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“This was all your idea, Harris. So you’d better put that fancy cock away, we’ve got shit to do.”
But his blue eyes crinkle at the edges with a small smile as he tucks himself back into his pants.
And all of a sudden, even though we have to descend into the snake pit with the scum of the earth, I know it’ll be ok having him by my side.
Getting through this with all of them by my side.
53
I’m walking into a sex club for the first time, and I am the absolute definition of not-chill.
My heart has been replaced by a racehorse, and my knees just about knock together.
Settle the fuck down.
In what world did I think this would be a good idea? I’ve got Raven and Ky with me, and yet I’m uneasy as anything because my third man has been MIA since I threatened him with his own gun and forced him to reveal his deepest, darkest trauma to me.
Now that I’ve had a couple of days to stew on that, I definitely feel like I owe Thorne an apology. I almost rang him. Then, instead, I composed the world’s longest text message before deleting everything. And the more time that passes when I don’t see him has me suffering the worst kind of dread, fearing that he might never touch me or hold me again. It wasn’t my place to force him to tell me, but then again, none of this would have unfolded the way it did if he hadn’t been keeping so many secrets.
Round and round I spin inside my mind, like a ballerina on crack, and I only end up making myself feel nauseous every damn time.
So, here I am, taking up Poe’s invitation to come survey my inheritance…purely as a curious onlooker. She’d been blowing up my phone the past few days, and evidently Ky’s also. He was the one who convinced me it would be ok to come tonight, but I suspect it was more about getting Poe off his back than anything.
I’ve chosen to wear a dress that looks like a mirror ball, with a low v-neck and long fitted sleeves. It shows off my sternum tattoo perfectly, and the silver fabric feels heaven-sent for my curves, stopping mid-calf to reveal my peep toe wedges.
Even if I might pass out from nerves, I look hot.
Poe made a convincing argument, telling me to join her in spending a night touring the club, and all I have to do is make an appearance. No partaking in sex club proclivities required.
There’s no need for me to be this nervous, I can have a drink, be shown around—seeing as I am the heir to this entire establishment after all—and in doing so, I’ll also show my face among the Anguis who frequent Noire House to chase their pleasure.
Embedded within their secretive world, there are those who deserve to be buried for their sins. The pure evil my men are hunting down and disposing of day by day. But Poe assures me that there are also many members loyal to the Household who have no idea of the foul truth of the hidden organization Andreas and Giana Noire used to operate.
From what I understand, Thorne and his brother have nearly achieved everything they set out to do. With a final trafficking ring they have yet to take apart, and the last step in claiming Noire House’s power for themselves. Which is where my role in the Pledging ceremony comes in.
I’m still only a possession—a thing to be owned.
However, the way things have evolved between all of us, I don’t exactly know that I’m worried about belonging to these men.
If we were free of the sickness infecting Noire House, and the threats now hanging over my head, would I even want to return to my old life? What would I do if given the choice to leave their side?
Barbed wire closes around my throat at the thought.
I’ve become the monster’s pet, who will happily stay put, even if the door to her cage is left wide open.
“Fox, you are such a babe. I demand you come and hang out here every night.” Poe wraps me up in a friendly hug the moment we reach the foyer to Noire House. “Having your fine ass on the floor would quadruple business overnight.” She gives a little wave to my two men. Ky winks and Raven gives her a look that could turn mortals to stone.
They’ve been unusually somber during our ride in, even Ky. Tonight, the mansion reflects their energy, the place is much quieter than when we’ve been here before for the large events. It feels more intimate, with only low lighting and candles flickering inside lanterns lining the dark interior.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever get over coming back here. It’s just…” I glance around at the onyx, marble, and gold finishes, at the wide formal staircase filling the foyer and sweeping up to the next level. This place is so vast that there were entire wings I never once set foot in. My apartment where I used to live was far removed from this area, and it feels like it could be a million miles away at times like this. I simultaneously know this entrance hall like the back of my hand, with all the hiding places and escape routes through long, hidden corridors—while also feeling like a stranger.
“Things have changed since you lived here, no doubt. Especially once the club opened formally, but that was after you left, wasn’t it?” Poe grabs my hand and starts leading me up the stairs.
Raven and Ky follow after us. I glance over my shoulder and am met with reassuring green eyes and a smile telling me to keep going with her.
“You mean, escaped.” I deadpan.
“Yeah. About that…” She giggles and rolls her eyes at the men behind us.
