55. Chapter 55
Cameron
Despite Small being dead, or maybe because of it, it takes hours before I’m cleared to leave.
First, I’m taken to a hospital and thoroughly checked.
They’re probably protecting themselves from more lawsuits in case my injuries are more serious.
After all, it’s their fault I was left alone with Small in the first place, especially after I raised my worries with the deputy.
They photograph my injuries. Take samples.
Everyone assures me that the incident will be thoroughly investigated and all guilty parties punished, but I don’t really care. Small’s dead. Even if I can still hardly believe it, he’s gone, and that’s all that matters.
After the hospital, they take me back to the precinct for more interviews. I have to recount the attack. Over and over. My lawyer finally shows up. Turns out, Small lied about having contacted him. What a surprise. Not.
Time drags, and by the time I finally step outside the building, all I want is to crawl in bed and sleep for a week. Not without Justin, though. I need him, and I know just where to find him.
Sin knew to send Denim Girl to help me, which means my smart pet must have told her what happened.
I worry about the price of that help, but I’d rather owe two favors to Sin than one to anyone else.
Whatever Sin wants, she can have it. Knowing her, it will mean spending a night on my knees in front of her and a sore ass. Unpleasant, but it beats being dead.
The cops are holding my phone as evidence and they didn’t bring my wallet along when they dragged me out of the house.
It means I leave the precinct empty-handed, wearing just sweatpants, a hoodie, and cheap slip-ons they pulled from a lost-and-found box.
At least they felt guilty enough about the whole Small thing that they called me an Uber.
How fucking noble of them. Serve and protect at its finest.
I look around for the car that’s supposed to pick me up, but don’t see it anywhere. In its place, a familiar muscular man is leaning against a black sedan.
“Hey, Gary,” I greet him with a smile, relieved to see a somewhat friendly face.
He nods. “Mr. Matthews.” He opens the car door for me like I’m a celebrity. Or a prisoner. Still, I don’t hesitate getting in. I wanted to go to the club anyway.
“Is Justin at Indulgence?” I ask as we pull away from the curb.
The corners of Gary’s mouth twitch in a suppressed smile. “Yeah. Brave kid, that one. Madame likes him.”
A cold weight settles on me. I thought that the worst thing Sin could ask for is to have her way with me, but what if she asks for Justin? He’s not her usual type, but he’s got this innocent charm that makes him irresistible to predators like Sin and me.
My fists clench so hard they ache. Justin’s mine. Sin can have everything else. My money, my house, my fucking life, but not him. Never him.
My exhaustion is forgotten as we approach the club entrance.
Adrenaline floods my veins. My muscles are bunched up tightly, my body ready to fight even if my head knows I can’t punch my way out of this situation.
Even if I was willing to use violence against Sin, her men would quickly take me out.
She employs several big guys like Gary, all bred for combat, and they’re fanatically loyal to her.
Force will do nothing here. I need to stay smart.
Justin claims Sin’s my friend. I wouldn’t really label our relationship by something so mundane as friendship, but we do have a connection. I’ve helped her before. Not as much as she helped me, but I have to believe we’re close enough she won’t fuck me over now.
It’s early evening, and the first patrons are arriving at the club. Mostly for drinks and conversations. The other kind of fun usually starts later.
Gary takes me straight to Sin’s office. She looks up from some forms as we enter and beams at me. “Cameron! Finally. I was beginning to worry the cops were going to keep you. It would be quite inconvenient if I had to rescue you again.”
The jab is subtle, but I recognize it as my cue.
“You know how much they love their paperwork,” I say with a shrug, then switch to a more serious tone.
“Listen, Sin. Thank you. For everything. I’m truly grateful.
I’d call you an angel, but I don’t want to get punched, so… Thank you. I owe you two huge favors.”
Something dangerous glints in her eyes as she grins. “You do. Your pet is cute. Very loyal. Very sexy, in that twinky kind of way.”
My jaw tightens, but I force myself to relax. “Yes, Justin is perfect. I know I owe you, Sin, but you can’t have him.”
“Oh really?”
Trying to keep a level expression, I endure her gaze. She’s just teasing. I think. I hope. Fuck, she has to be teasing.
Finally, she waves her hand. “Relax. I’m not going to steal your precious pet. I have my hands full with the toy I already own. Men are such high maintenance pests and require so much training. It’s astounding.”
I laugh as tension leaves my shoulders. “Not all of us.”
“Oh?” That dangerous spark is back in her gaze. “Are you well trained, Cameron Matthews? Are you volunteering to show everyone what a good boy you can be?”
“Um…” I clear my throat, swallow, then clear my throat again. It doesn’t help. “Unless it’s you cashing in a favor, I’d rather not,” I reply politely.
“And if it is?”
“Then I’ll do what you want, but I’ll think very nasty things about you the entire time.”
Sin’s melodic laugh fills the room. “Oh no!” She slaps her hand on her chest and pretends to faint. “How shall I ever deal with Cameron Matthews thinking bad things about me?”
“You shan’t,” I say seriously, then join her laugh. Maybe Justin was right. Maybe we are friends. “Who was the girl you sent to my rescue? She was really convincing. She had the cops wrapped around her little finger before Small’s body even started to go cold.” I should probably thank her too.
“Mel’s a popular influencer. Among other things.”
Like killing people. Sin doesn’t say it, but it’s implied. There’s no way Small was Denim Girl’s first. The way he hit that shelf in the exact angle that broke his neck was no accident, and neither was her streaming the whole thing. It was the perfect murder.
“You’re friends with the best people,” I tell Sin.
She scrunches her nose. “Doubtful. I’m friends with you, after all. And I actually had to pay Mel, so you’d better put on a show next time you bring your pet over. Get the patrons all hot and bothered so they drink my overpriced booze.”
I laugh. “Will do. I love parading Justin around, as long as I don’t have to share him with anyone.”
“Oh, but your pet secretly loves that idea. Put him in the box for a few hours and you’ll see.”
“Hmm. I’ll think about it.” When I’m not running on pure adrenaline that’s about to run out. My jaw pops as I yawn, and I wince as I move it from side to side. “Another time. I need to wash off the cop stench and get some sleep. I’ll just grab Justin and head home. Where is he?”
“You don’t have to go home. I’ve reserved room 2 for you for tonight. Your pet is waiting for you there. Don’t worry,” she continues when I try to protest. “No favors owed for that. I’ve charged it to your membership account.”
“Okay.” Renting a room at Indulgence is notoriously expensive, but I can afford one night. “I don’t suppose there’s room service?”
Sin rolls her eyes. “Do I look like a freaking hotel manager to you? The rooms are for fucking, not for eating.”
“Oh, is this how you treat your wealthy and important guests?”
“No, this is how I treat dirt-poor artists who are a pain in the ass. Gary will get you something. Now get out of here. Some of us actually have work to do. Oh, and Cameron? Bring your kit next time.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “Have you changed your mind about getting a tattoo?” Sin claims that while she admires ink on other people, it’s not for her.
Secretly, I think she’s afraid of needles.
She has no trouble stabbing them into her toys for fun, but I think she’d freak out if one went into her own skin.
Sin shakes her head. “No, I haven’t changed my mind, but my toy could use some decorations.”
“Ah.” I chuckle. “In that case, I’ll bring the kit. The piercing set too?”
“Definitely. Now go enjoy your pet.”
“Yes, Madame.” I flash her an exaggerated bow on my way out. She calls some colorful insult after me, but I’m not listening anymore. Ignoring people who stare at my less than formal attire, I head straight for the staircase leading to the private rooms. Straight to Justin.