Page 35 of The Trick

He laughs and it’s every bit the sinister rumble you would expect from a monster like him. “So, you think,” he sneers. “Hurry up, we are on a tight schedule.”

“What’s the rush?” I joke, taking my manicured hands to the leather straps of the harness, this time placing them on the portion that spreads over his barreled chest.

“Just do it now,” he commands.

“What happens if I don’t come back? You going to spank me?”

He removes my hands, applying just the right amount of pressure ashe uses that force to guide my hand to my throbbing center. He flattens my hand to the damp warmth between my thighs.

“I’ll find a better punishment for you. One that actually hurts and doesn’t make you wet. So just do as I say, little hellcat. I think you know by now that you can’t escape me. Not then and certainly not now.”

I hate that he’s right, because as fucked up as he is, it’s nothing compared to how truly fucked up I am.

CHAPTER 14

With the remaining contestants from the Horseman Dual contest drowning their sorrows in cheap beer and tits, I’d say it’s back to business as usual here. Even after Maddox’s little hissy fit about Kevinspending the evening with me, everyone appears to be enjoying the extra festive ambiance that is unique to Satan’s.

Follow You Homeby Nickelback plays through the speakers, vibrating the floor as I scan the room for Delilah. If Maddox insists on sharing me tonight, I’m obviously going to pick her.

Neither one of us are strangers to knowing how to make each other feel good. That and she is one of the only people who knows, for the most part, what I did to deserve a madman like Maddox Crane on my tail. So, if shit goes south, which there is a high probability that it will, she will know what to do.

Even with the rowdy patrons and music blaring, I swear I can feel his eyes on me and, as I move past the stage and turn my head in the direction of the bar, I can see him staring. Just waiting for me to return to him, obliging to his request, like he knows I will.

I walk to where I see Delilah’s vibrant blue hair cascading down her backside as she has some guy straddled. I see the familiar polyester pea coat that Kevin wore in the contest. Fuck, of course. She probably felt bad for him, or Glinda convinced her to ease the blow so he and his frat boy friends wouldn’t go start something with Maddox. Not like they could, he’d annihilate them, but either way, it’d be a bloodbath.

Now standing behind Delilah, I tap her shoulder, lowering myself to her ear. “I need you.”

“Oh, fuck no, you again,” Kevin says, practically throwing D off him. “Where’s your boyfriend?” he asks, panicked, his gaze flickering back and forth.

“He is not my boyfriend, first of all, and second, I’ll make sure my friend Gwenn makes up for it,” I say, motioning to Gwenn up on the stage.

“Forget it, fuck this place.” He throws his hands up, signaling for his frat boy minions to follow him.

“Poor guy,” D giggles. “Let me guess, this involves the one that shall remain “nameless” or whatever,” she air quotes, shooting a glance over to where Maddox waits.

“Yep,” I say, reaching for her hand, lacing her fingers in mine so we can head over to where my Boogeyman awaits.

“Are you sure about this?” she asks, yanking my hand closer to her side.

“It’ll be fine,” I reassure her, taking the lead as I guide us to the threshold of private rooms.

My vision begins to tunnel the closer we get to him. The red lights that line the hallway give off an eerie glow that somehow makes him look even hotter than he already is.

God damn it. Why are all the hot ones so damn crazy?

* * *

“This way ladies.” Maddox casts himself aside, pretending to be the gentleman I know he’s not, allowing Delilah and I to walk ahead of him.

Delilah flicks her eyes at Maddox, a disgusted scowl warping her beautiful face before she tightens her grip on my hand and leads the way.

The three of us move in silence, the only noise that fills the air is the distant echoes from the music out in the main room and mine and Delilah’s heels clicking. Maddox’s footsteps are surprisingly soft, not a thud or squeak from the soles of his large boots to be heard.

As we near the end of the hall, a rush of heat begins at my feet before traveling up my legs. By the time the odd sensation works its way to my spine, it’s ice cold, much like the ringed hand that has mine trapped.

Maddox squeezes my hand as he moves from behind me to standin front of Delilah, who looks just as confused as I am.

“This room is off limits, asshole,” Delilah says, yanking her hand away from mine.

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