DAD
Sorry I missed our usual call this week. I’ll be Stateside by the end of the month. Will make it up to you then.
I shake my head with a chuckle. The man has been a workaholic for as long as I can remember, and ever since he’d been sent to head up the Brussels branch of Newman Harris, the investment firm he works for, he’s been even worse. But his work makes him happy, and in a world where happiness can be hard to come by, who am I to judge?
ME
No problem, Dad. I’ll catch you when you’re back in the city. Love you x
Law ends his call at the same time I hit send, then he shoots me a broad wink.
“Ready to hit up Rogue, sugar tits?”
I gently place my fork on my empty dessert plate, shaking my head with a good-natured eye roll.
“There’s a first time for everything, I guess.”
“It’s your first…” Lawson freezes in the middle of rising to stand, his lips parting in surprise and lifting in a shit-eating grin. “Oh, my little Rogue virgin, we’re in for a treat tonight.”
Then he looks past me to Ford before meeting my gaze again. His eyes dance devilishly as he arches an eyebrow.
“I wonder just how far I can push him before he loses his shit completely.”
CHAPTER 14
EMERSON
“A VIP boothinRapturehas been arranged for you both and anyone else you’d like to join you tonight.”
Ford keeps his eyes fixed on the street before him when he calls over his shoulder.
“I’ve ensured a seamless entry with minimal interruptions to your evening. If you could please follow me, Kyle, and Thom when we exit the vehicles.”
I’m about to answer, when Law cuts me off. “Oh, we won’t need a private area inRapture.” Then he throws his arm over my shoulder, tugging me against his side with a grin. “We’ll be spending the evening inRisqué.”
Ford pulls up at the main entrance for Rogue, and I barely have a second to note the red carpet and mile-long line of would-be partygoers clamoring for entrance to the well-known club before his eyes spear mine in the rearview.
“Miss Hart isn’t a member, and that section is off-limits without membership, as I’msureyou’re aware, Mr. Wilde.”
I blink several times, my brows lowering in a confused frown until I recall Hayles asking him at Fern if the rumors were true surrounding Rogue. He’d not elaborated, and we’d gottendistracted, but suddenly I find myself very curious about the club he ran security for before establishing Sentinel.
The only rumors I recall hearing were ones pertaining to a voyeurism area…
“What’s the difference anyway? It’s all the same club, right?”
Lawson chuckles as a frown crosses Ford’s forehead. “Raptureis the main club, and it’s open to a certain clientele, whether they have membership or not.Risqué,however, is the members-only section that deals in all manners of kinks and proclivities…” he trails off as he wiggles his eyebrows dramatically. “Ifyou catch my meaning.”
My interest is sufficiently piqued, and a deep desire to see inside the place that was Ford’s home settles in my chest as Lawson focuses his attention on the driver’s seat.
“Besides, you’re clearly unaware of the new rules brought into place in recent weeks.”
Ford visibly stiffens, his jaw flexing when my grinning fake date continues. “All members are invited to elect a singular plus-one per calendar year who may taste what the real Rogue has to offer before purchasing membership.”
He shifts his gaze to mine, announcing playfully, “And I chooseyou, Pikachu!”
Then he boops me on the nose before leaning closer to whisper in my ear. “His left eye is twitching like crazy. Think this round goes to me.”
The rear passenger door opens without warning, revealing Kyle and Thom waiting to escort us inside. As Law slides out onto the red-carpeted pavement with a self-congratulatory wink, I wait a beat, pivoting to find Ford’s concerned expression in the mirror.
