Page 43 of Rogue Villain

“Time to leave, gentlemen.”

I nod as he roughly escorts them from the premises, knowing he’ll ensure their silence before letting them go with a warning. My eyes scan the space for Wren, finding her talking with her group of friends.

“Wren!” My voice is like a whip, and she slowly twists about to face me, her chin tilted upward in absolute defiance. And Christ, if it doesn’t turn me on.

“Yes,Cactus?”

I narrow my eyes minutely before dropping them down the length of her body, taking in each and every exposed inch of flesh, every dip and curve, every ounce of perfection on display before me.

And for every other red-blooded male in this godforsaken place.

“You’ve broken my rule. And the price will be steep.” Her nostrils flare as her jaw tics, but she continues to hold my gaze unrelentingly. “Get upstairs, and wait for me.”

I turn away, intent on finding Lucia and murdering her with my bare hands, when Wren’s voice stops me in my tracks.

“No!”

Glancing over my shoulder, I see she’s standing there, hands on her hips, resolute in her decision, and I sigh internally. “Go upstairs.Don’tpush my buttons, little bird…”

“I’d push your mute button right now if I could find it.”

CHAPTER13

WREN

The words have left my mouth before I’ve thought them through, and my eyes widen when Vaughn twists about fully. He closes the distance between us in a nanosecond and catches me around the waist to hoist me over his shoulder. His broad palm rests on my ass, keeping my dress in place as he spins and marches swiftly toward the staff quarters.

I pound on his back and ass with my clenched fists, shouting as we cross the packed club floor. “Put me down, you Neanderthal.”

Instead of acknowledging me, he swats me on my ass, making me shriek with frustration.

His feet take us across the floor as I literally kick and scream, drawing more than a little attention, judging by the laughter as we pass. He steps onto the elevator, and my mouth slams shut as my stomach dips suddenly at the thought of being alone with him.

My heart thunders in my ears as the car moves between floors, opening into the apartment all too soon. His brisk strides cover the ground until we reach my bedroom, and once inside, he tosses me onto the bed.

I bounce twice as he watches on, rage pulsating from his every pore.

“You won’t break my rules again,yes?”

I nod repeatedly, the winds utterly depleted from my sails in the face of such fury. He smiles wickedly, making my stomach dip.

“You reap what you sow, Wren. You remember I told you that?”

I blink owlishly, tilting my head to one side in question as he moves closer, sitting on the bed to pat his knee. “This time, I’ll show you I mean it.”

Before I realize what he’s saying, he hefts me over his legs, leaving my ass in the air.

“You can’t be fucking serious right now!”

He chuckles, feeding me my own damn words. “As a heart attack.”

And before I can hiss a reply, his hand comes down on my practically bare ass. Thethwackfills my ears, followed by my own cry of displeasure.

“Stop it! I’m not a child—”

Thwack!

He smothers a laugh as I squirm uncomfortably. “Vaughn! I swear—”

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