Page 78 of Betrayed

“Uh-oh,” Megan said, immediately clueing in.

“What’s going on?” a petite redhead asked as she appeared at the table.

“Trouble, Reg.En Français,” Megan replied, tilting her head toward Mari.

“Really?” The newcomer, who couldn’t have been over 5’2”, climbed on a chair to see over the crowd. She grimaced then glanced Mari’s way. “You’re Marilee, aren’t you?”

When she nodded, the redhead looked back toward the door. “I’ve heard the rumors about you and Master Arturo. I haven’t met him yet, but I’m guessing he’s tall, dark, and handsome.”

“That could be anyone, Regan,” Lexie scoffed.

“Okay, does he have a killer close-cropped beard with gorgeous wavy brown hair and when he’s pissed, clench his jaw so hard a muscle jumps in his cheek?”

Mari groaned.

“That’s him,” Megan stated needlessly.

“Either run or dig in then, babe,” Regan warned, “because he’s fit to be tied and throwing bodies out of his way to get to you.”

“Go dance,” Angie urged.

“What? Why?”

“It’s a long story, but I danced with Arturo to make T jealous. Worked like a charm.”

“Sorry, Angela,” a low-growling French-accented voice interjected. “I know that play and I’ll have none of it. Besides, yours was an entirely different scenario. In your case, thedomwas being obstinate.” His angry eyes turned on Mari. “You,ma soumise, will come with me.”

“For the hundredth time,” she exclaimed with a huge exaggeration, but she was trying to make a point, “I’m not your submissive. And if we’re talking about obstinate, let’s talk about you. I thought you were fluent in English, but that must not be the case because you are simply not getting it. How many times do I need to tell you we are through?”

The other girls drew back in their chairs, their eyes wide with shock. If it hadn’t been for the noise of the bar, she was convinced she would have heard their collective gasp.

His hand came up in a quick jerking swipe over his head, clearly fed up. The words that followed that telling gesture came out clipped and low. “I’ve been patient, but that has come to an end.”

Boldly, or foolish, she didn’t know which, she stood with her hands on her hips. “I think not,” she said, echoing one of his favored phrases. “I’m in the mood to dance.” She turned to scan the crowded lounge behind her. “A niceAmericandom asked me earlier, and I declined. I think I’ve changed my mind.”

Her eyes connected with the boyishly handsome, all-American type who stood at the bar watching the drama unfold. His gaze switched to Arturo briefly. As he shifted his attention back to her, his lips turned up in amusement and he gave her a welcoming grin.

“Seth Benson,” Arturo stated in a terrifying, lethal voice. “No. Fucking. Way.”

He moved closer, towering over her and blocking out anyone else with his wide, tensely held shoulders.

She felt a tug on her dress hem and a whispered, “Abort, Mari, abort!”

“Wise advice from your friend. I would heed it if I were you,” Arturo advised.

“I, uh—”

He spoke over her. “How many has she had, Angela?”

“Two vodka gimlets, Master Arturo.”

“Bien.Within limits. Come with me.” His fingers curled around her wrist an instant before he started walking. Faced with his anger, guests and members cleared a path, Mari moving as fast as she could to keep up.

“Arturo, please, I can’t keep up in these shoes.”

He stopped, turned on a dime, and the next instant she was airborne, landing ass up over his shoulder with a solid thud that took her breath away. From her upside-down perspective, she witnessed how fast he could move, his long strides gobbling up the vast expanse of the large room. They arrived at the dungeon doors on the opposite end in a matter of seconds. Her shoes he tossed to the waiting attendant.

“I have your spare toy bag stored back here, sir,” the twenty-something sub in cotton candy pink said shyly, casting Mari a half-envious, half-sympathetic look.

---