Page 37 of Tortured Souls

“I think Vice needs to be acquainted with the Kings tonight. All the Kings.” We smile at one another. The promise of a good night fills the once tense room. That is, until Finn comes back in, and the way he’s smiling has me worried once again.

Fuck.

SKYLAR

Vance just broke the news that Vice has successfully been sold, and he is no longer the owner of the town’s most popular nightclub. Fuck, that was quicker than I thought. What the fuck am I going to do now? All the employees are sitting around the bar on the first level of Vice as Vance goes on about how much he’ll miss this place and us. Without meaning to, I block out his voice. The realization that I may have to leave my apartment faster than I originally thought is making my chest tight. I’m not ready yet. I haven’t completed my list. I haven’t carved my wayin this life by eliminating the rope that tethers me to my past. Where the hell am I going to follow through with my plans now?

I’m slipping into my head, the panic making a sheen of sweat form on my forehead. My breaths are choppy, and I can’t take in a big enough breath. Fuck, I’m about to have a panic attack. The room is quickly narrowing in my vision, while my internal dialogue has me spiraling. I’m about to excuse myself to go to the restroom when a familiar voice snaps me out of my turmoil.

“The Kings just want to take this moment to thank Vance for entrusting us in taking over this fine establishment. We are aware this is a shock and surprise to you all, but I can assure you, there will be no significant changes to any one of your schedules or pay. Why change something that works, right?” Saxon locks eyes with me, and suddenly, all my worries about my plans evaporate into thin air.

Is this what he meant when he said he’dtake care of itwhen I expressed my concern about Vance selling? He couldn’t possibly have done this just so I could stay in my apartment… could he? It’s crazy to think a man would do something so extreme just so I could keep moving forward with my plans while having a roof over my head. This has to be a way for his club to benefit by owing an establishment that is so well known among all levels of society in this town. I just so happen to reap my own benefits as well.

Our eyes remain locked on one another as he stands between Saint and Finn. I steal a glance at Saint, who is eyeing all the employees one by one. Looking at Finn, he gives me a sly smirk. I’m starting to like that little psycho. Or rather, large psycho, since he’s the tallest of the three. All are wearing their club’s cuts proudly as they wrap up their speech on how the club will remain exactly the way it’s been.

“So, thank you, Vance, once again, and we hope you’ll visit after your travels. In the meantime, let’s get ready to celebratetonight!” Everyone starts rising from their chairs and shaking hands with the guys one by one. I don’t miss the lingering gazes some of the dancers have on Saxon as well as Saint and Finn. I can’t blame them. They’re all sexy as hell. But a strange sense of anger fills my chest when they start touching Saxon’s arms. He brushes them off, only shaking their hands when they try to go in for a hug. I notice the same behavior with Saint and Finn. Neither of them accept anything more than a handshake. All business for these guys, and I respect that.

I watch the guys speak with some of the other employees for a moment longer, before standing and making my way to the second-floor bar and starting my routine, getting it ready for tonight. Just because I’m sleeping with the new owner it doesn’t give me special treatment—not like I’d want that. I love my job and don’t want others assuming anything that would stir up that kind of drama. However, I can’t help the warmth that floods my core knowing that I can still use the basement and continue with myendeavors.

“You know I don’t like it when you run from me, tesoro.” Saxon’s smooth voice and cologne fill my senses, and I take a moment to absorb all that’s him. Setting down the glass I’m drying, I turn to face my new boss.

“I wasn’t running. It looked like you were busy with introductions, and I needed to get the bar ready for opening.” As he leans his forearms on the bar top, I can’t help looking at the thick veins that rope around his arm and twist around his fingers. I’m trying not to drool and make it too obvious that I’m checking him out, but I can tell I’m not doing the best job.

“Right. Anyway, I just wanted you to know that the upstairs apartment is still yours, and I meant it when I said nothing will change around here.Nothing.” He locks eyes with me. Surely, he’s talking about my extracurricular activities in the basement, and I can’t stop the smile that pulls at my cheeks.

“You keep smiling at me like that, and I won’t be able to stop myself from leaning you over this bar.” My cheeks are instantly pink. This man and his filthy mouth.

“Saxon, we can’t talk like this here. This is my job, and now you’re my boss,” I whisper to him, a devilish grin creeping across his lips as he continues to hold me with his gaze.

“Well then, you better be a good little employee and follow me to my office. I have a few things I need to discuss with you.” He can’t be serious? We can’t do this here—I refuse to be seen as the employee who is sleeping with the boss. I’ve seen enough television shows to know it never works out well for the girl.

“Get your head out of the gutter, tesoro. I’m serious. I have something I need to show you.” I watch his back as he makes his way to his new office, my anxiety suddenly spiked. I walk around the bar and quickly follow him down the hallway. Stepping in what used to be Vance’s office, I’m stunned to see how quickly Saxon’s decorated.

This room screamsSaxon Wilder. A deep mahogany desk sits in the center of the room. More security screens have been mounted on the side wall, taking up every available space of sheetrock, making it look like an IMAX theater. There are two brown leather wingback chairs in front of his desk that are currently occupied by Saint and Finn. The walls have been painted a sophisticated deep green, making the room feel a little more ominous, but it looks great. It looks likehim.

“Come here, Sky. Take a seat.” Saxon pulls out his chair from beneath his desk and ushers me to take a seat. I do as I’m told, and once I’m seated, he begins typing on his computer before turning to look at the screens. I do the same, and I about faint as I stare at two men I have grown very, very familiar with my entire life. They were here—in this club—staring directly at me, and I had no clue. How could I have been so stupid, so unaware of my surroundings?

“You know these men?” Saint asks from where he sits in front of me, but I can’t answer him just yet. I can’t even look away from the image that’s spread across the monitors, clear as day.

“Sky, we know you know who they are.” Moving around his desk, Saxon moves closer to the monitors and points at the first man.

“This is Diego. He’s your father’s right hand. Or rather, his hands in general. He handles all his dirty work, ensuring his own stay clean.” I glance at Saxon, which confirms his statement. Then he moves on to the next man. “This is Leonard. From what we could gather, he was somewhat of your guard or babysitter whenever you left your father’s house.” I close my eyes and allow his words to settle inside me.

He’s right, but not entirely when it comes to Leonard. He was tasked with following my every move, especially within the last five years. My father started getting suspicious when all his suitors for me turned up missing, and he knew I was involved in some way. He had every right to be suspicious because it was me killing off every one of those vile human beings he felt suited me as a husband. I wasn’t going to let another man control my life, so I started killing every single one of them he pushed my way.

This enraged him, and he told Leonard to watch me closer. He didn’t care if I was using the restroom or showering or even fucking sleeping. Leonard had to be my shadow, twenty-four seven. I had to drug him to get even a moment’s peace. I needed to drug him every time I had planned on killing my father’s suitors. It was risky, but I was always back in my bed before Leonard ever woke up. He never suspected I did anything. He was a heavy drinker at night and always chalked up his black outs to being too drunk. Why were they here? Together? They hated each other. And how did I not notice them?

“Do you know this guy, by chance?” I forgot about the third guy; my heart was racing knowing the other two were so close tome without my knowledge. I stand from the chair and get closer to the monitor. He’s an average-height man, with dark hair, pale skin, and no visible tattoos. Then again, he’s only in a T-shirt, so he may have some elsewhere. I don’t think I know him, but I feel like I’ve seen him before in passing. A face that’s familiar and yet a complete stranger.

“I’ll be right back,” Finn says, looking at his phone and excusing himself from the office. As soon as the door closes, I look at Saxon.

“I don’t know him, but I feel as though I’ve seen him before. I just can’t remember where.” Saxon makes his way back to his chair and takes a seat. He reaches his hand towards me. I take it, and he pulls me to his lap.

“Saxon, we can’t?—”

“It’s just us in here, tesoro. You can relax.”

“I can stand, really.”