17. Reid
17
Reid
T he hum of music in the club grated along my spine. The tension built in my neck. People around me smiled, laughed, fucked, but I couldn’t feel their joy.
Instead, I walked the perimeter. Counted the list in my head of the things I’d done to improve security both here and at the house. I spoke to the guards. We needed the extra protection until we found the McCabe brothers. Until we knew Violet was safe.
I was unable to admit that I was waiting for Mav.
Ivette approached as I reached the front entrance. “Would you go have a drink?” She ordered. “Your attitude is bad for business.”
She sashayed away as though she hadn’t just yelled at a criminal. Some of the anxiety in my gut shifted. My lips twitched into an almost smile. That’s why we kept her around. And she was damn good at her job.
The bartender had my drink of choice ready before I said anything. The bourbon went down smooth, but the alcohol still didn’t help. I checked my watch again, wondering what he was doing.
“Are you looking for a partner, sir?” Someone spoke in a sultry voice. The woman saddled up to the bar next to me. Her beautiful body was visible through her sheer dress. I could see the color of her nipples and the patch of hair between her legs. Not much was left to the imagination at Eros.
I tilted my head the slightest bit, looking at her. She was what I normally wanted. Pretty, submissive, sweet. But like everything else tonight, she didn’t catch my interest. I turned back to the bar, dismissing her without a word.
“I’ve been waiting for you to approach me for a while.” I watched her in the mirror as she reached her hand out. “Maybe it’s time for me to do it instead.”
The seductive smile on her face fell as I shot her an icy glare. Fear flooded her eyes and her hand stilled in midair. “If you’d noticed me before, then you’d know not to touch me. That I’m in charge and would never go after someone so bold.”
“I-I.” Her arm dropped limply at her side. “I’m sorry, sir.”
A twinge burst in my chest as she scurried away. I felt a little bad for crushing her, but I wasn’t in the mood for kindness tonight. Or stupidity.
She should have known better. Should’ve seen the gold bracelet on my wrist that designated I was a Dom. Each color represented a status or kink to eliminate awkward interactions.
Silver was for Subs. Black for switches. No wristband meant don’t approach, either because they were new or in a relationship. Pink was for learning your limits. Red was carte blanche. There was a whole list of others.
We also encouraged everyone to discuss their limits and have a safe word. Our invite only policy was another safeguard. It guaranteed that newcomers would have someone to guide them.
I’d designed this place for myself. Because I didn’t want to me touched without permission. Hated it. Even a handshake sent pinpricks throughout my body. It was easy to see my childhood was to blame.
Memories scratched at my mind. Just waiting to drag me back there.
Maverick appeared at my side, stopping me from going down that dangerous path. One glance at the blood covering his clothes told me it was over. He grabbed the drink in front of me, downing the rest.
We sat in silence for another moment before he spoke. “We kicked Craig out of here.”
I wasn’t sure where he was heading with this, but thoughts of Violet’s brother filled me with rage. He believed because we were criminals into alternative lifestyles that we would want a part in sex trafficking. He didn’t see the difference between that and what we did.
We’d been foolish to assume he was working alone. We should’ve murdered him. But even though we didn’t always follow the law, I still avoided death when possible. I didn’t relish it like some people. But it was a necessary part of this life.
“Do you think he sent Simon to be killed by us? Tie up a loose end and keep his hands clean.”
The possibility hadn’t crossed my mind, but it wouldn’t change anything. “It’s done.”
Mav nodded. “We couldn’t let him live after what he did to Violet.”
I could hear the affection in his voice. I wanted to remind him to be careful. To not fall for her, but it would be a waste of my breath.
It would be hypocritical because even now I found myself wondering what she was doing. If she was comfortable with Connor. He’d missed his poker game, losing out on thousands of dollars to stay home with her.
A part of me wished I’d stayed too.
No. This was better. Distance was good.
Maverick raised his hand to signal another round. As he did, I noticed the flint of metal in his palm. He rolled it back and forth across the bar. The gold shined under the lights.
“What’s that?”
“Simon’s ring.” His psychotic smirk would’ve had most people running in the other directions. If not, the blood on the jewelry would. “I thought my belladonna might want it.”
“That’s sick. You can’t give that to her.”
He just shrugged. It was hard for him to understand not everyone was as broken as we were.
But wasn’t Violet?
A voice in my head asked. She fit our fucked up puzzle perfectly. Her sharp edges, nestling next to ours.
I grabbed my drink, turning my stool to observe the club. Hoping it would push thoughts of Violet from my mind. Mav followed.
I tilted my chin towards the room. “You going to find someone?”
He usually did after a fight. It wasn’t enough for him. He always needed more. Another outlet.
He downed his glass before standing. “Not interested.”
I knew what he meant. I’d been staring at the crowd all night. Watching as women were bent over every surface and fucked. I’d seen men drop to their knees and eat out their cunts. Watched as they then got their dicks sucked.
And I felt nothing. Not even a single twitch below the waist.
He stuffed the ring in his pocket as he moved towards the door. I grabbed his shoulder. “Don’t get attached, Mav.”
His psychotic smile didn’t waver as he walked away. I wasn’t sure who I was talking to anymore.
“Take a shower.” I called after him. “Don’t let her see you like that.”
* * *
I stayed at the club until it closed. Until everyone had left except the cleaning crew. Until Ivette yelled at me to go home. I stayed to prove to myself I could. That I had nothing to rush back for.
It was a lie.
I spent every goddamn minute thinking about Violet.
The house was dark as I walked up the stairs. I liked it at this time. When it was quiet. There was safety in the night. In being the only one awake.
My feet stilled as I reached Violet’s door. It was ajar. My fingers itched to push it open. I told myself I was just being a good person. Making sure she was okay after earlier. It wasn’t personal. It meant nothing.
Light from the bathroom cast the room in a dim glow. I shook my head as I took in the scene. Connor was asleep; slumped in an armchair at the foot of her bed. He dragged it from the corner to be closer to her.
My lips rolled together as I saw Maverick sleeping on the floor. He was on his side, one arm sprawled across his stomach. The other rested on the mattress like he’d been holding her hand.
Lovesick idiots. What were they going to do when she was gone? She would break them. And I’d be stuck picking up the pieces.
Reluctantly, my gaze pulled to her. The light hit her face, making her hair shine. But it was her green eyes in the dark that caught my attention. They were bright. Focused on me like she’d sensed I was there.
“Go back to sleep.” I whispered.
Her teeth sank into her pale pink lips. “Will you stay until I do?”
No. You don’t need me.
The words were on the tip of my tongue. But I couldn’t make myself say them. Instead, I moved to the window. She rolled on the mattress, watching me. The movement had me wondering what was under her covers.
Was she wearing pajamas? Something sheer like the girl at the club? Or was it another of my shirts?
Moonlight filtered in through the windows, making her look like a goddess. It was near impossible to shake the thoughts from my head as I sank down onto the bench seat, propping my feet up.
I should’ve offered her words of reassurance. Something, but I couldn’t. I turned to stare outside. Afraid if I kept watching her, I’d fall under her spell, too.