Page 101 of Gilded Locks

Stone appeared to greet them, immaculate in a designer black suit. His hair was perfectly styled, his expression professionally neutral. “Mr. Calder. Welcome to Kassel. I’m Stone Volkov, manager of The Preserve. We spoke on the phone.” He shook Jordan’s hand with firm confidence.

Jordan’s handshake was aggressive, designed to establish dominance. Marigold had seen him do it a thousand times, the slight squeeze too hard, the moment held too long, the way he pulled others off balance like an insecure dictator wannabe with a small dick.

But Stone didn’t move an inch further than intended and maintained higher ground through the brief exchange until Jordan let go, shaking his fingers to regain feeling.

“Quiet tonight.” His exaggerated posh accent carried clearly through the speakers. His pale blue gaze, so like their father’s, swept the foyer with calculating assessment.

“We thought a private setting might be more fitting tonight.”

Disappointment flashed in his eyes. “Where are the women?”

“The Aurelius family is hosting their monthly gala.” Stone’s smile was sharp. “But don’t worry. We’ve arranged something special just for you.”

Jordan’s eyes lit with interest. “You have my attention.”

“Everything you need is in the playroom. But first, we must discuss the terms of your membership.”

Jordan’s brows lifted with cocky arrogance. “We’ll see how the night goes.”

Stone didn’t flinch. Didn’t step back. Didn’t give Jordan the reaction he was fishing for.

“Quite a setup you have here,” Jordan continued, strolling deeper into the lodge without invitation. “Private islands, exclusive memberships. You must cater to some very particular tastes. How many members did you say you had?”

“I didn’t.”

“Regardless, it’s nice to find a gentleman’s club that values discretion.”

Hunter loomed behind them in silence, his lethal stare trained on Jordan like the scope of an AR. One wrong move, and Jordan would exist no more.

“Our clients understand the rules. We provide discrete accommodations,” Stone replied, playing up the role of ultimate host. “Consensual play and privacy are our specialty.”

“Privacy.” Jordan’s smile was sharp. “I imagine you see all sorts of... interesting behavior. Rich men with their hobbies and obsessions. Money does strange things to people, doesn’t it?”

There was condescension in his tone, the subtle superiority of someone who believed himself above whatever degeneracy he imagined took place here. He was already categorizing Stone and his brothers as lesser beings, service providers for the truly wealthy.

“Indeed,” Stone agreed mildly. “Shall we cut to the chase, Mr. Calder?”

“Which is?”

“Your sister’s situation.” Stone glanced back at his silent entourage. “Your guests won’t be permitted past this point.”

Surprised by Stone’s directness, Jordan shifted gears. “I like a man who gets right to business.”

“I understand you’re concerned about her welfare.”

“Concerned?” Jordan laughed, the sound rigid like breaking glass. “I’m fucking terrified. My sister’s been unwell for some time. Delusional episodes, paranoid fantasies. When she disappeared from her care facility, I feared the worst.”

The lie rolled off his tongue with practiced ease. Marigold’s hands clenched into fists as she watched him execute a flawless performance, despite never wasting an ounce of true concern on her.

“She mentioned family troubles,” Stone said carefully. “Perhaps we could discuss this more privately?”

“Of course.” Jordan gestured to his companions. “Dr. Morrison here specializes in crisis intervention for patients experiencing psychotic breaks. And my legal team is here to handle any... complications.”

Complications.

Those men were not on the right side of the law. Marigold had no doubt they would testify against her in court, acting as false witnesses to whatever took place here tonight. Jordan most likely paid them well to see the world from his perspective.

He was prepared to have her declared insane and dragged back to captivity before she could destroy his perfect life. She breathed deep in an attempt to mitigate the fury building inside.