22 Serenity
When I can walk again on Tuesday, I make my way down to my car and go into work late. Yesterday was Memorial Day, and the club was packed for a show I’d forgotten about. Jo and Vinny would book things out far in advance and I guess with so many people having the day off, they wanted to have something for the occasion. The club is extra busy on my day off, but Emeric and I mostly hide out upstairs. A fire play demonstration by experts distracts from the auction.
It’s coming up. The last week of May mocks me, and as I said in my email we’ll contact the people who will go up for auction prior to the event so there’s time to change their minds. We plan on doing a split of new and old members, and we’re trying to keep things as fair as possible for sign ups. Already we have people asking when the auction will be and looking for every detail they can get ahead of time. It’s overwhelming to think about, but at least the idea is soaring.
Since it was my day off, I mostly did busywork and enjoyed Emeric’s company. He didn’t have a class again due to the timing of the show, so the only peace I had in the office was when he went to walk the floor. The little bit of separation was just enough to remind me of what I’m doing, and I damn well enjoy the time I spend with Emeric.
I didn’t have to go into the hospital today or yesterday like I normally would, and Anita texted me to let me know my father is pretending like nothing’s wrong.
But according to Vienna, that’s a lie. She brought her friend over this morning and he spent most of the time making backhanded comments about me. I don’t know why I put up with it, but the reality stings.
Emeric soothes some of that, but he can’t fix everything.
I throw myself into work when I arrive, trying to distract myself from one of the most chaotic weekends of my life. If I sit at home, I’ll stew about my familial problems, and that will make me go crazy. The only time I’m left with my thoughts is when Emeric goes to walk the floor, and by Tuesday I have enough time to myself to overthink things, again.
Instead, I busy myself with work, occasionally checking the messages from Jo. She dodges my questions and asks her own, just like she always has.
It never occurred to me how one-sided Jo is, but she hides things about herself that I didn’t even acknowledge until now. It makes me feel like she knows me, but I know nothing about her.
Jo: Emeric isn’t going to give you the time of day if you aren’t worth a damn. Stop fretting. If he does something dumb I’ll tell Nate to beat him up.
Me: How’s Alastair?
Jo: You know you should talk to someone about Chad, right? If it bothers you, you shouldn’t bottle it all up.
Me: You’re not any fun to talk to when you ignore me, Jo.
Jo: Who’s ignoring you?
I toss the phone aside, looking at the computer screen. We sent the email about Chad, discreetly asking members to let management know immediately if someone’s made them feel uncomfortable or threatened them in any way. I’ve gotten three responses so far and I’m dreading opening them. I try to force my mind elsewhere, but all the problems surrounding me refuse to let my brain relax.
Yesterday, when there was a bit of downtime, he showed me the device that we think Chad used to get that recording. I try to sift through my memories and think if I ever had my bag near him, but the thing is an open top so if I’m not paying attention it’s easy to drop something in there. Paranoia kicked in after that conversation, and I reorganized everything, trying to ensure that there’s absolutely nothing else hidden in there.
Someone knocks on the door, and I sit straighter. It’s weird that they’re knocking when you have to have a code downstairs to get in.
Briefly, thoughts of Chad appear unwanted in my head. But that wouldn’t make sense, and Nate works the bar that’s directly in line with the door. Emeric’s made it more than clear that he’s not going to let something else happen to me.
Every security guard knows about Chad now, and Skai hasn’t come back to the club since that night. I kind of want an excuse to get rid of him, but Jo wants us treading lightly with member termination.
Standing, I march to the door. If it is someone I don’t want to see, I’d rather be prepared. Fisting my phone in my hand, I’m ready to hit them if need be or call for help. Why there’s no peephole up here to remedy Jo’s fears I don’t understand, but I guess they never really updated the office design after opening the club. The doors Emeric wants to update will be the next edition up here aside from his desk.
But when I open it, the girl on the other side gives me a smile and cuts through the worries. “Myla!”
She smiles, stepping into the office where I left space to enter. “I’m guessing your email is about Chad?”
I narrow my eyes, closing the door when she steps in. “Yes.”
Myla looks around, and I wonder if she’s even been in here before. It’s different from the spare rooms we use for sign ups. Her gray eyes peer around as though she’s seeing it for the first time. “I see. I thought maybe… I thought I’d check in with you.”
Surprise shoots through me. I truly don’t know her, but she’s a good friend of Anita’s and I liked her when we were together in the car. I thought all of her problems were because of her ex, not Chad. “I’m doing better.”
There’s no point in mentioning everything that happened after the Chad debacle. He’s just a part of what made my weekend endless.
As if she knows something, Myla sinks down into a chair. She digs her teeth into her bottom lip, the collar she always wears shining in the light. “Okay. I just know it’s a little jarring to know someone took advantage of you. His attack is one I’m familiar with.”
I frown. Chad was weird at the club, and he never even knew I was in the car in the parking lot. “You mean the blackmail?”
Myla’s eyes widen, and she quickly shakes her head. “No.”
I stare at her, trying to remember the night. It’s blurred behind so many other details -
Right, I can’t remember anything because I think he messed with my drink. A sinking feeling settles in my stomach, and I sit down beside her. There isn’t much space in here, so I settle on the desk. Through all the chaos of the weekend we could only talk about so many things between work and de-stressing, and Emeric tried to do his best to work past some of the fears Chad tried to create.
I purse my lips, meeting her gaze then looking down again. “Liam used to give you something?”
“I’m surprised you remember his name,” she replies, fidgeting with her braid. I know Myla’s a little older than I am, since she’s the same age as Anita who’s closer to thirty than twenty-five. It’s not a big difference, but the more we talk the older she looks, like the memories weigh her down. “It’s not the same. I had a relationship with my ex. Chad doesn’t do relationships.”
“Okay.”
She shrugs. “It’s just different knowing what it is,” she goes on. “I used to spend time searching for more information about it, and David said it sent me spiraling. I don’t do it anymore.”
There’s that sense of surprise again. “He knows what you were given?”
“Well, yeah,” she replies again. “He gave Emeric the printout.”
I don’t know what that means, but no one informed me. I stand, moving back to my computer to check out the cameras. We’ve had them routed up here so if something is amiss we can check it out immediately. It only takes a moment to find him on the cameras.
Emeric is talking to a few people onstage, but he’s done with his class for today. And I’m done being left in the dark.
Giving Myla a tight smile, I stand up. She seems to sense that she’s shared something I didn’t know, and I watch her nervously cross her arms. “Is David downstairs?”
“Um, yes.”
Nodding, I make sure I walk with her down to the main floor. Myla is messed up from whatever happened to her, and I don’t want to think about Chad but he didn’t do much to me. I already had a message out to Vienna, and I knew something was wrong when I started feeling funny. I didn’t feel any guilt when I kneed him and ran.
I haven’t even gone to the hospital since, so we aren’t even seeing each other in passing. Other than Anita, no one checked me, and she tried to get me to go to the hospital as much as Emeric did. But I know how people react when they are drugged or hurt, how the paper trail can follow you, and I didn’t want any of that to exist.
Downstairs I spot Nate and David at the bar, and I didn’t even think to check on the cameras once I lasered in on Emeric. I barely spare Myla a nod before I head off towards the theater, trying my best to smile and wave and not get sucked into a conversation.
Unfortunately, Tyson stops me on the way. I spot Anita and Russell leaning against the wall behind him like they are waiting, but I don’t speak to Tyson much. He’s a nice enough guy, and very adventurous, but we don’t talk.
“Do you have a sec,” he asks, and there’s an edge to his tone that startles me. I’m momentarily distracted. Tyson is chill whenever I see him, and he likes group activities. I see him with Anita and Russell sometimes, or others, or sometimes just one partner. He’s pretty open.
But he doesn’t get tense. I hesitate before nodding, shoving my annoyance with Emeric to the back of my mind for later. “Do we need to go someplace private?”
“No.” He pauses, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Actually… no, it’s not that deep. The auction email, is that an open thing?”
I stare at him. That email is days old. I assumed he would badger me about the latest one concerning Chad, who we never named in the email. “Well, they have to be approved by the club of course. There’s a stack of applicants who want to participate.”
“And it’s bidding,” he clarifies.
“Yes. Highest bidder wins. We’ll go by initials in the layout and list what each applicant is auctioning, be it a night, a certain act, or something else. I’m trying to make a variety.”
“So, you might let new people in,” he presses.
“Yes.” I cross my arms, lifting an eyebrow. “Is that an issue for you?”
“No,” he says immediately, rubbing the back of his head. “I’m just trying to figure out what to expect.”
“In a bad way?”
He shrugs. “I was here when they did a couple of the auctions. I only participated in a few but they can be… heated. The first is always a mess, but after that things pick up.”
“Oh. I didn’t know that.”
“Emeric will tell you. He hates these things.”
“He’s been quite clear about that.” He mentioned they are hard, but I wonder what makes them so messy.
Tyson nods, stroking his chin. “Yeah. I’m sure he has.”
“Did you have a question,” I continue, watching Tyson closely. I don’t know what to do with him when he’s serious like this.
“What? No, you’ve answered it.”
He spins away, grabbing Russell’s shoulder and Anita’s hand and dragging them away before I can say anything further.
That was… strange.
Emeric emerges from the theater, talking to one of his fangirls, and I march over there to question him. I’m mad that he’s been keeping information from me and my eyes narrow as I approach.
What is her name? Kim? Kimber? Something along those lines. She pats his chest twice before shifting closer, and he gives her a weird look and gently pushes her back.
I’ve never really been the jealous type, but I’ve never been with someone like Emeric who oozes sex appeal and knows it. I’ve seen the girl, who is definitely named Kimber when I can read her name tag, and she seems to think she has a taste for everything.
Including my man.
I slide in beside him, wrapping my arm around his waist, and he gives me a sideways glance. It’s not like we haven’t talked a lot, but we didn’t really discuss what we are to each other either. I’ve told him I hate him, but I think he knows what I really meant.
Kimber’s eyes flash between us as Emeric’s arm slips over my shoulders. He turns, kissing my temple, and I could melt at the show of affection. Leaning closer, he speaks into my ear. “What game are you playing, little one?”
Smirking, I turn to meet his gaze. “I don’t want to play a game.”
My lips slant against his, and the hand on my shoulders slides down to embrace my waist. I lean into his body, my hand coming up to play with the shaggy lengths of his hair, and my God, I need to spend more time running my fingers through it.
His piercing teases my lips before he pulls back, shooting me a wink. “Done hiding, are we?”
I nod, shelving my problem until we’re alone again. I want to make a point to the members like Kimber. They can look all they want, but this Daddy is all mine.
Emeric smirks down at me, massaging his hand over my hip before turning back to Kimber. Her lips are pressed into a tight line and I can see her displeasure. “Was there something else you needed, Kimber?”
“No,” she snaps, turning away. I guess he made his point, and Kimber doesn’t spare another glance as she takes the first corner and disappears from sight.
When he speaks again, his voice is in my ear. “I like a bit of jealousy on you, Doe Eyes. Feral looks good on you.”
I lean up to kiss him again, nipping at his lips and he growls low in his throat. “I have to give you a bit of attitude, Daddy. You’re keeping secrets from me.”
He tilts his head, and I see the moment that realization dawns in his eyes. “Office, now.”
“You think it’s safe up there?” I’ve sat there since Chad, but there’s always a prick of unease that the same thing might happen again.
“There won’t be another Chad,” he remarks dryly, rolling his eyes. “I thought that’s what Tyson was talking to you about. He’s going to replace the doors.”
“No, he didn’t even bring that up.” I shrug, letting Emeric guide me to the hidden stairs, and I enjoy the way people peer at us since we kissed. I never really dated, not with my father’s paranoia following me everywhere, but there’s curiosity and mild jealousy in some of the members” faces and I’m thriving off of it.
We step through the lower door, Emeric pulling it shut. This is a double-security thing that I’m sure Jo demanded to have, and the lighting in this narrow hallway is some of the best in the building.
Instead of taking me upstairs, he turns and presses me to the door. There’s really no reason anyone else would be coming this way, but I glance nervously behind me all the same. “Myla came up to talk to you?”
“Yes,” I say immediately, narrowing my eyes. “You know what someone gave me?”
He nods, blowing out a breath. “Fucking Nate probably let her upstairs. Yeah, I know what he gave you. If it’s not exactly that, it”s similar. David gave me the list.”
I frown. “What list?”
Emeric rolls his eyes, leaning away to dig something out of his pocket. He hands me the folded paper, and I open it to stare down at the strange document before opening it up.
Rohypnol. Causes and signs.
It’s a handwritten list of reactions to the drug, and when I flip to the next page it’s the printed document with highlights as well as some DV statement that makes no sense to me. I don’t really pay attention to that though, reading the margins instead.
May 27. Found Liam, spoke with him about Chad. Used to get his supply from his friend, he’s scared shitless I’m going to come after him again. Probably what Chad’s using at Feel Good on the girls there. Tell Milo to file a report.
I glance up from the paper. The note is from yesterday but makes little sense in my opinion. “I don’t understand.”
“Chad’s connections through his job allow easy access to some dangerous shit, and according to what David dragged out of Myla’s ex, he likes to take advantage of what people will give him.” Emeric says, clarifying who wrote the note. I didn’t even check the names on the DV statement, I was too distracted by the note. His fingers play along my hip, and I don’t know if he is trying to soothe me or himself. “Easy way to get illegal things like Rohypnol and a bunch of other shit. He keeps the job to have an excuse in case he’s ever caught. But Chad supplied Liam, and I’m betting he wouldn’t change his MO when he goes out.”
He drags a hand over his face before holding it out to take the pages back. “That’s what he probably gave you, but since you didn’t want to be treated for it and I didn’t see whatever it was he gave you, it’s only a guess.”
My brain lags, processing the information slower than he’s giving it to me. Rohypnol is a heavy drug, I know all about it from listening to Dad talk.
That’s what Chad gave me? I only took a sip of my drink… I can’t imagine what it was like for Myla if her ex gave her something similar.
I wet my lips, watching Emeric’s brow furrow with concern, and he pulls the papers from my hand when I don’t respond. “Little one?”
I shake my head. “Those notes, did David call her ex?”
He shrugs. “Call, harass, I didn’t ask for the details. I don’t even know where her ex is. But he got some answers about Chad, who will probably have a very uncomfortable experience at the hospital tomorrow when he gets tipped off to the cops during work.”
“Probably?”
Emeric gives me a knowing look. “Cops don’t like Emilio, but they listen when he files a report about people. They are going to find more than enough and know where to pick Chad up tomorrow.”
My eyes widen. “At Dad’s hospital?” He hesitates before nodding, and I immediately push on. “I want to be there.”
“Hell no.”
“There’s no danger,” I argue, narrowing my eyes. “You can come with me if you want. I’ll just stop in and say I’m looking for Anita or something. Once they grab him we’ll leave. Simple.”
“You think an arrest is ever simple?”
“What I think is I’m not missing it after all the crap that happened because of him.”
Emeric sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. I didn’t think this is what he was going to tell me, but I didn’t know what to expect either. Rohypnol…
I shudder. That’s some dangerous shit, and Chad probably gave me that or something close to it. I wrap my arms around myself, Emerc’s eyes tracking me before he continues. “This is part of the reason I didn’t tell you. I knew you’d want to jump into the middle of things.”
“It happened to me. It was given to me. I have a right to see what happens in the end.”
His brow twitches, but after a moment he sighs. “Fine, but I’m coming with you.”
“I already said that.”
“No sneaking off.”
“I don’t plan to.”
He leans in a little closer, and I squirm under his scrutiny. “And if your Dad tries to make a scene, I’m not holding back.”
I wince. That’s probably to be expected but I still don’t like it. I almost ask why the pickup couldn’t be at another hospital, but I have a feeling it’s set to happen at my old job on purpose. “We’ll just avoid him.”
Emeric gives me an unimpressed look, leaning over me until I can see nothing but him. “You’re not going to keep catering your life to your father. He was in the wrong. It’s time you stop worrying about how poorly your choices affect him.”
I open my mouth to respond, but he shoves my legs apart with a knee and my train of thought falls off course. It’s hot in Denver during the summer, and all the dresses I like to wear are working against me. My center is still sore from how rough Emeric fucks, and his hand comes up to close around my throat and squeeze.
Panting, I catch his wrist. “Emeric-”
“Problem, Doe Eyes?” I feel the stud in his tongue trace over the shell of my ear. “I can’t have you here?”
I shake my head, but the protest is weak. “You’re distracting me”
“No, I’m reminding you why I give a damn what happens to you.”
He palms my pussy, cupping me in his hand as his thumb reaches up to stroke my covered clit. My head snaps back despite myself, and I’m gripping his arms before I realize what he’s doing.
“This body,” he growls, his opposite hand moving to wrap around my neck, “is mine to protect.”
I claw at his arms, his hand flexing on my pussy, and I try to rock against him. “You’re mine to please and punish and care for. There’s no reason for me to not be somewhere dangerous where I can easily protect you, little one.”
He shoves the thong I’m wearing aside, sliding a finger inside me. I’m wet enough that there’s no resistance, and he presses into the knuckle making me gasp. “I’m not in danger at the hospital.”
His finger curls inside me, and I rock into his hand. “Wrong. You ran into Chad there, twice. Your father works there. That’s two people too many who don’t like you right now.”
The reminder of the rift between me and my father makes me scowl, and I use my free hands to pull on Emeric’s sweats. The glorious thing about his classes is that he’s easy to access, but before my hand closes over his cock, he tightens his hand on my neck.
“Not now, little one,” he growls, and I’m surprised he’s turning me down. “Not when that pretty head is spinning from learning about the drugs. I can fuck you when you’re good and ready at home.”
Home. Is that his house, or Jo and Vinny’s place? I don’t know where I can call home anymore, and it leaves a confusing blur in my brain. I haven’t stayed the night at my cousin’s, not when Emeric could wrap my tired soul up and drive me back to his place to ravish me again.
His fingers tease over my clit, and my head rolls back as I grip the waistband of his sweats. “Cum for Daddy, little one. Let’s finish up what we need to do and get out of here.”