Then he stood taller and squared his shoulders, summoning his control.
It blanketed him, and I shivered as I realized why Cabot—Master Creed—was Mina’s first in command.
His ability to present his authority was a work of art.
His power, a palpable thing.
I wasn’t even the object of his anger, the animal caught in the snare of his gaze, and I could feel the power emanating off of him. The air in the room shifted, crackled with his authority.
And holy shit, it was sexy.
Gage had lunged for me; I had no idea what he’d intended to do, but I could guess. And so could Cabot, or anyone else who’d witnessed the scene unfold.
Striking me—or anyone in the club, for that matter—wouldn’t be tolerated. Though I didn’t know exactly what that meant for Gage, it wouldn’t be something that went unnoticed—or unpunished.
As Club Ombudsman, Cabot had once explained, he had ascendancy over everyone else, save for Mina. Among other things, the Ombudsman was in charge of keeping order within the Rabbit Hole.
Control.
My man’s favorite thing.
My gaze flicked around the room. All conversation had ceased, the only sound the low thump of the bass. Every eye in the room was on Cabot now, as the other members and staff waited to see what he would do.
All of them, completelyrapt.
A rush of pride swelled in my chest. Biting back my smile, I licked my lips as my belly tightened. Adrenaline coursed through my veins, but as Cabot took control of the situation, that adrenaline morphed into desire.
Cabot leaned in until he was practically nose to nose with the other Dom, and whatever he said was too low for me to hear, but I found myself leaning forward anyway.
Gage’s lips curled into a snarl, teeth bared. Then he spat into Cabot’s face and I gasped.
Cabot’s shoulders rose and fell on a deep breath. Seconds ticked by slowly. My breath stalled. My heart stopped. Everything hung in limbo.
Then he wiped his face with the back of his hand.
He gave his head a subtle shake.
I braced myself, but all he did was motion for the door.
The two guards dragged Gage away, but as they passed, he swiveled his head to me, then muttered something in Swedish, his lips curled into a vicious snarl. That snarl morphed into a wicked smile, and he said, “Ask your Master how he spent his time in your absence,potsork.”
My mouth dropped open and a knot of unease twisted in my belly. I turned my attention back to Cabot as one of Gage’s subs sidled up to him. My pulse sped as she wrapped her arms around one of his and looked up at him.
She was petite and curvy in all the right places, far more voluptuous than I could ever hope to be, with perfect teardrop breasts that now pressed against Cabot’s arm.
Because she was naked.
My stomach sank even as my blood ran hot and my jaw clenched. I was struck with a near-blinding possessiveness, and yet… as the seconds ticked past, another feeling surfaced.
Uncertainty.
It crept in at the edges, tempting me down a dangerous path of doubt and insecurity.
Cabot shook the blonde off, then looked back at me over his shoulder, his eyes fearful.
And full of guilt.
Big, wide,hand in the cookie jareyes.