Page 40 of Theirs to Desire (Club M: Boxed Set)

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“ B rody Payne and Adrian Lockhart,” a voice booms out. “Xavier told me you guys were around, but I didn’t believe him.”

I turn toward Kai Bowen with a grin. “Long time, buddy. What’s new?”

He chuckles and slaps my back. “You tell me. Everyone’s gossiping about your new submissive.”

Adrian rolls his eyes. “Of course they are.”

The elevator doors open and Maddox Wake, another friend I haven’t seen in a long time, steps out, his face breaking out into a smile when he sees the two of us. “It’s good to see you guys back here,” he greets us. “Are you here for the show?”

“The show?”

Kai grins. “There’s a rumor that a very special guest is going to be here tonight.”

Neither Kai nor Maddox is easily excited. “Who?”

“Rafael Garcia,” Maddox replies.

I whistle silently. Once upon a time, Xavier and Rafael had been inseparable, but then Lina had died, and Layla, the submissive that Xavier and Rafael shared, had left them.

Ever since then, the two men do their best to avoid each other.

To the best of my knowledge, Rafael has never once set foot into Xavier’s club, and vice versa.

“Rafael’s coming here?” Adrian sounds as surprised as I feel. “Why?”

Maddox shrugs. “Who can tell? Rafael is even more of a closed book than Xavier.”

That’s true. I’ve only ever seen Rafael show emotion once. That February afternoon at Lina’s grave.

We nod at the bouncer at the door and enter the club, making our way by unspoken agreement to the bar. I glance around, looking for Fiona, but she’s nowhere to be seen. Adrian looks at his watch. “She’s late.”

“The ‘she’ in question is your new submissive?” Maddox asks. “I’m looking forward to meeting her.” His eyes sparkle with wicked amusement. “And if you need help punishing her…”

I glare at him. “Thanks. I’ll pass.”

He laughs and holds up his hands. “No offense meant, buddy.”

“Before punches are thrown, let’s change the topic,” Kai cuts in.” Drinks? I’ll buy the first round.”

I raise my hand to catch Kiera’s attention, and she comes up to us immediately. “Gentlemen,” she greets us with a smile. “The usual?”

“Yes, please, Kiera. Have you seen Fiona around?”

She nods. “She was just here, but she went to the bathroom. I think she was talking to Katya?”

“Who’s Katya?”

The smile is wiped off her face. “Mr. Downing’s submissive,” she says tightly.

I glance covertly at Adrian and notice the tension on his face.

Damn it. Fiona doesn’t understand how much Adrian blames himself for Sandy’s death.

If something were to happen to her at Club M, Adrian’s going to feel responsible all over again.

Even though it was Xavier who got her involved.

Even though it was Fiona’s choice to come back.

Because guilt is like that. It’s instinctive and irrational.

Then the washroom door opens, and Fiona comes out, and all my thoughts evaporate when I see her wearing the dress we picked out for her.

She’s a vision.

She looks around the club floor and sees us. A smile breaks out on her face as she makes her way over. “Hi,” she says when she gets to my side. “I got here a little early.”

And used the extra time as an opportunity to snoop. But that’s not a conversation that I’m going to have in front of Kai and Maddox. “Fiona, meet Kai Bowen and Maddox Wake. Kai, Maddox, Fiona Clarke.”

She hesitates for a split-second and then extends her hand out. “Good to meet you,” she says. “I’m sorry I missed your fire-play demo.”

“Were you curious?” Kai’s lips twitch. “I’m happy to give you a private session.”

I rest my hand on the small of her back. “I don’t think so,” I say flatly, possessively. She’s ours.

“I don’t want one, Mr. Payne,” she assures me.

Mr. Payne. When she calls me that, her voice breathy, her eyes heated, my cock hardens. All I want to do is take her to a private room, rip that dress off her and claim her.