Page 30 of Room Twenty-Three: Tangled & Teased

The manager hears, and I repeat what he tells me. “Tonight.”

“She’s what!” Atty yells. “No fucking way.”

“You can’t go to Club Sin tonight,” Atty says to Erin as he paces across the floor.

But his voice no longer scares Erin. Where she normally would flinch, she stands with her arms crossed over her chest, and shakes her head.

He grunts as he stops and glares at her.

“Why not?” She sounds like a brat. Then her arms uncross from her chest as she pauses. “Oh. You know.”

I raise my eyes. “Yes.”

She slams her hands on her hips. “It’s supposed to be private.”

“You’re listed under our membership,” I say.

“And you’re supposed to be looking after me. So look after me.”

“What the hell!” I growl. “We’re here to keep you alive, not make you come.”

Her shoulders slump as she takes that in. She isn’t quite the brat she tries to make herself out to be. Probably a little frustrated. “Well, if you can’t do it, someone else will.”

“Nobody will,” Beau says.

“I’m going to Club Sin. I thought you’d want to help me, but as I’m your client and you can’t, I’m getting someone else to do it.”

I’d more than like it. Maybe smack her ass for trying to be a brat.

“Of course we would like it, Princess,” Beau says. I hear the acceptance in his tone and I know he is finally on my side. “But we don’t get involved with our clients.”

“You said...” She groans. “It’s fine. I’m not asking you to anymore.”

“No.” My tone sounds feral.

Her eyes widen. “Yes. I’m going to be tied up in knots and teased. You don’t have to worry about it anymore. I’m not asking you to touch me. I know you’ll be in the club tonight. I overheard you. Just stay while I’m there. Keep me safe while I...” She stops and stares ahead as her teeth dig into her lip.

The thought of binding her, submitting to us and making her come makes my cock throb behind my jeans. But this is Erin, a client, and what the fuck was she about to say? “While you what?” My voice is a low rumble.

She stares ahead and shakes her head. “It doesn’t matter.”

Atty takes her hand in his and smiles. Their gazes meet as her thumb strokes under his palm.

“Tell me,” I push.

Erin swallows. “Lia and I made a pact to push ourselves out of our comfort zones. I thought nothing of it until Lydia was killed. But now I know I might never get the chance to do something like this again.”

I swallow the lump that seems to appear now Lia is gone. I think I felt sorry for Lia at first, knowing everything she went through. But her fire, her strength, the fact she refused to let her assault get the better of her, is something I can never forget.

But I know it could never be real. I knew all along and I don’t understand why I felt like I did. I turn and look at Atty and Beau and shake my head. They know Erin can’t be ours.

“We can’t let you do it. Your father has entrusted us to keep you alive, and we’re here to do a job,” Atty says. He drops her hand and strolls to the bottle of bourbon on the table and pours a measure into his glass.

She doesn’t reply but blows out a staggered breath, her face remaining indifferent as she turns and walks away. “Your job is to keep me safe. Not to decide on my life choices. I’m doing it with or without you. It’s my body.”

“Erin...”

“Don’t give me crap about it being your job, me being your client, and whatever else. Just tell the truth. I’m used to it. I’m too...” She swallows, a ripple slides over her throat.

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