Page 34 of Saviors

Reid

The hum of music in the club grated along my spine. The tension built in my neck. People around me smiled, laughed, fucked, but I couldn’t feel their joy.

Instead, I walked the perimeter. Counted the list in my head of the things I’d done to improve security both here and at the house. I spoke to the guards. We needed the extra protection until we found the McCabe brothers. Until we knew Violet was safe.

I was unable to admit that I was waiting for Mav.

Ivette approached as I reached the front entrance. “Would you go have a drink?” She ordered. “Your attitude is bad for business.”

She sashayed away as though she hadn’t just yelled at a criminal. Some of the anxiety in my gut shifted. My lips twitched into an almost smile. That’s why we kept her around. And she was damn good at her job.

The bartender had my drink of choice ready before I said anything. The bourbon went down smooth, but the alcohol still didn’t help. I checked my watch again, wondering what he was doing.

“Are you looking for a partner, sir?” Someone spoke in a sultry voice. The woman saddled up to the bar next to me. Her beautiful body was visible through her sheer dress. I could see the color of her nipples and the patch of hair between her legs. Not much was left to the imagination at Eros.

I tilted my head the slightest bit, looking at her. She was what I normally wanted. Pretty, submissive, sweet. But like everything else tonight, she didn’t catch my interest. I turned back to the bar, dismissing her without a word.

“I’ve been waiting for you to approach me for a while.” I watched her in the mirror as she reached her hand out. “Maybe it’s time for me to do it instead.”

The seductive smile on her face fell as I shot her an icy glare. Fear flooded her eyes and her hand stilled in midair. “If you’d noticed me before, then you’d know not to touch me. That I’m in charge and would never go after someone so bold.”

“I-I.” Her arm dropped limply at her side. “I’m sorry, sir.”

A twinge burst in my chest as she scurried away. I felt a little bad for crushing her, but I wasn’t in the mood for kindness tonight. Or stupidity.

She should have known better. Should’ve seen the gold bracelet on my wrist that designated I was a Dom. Each color represented a status or kink to eliminate awkward interactions.

Silver was for Subs. Black for switches. No wristband meant don’t approach, either because they were new or in a relationship. Pink was for learning your limits. Red was carte blanche. There was a whole list of others.

We also encouraged everyone to discuss their limits and have a safe word. Our invite only policy was another safeguard. It guaranteed that newcomers would have someone to guide them.

I’d designed this place for myself. Because I didn’t want to me touched without permission. Hated it. Even a handshake sent pinpricks throughout my body. It was easy to see my childhood was to blame.

Memories scratched at my mind. Just waiting to drag me back there.

Maverick appeared at my side, stopping me from going down that dangerous path. One glance at the blood covering his clothes told me it was over. He grabbed the drink in front of me, downing the rest.

We sat in silence for another moment before he spoke. “We kicked Craig out of here.”

I wasn’t sure where he was heading with this, but thoughts of Violet’s brother filled me with rage. He believed because we were criminals into alternative lifestyles that we would want a part in sex trafficking. He didn’t see the difference between that and what we did.

We’d been foolish to assume he was working alone. We should’ve murdered him. But even though we didn’t always follow the law, I still avoided death when possible. I didn’t relish it like some people. But it was a necessary part of this life.

“Do you think he sent Simon to be killed by us? Tie up a loose end and keep his hands clean.”

The possibility hadn’t crossed my mind, but it wouldn’t change anything. “It’s done.”

Mav nodded. “We couldn’t let him live after what he did to Violet.”

I could hear the affection in his voice. I wanted to remind him to be careful. To not fall for her, but it would be a waste of my breath.

It would be hypocritical because even now I found myself wondering what she was doing. If she was comfortable with Connor. He’d missed his poker game, losing out on thousands of dollars to stay home with her.

A part of me wished I’d stayed too.

No. This was better. Distance was good.

Maverick raised his hand to signal another round. As he did, I noticed the flint of metal in his palm. He rolled it back and forth across the bar. The gold shined under the lights.

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