Page 32 of Point of Contention

“All but the young woman whose shoulder he’d dislocated.” He paused. “Whose wrist he’d fractured.”

My stomach coiled tightly.

My head went weightless.

Bile burned the base of my throat. I swallowed hard, fighting to digest this news without showing any reaction or giving my mother back her goddamn Chicken a la King.

After a few moments of pensive silence, the weight of their eyes growing heavy on my skin, I breathed deeply and placed my hands on the table. Rising to my feet, I said, “I have to get ready for work,” then I left the kitchen as calmly as I could under the circumstances, careful not to show any sign of shock or despair. When I hit the base of the stairs, I broke into a run, charging upward until I reached my room and hurried inside, slamming the door behind me.

Leaning against it, I fought to catch my breath as my world was once again turned upside-fucking-down.

Chapter Eleven

Rylan

Walking into White Rabbit for the first time in weeks, I was a ball of emotional energy. There was something great about coming back here, a sense of rightness when I breathed in the subtle perfumed scent of the store, but the wariness in my bones overshadowed that feeling. The fear of being confronted about my role in the security breach by one of the disgruntled members of the Rabbit Hole was a valid concern, and even more consuming was my fear that Cabot might show up.

Mina assured me he was traveling, but I worried nonetheless.

And hoped.

I couldn’t pretend hope wasn’t a major player in the battlefield of my emotions, even after what I’d learned about him.

I’d tried to dig up the old story, but every search came up empty. Either the professor was lying—though I couldn’t fathom why he’d do such a thing—or…

Cabot’s family really had made the problem go away.

Paid her off.

The thought didn’t sit well with me, but I didn’t want to judge him unfairly either. I needed to hear his side.

Dressed in a bubblegum pink corset and jeans, with my hair pulled back into a ponytail and too-high heels on my feet, I looked the part—even if I didn’t quite feel it. I’d quickly adapted to working at a lingerie store during those first few weeks; even more so, I’d adapted to life in the underground club below—so slipping back into that role wasn’t a problem.

With my stomach uneasy, and my eyes flicking around the store for any sign of him, I focused on each step in my high heels as I made my way to the cash register to relieve Lacey for the evening.

“Welcome to White Rabbit.” She flashed a bright customer service smile as she lifted her head, then her eyes softened as she realized it was me. “Hey, hon,” she said as she stood up, walking around the counter to offer me a hug. “How are you?”

I forced a smile. “I’m good. Fine.”

Lacey pulled back, gripping my shoulders. She watched me for a moment, then finally let go. “I assume you remember how to do everything?” She motioned toward the cash register.

I nodded.

“Great. I have to start my shift downstairs in thirty, but if you need anything, just come get me, okay?”

I gave her what I hoped was a reassuring smile, then watched her as she grabbed her things and disappeared behind the ivy-covered door that led to the Rabbit Hole. My chest pinched with envy. I didn’t know when—or evenif—I’d ever return to the sensual club below, but one thing was certain: I wanted to.

I missed my nights in the Rabbit Hole, my time spent with Master Creed.

He’d unveiled a side of myself I’d never known, and Ilikedthat version of me.

Even more, I liked what he brought out of her.

As I fell back into the familiar routine, helping customers, organizing go-backs and stocking shelves, my mind continued to drift thoughts to the underground club and my time spent below the store with Cabot.

Halfway through my shift, the front door opened and Eloise entered the store, pulling me from my wayward thoughts.

My heart thudded rapidly in my chest.

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