Page 19 of Brutal Sin

He entered the main area with his smooth gait still intact. Each step he took promoted his control, his self-worth, while her resilience to stand tall teetered on a precariousedge.

This could’ve been worse. At least he’d confined her humiliation to a small room and a minimal number of witnesses. He couldhave—

“I shouldn’t need to remind everyone in attendance that no means fucking no.” He demanded the attention of the entire club with a raised voice. “You take rejection without pause or you get the fuck out of my club. Are we clear?”

Her lips parted, her mortification spilling out with a ragged breath.

There were no words to describe the carnage of his attack. He was deliberately ostracizing her. For what? Because she’d asked him toplay?

“You all received my email earlier in the week,” he continued. “And I’m fucking pissed that a lot of you took it upon yourself to use my cell number as your personal bootycall.”

She glanced around, expecting condemnation and judgment. What she found was the same discomfort staring back at him from numerous women. Some looked abashed, others appeared confronted, while men ping-ponged their attention around the Vault trying to determine who’d triggered the earthquake.

Bryan glared, taking the time to pinpoint every female in sight. “That shit has to stop. We have strict rules in place for a reason, and I’ll be damned if I’m made to feel pestered in my own club. Respect boundaries and take non-verbal cues or expect to have your membership canceled.” He sucked in a breath and let it out with force. “And if I find out anyone has a cell phone in here instead of keeping it secure in the locker room, there’s going to be hell topay.”

The silence thickened.

“Thanks for the reminder,” Leo called from the bar, a hint of amusement in his voice. “Who wants a drink?”

As quickly as the wildfire had spread, the flames were doused under the offer of alcohol. Couples returned to their canoodling, voyeurs assumed their positions, and exhibitionists sank back into bliss.

The world began to revolve again, circling around her while her feet remained in place.

“I wouldn’t take it to heart.” Zoe came to stand beside her, the gorgeous woman’s brows pinched. “From the whispers I’ve heard tonight, the outburst was inevitable.”

“I…um.” Lost for words? Really? The effect of this man had no bounds. She still had no clue what had just happened.

“I’m sure it wasn’t supposed to be directed at you.” Zoe narrowed her gaze. “Unless you’ve been calling and texting him to hookup.”

“No. God, no.” If it wasn’t for his magic touch, she wouldn’t have given him the time of day. “I wouldn’t be that stupid.”

“You’d be surprised how many women are. I’ve heard whispers that there’s a bet over who can sleep with him next. The members involved aren’t shy about it. They’re all trying to be the lucky lady who takes him off the market.”

“As far as I’m concerned, he’s all theirs.” The rhythmic sounds of sex and fulfillment built as if they had never stopped. “I just wish I didn’t feel like such an idiot.” She had pestered him and hadn’t taken his not-so-subtle cues. “I should’ve paid more attention to his demeanor.”

“Brute’s demeanor?” Zoe laughed. “If we all did that, nobody would ever talk tohim.”

“I guess.” She nodded, trying to appreciate the camaraderie even though acid ate through her stomach. “I better get going.”

“You can’t go now.” Zoe turned to the men on the bed and raised a splayed hand, asking for five minutes. “If you leave, his shitty attitude wins. Let’s get a drink first.”

She wasn’t interested in claiming any sort of victory. Besides, she couldn’t fight someone who was striding from the room. “No, I’ve reached my limit.” Of bullshit and alcohol. “Don’t leave your guys waiting.”

“Honey, they’re not going anywhere.”

“Maybe not, but I am. I can’t stay here. Thanks for the offer, though.”

She didn’t say goodbye. Not to Zoe, Shay, or a single soul as she slinked her way through the main room, the newbie lounge, and the entrance hall. She had to get out of there before her head exploded from the vacuum to her pride.

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