Chapter 16 #3
Nala didn’t think so, but now she had thrown a red herring at the man, and that was all she needed to keep him from thinking of Tasha, one of his top researchers he always kept a close eye on. To make sure she didn’t get too close to something that would stop his money from trickling in.
“Thank you for this.” Xan tucked the paper into a locked drawer. “Now, as full members, you’ll be delighted to know that we’ll be taking a sojourn to Cancun in the coming weeks. A weekend jaunt. I’ve rented us a scattering of cottages right on the beach. Have you ever been?”
They both shook their heads. Shit, I need a passport. Nala tucked that into the back of her mind so she wouldn’t forget to tell Varen. If it was in the coming weeks, she would need her help to get an expedited one.
“On top of such treats, I have regular parties at a ranch I own down south, toward Salem. You of course will be invited to come. Oh! And…”
Xan stood, prompting both Varen and Nala to stand as well.
“Drinks are on the house here at The Raven. Also, you can come and go as you please from the downstairs club room.”
He shook Varen’s hand, winking at her. “Lots of neat tools of the trade down there. Have fun.”
Varen twisted her mouth in a way that made Nala step back. They look like they’re in on some joke. She reminded herself that it had everything to do with the game they played. Still…
“We might take a jaunt down there now,” Varen said, buttoning up her suit jacket. She gauged Xan’s reaction, but the man barely breathed. “I know that my bird is, ah…”
Nala looked away before she met another disgusting leer. “Happens all the time with such women, and especially after the demonstrations earlier! I can’t blame you. You two have fun. I must be getting on home before I turn into a pumpkin.”
His endearing grandpa shtick could stop anytime. Thankfully, Xan seemed serious about grabbing his coat, hat, and scarf. Varen and Nala followed him out, watching him lock the office before leading the way down.
“Let my man behind the counter know when you two are done having your fun.” Xan put his hat on his head and nodded to the customers gathering at the bar. “He’ll lock up.”
They waited until he was out the door before heading for the stairs. Varen must have the same idea. Time to snoop.
Granted, Nala didn’t expect to find anything substantial in the club room. No way would Xan leave incriminating evidence lying around a place a dozen people came in and out of weekly. I still have to look.
Before she could start upturning benches and sniffing through chests of tools and toys, however, Varen took her by the arm and drew her into an embrace. Her kiss startled Nala.
“Lay low,” she muttered into her ear after diverting her lips. “There are cameras all over this room. You bet your ass he’ll review them tomorrow.”
Nala didn’t know what to do – so she encircled her arms around Varen, hoping it was a convincing enough pose should someone see them later. “He takes video of the club meetings?”
“Of course he does. It’s a liability otherwise.”
Varen’s warmth enveloped Nala, but she tried not to be taken in by it.
Focus. Her hands slipped to Varen’s collar and tugged on it.
Nala’s body trembled as Varen’s hot breath moved from ear to throat.
“It’s no secret, either. It was written on the NDA that everything that happens on ‘his’ premises is recorded for security.”
“I’m sure he likes to review his security quite often.”
“He’s a world-class voyeur.”
“He likes the idea better than the actual thing.”
Varen’s hold grew tighter. “You know what we have to do, right?”
Yes, great, thanks, Varen. Thanks for bringing me down here knowing that. “I am trying to avoid that man seeing me naked or having sex. I would rather fucking die.”
Her lips pressed softly against Nala’s throat. “I know where the cameras are.”
“Not helping.”
Nala tripped on her shoes when Varen steadied her shoulders. “Let’s look around first. Just… try not to look like you’re looking for evidence.”
She wasn’t looking for much of anything as they took a tour around the room, poking their heads into toy chests and looking behind curtains.
To anyone watching the security feed, they looked like a frisky couple getting excited over the possibilities.
After all, most of what they saw was in the vein of erotic art or equipment.
No doubt Xan encouraged his couples to have sex in here whenever they pleased – so he could watch.
That man is never seeing my body, so help me God.
If Varen wanted to whip out a strap and twirl it around in front of the camera, boy howdy, she sure could do that. Nala would show herself out first.
“We’re not going to find anything here,” she finally lamented. “We had to look, but…”
“Don’t sound so hopeless. The real chance will come when we have access to his home. A man like that has to keep evidence around. He’s a big enough sociopath to keep some sort of recognizable trophy.”
Nala was ready to head out, to go home and take a long shower, but Varen put a firm hand around the back of her neck and guided her to the rear of the stage.
“What the...” A thick, black curtain hung there, concealing a small space in the back where a padded pommel horse was stored – and a few other weird items that probably belonged in the realm of “too kinky for me.”
“The cameras can’t see us back here.” Varen tugged on the curtain, shrouding them in darkness. “He can’t see you.”
“Varen,” Nala said, bracing herself against the pommel horse. Varen’s hand cupped her chin, pointing her head up. “What are you doing?”
“What the hell do you think I’m doing?” Varen yanked down the zipper of Nala’s dress, giving her plenty of skin to caress with soft fingertips. Nala really, really wished it didn’t thrill her – a little. “Taking what’s mine.”