Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 101147 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101147 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
Amanda’s eyes widen in confusion. “Why would I talk to her? Everything is going along exactly as you planned. The press is tearing the Dellacourts apart. I just watched a news editorial on how we will all be copulating with animals if we don’t recognize Torin’s right to rule.”
Oh, the net is tightening, but I have plans for Dante that don’t include simply hurting his feelings. And if I can make a profit while I’m at it, that’s all the better. The shanimal will be interesting to my medical division.
“I don’t pay you to tell me what to do,” I announce. “I’ll pick you up in twenty minutes.”
I close the link between us and let the head of medical research know that he’ll have a new subject to test very soon.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Dante
I hold Kaja’s hand, barely restraining myself from wrapping an arm around her and keeping her close to my body. I want contact with her. I crave it. I’ve fought my instincts for weeks in a vain attempt to look normal.
Normal isn’t going to work for Kaja. Normal is going to stifle her. It’s going to kill that sweet soul of hers in a way violence and neglect did not.
“Good evening, Mr. Dellacourt,” the desk clerk says.
I nod at the man who probably is well armed and trained. The doors to The Club open, and I lead my wife through.
One day I’ll bring her here as a sub, not a guest. The BDSM club is known for its exclusivity. Royals only, and royals with money. Everyone else is well-vetted staff.
I don’t miss the way Kaja’s eyes take in the grandeur of the space. Julian Lodge doesn’t do anything halfway. His entryway is a monument to decadence.
“Dante.” Julian walks out of his office and into the grand entry. A mass of muscle is at his side, but then Julian rarely goes anywhere without a bodyguard. It looks like that’s the big guy’s job tonight. “You know Mr. Taggart.”
Ian Taggart is the head of Lodge’s security branch. Lodge Corp is well diversified, but in the last few years has come on strong in the security field, and the turning point was the hiring of Taggart. The massive vampire is one of those royals whose family hit hard times. He went into the military and when he retired, every corporation on the plane tried to hire him. Including mine. Lodge sweetened the deal by offering Taggart a membership to the exclusive club. It’s also been said that Taggart brought with him a network of spies. Lodge will definitely know how to use that. “Taggart. I promise I’m not going to mangle your boss.”
Taggart grins, a completely predatory look. “Oh, please, feel free. I would pay to see that show.”
Lodge simply sighs and holds out a hand. “Welcome back. It’s been a long time since you came in.”
I shudder, remembering the moment. “Well, seeing my sister bound to a Saint Andrew’s Cross while her consort whipped her made me swear off sex for a long time.”
Kaja stares up at me.
“Three days is very long for me,” I concede.
Julian laughs. “Truly, it is. This is your consort.” Julian bows in the formal fashion. “Greetings, consort.”
She smiles at Julian. That smile. Gods, it gets to me. Especially since I know she never smiled before she met me.
“Hello,” Kaja says.
Taggart bows her way as well. “Welcome to The Club, Mrs. Dellacourt.”
I give in to my instincts and pull her close. Another royal is staring at my consort. Despite the fact that I know Julian has a consort of his own—if rumors had it right, he has two—I feel my fangs lengthen. My hold on Kaja tightens. Julian isn’t exactly ugly, and all the subs lust after the big blond guy. Taggart is actually quite brutal when he wants to be. He’s very alpha. Taggart hasn’t taken a consort yet.
Kaja snorts. “He is not my type.”
It’ll take a while to get used to this whole telepathic thing. She obviously heard my thoughts. “I better be your type.”
“Yes. You are my type.”
She looks gorgeous, her brown-and-gold hair forming a halo around her head. Her blue eyes are wide and dominate her pretty face. She is everything to me. How did that happened? She is the sun in my sky. I fought it, but now I can’t remember why.
I’m going to leave my home to save her.
“Dante, if you’ll join us.” Julian gestures toward his office door.
I pull Kaja along.
Julian stares at me. “Your consort is welcome to have a drink at the bar.”
“Or she can come with me.” I don’t want her running around an infamous BDSM club alone.
Kaja pats my hand. “I would love a drink. Don’t worry. I won’t allow myself to be carried off. If anyone tries to harm me, I will show them my beast.”