Page 22 of Mastered by Them
Taking up the biggest part of the main room is a stage. At the moment, a band is playing something sultry and sexy while strippers dance to a slow beat.
“Christ, Manchester. You look bored out of your skull.” Jonah Croft joins me at the bar, a leash in his hand, his dark-haired little pet at his side. I can’t remember her name, but he’s been with her for a while.
I nod at them in greeting. “Just waiting for Layton to finish up with the bartender.”
Croft’s forehead wrinkles in concern. “You aren’t firing Jaden, are you?”
His pet looks up sharply, eyes squinched in concern. “No.”
She, like everyone else here, must be a fan of Jaden.
“Pet.” Croft gives her a stern look.
She bows her head immediately. “I apologize, Sir.”
He touches her neck and she lifts her chin so he can put his hand over the collar. He gives her a gentle squeeze of reassurance and her eyes flutter shut in happiness.
I shouldn’t be emotional over someone else’s power exchange, but fuck me, these two are really in tune with each other. I wish I had that. But I don’t want it with just anyone—I want it with Dani.
I wonder if she would be a pet. Maybe a slave? No, I can’t see that. She’s way too much of a brat.
A little girl? My cock gives a pulse of interest.
“No, we aren’t firing Jaden.” I lean in, knowing I can trust Croft—and by extension, his pet. “Layton’s doing everything possible to keep him happy and keep him here.”
“Gotcha.” If Croft suspects this has anything to do with the criminal unrest in San Esteban, he doesn’t say so. “But doesn’t Dmitri Montrose work at Low Vice? Better make sure the Aseyevs don’t poach your bartender.”
“Low Vice doesn’t serve alcohol.” Here at Salt, we choose to trust our clients. It’s an exclusive group, and we keep an eye on our people. If someone wants a single drink before getting into a scene, we aren’t going to stop them. And we have enough security in place to stop someone before they go too far.
Part of Jaden’s bartender duties include monitoring the vibe and limiting drinks if necessary. He’s extremely gifted, which is why we don’t want to lose him.
I see an opportunity to help the Laytons. I lean in closer to Croft. “And besides that, feel free to share this—the Aseyevs are our allies now.”
Croft’s eyebrows shoot high on his forehead. “Never thought I’d see the day.”
“It’s a new era, I guess.”
“Shit, does this have to do with Edmund’s engagement?” Croft grins like an old gossip. “Who is he marrying?”
Edmund hears his name and looks over from his intense chat with Jaden. Croft raises a hand in greeting, which Edmund returns before he goes back to promising Jaden the moon and stars.
I nod. “He’s marrying Danica Montrose. Dmitri’s sister.”
“Wow, congrats to them both.” Jonah grins. “It is a new era.”
Finished with Jaden, Edmund saunters over. “Croft, good to see you.”
“You as well. Congrats on the engagement. Danica Montrose, huh? An Aseyev?”
“You know it.” Edmund looks puffed up with pride.
Asshole. What does he have to be proud of? He had nothing to do with this arrangement.
“So, when are you going to bring Danica around to the club?” Croft strokes his pet’s neck absently while he talks. “Celebrate in a more comfortable environment, not some stuffy engagement party. Thanks for not inviting me to that.”
“You’re welcome.” Edmund laughs. “Yeah. We should bring her around.”
Croft’s pet sneaks a glance at me when Edmund says we. I wonder if she hears the hidden meaning behind it. We. Edmund and me.
