Page 16 of Room Six

“When I take control over you, Magnolia Lafleur, you will know it.” He does not stutter or growl his words. He speaks evenly in a way that has my skin erupting with chills of anticipation.

“Like I said… I will take drastic measures to get your mind on where it needs to be.”

The word drastic on Oliver’s tongue has me slamming on the mental brakes. When he uses words like that, I’m usually tied to their bed and either covered in honey or wax. At least that is what happened last week when I pulled an all nighter and failed to answer my phone.

Last Saturday I wrapped up my shift at Club Sin after a long night and the three of them were outside waiting for me. They had a plan in place and it took all weekend for them to execute each intricate detail. I now have a deep appreciation for honey covered…

“Magnolia Lafleur, there you go again.”

I huff out. “What? I can’t help it. You say things like that and my head starts throwing scenarios together.”

Rune’s laugh is low, warm and soothing. And so are his arms. He holds me tight and shares his body warmth. It’s nowhere near as cold here as it is in Seattle but it’s enough to have my nipples pressing against the soft fabric of my dress. We follow Danika inside. He leads us through beautiful arching doors with multi-colored stained glass in frames pinned open with golden hooks on either door. I can’t tell for sure in the low light, but I am pretty sure the angels in the glass had fallen from grace from the sinful things they are doing to their human lovers.

“Why are we here?”

Danika’s brush of his knuckles over my cheek does things to the tether around my heart and I forget about my question. I’m trying really hard not to fall madly in love with my men, but they make it harder by the day. The more time I’m with them, the easier it gets to forget my past.

Until now they haven’t asked me about a single day of my life before they entered it and I haven’t pressed for information on where they go when they tend to ‘meetings’. Eventually someone will break, but I’m happy hanging out in our blissful bubble for a while longer.

“Gentlemen. Ma’am.” A beautiful woman in an elegant emerald dress made of crushed velvet greets us at the end of a hallway. The N’awlins mediator isn’t a local, but she looks at home here and in tune with the calmer energy, but there is now missing the fiery spark in her eye as she extends a hand to me. I take it.

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Miss Lafleur.” She’s no older than myself and looks to have the weight of the world on her shoulders. I know because I recognize the untold pain in her eyes. I see the exact shadows in the mirror every morning.

My lips form an O of surprise. “I’m sorry, have we met?”

She slips another hand over our clasped ones. “I doubt it. I’m new here. I’ve only been part of the Club Sin roster for a couple of weeks now. I’m Bailey. The Autumn ball was a sensation I had to see for myself. The women in edible glitter were brilliant.”

“You were there?”

“I was long enough to see the dramatic coordination of their moves. I went with a friend from Chicago before I asked to work here for a while. Now, if you will follow me, please.”

Oh, her story merits more than a quick brush of words. I want to pull her to the side, hug her and then sit down over ice cream and make a new friend. I am not really an outward going person, but Bailey makes my protective instincts come to life.

Maybe I can ask her for her number before the night is up.

Black carpet muffles our footsteps as we follow Bailey to a table set in the middle of an empty foyer.

“Club rules state every member must sign a contract before entering a room or taking part in an event,” she offers with a kind smile, covering all her bases.

“I understand.” I take the pen and this time there are no rules holding me back from signing since I don’t work here. I put my name on the sheets of paper without a second thought and then Danika, Oliver and Rune do the same.

They stayed oddly quiet while I spoke with Bailey, but not once did the three drop their hands from my body.

Bailey notices too. Her eyes are on mine, but her attention is on how Rune holds my hand. The way Danika stands with his weight leaned toward me and his arm around my waist.

And then there is Oliver. He’s more subtle. He stands so close I can’t tell where my personal space starts and his ends. But it’s the small kisses to my shoulder and neck that drives me wild.

Bailey cants her head and gathers the contract. “My job here is complete. I’ll send you each a copy of your contract to the address on our membership. And with that, I leave you all to your evening. Please enjoy your stay with us.” Her smile is polite, but hollow. I don’t know what I'm doing, but I follow my gut and pull her into a hug.

“Thank you for your kind words. I’m so used to judgment and ridicule.” I pull back but her hug back gives me hope in people again.

“You are welcome, Miss Lafleur.”

“Magnolia,” I correct her.

She gives me a parting smile before leaving us.

“Amore mio.”

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