Page 129 of Captive Audience

Ugh. I’d have to eat my words and tell Beth and Daisy a man had won me over.

But falling hard and fast for Rook was dangerous. His controlling,obsessive ways weren’t going to change. Choosing to be with him could be a recipe for heartbreak and disaster. I wasn’t ready to commit to life with a gangster.

I poked him in the chest and smiled. “Any feelings I have for you don’t count when I’m trapped here with a textbook case of Stockholm syndrome.”

“Aye. Well, that definitely explains why we both had the best sex of our lives the night we met.”

I frowned. “I don’t like you when you make logical arguments.” I needed to derail this conversation before Rook forced me to admit things I wasn’t ready to share. “Question: Do you own any shirts that aren’t black?”

“Of course. I have obsidian, raven, coal, and onyx. I even own a shirt that’s graphite.”

I whistled. “Wowzers. Let’s not get too wild on the color spectrum.”

He brushed a hand down my side. “I have to meet with Torin. I’ll be home for dinner. Call me if you need anything.”

“Wait.” I reached for his hand before he could stand. “There’s something I need to talk to you about.”

We couldn’t delay this conversation any longer. Plus, Rook seemed in a good mood, so maybe this wouldn’t go as badly as I expected.

“I’m going out for drinks with Beth and Daisy tonight.”

He narrowed his eyes as if my apprehension were written all over my face. “And I’m not invited.”

I shrugged. “It’s girls’ night. We gossip and talk shit about men.”

“Will you talk shite about me?”

“Of course. That’s why you can’t be there.”

“I’ll sit at another table.”

“So you can spend the entire time giving random men murderous glares? I don’t think so.”

He rubbed a hand along his jaw. “This is important to you?”

“Yes, Rook. I miss my friends, and I can’t keep putting them off. They’ll send out a search party if I don’t show my face soon.”

He circled his thumb over the back of my hand. “Okay. I want you to have fun with your friends. But I have conditions.”

Good. This was progress. I’d expected way more of a fight over this.

I nodded. “I’m listening.”

“It’s too much for Finn to handle on his own. He goes with backup.”

“Two bodyguards?”

“Aye. And you’ll go to a bar owned by the Beasts. There are plenty to choose from. Look up Torin’s hotels and pick one from there.”

“So you can watch me through the security cameras?”

He cocked his head. “Clever girl.”

I guessed if he wanted a bird’s-eye view of me talking to my besties for a few hours, he could go right ahead.

I rolled my eyes. “Fine. What else?”

Rook smirked. “Only that you come home to me and let me strip you naked and fuck you until you smell like me again.”