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When I was around him like this, it was hard to focus. I obeyed him without thinking and as I knelt there beside his leather chair, it occurred to me that I’d be able to think more clearly if I put some distance in between us.
Already, I could tell that my heart had softened for him. I craved his touch on my skin, his kind words, and everything that came with him. The connection between us was becoming more intense with every moment we were together, and I was soon afraid that I wouldn’t be able to fight it at all.
I was lost in thought when his team members entered the room. Silas didn’t introduce them to me right away. His fingers scratched at the top of my head, petting me gently and making it clear that he wasn’t ignoring me.
“Chloe, I want you to meet my team,” he finally said, and I was a little taken aback at first at the use of my name. I moved to stand up to my feet, but a firm hand on my shoulder prevented that. I stayed down on my knees, watching as the group of men sat down on the large couches. There were six of them, but they were big enough to take up the majority of the furniture.
He introduced them all to me.
“This is Dean, Eric, Daniel, Michael, Anthony, and Julian,” he began, pointing to each one as he did so. “Together, we call ourselves The Seven. We work together to undermine corruption and crime throughout the world, but we operate by our own rules, not by the bureaucracy of government or politics or anyone else,” he explained.
“What does that mean?” I asked, narrowing my eyes in suspicion.
“It means we aren’t constrained by any laws but our own,” he replied.
I stared at the men gathered before me. They were all quite large and well-muscled. Every one of them peered back at Silas with measured respect and I could tell that these men had worked with one another for a long time. I didn’t ask any more questions and the men returned to talking about business. They discussed a range of topics from the stock market to bank chains, and the conversation started to turn darker and far more interesting after that. They started to discuss criminal organizations like the mafia and their role in human trafficking, the drug trade, as well as money laundering in certain bank chains.
“I’ve noticed that Nick Lucchese frequents the Empire Bank down in Brooklyn. He thinks he’s stealthy about his trips there, but he does every Friday at the same time,” Dean offered.
“Dumbass. He should know better than to fall into a pattern like that. Why don’t you look into it further and we can take his bank accounts for ourselves, Dean?” Silas grinned.
When I started fidgeting, Silas returned his hand to my scalp. After a little while longer, he paused and spoke once more.
“Would you like to go to the gym now, kitten?” he asked. I looked down at the floor, a tad embarrassed that he’d referred to me that way in front of his men. I knew how he expected me to answer though.
“Yes, sir,” I whispered.
“Go to the elevator and take your gym bag. Damon will meet you there,” he offered. I stood up and he grasped my hand, pulling me toward him. His lips captured mine in a kiss. It was as consuming as it was overwhelming and for a moment, every worry in my mind fell away. It didn’t even matter than six men were watching and that they could probably see how my nipples had pebbled under my dress. I could feel my arousal between my thighs, and I hoped that they couldn’t sense that too.
When Silas released me, I was left breathless, my body pulsing with sensation. I sighed softly with pleasure as he released me.
“I look forward to your return, kitten,” he said quietly, and I smiled. When I’d gathered myself enough to take a step, I muttered something of a goodbye to the other men inside the room and ventured back into the hallway in the direction of the elevator. As soon as I turned the corner, the doors slid open, revealing Damon inside.
“We meet again,” he grinned.
“Damon,” I greeted him. He took my bag from my fingers and moved to the side as I walked into the elevator with him. Now that I was no longer in Silas’ presence, I took what felt like the first full breath I’d taken in a long time. I leaned back against the wall as the elevator sped downward and closed my eyes for a few seconds.
“Rough day?” Damon asked.
“You could say that,” I scoffed.
“Want to talk about it?” he offered. “I’m a good listener.”
“How do I know you won’t run to Silas and inform him at the first chance you get?” I said, narrowing my gaze at him in suspicion.
“You don’t,” he replied. The elevator came to a stop and he hastily told me to follow him. He didn’t say anything more until we reached the gym. He pointed out the locker room and walked through another hallway that opened up into the nicest indoor pool I’d ever seen. Not only was there a full-size Olympic pool, but a lazy river and a number of hot tubs to lounge in. The massive room was designed as if it was a grotto, with several hidden caves and ever-running showers connecting it all. It looked absolutely incredible and I vowed to enjoy everything. I entered the locker room and Damon waited on the other side. I placed the gym bag down on a bench and looked out the window onto the street. Central Park was right there.
We were on the first floor.
I swallowed heavily, noticing that there was an exit door to the outside in here. The sky was blue overhead and by the appearance of the people walking by, it was likely quite warm. I turned back to the door that led to the pool, knowing Damon was on the other side. Right now, though, I was entirely alone and unattended.
I could slip away now. I could go back home or stay with a friend. I could get away from all of this if I moved fast.
Silas was beginning to grow on me, but I wasn’t the type of girl who wanted to be owned by a man. I wasn’t his just because he’d said the words. He’d given me a leg up with the show last night and I would use that to my advantage. I could do it on my own without him.
I made a knee-jerk decision and slung the gym bag over my shoulder. I burst out the exit door, glancing back and noticing that it was a keyed entry just like the elevator had been, a hand scanner that would only allow approved people inside. The door closed behind me. I wouldn’t be able to get back inside.
