Page 56 of The Secrets That Kill

“Never, Liza.”

And I know exactly what Malone sees in her. She’s dangerously beautiful and she’s clearly a dominant. But he is, too, so I’m slightly intrigued about what goes on with them. But Malone’s earned whatever his price is.

We both ignore Pollyanna. In here, she’s only that. Pollyanna.

“Anything pique your interest tonight?”

“Just a night out with my newest toy, Pollyanna.”

The woman nods and I’m pretty fucking sure Ivy’s inner brat is fuming. But Pollyanna is picture perfect. I’d bet having to play this role turns her on, too. “Enjoy.”

I sign us in, and then without looking at Pollyanna, enter the main area.

It’s exactly as expected. A melting pot of people on the lookout for fresh blood, people who want to be in the scene or take part with discretion. The front of the club is where the bar and a glassed-off performance room are located. Kink M-rated things happen in that room, along with demos.

The real hard-core playrooms are farther into the building, on different floors. Right now, I’m just here to socialize, letting my toy get a taste for new land. It’s what many do with their latest acquisitions.

I want to be seen by people who are looking for new members of clubs like Broken Angel, and for girls to perform in those places. Girls like Pollyanna.

I don’t expect an invite right away, but get seen enough and be rich and reclusive enough like I am? People take interest and suddenly, doors open.

Just being seen with her tonight is a giant step forward in my plan.

A man, someone I don’t know, eyes her up like she’s a sizzling steak and he’s on Death Row about to eat his final meal. He takes a step toward us and I fight the urge to gouge out his eyeballs with my fingers.

The vultures are out tonight. He has a pet on the floor, licking his shoe. He shakes her off as he takes another step toward us, his hand outstretched to touch my fucking property.

I pin him down with a look. He stops dead.

“Touch and you won’t like the consequences,” I growl. “She’s mine, and I don’t share until, and unless, I choose to. So step the fuck off.”

The guy nods and kicks at his pet, earning him a warning look from one of the discreet security people.

“He’s a dick,” I mutter to Pollyanna. “But you’re doing well.”

“Thank you, Sir.” Then she pauses, half squirms and says, “Was he someone we?—”

“We’re here to be seen, that’s all. So… No idea. It isn’t important. It doesn’t matter.”

The who’s who yearbook of players in this place doesn’t matter yet.

Just like Adam Henderson doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. He’s just the vessel, a man who has power through a dangerous game of secrets and blackmail. He blackmails for power, for safety, and to make himself untouchable.

He does it through secrets. He collects recordings and documentation that should never exist.

Fucking idiot never cared about consequences. He stepped on the wrong toes.

It’s why he’s marked for death.

One wrong step has Mr. Untouchable in my sights.

I’m going to kill him and goddammit, I’ll enjoy every second of his torment.

But I have to get into the guts of his operation first. Because taking him out is easy. Even if he disappeared and erased himself from the world, someone would find him.

What isn’t easy is taking him out while he’s updating his blackmail tapes and cataloguing his secrets.

Or whatever the fuck he does.

---