Page 106 of Gilded Locks
“I thought she was part of the staff! A perk!”
“Her name is Katya,” Hunter growled, tightening his grip on Jordan’s neck. “But if I ever hear you speak her name, I’ll personally cut your tongue right out of your fucking skull.”
Jordan tried to break Hunter’s hold, but he was outmatched in strength and rage. Desperate, his voice pitched, “Whatever that little bitch told you?—”
“Careful,” Ash warned, murder buried in his tone. “Be very careful how you finish that sentence, comrade.”
The room’s atmosphere shifted from predatory anticipation to barely leashed violence. Jordan finally understood he wasn’t in control here. That these weren’t men who could be bought, intimidated, or charmed.
“Gentlemen…” The psychiatrist looked ready to run. “I think there’s been a misunderstanding.”
“No misunderstanding,” Ash interrupted. “Perfect transparency, actually. Mr. Calder came here to retrieve his sister. To have her declared insane and dragged back to the facility where she’d been silenced. He came seeking justice, which he’ll have, but he’s not judge and jury here.”
“You see,” Stone growled. “This is our territory. We make our own rules. And there’s a price for breaking them.”
“Get off of me, you grizzly fuck!” Jordan’s voice went shrill with hysteria.
Hunter lifted him by the neck only to smash his head down on the table. “Be still.”
“Fuck! You think you can touch me? Do you have any idea who my father is? What kind of power the Calder name carries?”
Stone cocked his head and dramatically tapped his chin. “Calder? Does that name have any meaning here?”
Ash rubbed his jaw. “I don’t think so. Hunter, mean anything to you?”
Hunter’s slow grin was full on salivating as he came closer and closer to vengeance. Fisting Jordan’s hair, he yanked his head back. “On this island, in this room, where no one can hear you scream, the only name that matters is Volkov. You’re in my den now, and you’ve woken the bear.”
Ash and Stone pushed their chairs back and slowly stood. Color drained from Jordan’s face as understanding finally dawned.
“I think it’s time for your friends to leave,” Stone said, moving to the door.
“No!” Jordan snapped as his entourage rushed to their feet. “Sit the fuck down. I paid you!”
“Money talks,” Ash said, rolling up his sleeves. “ But violence is louder.”
“I’ll show you out, gentlemen.” Stone escorted the men through the door.
“You can’t do this!” He thrashed under Hunter’s grip. “People know where I am. My security team?—”
“Will wait patiently for your return,” Ash finished.
“Stop!” Jordan yelled as his attorney and paid doctor followed Stone, but it was too late. They were already gone and he was alone with two angry bears. “They kidnapped my sister!”
“Only a desperate man lies.” Ash tsked, sleeves rolled to the elbow as he flexed his fingers wide, then made a tight fist that caused his knuckles to pop. “You see, Mr. Calder, we believe in hands-on education. And you have so much to learn.”
“Wait—” Jordan’s plea was interrupted by Ash’s fist.
They moved in perfect coordination, every step purposeful, like dancers who’d rehearsed this routine a thousand times. Their techniques, the subtle psychology behind each word and gesture spoke of experience, years of survival honed through silent communication.
From the observation room, Marigold watched her half-brother’s world collapse in real time. The golden prince who’d never faced consequences, who’d built his life on others’ suffering, was finally learning what it meant to feel utterly powerless. And they were just getting started.
On another monitor, she could see into adjacent rooms—glimpses of equipment and furniture that spoke to the club’s true purpose. Leather and silk, restraints and toys, all beautiful and sophisticated and clearly designed for consensual exploration of power and submission.
The contrast was stark. Consensual versus coerced. Predator versus prey. Mutual pleasure versus selfish violation. Jordan had played the predator. He’d coerced and forced. Now, he was going to pay.
“You see, Mr. Calder,” Hunter snarled close to his ear as blood trickled from his nose. “You’ve hurt two women under our protection. Women who hold a special place in our hearts.”
Jordan shook violently as the full reality of his situation sank in. “I didn’t know! Whoever she was to you?—”
