Chapter Two
Aurelian
AURELIAN SIGHED. His shoulders ached, and he needed a good night’s sleep. Ever since his transfer from his old responsibilities as Submission Master, his nights had been restless. Every night was spent with a tumbler of whiskey in hand, sitting on the sofa, brooding, rage simmering.
It wasn’t as if he had even done anything, he would think to himself, night after night.It wasn’t me. They know it wasn’t me. Anything to avoid scandal.Aurelian reached for his coffee and rubbed at his eyes.At least they didn’t try to send me down for murder. But Talia was my responsibility, and they’ve not done a bloody thing. Unsolved, and the police paid to stay away.He looked off into an imaginary distance.I’ll find who did this to you, Talia, he promised silently. It had taken him weeks to calm his fury and his sense of helplessness.
Aurelian was not used to feeling like a victim. The accusations had left him sidelined, and it had been impossible to find out anything about the investigation, until friends had told him the entire thing was being slow-walked, to avoid any further controversy.
Well, live and learn. Aurelian had thought since he was innocent and had nothing to hide, he did not have to worry and could leave the investigators to find out the truth of what had happened to Talia.I won’t make that mistake again, and I’m not done yet. He was pretty sure his superiors were keeping a close eye on him, but now that it was clear the investigation was not meant to accomplish anything, he had been making some quiet contacts to gather information himself.The House doesn’t want to know? The hell with them. I do.
In the meantime, Aurelian’s responsibilities were in the Pleasure House’s human resources department. He was finding things a little soul crushing. “This cannot be my job,” he said. On the screen in front of him was a camera feed from a reception room. Sitting alertly in a chair was a woman who was striking, even by his standards. Lithe, long-legged, with pure white hair pulled back in a severe ponytail. “Good grief, she might actuallybea sexy librarian,” he murmured, taking a sip of coffee.
“Sorry?” asked his executive assistant.
“Never mind,” said Aurelian abruptly. “So why is this woman my problem?”
His assistant glanced at her tablet.
Bad habit..If I was training you, you would have the information ready and not need a second look.He mentally cursed.Not your job anymore, Ari. Best put that behind you.
His assistant was ready. “A Ms. Kait Pyne,” she began. “She is bringing forward a complaint against someone in the finance division.”
“Why is she not talking to the police or a lawyer?” he asked.
“I believe she wishes to keep the matter private,” his assistant responded.
“All right,” he grumbled. “I guess I’d better go see her. Has she been offered any refreshments?”
“I don’t think so.”
Aurelian sighed.Seriously, one day with even just a paddle and you would be so much better.“Please ask Ms. Pyne if she would like anything, and let her know I’ll join her in five minutes.”
***
Aurelian stepped into the austere reception room. Kait Pyne looked up at him, frank appraisal in her eyes. She stood up, almost matching his height. He quickly glanced down at her feet. She was wearing sharp black heels, but nevertheless…Aurelian stood over six feet in height.A dancer’s legs.
Painfully aware of his own pause, he sought to regain the initiative. “Ms. Pyne.” He offered his hand.
She shook it firmly.
“Good morning. My name is Aurelian Reynard. Please, make yourself comfortable.” He took a seat across from her.
She sat down and gracefully crossed her long legs. “Please, call me Kait,” she said; her smile did not reach her eyes.
“Thank you, Kait. Please call me Aurelian. So, how can the Pleasure House help you today?”
“I’m so glad you asked, Aurelian. I am here because I must take issue with the conduct of one of the House’s employees.”
Not giving much away.He was finding her direct gaze—so different from the novices he was used to—unsettling but not in an unpleasant way. Aurelian was finding her company unexpectedly stimulating, the first such encounter since his abrupt transfer.
“I am very sorry to hear that, Kait,” he said smoothly. “The Pleasure House of Tarma prides itself on the quality of encounters between our employees and their clients. Please go on.”
“I’m not a client,” said Kait simply. She put her cup down and straightened her shoulders. Aurelian pretended not to notice the way her blouse tightened around her breasts.
He raised an eyebrow, indicating she continue.
“In fact, your employee was my client. I’m an exotic dancer at the Folly Cage.” She paused, but Aurelian showed no reaction except polite interest. “I provided a service for your employee, and he compensated me with counterfeit credits.”
