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“I appreciate the offer, but no. Just between us, there’s something going on in my club and I want to keep a closer eye on things.”
“What kind of something?”
It wasn’t in Braden’s nature to share his problems. Growing up with identical twin older brothers who’d once been thick as thieves, he’d learned to rely on himself at a young age. And now that Damian and Desmond seemed to hate each other, though nobody could really tell him why, he was reluctant to add his own drama to the mix. If it hadn’t been Damian himself who’d brought the auction to his attention in the first place, he wouldn’t have involved either of them until he’d gotten the situation sorted.
But he’d hired Martin because he trusted him. And because he’d passed the most intense background checks—including being tailed for a month by a private investigator—Braden could buy. So if he was going to confide in anyone, it would be Martin.
“What I am about to tell you does not leave this office. Understood?”
“Of course, boss.”
“Someone is running an illegal auction, and using the club to make it seem legit. I’m working on finding out who the man behind the curtain is, but in the meantime, I want to keep a closer eye on who our members are bringing in. Maybe if they know I’m watching, they’ll stop fucking around in my club.”
“An auction? What kind of auction?”
“Sexual fantasies.” He would keep the virgin part to himself for now, because it still made his stomach churn to think about it. “Which wouldn’t be an issue except for the part where they’re being paid for said sexual fantasies.”
“Holy shit.” Shaking his head, Martin let out a low whistle. “Do you want me to do some digging? If you send me the site, I can probably track them down.”
“I appreciate the offer, but the police are already looking into it.”
“That’s good.” Martin’s smile flashed, a rare show of confidence. “But I’m better.”
The laughter knocked some of the tension from Braden’s shoulders. “If they don’t find something soon, I may take you up on that. In the meantime, send any guest applications through me, and just keep a general eye on things for me.”
“Got it, boss.”
“Dismissed. Oh,” he said as Martin turned to go. “Do me a favor and find Ivy and Cordelia and send them to me. I believe they’re working tonight.”
“Sure thing.”
Braden turned back to his computer as the door shut behind Martin and clicked on Ivy’s profile, studying the picture and the presented fantasies while he waited. It was, he was ashamed to admit, tempting to take them up on what they were offering, even if he had to pay for it. But they were committed to each other, and while he was certain he’d enjoy helping Cordelia torment her girl for an evening, it still wouldn’t ease the pain of going home to a cold, empty bed.
As always, Cordelia only gave a cursory knock before bouncing into his office, her usual wide grin on her face. Blonde and curvy, with a bright and bubbly personality, she was every man’s fantasy of the popular cheerleader. Right up until that man found himself on his knees begging for mercy. She was, without a doubt, one of the fiercest Dommes he’d ever come into contact with.
Behind her was Ivy, quiet and mysterious where Cordelia was loud and cheerful, though no less alluring for it. They were of a similar height, but where Delia was all soft curves, Ivy reminded him of the kind of elf you might find in a high fantasy. Slender and so pale she almost seemed ethereal.
More than one man had made the mistake of thinking quiet, reserved Ivy was the dominant partner, and Delia took great delight in making them pay for their assumptions.
Settling into one of his visitor’s chairs, Delia pulled Ivy down into her lap, ignoring her girlfriend’s brief struggle. A single look from her quelled Ivy’s protests, and then Delia was all smiles again as she turned to Braden. “What’s up, boss? Martin said you wanted to see us.”
“I did.” Gripping the top of his monitor, he turned the screen toward them, while he watched their faces for any sign of discomfort.
But there was none, though there was a hint of confusion in both of their expressions. It was, of course, Delia who spoke first. “Okay? What about it?”
“How did you find out about the auction?”
The confusion in Delia’s expression intensified. “What do you mean? You told me about it.”
Jaw clenched, he forced himself to take a deep breath through his nose before he said something he couldn’t take back. “I certainly did not.”
“Yes, you did,” Delia insisted, her own temper flashing in her eyes. “You emailed me the information a few months ago, after we talked about me getting a raise. I thought it was kind of a dick move at the time, but after I saw the guaranteed bids, I realized it was a hell of a lot more money than you’d ever be able to pay me.”
“Cordelia, I am telling you that I did not send you that email. I just learned about this auction last week.”
“And I’m telling you, the email came from your work account. That’s the only reason I let Ivy sign up for it. You really think I’d risk my girl on some sketchy ass auction if it didn’t come personally recommended by someone I trusted?”
Ivy snuggled closer to Delia, dark eyes wide in her pale face. “Mr. Elliott… if you’re not the one running the auction, then who is?”
