Page 77 of Unholy Bonds

Later that Sunday, I stood outside my house with Josh. I just received a call from Detective Rosario that Doctor Metha had finished the autopsy and found nothing new. I had also been looking around for The Strangler, and it was starting to make me restless and angry.

I was itching for another kill, but I couldn’t. Not so soon after Victor.

“Why are you all dressed up, Doctor West?” Josh smiled at me, tracing a finger down my cheek. “You always look so beautiful in whatever you wear, but tonight, you look even more beautiful,” he said. “You’re glowing.”

“I’m happy,” I said with a grin, adjusting my dress. “It’s something from work.”

“Good. I love it when you’re happy,” Josh said, and I felt a pang of guilt for doing this.

Josh was a good man, but I wasn’t a good woman. I knew I was using him to play my games with Ryden, but I was past caring by now. I wanted Ryden close, closer. The games had become boring. I needed the real thing now, or I would simply lose my sanity.

I never went out with Josh. Whenever he was here, we were locked up in the room—I never broke the rules. But tonight, I wanted more. I wanted Ryden to see me like this, to see me with someone else, and finally snap. I wanted him to snap.

My wine-red dress clung to my body in a seductive embrace, teasingly revealing. I knew he’d hate to see me with someone else, even though he had said no to me time and again. He proved it by using the vibrator when I threatened to call Josh.

Josh smiled, looking excited as I drove toward the club Onyx.

“I’m excited,” Josh said, almost bouncing in his seat. “You never want to go out.”

I parked the car in front of the entrance of the club. The exterior of the club was minimalist and modern, with sleek glass walls that reflected the city lights. The neon letters flashed above the building.

Handing my keys to the valet, who was waiting for me before I even exited the car, I walked inside the club, my heels making sounds on the black-tiled floor.

The lights, bright and flashing, almost made me wince as I weaved through the crowded club, my eyes scanning faces almost on instinct.

“Let’s indulge, shall we?” I asked Josh, moving toward the velvet-roped area of the club, with black walls and gilded trims. This was where everyone wanted to be, but only a few could afford to be.

Flashing my gold card that said VIP, I walked past the bouncer into the secluded part of the club. The music was much softer inside. Plush leather seating lined the abstract walls, creating intimate spaces for people who loved their privacy. There were small tables, each separated by partitions. Candles flickered on the tables, and the whole place was bathed in a pleasant scent.

“This place is… luxurious,” Josh said, his voice soft.

“It is,” I said as I moved toward the bar. The bartender gave me a welcoming smile that was familiar. “Miss West? Welcome back.”

“Thanks. Wine, please,” I said.

“Do you want to dance?” Josh asked, and I was about to say no when a prickling sensation crept up the nape of my neck, making my hair stand erect. I knew then.

He’s here. I was hoping he’d be here.

I could almost feel the heat of the gaze on my skin. When I looked around, I saw the familiar gray eyes glaring at me. Ryden.

My skin tingled in exhilaration as I pulled Josh closer to me, my body twisting around him. Josh was befuddled, but he didn’t stop moving.

I let the music wrap around me, allowing myself to actually enjoy the dance. Knowing that Ryden was watching me from the shadows made my stomach flutter and nerves tingle. I wanted him to come and take me.

Like a moth to a flame, I was drawn to him. My need for him was a dance between lust and madness. The excitement of these barely shared moments and games was fading. I wanted more, and I knew this would get me more.

Josh’s hand went to my ass as he pulled me closer to his erection. I smiled a little when I felt a hand on my shoulder. Possessive. Proprietary. Ryden’s fingers dug softly into my flesh, pulling out a wanton moan from me. Fucking finally! He made me wait for so long.

“You’re done dancing,” he said, his voice dripping with cold warning.

My legs trembled. I wanted to push him further to see what he might do. I wanted to break his restraints and pull his animal out. To see him the way I saw him that night months ago. It almost felt like a faded dream now.

“Why? I don’t think I’m done yet,” I said without missing a beat, trying to invoke the animal within him. I moved my body to the music, pulling a confused Josh along with me. After a few steps, Ryden pried Josh’s hand from my ass. His hand came to the back of my neck, tangled into my hair. With a tug, he effortlessly whirled me away from Josh, and pulled me against his body, his eyes screaming with envy. My heart rattled so loud I feared everyone could hear it.

Josh looked at me, eyes wide, as if he wasn’t sure what exactly was going on here.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I said, glaring at Ryden. His gray eyes were brewing storms, and his palms were in fists as if he was trying so hard not to punch Josh.

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