Chapter 28
SKYLAR
Vance just broke the news that Vice has successfully been sold, and he is no longer the owner of the town’s most popular nightclub.
Fuck, that was quicker than I thought. What the fuck am I going to do now?
All the employees are sitting around the bar on the first level of Vice as Vance goes on about how much he’ll miss this place and us.
Without meaning to, I block out his voice.
The realization that I may have to leave my apartment faster than I originally thought is making my chest tight.
I’m not ready yet. I haven’t completed my list. I haven’t carved my way in this life by eliminating the rope that tethers me to my past. Where the hell am I going to follow through with my plans now?
I’m slipping into my head, the panic making a sheen of sweat form on my forehead.
My breaths are choppy, and I can’t take in a big enough breath.
Fuck, I’m about to have a panic attack. The room is quickly narrowing in my vision, while my internal dialogue has me spiraling.
I’m about to excuse myself to go to the restroom when a familiar voice snaps me out of my turmoil.
“The Kings just want to take this moment to thank Vance for entrusting us in taking over this fine establishment. We are aware this is a shock and surprise to you all, but I can assure you, there will be no significant changes to any one of your schedules or pay. Why change something that works, right?” Saxon locks eyes with me, and suddenly, all my worries about my plans evaporate into thin air.
Is this what he meant when he said he’d take care of it when I expressed my concern about Vance selling?
He couldn’t possibly have done this just so I could stay in my apartment…
could he? It’s crazy to think a man would do something so extreme just so I could keep moving forward with my plans while having a roof over my head.
This has to be a way for his club to benefit by owing an establishment that is so well known among all levels of society in this town.
I just so happen to reap my own benefits as well.
Our eyes remain locked on one another as he stands between Saint and Finn.
I steal a glance at Saint, who is eyeing all the employees one by one.
Looking at Finn, he gives me a sly smirk.
I’m starting to like that little psycho.
Or rather, large psycho, since he’s the tallest of the three.
All are wearing their club’s cuts proudly as they wrap up their speech on how the club will remain exactly the way it’s been.
“So, thank you, Vance, once again, and we hope you’ll visit after your travels.
In the meantime, let’s get ready to celebrate tonight!
” Everyone starts rising from their chairs and shaking hands with the guys one by one.
I don’t miss the lingering gazes some of the dancers have on Saxon as well as Saint and Finn.
I can’t blame them. They’re all sexy as hell.
But a strange sense of anger fills my chest when they start touching Saxon’s arms. He brushes them off, only shaking their hands when they try to go in for a hug.
I notice the same behavior with Saint and Finn.
Neither of them accept anything more than a handshake.
All business for these guys, and I respect that.
I watch the guys speak with some of the other employees for a moment longer, before standing and making my way to the second-floor bar and starting my routine, getting it ready for tonight.
Just because I’m sleeping with the new owner it doesn’t give me special treatment—not like I’d want that.
I love my job and don’t want others assuming anything that would stir up that kind of drama.
However, I can’t help the warmth that floods my core knowing that I can still use the basement and continue with my endeavors.
“You know I don’t like it when you run from me, tesoro.” Saxon’s smooth voice and cologne fill my senses, and I take a moment to absorb all that’s him. Setting down the glass I’m drying, I turn to face my new boss.
“I wasn’t running. It looked like you were busy with introductions, and I needed to get the bar ready for opening.
” As he leans his forearms on the bar top, I can’t help looking at the thick veins that rope around his arm and twist around his fingers.
I’m trying not to drool and make it too obvious that I’m checking him out, but I can tell I’m not doing the best job.
“Right. Anyway, I just wanted you to know that the upstairs apartment is still yours, and I meant it when I said nothing will change around here. Nothing.” He locks eyes with me.
Surely, he’s talking about my extracurricular activities in the basement, and I can’t stop the smile that pulls at my cheeks.
“You keep smiling at me like that, and I won’t be able to stop myself from leaning you over this bar.” My cheeks are instantly pink. This man and his filthy mouth.
“Saxon, we can’t talk like this here. This is my job, and now you’re my boss,” I whisper to him, a devilish grin creeping across his lips as he continues to hold me with his gaze.
“Well then, you better be a good little employee and follow me to my office. I have a few things I need to discuss with you.” He can’t be serious?
We can’t do this here—I refuse to be seen as the employee who is sleeping with the boss.
I’ve seen enough television shows to know it never works out well for the girl.
“Get your head out of the gutter, tesoro. I’m serious.
I have something I need to show you.” I watch his back as he makes his way to his new office, my anxiety suddenly spiked.
I walk around the bar and quickly follow him down the hallway.
Stepping in what used to be Vance’s office, I’m stunned to see how quickly Saxon’s decorated.
This room screams Saxon Wilder. A deep mahogany desk sits in the center of the room.
More security screens have been mounted on the side wall, taking up every available space of sheetrock, making it look like an IMAX theater.
There are two brown leather wingback chairs in front of his desk that are currently occupied by Saint and Finn.
The walls have been painted a sophisticated deep green, making the room feel a little more ominous, but it looks great. It looks like him.
“Come here, Sky. Take a seat.” Saxon pulls out his chair from beneath his desk and ushers me to take a seat.
I do as I’m told, and once I’m seated, he begins typing on his computer before turning to look at the screens.
I do the same, and I about faint as I stare at two men I have grown very, very familiar with my entire life.
They were here—in this club—staring directly at me, and I had no clue.
How could I have been so stupid, so unaware of my surroundings?
“You know these men?” Saint asks from where he sits in front of me, but I can’t answer him just yet. I can’t even look away from the image that’s spread across the monitors, clear as day.
“Sky, we know you know who they are.” Moving around his desk, Saxon moves closer to the monitors and points at the first man.
“This is Diego. He’s your father’s right hand.
Or rather, his hands in general. He handles all his dirty work, ensuring his own stay clean.
” I glance at Saxon, which confirms his statement.
Then he moves on to the next man. “This is Leonard. From what we could gather, he was somewhat of your guard or babysitter whenever you left your father’s house.
” I close my eyes and allow his words to settle inside me.
He’s right, but not entirely when it comes to Leonard.
He was tasked with following my every move, especially within the last five years.
My father started getting suspicious when all his suitors for me turned up missing, and he knew I was involved in some way.
He had every right to be suspicious because it was me killing off every one of those vile human beings he felt suited me as a husband.
I wasn’t going to let another man control my life, so I started killing every single one of them he pushed my way.
This enraged him, and he told Leonard to watch me closer.
He didn’t care if I was using the restroom or showering or even fucking sleeping.
Leonard had to be my shadow, twenty-four seven.
I had to drug him to get even a moment’s peace.
I needed to drug him every time I had planned on killing my father’s suitors.
It was risky, but I was always back in my bed before Leonard ever woke up.
He never suspected I did anything. He was a heavy drinker at night and always chalked up his black outs to being too drunk.
Why were they here? Together? They hated each other. And how did I not notice them?
“Do you know this guy, by chance?” I forgot about the third guy; my heart was racing knowing the other two were so close to me without my knowledge.
I stand from the chair and get closer to the monitor.
He’s an average-height man, with dark hair, pale skin, and no visible tattoos.
Then again, he’s only in a T-shirt, so he may have some elsewhere.
I don’t think I know him, but I feel like I’ve seen him before in passing.
A face that’s familiar and yet a complete stranger.
“I’ll be right back,” Finn says, looking at his phone and excusing himself from the office. As soon as the door closes, I look at Saxon.
“I don’t know him, but I feel as though I’ve seen him before. I just can’t remember where.” Saxon makes his way back to his chair and takes a seat. He reaches his hand towards me. I take it, and he pulls me to his lap.
“Saxon, we can’t—”
“It’s just us in here, tesoro. You can relax.”
“I can stand, really.”
“I want you right here on my lap, against my chest.” I don’t argue any further because, honestly, I love when he doesn’t hide his affection for me.
In fact, he never has. He always needs to be touching me in some way.
I’m usually the one that shies away from PDA, but since it’s just Saint here, I don’t mind.
Plus, Saint hasn’t looked up from his phone since I took a seat on Saxon’s lap.
“Why were they here?” I finally ask, but I’m not sure I want to know the answer. If they’re both here, then it’s not for any good reasons, that much is certain.
“I’m not sure, but we’ll find out.” Saxon brushes a long strand of my hair over my shoulder, exposing my neck to him.
He then rubs his nose so delicately up my neck it sends shivers down my spine.
I grab onto his strong thighs as he snakes his arm around my waist and pulls me flush to his chest. I dare a glance at Saint once more, but he’s still nose deep in his phone.
“I’m going to bend you over this desk and fuck you until this whole club hears my name on your lips,” he whispers in my ear, and immediately, my panties dampen from his words.
Before I can respond, the door opens, revealing Finn and two of the most terrifying, yet insanely gorgeous, men I have ever seen.
I go to stand up, but Saxon holds me firmly against his body.
“Fellas, I’d like for you to meet my friends. Everett and Dean.”