Epilogue
Olivia
Tonight was Maximus’ declaration to the world. This past few weeks had seen a fortifying of families, and the emergence of new alliances. Helena had proved to be a mine of information since the men who had bought and abused her had spoken as if she didn’t exist.
Roberto had been another revelation. My brother, who I believed was an asshole, had risked his life to come and save me. I was beginning to see another side of him, and he possessed a humanity I had never been exposed to before.
Friends were now enemies, and enemies were becoming friends.
Maximus pulled his car into the private parking lot in the basement of the club since he refused to let anyone drive him. My husband made control freaks look calm and relaxed.
“We’ll take the back staircase to the entrance hall to meet the guys,” he said, taking my hand to lead the way.
Tonight was the opening night of the newly refurbished club Midnight Lace.
I had heard so much about his club. It had been brought into the franchise that Jordan owned in London even though Maximus retained ownership of it.
These men were forming alliances which crossed the continents, bringing justice in their wake.
The entrance hall was filled with people. Scanning the room, I noticed Jake, Lewis, and Stefan in strategic positions close to doors. Over this past few months, I had learned a lot watching everything when I was with Maximus at events, including how to hide myself in plain sight.
The interior designer who had decorated this building had created a place of opulence from a different era.
The first time I visited a few weeks ago, it felt as though I had walked into a Victorian era mansion from the turn of the last century, with heavy drapes, dramatic colours, and elegance seeped into the architecture.
Tonight, with the lights and atmosphere, the building had taken on an entirely different feel.
Male and female waiting staff moved through the room with golden trays filled with glasses of champagne and canapes.
They wore tailored black trousers and deep crimson corsets covered in delicate black lace and a silk lace tie up the back.
Their heavy, smoky eye make-up and deep red lipstick finished the look, giving them the air of elegance and erotic.
Midnight Lace was not a sex club, it was a place created to host your ultimate fantasy, whether that be in public or the privacy of a luxury room.
I had been stunned on my last visit here as there were subs being trained by Doms in some special rooms in the lower ground floor.
There was furniture in those rooms that terrified and excited me in equal measure.
Maximus’ hand at the base of my spine moved us across the room toward Jake.
“Any problems?” Maximus asked, lifting a bottle of whiskey from a table behind Jake. He never drank the same as everyone else, and I was beginning to realise he saw danger everywhere.
“Nope,” Jake replied. “Some of the nosier families have arrived to view the opening night. We have men throughout to ensure they are monitored.”
“This is a celebration, you both need to stop worrying so much,” I chided them. They both turned to stare at me in tandem horror.
I rolled my eyes at them, and linked my arm through Maximus’. “Come on. I was speaking to the aerial dancers a few days ago, and promised I would ensure to see their show.”
“Always nagging,” Maximus muttered, shaking his head in mock annoyance.
“That is my role as your wife.” I nudged him with my hip, still amazed that he finally belonged to me.
The main ballroom had high ceilings as it spanned two floors of the building.
Aerial dancers hung from ribbons which cascaded down from the ceiling, discreet lighting leaving the main room in low tones, while the dancers were highlighted as they moved in perfect harmony to the music playing in the room.
I leaned against Maximus’ hard chest, his arms automatically coming around my waist as I watched the display. I had always loved music and dancing, but this was ethereal, the dancers wearing gossamer wings that glittered as they moved.
When they finished their current set, they descended gracefully to the ground, waving as they disappeared out a door to the side of the old-fashioned fireplace.
“Let’s mingle,” Maximus said against my ear, pressing a kiss to the side of my throat. “Have I told you today how ravishing you are?”
I wiggled my ass against his groin. “Are you threatening to eat me?” I asked, arching my back to lean my head against his shoulder.
“Hmmm.” The sound vibrated against the delicate skin behind my ear where his lips were pressed.
“There you are!” A man in a black suit approached us, and I used all my willpower to stay relaxed even though I wanted to run. His gaze swept over me, and I suppressed the urge to cover myself.
My dress consisted of a dark silver fitted net bodysuit decorated with sequins and crystals to cover my modesty. Over my elaborate bodysuit I wore a silver tulle full skirted dress that floated when I walked. It made me feel like a princess for a night, with my dark prince at my side.
“Enzo,” Maximus replied calmly. “How pleasant to see you this evening.”
“I am here strictly on business,” he said, straightening the cuff of his shirt.
“Of course,” Maximus agreed. “The champagne is only for decoration.”
Enzo moved his hand holding the beverage self-consciously. “Alexander Marino and his sons have gone missing. There has been no trace of them in weeks, and no proof of life on any of their accounts. We are asking everyone if they have been in touch with them recently.”
“I haven’t seen Alexander since the night of the auction. I made it clear that I wasn’t interested in fraternising with any of you.” Maximus straightened behind me, and I could feel the weight of his stare to Enzo.
“You did indeed, but mistakes can be forgiven when penalties are paid,” Enzo replied. “You do not want to make an enemy of our ancient organisation.”
“I think you should leave.” Maximus’ tone brooked no debate. “There are lines that I refuse to cross, and prostituting my wife is one of them. When we lose our morality, then we lose our souls. Good evening, please try the canapes before you leave.”
Maximus turned both of us away from Enzo, demonstrating the conversation was over. He had terminated some of the family businesses to ensure he had nothing to do with these men.
We walked away, Maximus’ hand at the base of my spine guiding me.
“My legs are shaking,” I whispered.
“Head high,” he instructed, nodding to one of his men as we moved through the crowd. “I have something to show you.”
He guided me on our journey through the beautiful building.
Different rooms hosted examples of what this place offered members.
One room had a woman dressed in black silk lingerie attached by leather straps to a St. Andrew’s cross, while a male demonstrated the art of erotic teasing and titillation.
Her moans filled the room, attracting an audience that she couldn’t see due to the blindfold removing her sense of sight.
The next room had a male restrained on a saw horse bench, while a female Dom dressed in a full leather outfit moved around the room in thigh-high black leather boots with six-inch heels. I stopped for a moment to watch how strong she was in her sexuality, asserting her will over her partner.
Maximus’ hand trailed over my waist to rest on my hip to tug me against him. “I have no problem you taking control,” he said, sending butterflies to beat deep in my stomach.
Once upon a time, I had believed BDSM was sordid, and belonged in dark rooms hidden away from prying eyes and listening ears. As I began to explore my sensuality, I had learned there was no shame in asking for pleasure, and what happened between consenting adults was no one’s business but theirs.
For tonight alone, we were putting aside all the fear associated with the ongoing war. It would still be there tomorrow.
The private rooms were on the top floors of the building, every one soundproofed, and specially decorated with themes designed to cater to every fantasy.
I had spent a day wandering through them all, mesmerised by the scenes which made you believe you were in the middle of a forest, a spaceship, a faery realm, and there was one that resembled a hospital examination room.
“What do you think of our room?” Maximus asked, his fingertip trailing down my spine.
Maximus had chosen one of the romantasy medieval themed rooms, with a four poster bed in the centre of it. There was something so quaint about this room. I loved to read historical romance, even though they had a higher rate of Dukes than the national average in England.
“Have you been checking my kindle again?” I asked.
“Maybe.” He shrugged with his hands in his pockets. He looked adorable when I metaphorically caught him with his hand in the cookie jar. “Who can resist heaving breasts and straining cockpieces?”
My lips twitched. I had found him laughing as he read one of my books a few weeks ago. He had read a paragraph out which made me blush. “Fictional men are the dark fantasy of every female reader,” I teased. “They know how to make women orgasm, and possess a roadmap to the G-spot.”
Maximus tugged me against him. “I have a map,” he said, his hands curving around my ass. “And I’m sure I can make you orgasm.”
“Maybe you belong in a book?”
His laugh washed over me, sending a flock of butterflies to take flight in my chest. “Who would read a story about a businessman who tends to kill people who pisses him off?”
I rolled my eyes. “You’d be surprised.”
His slow grin revealed the man I had fallen in love with all the summers ago. The world saw a serious businessman with an attitude, but I was the only one who ever got to see this side of him, which made it special. Even with his short beard, I could see his dimples, my fingertip pressing into one.