Page 40 of Catch a King (Five Kings 1)

She shrugs. “He is, but I’m not a fool, it’s only until the next pretty face heads this way. Women here have a shelf life because there’s no loyalty in these men outside of their club. At the moment Slade is playing with me and it keeps him amused and gives me the best sex of my life but it won’t last, I’m not a fool.”

“Does that bother you?”

“Not really. Like I said, as soon as it gets rough, I’m off.”

“Do you know where?”

“Never do. I’m a traveler you see, I like the open road and the opportunities it presents. It’s why I don’t want to be auctioned. I can leave when I like, and the fact that Slade has warned the guys off, makes me the luckiest girl in the club. No ties, no regrets.”

She giggles. “Can’t say the same for you, though. I’m guessing your attachment will be short-lived when Sawyer leaves.”

“You’re probably right.”

She lowers her voice. “The thing is, Millie, I can tell you’re a great girl and probably don’t want to hear this, but those Channings are only interested for a limited time. Marina knew that, which is why she went with Axel.”

“I thought she loved him.”

“Huh, what does Marina know about love?” Avery’s lips twist in derision and she snarls, “That woman would screw anyone to get her own way. You know she screws around behind Axel’s back, don’t you?”

“No, I don’t.”

I hold my breath as Avery raises her eyes. “Well, she does. As soon as Axel’s out on business, she’s screwing anyone who’ll step up. You know, Slade told me Axel doesn’t care. He even watches. What do you think about that?”

“Surely not.” I feel quite sick thinking about it, and Avery nods. “Slade’s no angel. He’s been with her several times and told me she’s an animal.”

“How do you feel about that?”

Avery shrugs as she flicks on the coffee machine. “Not my business, but Slade told me Marina’s desperate to have him. You see, she was Slade’s before becoming Axel’s old lady and it was Slade who got bored and put her up for auction. I suppose Axel took pity on her, and yet it’s always been Slade. Maybe that’s why Axel turns a blind eye because he knows Marina is in love with his nephew and will do anything to keep some part of him for herself.”

She pours me a coffee and laughs. “You know, Slade doesn’t care one way or another. He told me he fucks her for information. She tells him all of Axel’s plans and he manipulates him to get what he wants. As I said before, they’re one fucked up family, honey, and Sawyer is no different. The best thing for you would be to get the hell out while you still can.”

“Or what?”

“They’ll destroy you like they did Sawyer’s mom.”

“How do you know?”

“Slade told me she couldn’t live this life. Billy was a bastard and got her hooked-on drugs to escape the fact he screwed around so much. You see, that’s what the Channings are, destroyers. They destroy their enemies and then do it all over again to their women.”

She looks at me with interest. “So, what’s your story?”

“Same as yours, I just hitched a ride, and this was the first stop I came to.”

I can tell by the look in her eyes she doesn’t believe me, but she nods as if happy with that and then lowers her voice.

“Listen, one thing I do know is that it’s Griffin’s birthday tomorrow, so be prepared.”

“For what?”

“Party night.”

Ruby’s words come back to me as she warned me not to be around on party night and I say quickly, “What’s so bad about party night?”

Avery shivers. “It just reinforces the fact these men are bastards. When it’s one of their birthdays, they get to have a party. That means every woman inside these walls strips naked and acts like a fuck toy for the night, irrespective of whether she’s paired up or not. Word of advice, honey, make sure you’re somewhere else because you don’t get a choice in the matter and if you object, they make it hurt.”

“You’re kidding me.”

She shakes her head. “I’m not.”

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