Page 11 of Take the Sub and Run

“You can’t arrest me because I didn’t do anything.” She never did anything. That was why she’d jumped at Colette’s invitation to go with her to steal the Bulgar pearl.

“I’m sure I can find something to charge you with.”

“Ah, I see. You're one of those police who makes things up in order to arrest people.”

Andrei's jaw muscle flexed, but then he smiled that cold, cynical smile. “I will admit that I consider the rules flexible. However, I would never fabricate charges. With you, I won't need to, will I? You're a thief just like your friend."

"I'm not a thief."

Andrei looked her up and down, and despite the fact that she was now taller than him, thanks to standing on the stage, she didn't feel as though she held the upper hand.

"We'll see."

Sofie was considering how to prove to him that she was not, technically, a criminal. She certainly wasn't a thief, and her father had made sure that she was not again technically, a criminal. But proving that something was not true, especially while handcuffed to a dancers' pole in a mostly abandoned building, seemed difficult.

Before she could find the right words, Andrei turned and walked out.

She was confident that Colette wouldn't implicate her, but Sofie was a little worried she might accidentally say something that countered whatever story it was Colette was currently spinning for Landon, and in turn, Andrei.

It would probably be safest not to attempt any sort of subterfuge on her own. She’d stick with the truth, whether or not Andrei believe her.

And while Sofie probably should care, and worry, about the possibility of being arrested, that wasn't her biggest concern.

No, the more pressing need was addressing this deep ache that had formed in her core. Being handcuffed to a pole was not exactly helping.

She wanted Andrei to make good on the threats, promises, he’d made so far. She wanted him to put her on her knees. Wanted him to strip off her dress and then put her back on the stage and use her body.

She wanted to feel something. She didn’t care if it was pleasure or pain.

She watched as Andrei headed back for the elevator bank, detouring not to the elevator but to the stairs, the door swinging closed behind him.

Sighing, Sofie sank down to kneel on the stage, legs tucked to one side under her white skirts, and prepared to wait.

Four

Colette was getting punished for running away.

Andrei smirked, ear against the door of one of the only completed private playrooms on the third floor. Unlike the rooms downstairs, these had solid walls. Meaning, he couldn't see what was happening inside the room, but he could hear. The rhythmic thwack sound was distinctive and telling.

They needed this.

Andrei had seen how devastated Landon was when Colette left. The man had not only given up his career but started a new one for the sake of being with her. Andrei couldn't say he understood because he would never be such a fool as to convince himself he was so deeply in love with another person that giving up everything made sense. He was too practical, too aware of how the world really worked, to ever be that romantic.

However, it was fun to watch.

He'd happily taken a week of vacation in order to help Landon chase Colette down. He himself might be far too cynical for romance, but he wholeheartedly supported other people's delusions. And that support extended to not interrupting Colette's current punishment to ask what the hell to do about Sofie.

The presence of an accomplice had been a surprise because Colette always worked alone.

And now the accomplice was his to deal with. Given the hell that Landon, and particularly Colette, had gone through, Andrei anticipated both the scene and aftercare would take a while. That meant, he either needed to let Sofie go, stash her somewhere comfortable, or keep her here in the club.

And if they were already staying in the club anyway...

Grinning, Andrei turned and headed for the stairs.

Andrei indulged himself in putting together a few possibilities for what he and the lovely Sofie could do to pass the time. She was clearly an experienced submissive, so a quick little scene was a definite possibility.

Unethical, if he thought he were actually going to arrest her, but Andrei was sure that wouldn’t be needed. She was right that she hadn’t stolen anything tonight—they’d stopped her and Colette before it got that far.

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