His forehead furrowed, squinting at the fox stitched into the shirt. “Hey, that’s—”
“Your boss’s clothing? Yep.” I dropped my arm. “I took it from him last night after we made an agreement. I’m staying with him for a month. He let me run a few errands this morning, and now I need to return to him.” The lie spilled effortlessly from my tongue.
The bouncer scowled, gnawing on his lip in deliberation. “I dunno…”
Shoving the t-shirt back into my bag, I snapped, “What do you think he’ll do if I tell him I had to wait on the doorstep for eight hours because his lunatic bouncer didn’t get the memo?”
His eyes widened, dilating with anxiety. It seemed everyone had a fear about their capricious boss. Finally, he shoved the door wider and motioned me in. “If you’re telling lies, I’ll make sure to pay you back.”
His tone didn’t scare me—Fox had reminded me that fear wasn’t in my repertoire.
Storming down the long corridor, I ignored the artwork and statues. For a house painted all in black with black upholstery and haberdashery, the sun had a strong-willed determination to warm every crevice. The glass ceiling above meant it was as bright inside as it was out.
Making sure to only touch the metal door with the child in wonderland and not the child with dead body parts at his feet, I entered Obsidian’s fighting floor.
I slammed to a stop. I’d expected the arena to be abandoned—to have the place to myself, but the boxing ring was occupied by four men, pairing up to spar. The cage held a man in a spandex body suit practicing jabs and throws at an imagery opponent.
A cleaning crew worked industriously around the fighters, disinfecting floors and wiping down rigging. Even medics stood attentive and waiting at their stations, watching the preliminary warm-ups, no doubt ready to receive a patient.
Keeping my bag tucked close to my side, I bee-lined for the black carpeted stairs. Even though members were early, it didn’t mean the boss would be ready to work. The large clock on the wall said it was only midday. I knew where I would find him.
In bed.
Vulnerable.
Hopefully asleep, so I could have the pleasure of screaming him awake.
Walking straight and with purpose, I refused to make eye contact with anyone. I cursed the bruising between my legs. Every step made my heart race, knowing I was about to face the man who hurt me.
I passed the Muay Thai ring, but slammed to a halt when a large man stepped purposely in my way. I didn’t know what he wanted, and I wasn’t in the mood.
“Move, please,” I said, glaring.
He chuckled, stroking his five o’ clock shadow. His body flexed with thick muscles and tribal tattoos. “That’s no way to be polite.” His voice sounded like a drum full of gravel. “I didn’t know entertainment arrived early.” He stepped closer, forcing himself into my bubble. “You fancy serving a winner after his fight?” He licked his lips, dragging icy blue eyes up and down my figure. “I’ll f**k you real good.”
“No thanks.” I sniffed, keeping calm. “I’m busy; please let me pass.”
He chuckled. “Oh, you used the magic word. Was that please let me suck your dick, baby doll? I think that’s what I heard.” His arm came forward, landing on my shoulder. His touch didn’t scare me, but the use of the pet name did.
My body tensed, looking for a weakness to exploit. “Get. Your. Hands. Off. Me.”
His bushy eyebrows slammed into a frown. “That’s no way for a Fox Girl to talk to a paying client. Do you know the f**king fees I pay to come here? It’s extortion.”
I shrugged. “What you do with your money is your business. Now leave me the hell alone.”
Shaking his head, he muttered, “You’re not getting it, baby doll. I pay fees and included in those fees are the use of certain pleasurable activities.” His fingers slithered off my shoulder, dropping to my chest.
I flinched as he grabbed my breast hard and twisted. “Get in a private room. Now.”
Reaching automatically into my hair, I fumbled for my knife clip. My anxious fingers touched the blade, palming it discreetly.
A rush of power filled me holding the weapon. “Lay another finger on me and I’ll make you regret it.”
Two fighters nearby stopped towelling off and looked up. They murmured something to each other, watching our altercation. Their eyes dropped to my figure, glowing from confusion to interest.
Oh, shit, how could I get out of this without it turning into a bloodbath?
Deciding deception was the best way to go, I forced my body to relax. Placing a hand over my captors, I slipped into seductress and whispered, “Not here. You want me? You can have me, but your eyes only.” The moment I get you alone, I’m cutting your balls off.
He grinned, showing yellowing teeth. “Knew you’d come around, baby doll.”
A strong arm suddenly wrapped around my waist, yanking me backward into hard muscle. “What the f**k are you doing here?”
My nose swam with scents of sun and salt and wind. Whereas Fox smelled of the underworld he’d been birthed from, Oscar smelled of freedom.
“I came back as I made a deal with your boss.” Nodding at the guy in my way, I added, “This lunatic thinks he can order me around.”
Oscar breathed hard; his muscles pressed against my spine. I never relaxed even as his hard heat seeped into my body. I didn’t like how firmly he held me.
I squirmed a little, testing his hold. Oscar grunted. “Stop moving. I know Fox wants you. I didn’t deal with his bullshit last night for him to kill me today if he found out I didn’t return you. It’s your funeral for being stupid enough to come back.”
Where did Fox go last night?
My mind raced as Oscar clutched me harder. “Spiderweb, nice to see you so early. You know the rules. You want a f**k; you have to wait till official opening hours.”
Spiderweb bared his teeth. “I see a perfect little bug in front of me. She was all for it, weren’t you, baby doll?”
I couldn’t stop the shudder. I would never get over my hatred for that name.
Oscar stilled, a gust of hot air from his breath hit my neck. “She’s not for sale.”
My back stiffened, but I let him talk about me as a possession. He was trying to protect me after all.
“Whatever. Fair’s fair. She’s on the floor. I saw her. I want her.”