Page 34 of Cruel Master

"Would you like for me to wait for you?" she asked, redirecting the conversation.

Glancing at the door, I made a quick decision. "No, but thank you. I'll be able to find my way back and if anyone tries to bother me, I'm sure my husband's men will be more than capable." Thankfully, Katerina didn't push or, even worse, try to come with me. As soon as she began to walk away, I slipped into the bathroom quietly, plans already forming before the door had even closed.

This was the first time I’d been away from Gaven in an unsecured location in days. This might be my only chance to find an escape route. I took a look around the bathroom. It was big and long—definitely built more for aesthetics than utility. I started down the row of stalls, noting that only a few were closed and locked. It was a surprise, considering how many people had been in the club. Perhaps there were more bathrooms further into the club or this was a private one. Whatever the case, it was big enough that I turned at the end of the row of stalls, half expecting there to be another hidden entrance.

The room, instead, led to a small sitting area with lounge couches and large illuminated mirrors. A couple of women stood there, touching up their makeup in front of the mirror, using small compacts as they waited patiently for their friends to finish. Across from the mirrors were the sinks where two attendants stood, one with a stack of freshly clean towels and the other holding a basket of what looked like various things—extra makeup wipes, one-use mascara wands, mini bottles etcetera.

Passing a cursory glance over the lot, I nodded to the attendants as I wandered toward the sitting room and grabbed a small blotting tissue from the array of items stored in clear or gold containers, using it as a disguise to look around. Unfortunately for me, there were no windows and therefore no back exit out of the bathroom.

That must have been why I’d been led to this one specifically and why I’d been let away from Gaven. Even now, he was careful not to give me too much space. My half-formed plans crumbled as I balled the tissue paper in my fist and tossed it into the trash can with an internal curse.

I took a deep breath and headed back out into the hall. The two men who had followed me from Gaven’s side were still there. Neither said a word, but as I moved away from the bathroom, I felt their presence following me. I wove through the club and crowd, heading back the same way I’d come, back to where Gaven was now standing alone at the cocktail table, a crystal tumbler in his hand while an untouched glass of wine waited for me.

Gaven’s stance didn't change as I approached, but once I was within view, his gaze settled on me. Goosebumps flared to life as his eyes moved from my face downward. I swallowed, my mouth and throat suddenly dry, and reached for the waiting glass of wine. Lifting it to my lips, I took a long swallow and paused, pulling it back with a frown. It was sweeter than expected, with a hint of fruit and dark chocolate undertone. A slightly biting, but delicious aftertaste coated my tongue.

“Do you like it?” he asked.

“It’s … different,” I murmured, staring at the deep red color. “What kind of wine is this?”

When I glanced back at him, I saw the curve of his lips shift upward as he put his own glass to his mouth and downed it in one go. He didn’t answer until he’d set the glass down.

“Pomegranate wine,” he said. “It’s unique. I thought you’d like the taste.”

I did, but that wasn’t what bothered me. An old thought resurfaced—one I hadn’t remembered until this moment. Five years ago, when I’d been younger and far more naive and unaware of just how wicked the world truly was, I’d looked at Gaven and seen him as some sort of Hades, God of the Underworld.

Of all the things for him to give me. Pomegranate wine felt like some sort of unspoken trick—and I’d already had a taste. It was too late now.

Neither one of us spoke for what felt like an eternity—instead choosing to stand there, side by side, watching the world around us. The heat of Gaven’s body drew nearer, making me shiver, but not in an unexpected way. He watched me cautiously but also expectantly. I only realized why when I finished my glass of wine. He’d been waiting for me.

"It's time, Angel.” The low tone of Gaven’s voice rolled over me, causing my nipples to pebble beneath the fabric of my dress as I set the expensive crystal glass back on the soft, cream-colored tablecloth.

"Time for what?" I inquired, taking the hand he offered me without complaint or resistance.

Instead of answering though, the infuriating man only smirked as he led me further into the club. We bypassed several women in evening gowns and men in tuxedos to a darkened hall hidden behind silken curtains and guarded by two more men. They nodded to Gaven and held open the drapery for us to pass. There was a small bank of decorative double doors. The doors slid open to reveal elevators. It wasn't until we stepped into the small space that I realized Gaven's two guards weren't coming along.

“Gaven?”

He didn’t answer.

“Sir?”

Still no answer.Where the fuck were we going?I tried to pull my hand from his, but his grip only tightened.

“There’s no need to be frightened, Angel,” he finally said. Somehow, it didn’t put me at ease.

The elevator doors closed and the lift descended. The lights on the button were only lit on one thing—a small circle with the center labeled “D.”

When the elevator stopped, the doors didn’t immediately open. Gaven released my hand to lean forward. I watched as he typed a code into the keypad. A soft ding followed by a click sounded, and the doors opened to display quite a different scene than upstairs.

My mouth dropped open. I didn’t move, not until Gaven’s hand found my back and he urged me forward. My heartbeat increased as he led me into what appeared to be a lobby with doors and windows into further spaces. It was what I saw beyond those windows and doors that made a fresh wave of fiery heat pass through me. Naked bodies writhing in leather-bound manacles. Chains. Whips. Men and women, bare-chested or completely nude. The sounds of moans filtered through the thin glass as well as the slapping of flesh against flesh echoed like an unholy symphony.

"You brought me to asexclub?" I hissed under my breath, low enough that no one could hear.

Gaven settled a dark look on me. “This is the club opening, Angel,” he whispered, his voice darkening. “Behave.”

I snapped my lips shut as a short woman approached, dressed in little more than straps of leather and lace. "Welcome, Mr. Belmonte, we hope you and your companion enjoy yourselves this evening," she greeted, holding out a small package. "These are the items you requested, Sir."

Sir?I narrowed my gaze on her, but she didn’t acknowledge me.

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