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Releasing his hand, I step away and rush through the exit before Colton can convince me otherwise. The fear in his voice just made this situation all the more real, and I desperately need the security of routine to comfort me right now.
As I step onto the sidewalk, the sound of something breaking from inside the club crashes through my resolve.
Carson stands by the car, door open. “Everything all right?”
I don’t look back at The Lair. “I hate surprises, Carson. And I really hate underhanded tactics. Unless you want my wrath coming down on you your first week, you won’t pull a fucking stunt like that again.”
To Whom It May Concern:
Colton
The white gauze covering my knuckles turns a bright red as blood seeps past the thin threads. I pump my hand a couple of times, letting the blood flow, watching the shade deepen.
Julian will be pissed about the mirror. And the barstool that crashed into the mirror—and then my fist—but he’ll get over it once I tell him what we’re up against. That will take precedence over everything. Even his engagement.
Once Sadie starts digging, she’ll uncover the truth.
And her fucking job—so black and white. She won’t see the gray—the pain, the destruction, the inevitable; she will be forced to do her job, and those will be the very words slung at me. Once I witness that look of disgust in her eyes…there will be no reasoning.
Maybe it’s time. I’ve carried the weight for nearly two years, and it’s been a festering black hole threatening to implode and swallow me for just as long.
The abyss has called my reckoning.
I was stupid to ever think it would end any other way.
Pulling out my key ring, I weed through the many keys until I find the right one, then insert it into the lock on the desk. I tug open the heavy metal drawer, and the resounding bang detonates my anger.
“Dammit,” I shout. Gritting my teeth, I dive into the files, collecting them all at once and dropping them on the desk.
Lilly Anne chooses this moment to enter the office. She stands paused in the doorway, hands fisted on the shiny leather of her hips, little mouth rounded in an O. “Wow. That little detective girl sure got a rise out of you.”
I shake my head. If she only knew.
“I know it’s Julian’s engagement party today,” I say, taking a seat to try to settle my nerves. “But maybe give him a call. Let him know officers paid the club a visit.” That should motivate my brother to get his ass over here.
With a hesitant step forward, she enters the room. “I thought that’s why you were here. You’re taking over for him, right?”
I haven’t made a final decision yet. I thought that maybe I could, if it meant a steady life to keep me here…near Sadie. But now there’s a more pressing issue: do I stay in this city or run?
That’s laughable. Run where? The only place I want to be is with Sadie. Whether as her lover, her devoted worshiper, or as her prisoner.
I guess, really, they’re all the same.
A smile twitches at my lips as I give the Dominatrix her answer. “Yes. I’m taking over. But there’s some loose ends that my brother needs to tie up before then. And it needs to be handled today.”
She nods assuredly. “Right away, sir.” Then she heads off to do as told. Only the one in charge of the club could get that kind of respect from the feisty Domme. She’s accustomed to giving orders, not taking them.
Driving a hand through my hair, I look down at the member files. I’m not sure where to begin. We don’t keep accounts on a computer—nothing that can be hacked into and accessed. This is going to take ages to sort through. And I’m not positive my time won’t be wasted searching for a needle in a haystack. Or if the needle I’m looking for is even here.
A sneaking annoyance pulls at my conscience, suggesting this is Sadie’s way of keeping me busy and out of her way. Busywork for her main suspect. Keep me where she wants me—where she can find me. All she had to do was ask. Speak one order and I’d gladly stay put wherever she directed.
She still doesn’t get it.
Blowing out a heavy breath, I plunge into the stack and locate a specific folder. If someone is using the club to vet victims, I’ll find them. I’ll deal with them—personally. And if I discover they’ve used this means to stalk Sadie and hurt her…
I’ll murder them.
Once you’ve taken a life, it shouldn’t be difficult to take another. I already owe plenty for my sins, what’s one more life?
