Page 37 of Wickedly Played
Franky’s message, which provided me with the necessary information for the job tonight, was exactly what I needed.
Chapter Fourteen
SERENA
I have done my best to avoid him. I have done everything in my power to prevent needing him at all. It seems as if Max hasn’t gotten the memo to quit, so Jim can realize how much he sucks at picking out bodyguards.
That was until Max announced he had to leave for a few hours, and my replacement arrived.
“Serena, I have an appointment today.” Max is standing next to the door with a younger man beside him. “This is Joey. He’s going to be your guard until I get back.”
Joey is in his early to mid-twenties with a thick head of hair. He’s not bad looking, but he looks every bit the innocent his age allows him to be. I glance at Joey, then at Max. Max’s jaw is tight, almost ticking from frustration.
I strut to Joey with my hand out to properly greet the new man. I almost miss the slight growl of disapproval from Max once Joey has my hand in his and is raising it to his lips. “Nice to meet you, Joey. I’m Serena.”
Joey’s lips curve in a seductive smile. I’m going to go out on a limb and say he knows what I do for a living. He’s probably one of my clients who watches my cams. I know I have never dominated him at The Checkmate Club.
“It is a pleasure to meet you,” he coos. I feel his eyes rake over my body and then to my eyes. He looks like he is sizing me up for his gain. “Max gave me everything I needed to know for today. Are you going to be ready to go to the club tonight?”
I have a few clients I’m seeing at Alpha, one of the clubs we use as a change of venue. It is one of my favorite venues, as I love the rooms and their design.
“Of course. Let me get my bag,” I wink before trotting up the stairs.
“You better fucking keep your eyes on her at all times,” Max bites out. His words are almost too quiet, but I hear the indignation in them.
“Dude, what is your problem?” Joey’s immature tone filters up the stairs.
I’m giggling after grabbing my bag. I turn to walk out the door when my bodyguard stops me. His body is blocking me from leaving my room. “Sweetness,” he breathes out.
“What?” I snap back at him. I’m not happy with the tension he has thrown into our relationship. I’m also not happy with how much I still want him despite knowing this is a recipe for disaster.
“Fuck,” he mutters. His hand tightens around my elbow to hold me close to him. “I just wanted to say I’m sorry for yesterday. I’m the one who’s messed up. Not you. Shit, sweetness, you’re perfect.”
I shake him off me. With a saccharine smile on my lips, I tell one of the biggest lies I have ever told. “I’m fine, Max. Go and enjoy your time away. I’ll see you later.”
Max looks as if he’s trying to weigh out the options here. He’s been working nonstop for weeks, and I’m sure he has other appointments to attend to.What if he’s going to see a woman?
“I’ll see you at the club,” he swears.
“Yeah, sure,” I reply. Even though I pretend none of this is bothering me, I would be lying to myself if I didn’t admit it to myself. I’m hurt. I’m hurt he’s leaving. I’m hurt by what he said, and I’m hurt because I still want him.
Joey’s waiting for me at the door and takes the bag from Max’s hand. “Text me when you’re outside of Alpha,” Joey requests of Max.
“Sure,” his word sounds light, but the implication is there. He’s not happy that he has to leave.
Joey helps me get into the Escalade while Max speeds off in his big ass truck. My heart hammers in my chest at seeing him leave without me, despite knowing how mean he has been to me. He’s been a complete douche to me. I can’t believe I feel like part of me is missing when I see his taillights flooding the front yard.
We make small talk on our way to the club. Joey is pretty sweet for the most part. I think it is cute how awestruck he is when it comes to me. I knew he was a fan, judging by his eyes cataloging me.
But it is the way he’s asking questions about getting involved in the club, that makes me pause.
“Max briefed me on what is expected of me here,” Joey informs me once we pull up. “Is there anything else I should know?”
I shake my head. “I don’t think so. You can be outside of the rooms tonight, but I don’t need you in them. There are cameras attached to the monitors outside the room where I will be. The guards inside should be able to help you get the feeds into your phone if you don’t want to sit at the command center.”
I’m opening the door and sliding out of the front seat when I see one of my clients waiting for me. “Good evening, pet,” I greet Caden.
Caden is in his early thirties and is in a loveless marriage. He’s been one of my clients for over a year and is good at beinga brat because he loves being punished. He comes to see me whenever he needs to take the edge off from work, and his wife is at home. I asked once if his wife knew what he was doing with me, and he swore she did. Whether that is true or not, it isn’t my place to judge. What we do here is consensual.
