Page 89 of His Pet

Denim girl is sobbing now, blubbering about how Small was going to kill her, how terrified she was, how he grabbed her and now he’s dead, and she was just defending herself, she swears! She seems more concerned about her “traumatized” viewers than about nearly dying and subsequently killing a man. Unlike me, the police don’t find it suspicious.

As they lead her away, wrapped in a blanket, she winks at me. It’s just a twitch of her muscles, something a random observer could write off as a grimace, but I know better. I also remember where I saw her. She’s a regular at Sin’s club.

Relief floods me, even as I realize I now owe Sin two huge favors. It doesn’t matter. Whatever she asks for, she can have, because in one elegant swoop, she gave me my life back. Not only is Small dead, but there’s a recording of him attacking me, which means that his investigations against me will be harder to defend. There’s also irrefutable proof I had nothing to do with his death, and Sin’s friend likely won’t even get prosecuted because it was clearly self-defense.

I knew Sin was brilliant, but fuck. If she had any intention of seizing power in the city, she’d give Rossi a run for his money. If it ever comes to that, I’m picking her side.

As the cops escort me out of the warehouse, still in cuffs, I glance at Small’s body one last time. “You lose, fucker,” I whisper under my breath. “Rot in hell.”

Chapter 55

Cameron

Despite Small being dead, or maybe because of it, it takes hours before I’m cleared to leave. First, I’m taken to a hospital and thoroughly checked. They’re probably protecting themselves from more lawsuits in case my injuries are more serious. After all, it’s their fault I was left alone with Small in the first place, especially after I raised my worries with the deputy. They photograph my injuries. Take samples.

Everyone assures me that the incident will be thoroughly investigated and all guilty parties punished, but I don’t really care. Small’s dead. Even if I can still hardly believe it, he’s gone, and that’s all that matters.

After the hospital, they take me back to the precinct for more interviews. I have to recount the attack. Over and over. My lawyer finally shows up. Turns out, Small lied about having contacted him. What a surprise. Not.

Time drags, and by the time I finally step outside the building, all I want is to crawl in bed and sleep for a week. Not without Justin, though. I need him, and I know just where to find him.

Sin knew to send Denim Girl to help me, which means my smart pet must have told her what happened. I worry about the price of that help, but I’d rather owe two favors to Sin than one to anyone else. Whatever Sin wants, she can have it. Knowing her, it will mean spending a night on my knees in front of her and a sore ass. Unpleasant, but it beats being dead.

The cops are holding my phone as evidence and they didn’t bring my wallet along when they dragged me out of the house. It means I leave the precinct empty-handed, wearing just sweatpants, a hoodie, and cheap slip-ons they pulled from a lost-and-found box. At least they felt guilty enough about the whole Small thing that they called me an Uber. How fucking noble of them. Serve and protect at its finest.

I look around for the car that’s supposed to pick me up, but don’t see it anywhere. In its place, a familiar muscular man is leaning against a black sedan.

“Hey, Gary,” I greet him with a smile, relieved to see a somewhat friendly face.

He nods. “Mr. Matthews.” He opens the car door for me like I’m a celebrity. Or a prisoner. Still, I don’t hesitate getting in. I wanted to go to the club anyway.

“Is Justin at Indulgence?” I ask as we pull away from the curb.

The corners of Gary’s mouth twitch in a suppressed smile. “Yeah. Brave kid, that one. Madame likes him.”

A cold weight settles on me. I thought that the worst thing Sin could ask for is to have her way with me, but what if she asks for Justin? He’s not her usual type, but he’s got this innocent charm that makes him irresistible to predators like Sin and me.

My fists clench so hard they ache. Justin’s mine. Sin can have everything else. My money, my house, my fucking life, but not him. Never him.

My exhaustion is forgotten as we approach the club entrance. Adrenaline floods my veins. My muscles are bunched up tightly, my body ready to fight even if my head knows I can’t punch my way out of this situation. Even if I was willing to use violence against Sin, her men would quickly take me out. She employs several big guys like Gary, all bred for combat, and they’re fanatically loyal to her. Force will do nothing here. I need to stay smart.

Justin claims Sin’s my friend. I wouldn’t really label our relationship by something so mundane as friendship, but we do have a connection. I’ve helped her before. Not as much as she helped me, but I have to believe we’re close enough she won’t fuck me over now.

It’s early evening, and the first patrons are arriving at the club. Mostly for drinks and conversations. The other kind of fun usually starts later.

Gary takes me straight to Sin’s office. She looks up from some forms as we enter and beams at me. “Cameron! Finally. I was beginning to worry the cops were going to keep you. It would be quite inconvenient if I had to rescue you again.”

The jab is subtle, but I recognize it as my cue. “You know how much they love their paperwork,” I say with a shrug, then switch to a more serious tone. “Listen, Sin. Thank you. For everything. I’m truly grateful. I’d call you an angel, but I don’t want to get punched, so… Thank you. I owe you two huge favors.”

Something dangerous glints in her eyes as she grins. “You do. Your pet is cute. Very loyal. Very sexy, in that twinky kind of way.”

My jaw tightens, but I force myself to relax. “Yes, Justin is perfect. I know I owe you, Sin, but you can’t have him.”

“Oh really?”

Trying to keep a level expression, I endure her gaze. She’s just teasing. I think. I hope. Fuck, she has to be teasing.

Finally, she waves her hand. “Relax. I’m not going to steal your precious pet. I have my hands full with the toy I already own. Men are such high maintenance pests and require so much training. It’s astounding.”