-Ares-
I leave Brynn to her work. I know she’ll get what we need, and I’m not particularly fond of seeing what’s going to happen next…
I need to get a few of my men here to keep things under control, but first, I need to check the security of this place and whatever cameras they might have. I get the feeling that his secretary knows how things work around here best.
I close the door behind me, then call my men to come in and secure the perimeter. I also call 404 to infiltrate their system. I need eyes and ears around this place. We should have kept this hush-hush, but discreet doesn’t seem to work for us today.
Then I walk back to the main lobby and to the reception desk, where Ashford’s assistant is all alone behind the counter.“Let’s have a chat,” I gesture to her to enter one of the free rooms. I’m not sure who’s listening here, and I need this to be kept between us.
My tone must’ve been rougher than intended because she shrinks back in her chair, her manicured fingers gripping the edge of the desk. Seeing she doesn’t seem to follow basic instructions, and that her eyes dart to the phone on her desk, Iplace my palm on the flat surface between us, leaning forward just enough to invade her personal space without touching her—yet.
“Here’s what’s going to happen. We’re going to continue this conversation in a different room. I don’t like all eyes on me. If things go smoothly, life will go on as normal. But if they don’t...” I let her fill the blanks.
Her throat works as she swallows. “Mr. Ashford—”
“Is occupied,” I finish for her, gesturing toward the room. And it seems she finally gets it. Her survival instinct kicks in, and she does as she’s told.
I follow her into the room and close the door behind us. Her face turns pale at the sound, but I can also catch a hint of something else. Is that?… arousal? Her blushed cheeks tell me that it could be possible. I’m definitely not going down that path, my little curse is the only one who getsme.
“This is going to play out in your favor if you keep your mouth shut. Mr. Ashford will be occupied for some time. You will direct any inquiries to me. You willnotcall security. You willnottext anyone. And you willnotwhisper a word about what you’re going to see.”
A tear slides down her cheek, smudging her mascara. “He’ll kill me if I—”
“No,” I step closer to her, dropping my voice to that level that doesn’t need any other explanation. “He can’t kill you if I kill you first. And trust me, I will. And it’s not gonna be quick or easy.” She takes a step backward, but my gaze lingers on her. “Don’t even think of double-crossing me. In a few moments, I’ll own every digital system in this building. The cameras, the phone, and the fucking computers. My men are making that happen, so if you attempt to alert anyone, I’ll know before you finish the wordhelp.” I give her a second to process what I’m sayingbecause she seems a little lost. “Understood?” I ask, making sure she knows what she has to do.
She nods frantically, because at this point, she’ll do anything to get out of this alive.
“Perfect. The club continues operating as normal. If anyone asks for Ashford, he’s in a private session and cannot be disturbed. Next thing you do, you call me.” I give her my card, and she grabs it, her hands shaking. “Now smile and get back to fucking work.”
She forces her lips into a grotesque approximation of a smile. Terrorstill plastered across her face.
In my millennia of existence, I’ve grown to know people pretty well. She’s not gonna say a word. If she does, 404 will handle it and cut the connection before she gets to say anything. “Now, you’re going to get a call from one of my men, and you’ll tell him everything you know about how this place runs.”
She nods again, and I show her the door, which she uses to get behind her desk as soon as possible.
Iwalk back through the black silk curtain, and as I approach the room where Ashford is, I can hear Brynn’s voice echoing through the door. "On your knees," she commands, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Both of you."
I smile despite myself. My little curse has a talent for this kind of work.
"But—" Ashford's protest is cut short by what sounds like the click of a safety being disengaged.
"I said knees," Brynn repeats, colder now. "Now strip him already. Slowly."
Fabric rustles, followed by Ashford's panicked voice. "This is insane! I don't swing that way!"
"I’m not saying you need to enjoy it. Quite the opposite. The girls you kept here certainly didn’t," Brynn responds, her voice sharp enough to cut. "But that didn't stop you, did it?"
More rustling, then Ashford's voice rises to a pitched sound. "Stop! You can't do this!"
"I'm not doing anything," Brynn says, and I can hear the amusement in her voice even if I don’t have my eyes on her yet.
Fabric tears, followed by Ashford's voice cracking. "Please—you can't—"
"I repeat, I'm not doing anything," Brynn says with deadly calm. "I'm just watching. Like you did with all those girls."
I slip inside the room without drawing attention to myself. We have two different stars today, and the scene before me confirms it. Ashford is bent over a desk with his pants around his ankles. Behind him, the other guy trembles, sweat beading on his forehead as he positions himself right at Ashford’s clenching hole.
Brynn sits in a leather chair, gun resting casually on her thigh, eyes glittering with cold satisfaction, while the other girl sits on a small sofa, mirroring the same satisfaction in her gaze.
