AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Once he cleared the crowd, his gaze landed on Porter, who sat at one of the tables as he drank a beer. An odd sight, since Club Sin didn’t allow alcohol in the dungeon, a rule that Aidan agreed with. To him, a drunk or even tipsy submissive spelled trouble. Though the Dungeon Monitors in Chains were observant to spot such troubles, Aidan preferred a submissive with a clear head.
He approached Porter and exhaled, releasing the lingering tension in his shoulders. He had only been guessing that Porter still belonged to Chains, and Aidan was damn glad he wasn’t wrong. He was one step closer to talking to Porter, and then getting the hell out of this club.
When he drew closer, his gaze roamed over Cora’s ex-boyfriend. The man had a lot going for him. Tall, fit, and good-looking, Aidan had no doubt Porter was a sought-after Dom. And he also hadn’t changed much since Aidan had seen him last. At Porter’s table, Aidan dropped down onto the chair next to him.
Porter leaned against the back of the chair with raised brows. “That’s a face I never expected to see here again.”
“You and me both.” Aidan smiled, offering his hand. “It’s been a long time. How are things—still in the private investigation business?”
Porter nodded, returning to the handshake. “I am—opened up my own office a year back.” Which explained why when Aidan called the only number he had for Porter—his old PI employer—Aidan was told that Porter no longer worked there.
“Glad to hear it,” Aidan said.
Porter shrugged halfheartedly, spinning his beer bottle. “It’s mostly cheating husbands and background details on shady businessmen, but nonetheless profitable.”
Aidan looked at his finger, now drumming out a rhythm on his leg. Where to fucking start? He did feel slightly threatened by Porter. He was Cora’s first Dom, and had shared a year with her. Though Aidan took some satisfaction in knowing that their breakup had been mutual. Cora hadn’t loved him. Porter hadn’t collared her. That in itself showed their relationship was over.
“So …” Porter said and regarded Aidan with a long look. “I imagine you haven’t come for small talk.” He thrust his fingers into his sandy-colored styled hair. “What’s up?”
Aidan’s pride took a blow coming to Porter for insight. But that pain he’d seen in Cora was palpable. He didn’t need his pride. He needed Cora to be better. “It’s Cora.”
“Cora?” Porter’s eyebrows rose quizzically. “Is she okay?”
“It’s why I’ve come.” Aidan sighed. “She’s quite upset about something, but is hesitant to share what’s going on.” He stretched out his legs, folding his arms. “So I’m here to ask a few questions.”
Porter waved him on. “Hit me with them.”
Aidan considered what Cora had told him, then asked, “When you dated her, was she bothered that you didn’t collar her?”
“Collar her?” Porter’s head jerked back with his laugh. “Are you kidding? She would’ve refused me.”
Aidan had suspected to hear that from Porter. He hadn’t believed what Cora told him. Of course, he assumed she craved a collar. He thought most submissives would want that, but there was something else she was keeping from him.
When Cora told Aidan she had dated Porter, a Dom that Aidan had known personally, he’d called Porter. They’d met for dinner before Aidan had taken Cora into her first scene at Club Sin. Not only out of respect for Porter, since he had been her Dom, but also to get some insight into Cora.
They both had told him the same story. Things between them had ended amicably. Both seemed like good friends who wanted only the best for each other. In fact, Porter had seemed genuinely happy for Cora that she’d joined Club Sin and that Aidan would train her. Aidan had walked away from that conversation knowing no lingering feelings remained between them.
Porter took a sip of his beer before lowering the bottle to the table. “What’s this all about, anyway? I knew something was up with her. She called me tonight and wanted to see me.”
Aidan inhaled sharply and gritted his teeth. “Did she?”
Porter nodded. “Yep.”
Aidan shoved away the flare of territorial nonsense. He hadn’t known she still talked to Porter. How much did he not know about her? “Did she mention anything to you at all that would make you believe she is missing you?”
“Aidan, buddy, it’s not like that between us.” Porter gave a blank look. “It’s been three years since we broke up.” His neck bent forward, his hands carving through his hair. “We talked about random shit. And she certainly didn’t talk about being sad that I didn’t collar her.”
That was what bothered Aidan most. Cora had always been so straightforward, and he loved that about her. He didn’t doubt that if Cora wanted Porter back, she would’ve left Club Sin and sought Porter out. So what was she hiding? “When you were with her, did you feel like she yearned for a collar?”
“No. Never.” Porter stared at Aidan as though he had three eyeballs. “It was Cora who first brought up the idea of ending the relationship. A collar was far from her mind, my friend.” Aidan rubbed his face. “Then why in the hell did she tell me that earlier?”
“Maybe she wants a collar now.”
Aidan’s hands slowly fell from his face.
“Not with me, of course,” Porter said and laughed at whatever crossed Aidan’s expression. “Has she met anyone at Club Sin?”
“She’s played with me for the past two years. How could she meet anyone?” Porter’s brows creased. “You two aren’t dating, then?”
