Page 16 of Conquered

I bring in a huge amount of tips, it's crazy really what the rich will spend their money on, and my best tipper is the brooding mysterious guy from that first night. He's always at my table, watching me with his dark, predatory gaze, his intense eyes fixed on my body the whole time. I asked Lexi about him, and apparently, he's some kind of billionaire who uses the club for business meetings mostly, though no one is quite sure what his business actually is. His name is Mr. Black; each member is given an alias in the form of a different colour, and no one but Grey knows who they really are.

I'm not sure whether or not I should be worried by his unwavering attention. He never steps out of line, only touches me to help me down from the table and to place his wad of cash into my hand. He's not done anything to warrant the feeling of uneasiness that he inspires in me, yet I feel it all the same.

Ryan doesn't like it, although he's trying to keep his possessiveness in check. He's staying with me a lot in my bed, always leaving before I'm up. He says seeing me dance night after night gives him dickache, like a headache but with his dick, so it's my own fault really.Cheeky bugger!

I've just finished getting ready for my dance tonight, grateful that I'm in the dry and warm club, with the cold December wind blowing and sleet falling from the sky outside.

“You're up, doll,” Justin tells me, then rushes off to help a new girl who's in a muddle with her suspenders.

The baby gives me a little kick as if to tell me to hurry up, and I chuckle to myself at its seeming impatience. I make myway downstairs to the basement, seeing Ryan as usual once I step past the doorway. He trails his fingers across my stomach sending flutters of pleasure skittering across my abdomen and into my core. I see him smirk in a satisfied male way as he hears my breath hitch.

My song comes on, a sensual piece with the rhythmic pounding of drums so I make my way to my table, rolling my hips in time with the beat as I walk. Dancing up the small steps to the table, I take note of Mr. Black who is here as expected. I give him a small nod, which he returns with a tilt of his lips, an almost smile. There are three other men around the table, all in dark suits, one of whom is seated next to Mr. Black, turned to face him as they speak.

My steps falter as he registers where Black’s attention has gone and faces me.Shit! Fuck!It's Julian Vanderbilt, CEO of Black Knight Corporation and one of Ace’s associates. I've met this man on countless occasions, spoken to his wife, and sat down to dinner at their house. His eyes alight with appreciation but not recognition, at least, I don’t think they do but my panic is colouring my judgement.

My heart pounds in time with the drums, and I see Ryan heading in my direction, his face wreathed with concern. I look at him and shake my head, taking a deep breath and continuing to dance. My eyes catch Black’s, and I can see he's sitting stock still, his own eyes tumultuous and full of what looks like anger which confuses me.

The song comes to an end, and I hurry over to the steps to find Black waiting, as usual, to help me down. My hand shakes as it clasps his, and when I reach the bottom, he leans in close to my ear, keeping hold of my hand.

“Apologies, Aphrodite, he will not come here again,” he whispers darkly before handing me the usual wad of bills and releasing his grip.

I don't say anything in return, my mouth unable to utter a word, then I walk off, trying to appear casual whilst my insides churn with worry and fear.

As I go to step past Ryan, he grabs my upper arm, stepping through the door with me and closing it behind us.

“What happened? Are you okay?” he asks, cupping my jaw, worry shining in his brown eyes. “Is the baby okay?”

“Just a misstep, nothing to worry about.” I try to assure him by smiling, but my heart still pounds in fear of being discovered. I know my smile falls short when he doesn't look reassured and, if anything, looks more concerned.

“One day, I hope you trust me enough to tell me about your past. You're not alone anymore, Laura, and I can protect you,” he tells me vehemently, not giving me a chance to answer before he presses a light kiss on my lips then heads back out the door.

It's not me that needs protecting the most, I think as I stare after him, holding my stomach and feeling the life inside me move.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Christmas and New Year come and go. Black is true to his word, and I don’t see Julian at Grey’s again. As the weeks roll by, I start to relax when there are no apparent repercussions, so I can only hope that means that he didn’t recognise me.

Lexi and I spend a wonderful Christmas at the apartment, stuffing our faces until we can’t move, not that I can move with any speed these days anyway. We don’t get dressed all day, slobbing out and watching sappy movies. We exchanged gifts; I got her a sexy little leopard print romper and matching eye mask from Agent Provocateur. I got Ryan, well, myself I suppose, a little lacy teddy for me to wear the next time he’s over, also from Agent Provocateur.

We spent New Year’s Eve working at Grey’s. It’s one of the biggest parties of the year for us, and we both make a fortune. I even get a kiss at midnight from Ryan when he pulls me to a dark corner and steals my breath away, devouring my lips and mouth.

I still haven’t committed to him, which I feel terrible for. I’m not seeing anyone else, neither is he as far as I can tell, but I just don’t feel like it’s safe to be together officially. I mean, everyone knows we are sleeping with each other, but that’s it. If Ace doesfind me, which admittedly is looking less likely the more time passes, he would destroy Ryan, hurting him horribly, and I can’t risk that. I care for him too much. Plus there are my lingering feelings for Tom...and the guilt whenever I think about him when I’m with Ryan.

Spring is finally here, and I’m officially as big as a whale! I’m actually considering if I should stop dancing, as I feel so cumbersome and like it’s time to focus on the impending arrival of my baby. There’s less than a month until my due date, and although I know that babies aren’t always on time, Grey did say I could take maternity leave, so I think maybe I should.

I feel lighter having made that decision. The next morning, I’m woken early by a strong pain tearing across my stomach, ending with a dull ache in my pelvis. Groaning quietly so as not to wake Ryan who’s asleep next to me, I get up and head to the toilet. When I wipe myself, I see the evidence of what the midwife called my plug; basically, slightly bloody goo.

“Lexi!” I shriek, staring down at the tissue. Moments later the door bangs open, Lexi standing there dishevelled, her hair wild, and I hold it out to show her. “Look!”

“Okay, gorgeous,” she says, eyes wide and voice shaky. “Let’s keep calm and call Sally.”

We discussed having a home birth at the apartment with her, which she was very supportive of. Lexi goes off to make the call whilst I clean up, going back into my room to find Ryan sitting on the edge of the bed wide awake.

“Will you stay with me?” I ask him, suddenly needing his strong presence around me as I go through this.

“Of course,” he says immediately, getting up and enfolding me in his big arms, holding me tightly. Another pain flashes across my abdomen, but it’s manageable. “Want me to run you a bath?” he asks, leaning back to look at me.

“That would be perfect,” I whisper gratefully, suddenly a little scared and unsure now that the day has come.