Page 77 of Toy No More

Isthatwhat I’m trying to erase?

Narrowing my eyes, I stare at my hands. I can’t slip after so many years, and I sure as hell can’t do it to ignore something horrendous Jasper has done. The spite comes alive within me again, and even if that’s not the best way to deal with this, it’s a powerful enough tool to push away from wanting to use.

I should want to forgive Jasper. Try to understand him. But spite…will do. I need to be in my right mind to keep him in check as much as I can, especially now. And to protect Kobe, if I’m even capable of doing that.

A bath—I decide that would be my treat.

I might not be able to face the world today, no matter how beautiful it is, but I can do this. Tomorrow, I’ll get back to work, and so will Kobe. No matter how much I wish Jasper had given him longer to recover. I’m going to check up on him then.

Heading for the bathroom, I’m a bit lighter in body and mind. I cling to the prospect of seeing those soft brown eyes, ignoring the terrifying implication of how intensely I want to. I might be playing with fire…but it feels so lovely and warm.

?

The atmosphere is as tense as anyone would expect when we all return. Everybody’s on edge. The dolls, Jasper’s men, even the few clients that come in. I constantly see people passing by with guns, loading out automatic rifles and shotguns.

It makes me nervous. Handguns and knives are one thing. I’ve been around those things since I could remember. The streets are dangerous. Everyone carries something to protect themselves with. But whatever Jasper is putting into motion looks more like a preparation for a full-on war. Not self-defense. Not protection.An assault.

Even the clients sense it. Most likely, they know the extent of it better than I do. These men from other corners of the crime world or those working with Jasper all walk around with much more care.

For the first time, I have to really try hard with many of them. It’s difficult to get in the mood with some sort of gang war hanging over one’s head, I guess. I’m supposed to be the one to distract them from it, and that’s a lot harder than entertaining horny bastards drunk on power and control. Right now, none of them feel in full control.

Besides Jasper, that is.He’s on a high—has been since it happened—and I don’t like it.

“Fucking hell,” I mutter to myself as soon as my client leaves the room. He took an unholy amount of time to get to a completion. My mouth is sore and my knees barely extend as I stretch them out with a groan, feeling them crack.

It seems to be my last client for the day at least. Most of our visitors today have been hanging out in the main area, almost like they’re scared. Staying in smaller groups at the bar or around the dancing platform, they watch the girls do their magic on the poles. It’s been amusing seeing those big shots give such an unusual aura of uncertainty.

I go to the bathroom to wash out my mouth and freshen up before heading to the backroom. I messaged Kobe to meet me in the back after I’m done if he has the time, and I didn’t get a chance to check on his response yet.

I’ll be at our spot.

Smiling to myself, I look at the time.Shit. He sent it a while ago.

I hope that prick’s prolonged blowjob session didn’t ruin my chance and head to the loading bay. In the previous message, he said that Jasper has been weirdly apathetic to him. Is he avoiding him because of what happened? I can’t say I believe he feels guilty about it. He could also be trying to punish Kobe by ignoring him.

Or maybe he’s too busy planning his domination of the city to even worry about Kobe.And me.We barely spoke in the past two days…

I turn into the wide corridor leading to the bay and hear voices. Slowing down, I tense up and listen. There shouldn’t be any people. No one usually goes here.

“I can see it in your eyes, you know?” a man says in that sleazy tone I’ve been talked to by so many clients trying to butter me up. I recognize the voice, but can’t put a face to it, so I continue, stepping quietly now.

As I glance around the corner, I notice Kobe near the door leading out and onto the loading bay. One of Jasper’s goons is right next to him, basically pushing into his personal bubble. Kobe’s head is down and to the side. He stands pressed against the wall, his hand balled into a fist as he shifts on his feet nervously. The man leans in closer.

Hesniffshim, openly drawing in his pheromones. And in that moment, it hits me that I, in fact, sense two sets of pheromones faintly drifting toward me. One unfamiliar, strong and savory, and another, weaker, but much more pleasant.Wet pine cones.

“Don’t play coy with me, bud. We’re all friends here. And you haven’t said no, so…clearly you wanna do it. I can smell it. Can’t hide the scent of omega lustin’ for some cock.”

Dread mixed in with rage lashes down my spine like a whip, leaving an unsettling tingling behind in its wake.

Kobe really isn’t refusing him—he’s not saying anything, yet his body speaks plenty. His chest lifts high and plummets. The way he shifts about as if he is trying to slither out of his skin and presses himself against the wall isn’t a body language of someone wanting it. It’s one of an omega in heat, faced with an alpha tempting their resolve, desperate for release from what they know might relieve them.

The dread subsides, letting the rage guide me.

“Hey!” I shout across the hall and make my way toward them. Both of them jerk in response, only in a completely different manner. Kobe’s eyes find me quickly, lit up with relief, while the goon with a slightly familiar face looks like he was just caught with his hand in the candy jar. He sharply puffs out his broad chest and frowns at me.

“What do you want,dolly?Can’t you see we’re busy?” he asks with a shit-eating grin.

Disgusting prick.

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