Page 53 of Captive Heart

Even with Trinity's help, she couldn't manage anything more than an ungainly shuffle across the floor until she'd moved just far enough to clear the opening.

Micah burst through as soon as Trinity gave him the go ahead.

“Fuck!” The word was spat like a bullet, but his hands were gentle as he leaned down and scooped her up, as if she weighed no more than a feather.

Settled in his arms, Melody finally felt safe.

35

Guthrie pulled up his collar and ducked his head as he hurried out of the club, aware that there were security cameras on the doors. He buried his bruised fingers inside the pockets of his jacket and cursed under his breath, checking all around him as he made his way to his car to ensure no one was following.

What the fuck was V's whore doing in this place? There was no doubt it was her. No two bitches had hair that white or that long; he was bloody certain. And the cunt had recognised him, too!

V hadn't said anything about letting his fuck toy go free, and Guthrie wasn't fool enough to think that the bitch had a choice in the matter, but the bastard had cancelled their last gang bang session. They'd all thought he'd probably just beaten her too hard, not that it usually made any difference, except for the time when her cunt had bled like a stuck pig, but even that didn't turn some of the fuckers off.

And now she was here, all tarted up and with access to the private upstairs dungeon which he’d been refused membership for. Not that he could really afford their extortionate fees, of course… So how could she?

Maybe V had sold her or something.

One thing was for sure. Guthrie had every intention of finding out what the hell the deal was, 'cos that bitch posed too much of a danger to all of them if she was running around loose, since she'd be able to identify every one of them. And he liked his freedom far too much to allow it to be compromised.

If he had to, he’d take matters into his own hands.

36

Micah strode purposefully toward the staff lounge, then cursed under his breath when he realised it was in use. Changing direction without so much as a break in his stride, he altered his course and headed for his private office instead.

"Go find a blanket," he demanded of Trinity, who was trotting along behind him, wringing her hands in distress. She had a decidedly guilty look on her face. So obviously, Trinity knew a damn sight more than he did as to why Melody was dressed in what could easily pass as fetish wear and appeared to have been out in the club. But he'd deal with that later. Right now, he was more concerned about Melody. She clung to him as if her life depended on it, her nails digging into his flesh where she gripped handfuls of shirt and skin. She was shaking like a leaf and more tears than he'd ever seen her shed streamed down her cheeks in a torrent of near hysterical distress. Something that was totally out of character.

Shouldering the door, he pushed through and didn't stop until he eased himself down on the deep, comfortable couch in the corner of the room and settled Melody more comfortably onto his knee, snuggling her to his broad chest and holding her tight.

For long moments, he said nothing at all, just held her so she could calm down, while he got his own anger under control. That would serve neither of them right now.

Trinity came scurrying into the room with the subbie blanket he'd asked for, and he took it from her and tucked it around Melody's trembling frame.

"Oh God, I'm so sorry!" Trinity lamented, her own voice none too steady. "I honestly didn't think she'd react this badly. I even made her wait a week in case she changed her mind. More than a week, in fact. But she seemed so together, and she was so excited about it that I never imagined… And I insisted on a chaperone, which, of course, she had to have anyway, but…"

Micah held up a hand to halt the uncharacteristic jumble of half formed sentences that were tumbling from his assistant manager's mouth.

"She was down in the club, yes?" he asked succinctly.

"Yes, we had a discussion about it last?—"

Micah cut her off. "Was somebody with her?"

"Yes, of course there was, I would never have let her?—"

"Trinity! Calm down and give me the facts," Micah demanded. "Who was with her?"

"Laurel. She took Melody as her guest and…sorry," she conceded as he threw her a quelling look.

"Do you know what happened?"

"No, I went to investigate because I heard sobbing in the corridor. I found her on the floor in pretty much the same shape as when you got there."

"Okay. Get Laurel. Let’s see if she can shed any light on the matter. And check if Xavier is in tonight. You don't need to approach him, just confirm in case we need him, then cover my shift on the dungeon floor. I'll deal with Melody."

"I really am sorry, Micah," Trinity whispered in clear agitation.

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