Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 67211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
“Me neither,” he admits. “And I wish there was something I could do about it, baby. All we can do is forget what happened and choose to live in the here and now. No one should have to put up with what you did. And if I have anything to do with it, no one ever will again.”
I sigh. “I just—I have this horrible feeling like this is my fault. You were the good one, and I was the needy girl who—”
“Stop that.” His harsh tone makes me freeze mid-sentence. “Don’t you ever let me hear you say a thing like that again.” He pauses to give weight to his words. “Where did this come from?” he asks.
“Well, seeing that woman there today. Hearing what she said, it just made me remember all the things my parents said. What the papers said. How they all painted me as this slutty temptress who persuaded the good man to fall. I was the classic Eve in the garden who handed you the apple.”
“No, Chandra. We’re not going there. What we did was in the past, and even though we did things we shouldn’t have, we’re making this right now.”
I frown, and suddenly in my vulnerable state, all my doubts are coming at me full force. “By playing dom and sub at a BDSM club? This is somehow right and good?”
I don’t like the way his eyes flash at me, and I know I’m pushing things too far, but I need to state my fears and have him resolve those. I need to know that this is okay.
We lay together in the quiet neither one of us speaking after my revelations. Outside our private room are muffled sounds of play, but in here, there’s only our heartbeats and breathing. I reach for his hand and weave my fingers through his, when a knock sounds at the door. Gesturing for me to stay put, he gets out of bed and covers me with a blanket so whoever’s at the door doesn’t see me naked. He looks around for his jeans, but we’ve left our clothes strewn about the room. He swears under his breath and yanks open his dresser door. “Just a minute,” he barks at the door, tugging the jeans on.
He goes to the door and creaks it open then has a brief, hushed conversation. I try to see who’s there but can only see Axle’s broad, muscled back, but it surprises me that it’s a female voice. Who’s he talking to, and why is it okay for them to interrupt us?
Frowning, I push myself to sitting, trying to get a good look, but I can’t see anything. Finally, he shuts the door and turns to me.
“I gotta step out for a minute,” he says. “I want you to stay here for now.”
“Is everything okay?” I don’t like this at all.
Shrugging a shoulder, he frowns. “I’m not sure. But right now, you need a little down time and quiet, and I can’t watch you the way I’d like to out there. So just stay here until I come back for you. Got it?”
My heart sinks, but I’m determined not to let him down. Not again. I’m feeling little and vulnerable, alone like this, and I know in my gut I need some aftercare. Some attention, but I don’t speak up. “Got it.”
Before he leaves, he bends down and gives me a sweet, lingering kiss that makes me arch right up off the bed and into him. “Rest, baby,” he says. “I need to check on a few things. We need to make sure everyone’s safe here.” And then he’s back at his dresser and pulling on a rumpled, faded black t-shirt. I smile at the irony. He may have chosen a different path than he planned, but he’s still a good man. I watch him leave, and sigh to myself.
I flop back onto the bed and sigh, pulling the covers up over my shoulder. To pass the time, I pick up my phone and scroll through. There’s a message from Marla.
Dinner tonight with Viktor and some of his friends, then we’re heading into the club. Will you be there?
Viktor’s friends? Something tells me not to trust these guys. Zack practically said they’re members of the Bratva. I do a search for Bratva and feel my eyes go wide at the results.
Organized crime.
Former Soviet Union.
Powerful, ruthless.
If these men are who Zack fears they are, they’re right here, infiltrating this club, and there’s nothing we can do about it until the undercover agent or agents bring them down. I hate the idea of my friend being in such close proximity. Quickly, I text her back.
Marla, can you meet me at the club sooner? There are some things I need to talk to you about, and I don’t want to be overheard.