Page 57 of Fragments

At the time, I was highly distraught. The pain of heartbreak wasn’t something I’d ever felt before, and it was insufferable.Excruciating. But naturally, my sadness morphed quickly into anger, and I did what every young, jilted ex-lover tries to do…

Blackmail him back into a relationship with me.

I threatened to tell his family or report him to the police. But he just laughed it off, smug fucking prick he is, and said, “Who would believe you, Warren? You’re aliar.”

And he was right. I fuckinghatedhim for it, but he was.

My entire life, I’ve been getting in trouble for lying, and despite how good I’ve gotten at it, once people find out you’ve lied about one thing, they assume you’re lying abouteverything.

Trust is nearly impossible to regrow once you’ve chopped it off.

When my blackmail plan failed, I went berserk. That’s also when I discovered how much I loved fucking,andthat it was just as good with other people. So I allowed myself to get over Mr. Kade by getting under lots, and lots, andlotsof other guys.

But I never forgot about him.How could I?He was the one who showed me who I am.

He was the first man to ever push himself inside me, grab me by the throat, and call me hiswicked little slut. He gave me my awakening. And no matter how many other men I used to fill the void, I could never truly let go of that emotionally distant talisman.

Mr. Kadeis what brought me into The Edge that day, over a year ago. He’s the reason I’m doing this right now. And yet, I’ve still never been able to get him back.

Releasing a breath, I blink at Dom’s dissatisfied expression, mumbling sarcastically, “Yes, Sir Dominic. Your wish is my command.”

He purses his lips, jaw ticking visibly. “Don’t get cute with me, Ren.”

“Too late.” I show him a cheeky smirk, and the set line of his mouth twitches.

“You know, that new client from last night complained about you,” he rumbles. “He said you were breaking confidentiality.”

“He’s a whiny little bitch,” I mutter, picking at my fingernails. “You know he followed me to my house??”

Dom sighs. “Well, regardless, I can’t have it. Just lock it the fuck up.”

“Anyone ever tell you you’re a spitting image of Mussolini?” I hold in my chuckles.

He’s clearly not amused.

“Enough.” He glowers. “Get to work. I texted you the assignment for tonight.”

I roll my eyes. “Yea, I saw it.”

“Good.” He smacks me hard on the ass. “Then get the fuck up there before I dock your pay.” Sighing, I wander in the direction of the stairs, stopping when his voice assaults my back. “And Ren… If I catch you lurking around Kade again, we’re going to have a problem. Got it?”

My jaw strains, the rage I’ve been suppressing since the fight with my father earlier heating my blood to a rolling boil. Ignoring his little threat, I storm up the stairs to room seven, where my client is waiting for me.

The room is dark, muffled beats traveling through the floor as I glide inside and close the door. I spot him immediately, sitting on the couch across the room, sipping a drink. He’s wearing a rubber devil mask, which is sufficiently terrifying, but I ignore it, padding over, barefoot and wearing only fishnet stockings, per his request.

I don’t believe I’ve worked with him before, unless he’s a regular who’s choosing to shake things up by being a total weirdo. But the text from Dom specifically noted that he asked for me by name. I can’t help feeling flattered.

The table by the couch is covered in supplies; a sugar bowl of coke, candy dish filled with pills, bottles of booze, feathers, nipple clamps, a few vials of GHB and ketamine, a nine-inch dildo, and what looks to be a plate of exotic fruit.

Alright, then. Looks like we’re gettin’ freaky.

“Hi, Daddy,” I whisper—also, per his request—sidling up to him and sinking onto the couch. “I’ve been waiting for you to come home from work.”

A deep noise rumbles from within his chest, giving me tingles.

Things progress slowly, rather than the fast shoving of my head down into the lap that I’m used to. The mystery man rarely speaks, save for a curt, growly command here and there. I think it’s obvious he’s wearing the mask to hide his identity, meaning he’s probably a politician or something.

He’s sort of slim, and obviously very tall, apparent even when he’s sitting. The mask covers his entire head, so I can’t tell anything else about him. But it really doesn’t matter.