Page 37 of King of Depravity

“Chloe, be all right with getting a little something back. You were hurt because of your connection with us. Take one favor for the same reason.”

It makes sense but I don’t like it. I’ve been lowering all sorts of walls with Killian, but I still don’t like the idea of getting perks from strange men. It rings all my alarms. Still, I slip out of Killian’s arms and pick up the coffee, the caffeine doing a good job of making me feel normal.

It’s not like I was winning at life doing things my way. I’m going to try listening to Killian by opening up and letting a few people help me.

I manage to eat half of my egg sandwich and then head to the shower. When I get out, Killian is lounging on my bed, a place he looks more and more comfortable, like he belongs there.

I’m getting comfortable too, I realize, as I drop my towel and pull out a pair of thong underwear. “What’s the uniform at Temptation?”

“I’m not sure,” he answers, with a shrug. “I don’t like places like that, too loud.”

I turn back to him as I pull on a bra, his eyes all over me, though he doesn’t get up. “Does that mean you won’t visit me at work anymore?”

“No. I’ll be there as often as I can.”

I smile at him, ignoring the pain. “All right then.” Killian somehow became the person who makes me feel safe.

I wear my tight black pants that I always wear to work and my heels, but I choose a deep red scoop-neck top instead of my black oxford.

I brush my hair until it shines, pulling it over one shoulder.

Killian comes to stand behind me just as I reach for my makeup bag to pull out my coverup. “Leave it,” he murmurs, covering my hand with his. “You look fucking gorgeous.”

“I look like shit.”

He gives me a wolfish grin in the mirror. “After your interview, I’m bringing you back to my place to show you just how sexy you are.”

I heat, my nipples puckering under my bra and showing through my shirt.

“In fact, why don’t you pack a bag?”

“Do I have time?” I glance at the clock, noting that it’s half past eleven.

“You’ve got time,” he says as he grabs my makeup bag for me. “What else do you need?”

In ten minutes, we’ve packed the essentials and we’re off to my interview. Killian must have gotten an Uber, because a car waits outside for us.

Now that I’m on my way, my stomach fills with butterflies. I draw in a tremulous breath and Killian reaches for my hand. “Don’t worry,” he says as he winks. “This is going to be the easiest interview you’ve ever been on.”

I shake my head, even as I catch the driver staring at me in the mirror. I really wish I’d put on that makeup. But I’m not going to start applying it now.

We arrive at the club ten minutes later, Killian helping me out of the car.

It’s noon on a Saturday, the club won’t open for hours, but I don’t have to wonder how we’re getting in.

As we approach the front doors, they open, and a tall, dark, and handsome man is standing in the opening to greet us.

“Chloe?” he says, giving me a smile. “I’m Leo Kincaid. Pleasure.”

I reach out and shake his hand and then he ushers us inside. “Thank you for agreeing to see me, Mr. Kincaid.”

He holds his hand out in invitation, to gesture for both Killian and me to walk down a hall to the left. We’re in the large entry of the club but to the right, I see the club floor, cages all along one wall. Each has a giant pole at its center.

Leo stops. “Cage dancers use them, and they raise and lower over the floor using a hydraulic system.”

“Wow,” I say as I imagine what it would be like to dance twenty-five feet in the air.

“It’s impressive and our dancers are some of the best in Vegas.” He points down the hall. “It will be a real asset to have someone on staff with an artist’s eye.”

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