Page 73 of Devious Secrets

He stands in front of me, so close that my back is pressed against the wall of the cage.

“You just rent them out.” It’s an accusation.

I curl my trembling hands into fists. He warned me about believing him to be anything more than the monster he is, but I’d almost done it anyway.

“This club is one of the most sought-after memberships in the country. Not just this city but the country.” His voice dips, as though I’ve insulted him by degrading what he does here. “Everyone who comes here does so willingly. They pay to come here.”

“You’re telling me the women payyou?” He must think I’m a complete moron.

He stares at me a long moment, pushing his lips together while he considers telling me anything more than he already has.

“Yes. It’s very much like a beauty salon. The women rent space to do whatever they want to do to make money. I don’t police them. I have security here to keep them safe. That’s what they pay for.”

“Are you going to put me here?” It would be a good way to punish me. Sell me to the highest bidder, then he gets rid of me and any problems that come along with me. Plus, he gets the cash.

His eyes roll upward.

“My wife will never set foot down here again.” He grabs my chin. His fingers pinch my cheeks into my teeth. “My wife shouldn’t be down here now.”

“I’m not your wife.” Why do I have to keep reminding him?

“Not yet,” he grounds out. “But I’m going to change that real fucking soon.”

“What else happens down here?” I can’t argue about a marriage that’s not going to happen. Not yet.

“Business happens. Deals are made. Political alliances are kept and broken. Everything that needs to be done in the dark, is done in this room.” He steps to the left and turns my face toward the doors lined up against the far wall.

“In those rooms, men and women have fantasies fulfilled. They fuck and get fucked. No one is forced.” It seems to be important that I understand the last part.

I swallow hard when he drags my attention back to his face.

“That night you found me in that office, you thought I was here because of this club?”

His eyes wander over my face. “Whoever told you about that office knows about this club.”

“And they could be looking for me too?”

He arches a brow. “She finally gets it. You’ve put powerful men in danger of being caught, Megan. They don’t like loose ends.” He whispers the last part.

I stare at the doors to the fantasy rooms, imagining each one closing, the sound one of finality. I’m a loose end. I’m the unpredictable, something he can’t control. Closing my eyes briefly, a sense of fatality washes over me.

“Okay. I get it. I understand.” I try to pull away from his grip, but he’s not done.

“Do you?”

Marco DeAngelo is one problem, but a secret danger is another. Without knowing who I should be hiding from, how can I hide?

“I do, Alexander. Really. I get it.” I wrap my hand around his wrist, and he slowly lets up on his grip.

“Good.” He lets my chin go, but captures my hand, lacing his fingers through mine and tugging.

“Where are we going?” I ask as he half drags me across the room, avoiding the tables as we weave in and out of them.

“You wanted to see what this place is, so I’m going to show you.” He heads for one of the closed doors.

“Wait. I’m sorry. You don’t need to do that.” I fight his grip but there’s no point. Haven’t I learned yet? If he wants me somewhere, that’s where I’m going.

He stops at the door, looking down at me with fire burning bright in his dark eyes. His nostrils flare a little with each deep breath he takes.

---