Page 28 of Salute, To Bravery

Warren

I open the door, letting Jess walk in ahead of me as I think over what to do next. I can’t break her trust after that display outside, and I have no way of changing the plan with Dare.

As if my thoughts have summoned him, my phone buzzes in my pocket to signal to me it’s time for the first switch. I ignore it and squeeze Jess’s hand in mine and pull her to a stop.

“Before we go in, I need to know how uncomfortable this makes you. No one will force themselves on you or expect you to do anything you do not one hundred percent agree to. In fact, we have some paperwork you need to fill out before we proceed. It’s as much to cover our asses as for your protection.

But if you would prefer to leave after you read it over, I completely understand. ”

She glances up at me with wide eyes. “I joined the Army at seventeen. How scary can the shit behind that door be?”

I smile at her, and my phone buzzes again. “I’ll go grab the papers. Wait here.”

She sits at one of the many booths in the welcome area, and I leave her there, looking like a deer in headlights. I push open the door and run right into Dare’s chest.

“FUCK,” I growl at him.

He’s bouncing up and down on the balls of his feet with excitement.

“I don’t think we should do this. She almost bailed, and I promised she could trust me in here.”

Dare lands on flat feet with a frown. “War, that’s not exactly consensual.”

I nod, pulling at my hair. “No shit!” I’m louder than I intend to be, and some of his employees look my way in concern.

“Ok, let me handle this.” He pushes me aside, but I grab on to him before he can go to her.

“I promised her she could walk if anything on the NDA made her uncomfortable. Do not make me a liar.”

My twin looks at me like I’m a fool. “You really like her.” He tilts his head as he surveys me closer.

“Yeah.” It’s as simple as I can put my feelings tonight.

I feel like a live wire ready to explode, and I’m desperately trying to keep the casualties to a minimum.

“We can’t hurt her.” I couldn’t live with myself.

She’s been through enough.

“You have my word. She will enter the club fully prepared to play or not at all.”

I nod and let him go.

I go over to the one-way mirror to watch them interact.

Dare approaches her with a swagger I do not possess, but she doesn’t seem to see a difference yet.

We may look the same, but our attitudes and speech are completely different.

If it weren’t for the fact that we switched so much in our teens and twenties, I’d never think this would work.

I bite my thumbnail, wishing I could hear what was being said.

I’ll need to rely on body language, which, thank God, I’m an expert in reading. She’s curious, nervous, and slightly turned on. She’s fidgeting and not meeting Dare’s eyes. When she uncrosses her legs to adjust her position, I wonder if her injury is bothering her.

Her dress gets caught on the edge of the table, and she yanks it up quickly to bring her legs closer, but not fast enough. My hand hits the mirror in shock.

No panties?

Maybe she’s ready for tonight after all.

I lick my lips at the possibility as Dare passes her the paperwork and leans back into a relaxed pose to watch her read.

Her eyes track every line as her cheeks slowly turn red.

Her hand comes up to her neck, and a drop of sweat rolls down her temple.

Her legs rub together slightly, and then suddenly she’s reaching for the pen to sign.

Dare glances at the mirror and nods once.

She’s ours for the night.

They stand and walk into the main dungeon space, and I hurry down the hall to the next window. The entire club is surrounded by one-way mirrors, which provide a second level of protection. Each room has at least two dungeon monitors to ensure safety and rules.

We never record anything and do not allow cameras of any type.

I make it in time to find Dare holding Jess up by the elbows as her mouth gawks at the current show on the main stage. It’s a sex swing demo with a submissive currently sucking a guy’s dick while a woman eats her out.

I glance back at Jess, who is now nodding at something Dare said.

I grab my phone and text him.

SWITCH!