
"Thanks," I say, shrugging on my coat. "It's about time."
He lingers after the others file out. Carter leans against the edge of the table, arms folded. "You good? You've been different lately."
I meet his eyes. "Skye."
He nods slowly. "Yeah. Thought so."
"It's not just a fling, and she's not some distraction. I'm in. All the way."
Carter studies me. "You're taking risks, but I get it. She's different, and one of the good ones. She makes you want to do things right. Even if it's hard."
"It's more than hard," I admit. "Every second we're together, I'm thinking about what happens if someone finds out. But every second we're apart, I'm counting the hours until I see her again."
"That's how you know," Carter says simply. "When it's worth the risk."
I nod. Because he's right. And I've never been more certain.
After the meeting, I head to the guest house. Skye steps outside as I pull up, slipping into the passenger seat with a soft smile. She's wearing a simple floral dress she knows I love. Her hair is loose around her shoulders.
"Ready?" I ask.
She nods. "Ready and nervous."
I reach over and take her hand, lacing our fingers together. "We've got this."
We fall into an easy rhythm as I drive. Her hand stays in mine as her thumb traces small circles over my skin. I glance over at her.
"How's your week been? I've missed you."
We haven't seen each other outside of class since the masquerade ball. Skye needs time to work and study, and I've had club meetings.
She smiles, leaning back in her seat. "It's been busy and exhausting. But I've been thinking about you nonstop. Since the ball. It's like something shifted."
"Yeah," I agree. "Same here. That night was... "
"Everything," she finishes.
"Exactly."
She turns toward me, brushing her thumb over the back of my hand. "And you? How's your week been?"
"Productive. I've been working on the outreach programs. Pink's giving her first talk next week at the university."
"Really? That's amazing. What's she covering?"
"Consent, communication, and safe exploration. The basics, but the kind of basics that save people. I'm hoping it leads to more events like it."
"It will. That's powerful, Gage."
I squeeze her hand gently. "It feels right. Like we're finally doing something that matters beyond the walls of the Club."
She nods, her eyes soft as they meet mine. "You've always mattered to me."
We drive the rest of the way wrapped in quiet warmth, the silence between us full of comfort and connection. The moment her mom's apartment comes into view, I lift our joined hands and kiss her knuckles.
"Ready for this?"
She takes a breath and smiles. "With you? Always."
And I know this is just the beginning of something real.
Inside, her mom greets us at the door with a smile that feels like home. The scent of garlic and herbs fills the air, and I suddenly realize how much I've missed this kind of warmth.
"Gage, it's so good to finally meet you," her mom says, pulling me into a quick hug.
"Thank you for having me. It smells amazing."
"Sit, sit. Skye, help me with the salad, would you?"
We move into the kitchen, where the table is already set. There's laughter and soft teasing, and Skye keeps stealing glances at me like she can't believe I'm really here. Her mom pours us all glasses of wine and insists I take second helpings.
Halfway through the meal, her mom turns to me with a smile that's far too knowing. "So, Gage, what is it exactly that you do?"
"I'm a professor," I say. "Business and economics, mostly."
"At the university? That's impressive. How did you two meet?"
Skye hesitates just a second too long. I jump in. "Carter is actually a good friend of mine, so we crossed paths once he and Gemma got engaged."
I doubt Skye has told her mom about Club Red, no matter how close they seem, and she probably should have talked about what we'd say before we got here, but this version is as close to the truth as we can get.
Her mom smiles. "And what are your plans, Gage? I mean with Skye. Where do you see this going?"
I choke slightly on my wine, caught off guard. Before I can answer, she tilts her head and adds, "And how do you plan on protecting her, considering you're her professor?"
My fork clinks against my plate. "You... you told her?"
Skye gives me a sheepish look. "She's my mom. I trust her."
Her mom watches me closely. I clear my throat. "I didn't know she had told you. But I respect your daughter deeply. I'm doing everything I can to make sure we don't jeopardize anything for her. Her future comes first."
Her mom nods. "Good answer. But let me tell you this. Skye's had enough men in her life letting her down. If you're going to be in her life, be all in."
"I am," I say, without hesitation. "Completely."
She studies me for a long moment, then smiles. "Then you're welcome at this table. Every Thursday, no excuses."
Skye reaches under the table and squeezes my hand. That simple touch says everything.
The drive home is quieter, but it's the comfortable kind. Skye's fingers are laced with mine, her head resting lightly against the seat.
"Tonight was good," she says softly. "I haven't seen my mom that happy in a while."
"She's wonderful. And she clearly adores you."
Skye smiles. "She's all I had for a long time. It means a lot that you showed up for this."
I lift her hand to my lips and kiss her knuckles again. "I'll keep showing up. For both of you."
When we pull into my driveway, I walk her over to her guest house and to the door. The air is cool, her hand warm in mine.
She pauses at the threshold, fingers toying with the keys. "Do you want to come in? Just for a little while?"
I lean closer, brushing a kiss to her temple. "Yeah. I'd like that."
She opens the door and we step inside. We curl up on the couch, and she rests her head on my chest.
"You were good with her," she says.
"She's good people, and she reminds me of you."
Her fingers trail along my shirt. "You didn't have to say yes to dinner. Especially every week. It's a lot when she isn't having a good day, like she had today."
"I did," I say simply. "Because it's you."
She lifts her head, eyes searching mine. "You're really all in, aren't you?"
I cup her face, brushing my thumb across her cheek. "Skye, I fell before I even realized I was falling. I'm not going anywhere."
And she believes me.
God help us both. I hope that's enough.
Because some things are worth making time for.
And she's one of them.