Page 27 of Wreck Me

I take off with Killian and Rian at my heels. The soles of my shoes thud against the marble flooring. There are four doors to the left and three on the right. Light spills from beneath the last door on the left.

I push it open with the silent calmness of a man in complete control, even though my pulse is pounding.

Scarlett is standing to the right of a huge cherrywood desk, wide-eyed like a startled deer staring at the barrel of a rifle. In her hand is a small white envelope.

Her resignation?

Probably, given the incensed expression on Cole’s face.

She’s so much better than this place. It’s irrelevant how much the membership costs. Or how much Cole pays for that fancy fucking orchid scent. Or that the clientele is mostly made up of Dublin’s millionaires and billionaires.

Scarlett is above all of it.

I know it, Cole knows it, and every man in the place knows it, which is why they all want a piece of her.

Cole’s towering over her, his thin lips curled into a snarl. ‘You can’t quit,’ he spits. ‘You made a commitment to dance at my club. Dance for me now. I fucking own you.’

His hand reaches for her wrist and my final cord of restraint unravels.

I clear my throat loudly.

Cole’s head whips round, sadly not fast enough to snap his neck. I’ve never committed murder. But I might, if he’s so much as harmed a hair on her head.

‘She’ll never dance for you.’ My voice is eerily calm,borderline bored, in complete contrast to the storm swirling inside my body. I close the distance between us. ‘And you don’t own her.’

‘This is a private conversation, in a private area of my club.’ Cole’s hand drops to his side as fast as a flash of lightning. His false confidence isn't convincing any of us. He glances to the panic button on top of his desk, which is laughable really. Killian’s men will burst in. Cole might hire them, but their loyalty is not to him.

My eyes roam over Scarlett, searching for any sign of injury, but she looks unscathed, on the outside at least. In an ivory silk balconette bra, and matching thong, she is the epitome of every virgin fantasy I’ve ever had. A pearl embroidered suspender belt drapes from her waist complete with sheer ivory stockings.

Tonight’s honey-highlighted wig extends all the way to her almost bare ass. It’s no wonder she’s driving normally sensible men to stupidity. She’s driving me to it too, but the difference is, I would never place a hand on her if she didn't want me to.

‘This conversation is over.’ I step in front of Scarlett and a relieved sigh escapes her lips.

Killian paces the front of the office at an unnervingly slow pace, eyeing every detail in the room like he’s looking for evidence of something untoward and committing it to memory.

Rian leans against the doorframe casually, but there’s nothing casual about the grimace on his face. He might be the baby of our family, but all of my brothers are a force to be reckoned with. We were raised to treat women with respect, regardless of what walk of life they’re from.

‘She signed a contract.’ Cole’s voice wavers. He knows it’s over, but still he can’t shut his mouth. ‘She needs to work out her notice.’ His beady eyes rove over her flesh. ‘Why are youtaking so much interest anyway? She’s no more than a high-class whor–’

Rage rises in my torso like a riptide. My fist smashes into his face with a satisfying crunch before he can even contemplate finishing his sentence.

The metallic scent of blood saturates the air as it spills over his chin and onto his shirt. His hands fly to his face.

‘You broke my nose!’ His tone is incredulous.

‘Think yourself lucky that’s all I broke, my friend.’ My voice remains cool as I take a step back and slide off my jacket before slipping it around Scarlett’s shoulders.

I usher her towards the door, shooting Cole a murderous look. ‘If you lay so much as a finger on any of the women here without their permission, I’ll break every bone in your spineless body.’

Cole’s jaw locks tight but he doesn’t dare open his mouth again.

‘Are you okay?’ I slip an arm over Scarlett’s shoulders protectively as I guide her through the corridor with Killian and Rian close on our heels.

She’s visibly shaking. ‘I don’t like violence. I’ve seen enough of it to last me a lifetime.’

Curiosity piques, but now is not the time for questions. ‘It’s okay, sweetheart. You’re okay. It’s over now. He won’t touch you again.’ I nudge her through the crowd. It feels like every eye in the place is focussed on us. ‘Let’s get you out of here.’

‘My stuff.’ Scarlett glances towards the changing rooms.

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