Page 41 of Bonded

Kat’s always been a rebel to consequences, and she ignores her wolf. Looking at the mark on her neck, she brushes her fingers against it. “Shit… Excuse me, but do you have any concealer? I need to—” she indicates to Abby.

“Sure, over there, help yourself.”

Taking one final glance in the mirror, she admires her body and turning sideways, looking in the full-length glass, she checks her ass. Then suddenly she’s hit with a pang of nerves. “Oh, God…” She takes a breath as Luna continues to remind her why she shouldn’t be doing this—certainly not with him. Quieting the simmering anger, she dabs some makeup to tidy her flushed face. “Okay, I’m ready.”

Abby smiles, “You look great. I think he’s gonna like you. Though I’ve never known him specifically ask for a blonde like you. It’s not his normal request. Wait there, I’ll get someone to take you to him, I don’t think you should go alone, not looking like that.”

“Okay,” Kat frowns, apprehensive and confused. “But I can take care of myself. I mean, I’m stronger than I look.”

“Yeah, but the clients, in here, they… they can get a little jealous and unpredictable sometimes. We don’t want to cause any problems.”

“Could I get a drink first? Maybe a vodka to settle my nerves a little?”

“You don’t have time. You need to go; you can’t keep him waiting any longer. Just take your time and relax, Darius can be… How can I put it… very frustrating until you get used to his ways. Don’t worry… sorry I didn’t catch your name?”

“Um, it’s um… Trina.”

“Trina. Well, don’t worry Trina, Darius will make sure you enjoy it.”

Kat grins, even more, nervous and changing her mind about doing this. What seemed like a good idea in her drunken stupor now seems ridiculous, and she’s concerned that Darius might not find it so funny.Kat, seriously… What the fuck are you doing?

“Okay, Michael will take you.”

Kat nods, still apprehensive. She follows him across the club and feels really uncomfortable as several pairs of eyes seem to be concentrated, looking at her. As she struts in the high heels back to the doorway that leads outside her chest tightens, and she feels like she can’t breathe. “Oh fuck!” Her pulse is racing and as they get past the curtain, back into the darkness of the corridor, Kat finally succumbs to Luna’s warning and changes her mind.

“Sorry… Sorry, but I can’t do this.” She turns around, pulling her arm from the grip Michael has on it. “I’ve changed my mind. This was supposed to be a joke, but I can’t do it. It was a bad idea, and I don’t think Darius will like it. So, I need to go.” She can hear herself nervously burble.

“This is what?” Michael turns to face her, his deep red-amber eyes staring at her. “This is a joke? So what… am I supposed to find it funny?” The glare of anger filling his face concerns her. “No, I’m sorry, but that just won’t wash. Now, get your pretty little ass in there and satisfy the man. And I mean satisfy him—you do whatever he asks. He’s already not happy, so you go make him happy—very happy. Comprehende?”

“No… No, I’m not doing this. It’s a bad idea. I’m sorry, but I told you… this was a big mistake and I have to go.”

“Oh no, no, there’s no mistake.” He grabs her arm tight, hurting her, and pushes her back against the wall. His tone is much more menacing and his growl deeper. “That’s not how this works. You don’t get to change your mind. Darius pays for this, but to get his money you need to get in there and perform—suck his dick or do whatever perverse little thing he wants you to do. Then you get his money and you bring it out here, to me. Are we clear?”

“Get your fuckin’ hands off me, you asshole!” She pushes against him, wrestling her arm away from his grip. “No! I told you I’m not doing it. Now go fuck him yourself!”

Then before Kat can even think about her next move, he slams her back against the wall, and with a quick swoosh, he pulls a silver blade and holds it to her cheek. She wrestles to get away, but he’s strong and with his strength comparable to hers, he holds her pinned to the wall.

“Sorry, what did you say? Now you listen and listen good, you little whore. I don’t think you quite understand what you agreed to. Now, if you don’t want that pretty little face of yours messed up… then you get the fuck in there and do as you’re told.”

“What? No! Get the fuck off me,” she hisses under her breath. Luna roars in her chest at his aggression. “I’ve told you no, I’m not doing this. I’m not even a real hooker, I’m a friend of his, and this was just a bit of fun; I was drunk, and I made a mistake. Now you need to let me go before there really is trouble.”

“No, you don’t get what you’re involved in, do you? I don’t give a shit what you are, but you get in there and you earn my money. I’m not messing with you, Trina.”

“But you don’t understand…” She pushes him with all her force, but he twists her arm and shoves her back, the silver blade again held close against her face.

“You stupid fuckin’ whore, you shouldn’t have done that. Now go get my money or you’ll be working your debt off with me and someone else.”

“Is there a problem here?” The deep tone of Darius is heard as he stands waiting in the open doorway.

Kat takes a deep breath and sighs in relief—Thank god.

“Darius. No, no problem. We’ve got a nervous one. She was thinking of changing her mind. I was just reminding her of the deal she made.”

“Well, why don’t you send her in? I think I’ve been waiting long enough.”

“Ohgeez…”Kat sighs as Michael turns her around and shoves her forward toward Darius.

She’s stone-cold sober and totally embarrassed, but looking at her Darius doesn’t flinch. Standing there in the doorway, a wry smile curls at the corners of his mouth and he gestures her inside the room. “This way please.”

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