Page 44 of House of Cards

“Howler can always step in at a moment’s notice. He loves being on our waitlist.” He directs his words to Zoey, pairing them with a warm, almost grandfatherly smile.

“He’s on there for a reason.” I barely smooth the glare from my face before Myles looks up.

“That was a misunderstanding.”

“A misunder—? Lulu neededsixstitch—” I hurriedly cut off when I feel Zoey flinch in my grip. My fingers tense instinctively in their grip on her, a reflex too fast for me to stop.

Somehow Myles sees it, because he widens his eyes like he’s waiting for me to finish.HopingI will. He always knows when there’s blood in the water.

Fucking shark.

“No,” I finish lamely. “I won’t allow it.”

I was reluctant to announce that Zoey would be our new Angel, but it was the reason I kept her in the first place. She’d have to start seeing clients eventually. Procrastinating any longer would just draw the wrong kind of attention.

“Wellsomeonein this room needs to entertain Howler when he gets here, and it sure as shit ain’t gonna be me. Are you volunteering? I’d love to see you on the receiving end of?—“

Isabel comes up silently beside us, balancing a tray with two glasses. Myles cuts off and takes his glass, giving her another one of those warm smiles he likes to hand out to the girls.

I ignore my glass. Judging from the acid churning in my stomach, I’m pretty sure I’m starting to develop a fucking ulcer. Last thing I need is cognac on an empty?—

Zoey doesn’t even move her head. She just reaches out, grabs my glass, and downs it in three quick gulps.

She half-hisses, half-sighs as she slowly puts the glass back on the table, using the back of her other hand to wipe her mouth.

“Everyone in this place is a depraved psycho, and you’re all gonna burn in hell,” she says, matter-of-factly—if a bit hoarsely.

I groan inwardly, releasing her shoulders so I can rub the skin between my brows.

Myles was busy taking a sip, but chokes it out again with a reverential, “Jaysus.” His smile is anything but warm now. It’s downright lecherous. “Love a girl who can handle her liquor.”

His eyes drop to the front of her robe.

“Especially one with such great tits.” His eyes dart up to me. “Put her in that strappy thingy so we can get a good shot of her rack while Howler’s busy with her. We need some new videos for the website.”

I feel Zoey staring daggers at the back of my head as I use the grip on her arm to herd her out of the viewing room. But at least she holds her tongue.

Briefly.

“Your website needs new videos?” she asks in a tight voice as I swipe my keycard on the panel beside the door to the playroom.

As if I’d take the bait. “Should I take you back to Myles?” I give her a sidelong look. “He’s into some freaky shit. And that’s coming from me.”

“Freakier than a guy called Howler who gave some woman six stitches?”

I turn to face her, putting my palm on the wall beside her head before leaning in. This close, the scent of her damp hair fills my nose with the faded notes of whatever perfume she was wearing last night.

Ah.Thereit is.

Fear.

It gleams in her hazel eyes, brings out a soft tremble on the lush curves of her lips. I drink it in like a fine cognac, my body shifting until it’s flush with hers.

It’s been years since I’ve last been this intoxicated by a woman. If I had any doubts, her reaction to the slaps I laid on her ass this morning clarified that the kinkiest thing she’s ever done between the sheets was doggy style.

The thought that her first session is going to be with Howler makes my balls tighten…as well as my chest.

Which makes no sense.