Page 58 of Jacqueline's Quest

“My brother is here, then?”

He nodded. “I have a plan for tonight, but it won’t be easy. It’ll be awkward and hard, and it might leave you feeling—”

“It’s nothing new for this place,” she quipped. “Will you be with me?”

“Always, butterfly. It’s been my honor to help you and to be your Master for the last six months.”

Her bottom lip trembled. “Will... Will I ever see you again after tonight?”

If everything went according to plan, no. She’d never see him again. He didn’t believe she should ever have to be reminded of a time when she had no say so in her life. Good guy or not, he had to make a clean break so she could heal and move on. Santiago shook his head. “No, butterfly. It’s time for you to go home and me to go back to my life too.”

Her brows furrowed. “You’re married then?”

He laughed. “Not even close. I have a lot of shit I still have to sort through before I can ever be free. Until then, the Bureau owns me.”

“We’re both caged then,” she muttered. “So, what’s this plan of yours?”

He pulled up to the curb near one of the dress shops in Juarez and put the vehicle in park. "You have to promise me, tonight, you won't hide from me. We have to make this look real."

“You mean have sex with you, in a scene,” Hannah said. “Who are we doing it in front of?”

“That, I am not at liberty to tell you. But, we’ll do the majority of it before they arrive. I don’t want this drawn out too long. If you’re going to be rescued, you have to be ready to go at a moment’s notice.”

“You’ll protect me?” She gazed up at him between her lashes and his heart gave a heavy thump.

“Always. You are my priority.” He didn’t know why he bent his head and pressed his lips to her forehead, but as he pulled back, a sense of calm washed over him. “I’ll be good to you, Hannah. I promise. I’ll drown out all those bad memories.”

According to Luca, there were no changing rooms in Emporio de Monstruo, which meant no new suit for Murray. It also meant he had to drive to the club in a pair of leather pants too lewd for public. Yes, he’d worn them with Jaqueline at Absolution, but he’d been offered a selection of what to wear. Taking away his choice, only solidified how much he hated Raul and how much he wanted to kill the bastard before all of this was over.

Jaqueline stepped through the checkpoint first, Murray a half-step behind her and continued to the final metal detector. When Luca handed Jaqueline a set of knives in the library of his mansion, Murray worried it would set off the alarms. However, the CIA Covert Cutters made out of GV3H materials passed through without worry. Knowing the knives were pressed to her thighs under Jaqueline’s leather V-bust dress clinging to all of her curves, on the other hand, turned him on.

I need my head examined.

As they passed through the final checkpoint, a man by the entrance of the club, eyed Murray and stepped forward with a small portable metal detector in his hand. The man motioned for Murray to lift his arms while the guard's gaze ate up his body. A sick sense of dread slid down Murray's spine. He swore if the bastard licked his lips while standing in front of him, Murray would deck him. The smell of cheap cologne and sweat burned Murray's nose while the man ran the wand across his chest then lower. Murray fought to keep his face placid as he waited to be given the all-clear. Finally, the man stepped back and motioned them to enter.

Jaqueline pinned the asshole with a glare as she strutted past him. Her lip curled as she snapped her fingers and Murray took up his position behind her. He didn’t catch what the guy said, and he supposed it was for the best. Nothing said breaking cover like beating the shit out of cartel underling.

Murray settled himself and continued into the main area of the first floor of the club with Jaqueline. It wasn't like anything he imagined it would be. The lounge area had several couches and chairs to make the area more of a gathering place than a fetish club. Farther back, a small area had been partitioned off for those who wanted to play in public or moreover, those who'd wanted to try out the subs up for auction. To the left and the right were tunnels leading to the rooms he'd only seen on the blueprints.

Murray glanced to his left and found Thomas and AJ sitting on two of the stools at the bar. Miguel, like they’d been told, manned the bar and was currently talking to Thomas. Since they’d been held up by the bastard with the wand, he didn’t see Luca, but it didn’t mean the man wasn’t there. The comm in his ear remained quiet for the time being. There was no sense in accidentally announcing their presence if they didn’t have to. He also didn’t worry about his six. Noah was out there in his nest somewhere watching over them and Duncan was directly across the street at the festivities.

“Esclavo,” Jaqueline said, drawing his attention. “Pay attention.”

Murray frowned. “Sorry, Madame Jacqueline.”

“You will be.” She hooked her finger into the belt loop on his pants and jerked him forward. “Let’s explore. See if we can get into something.”

He nodded. “Yes, Madame.”

Jaqueline made a circuit around the main area. The cries of submissives made his stomach clench in revulsion. None of the subs, male or female had a say in their participation. It was forced on them. If they did happen to say no, it meant a slow brutal death for them. Bile bit at the back of his throat. He had to push away his emotions. However, saying it and doing it were two different things. His sister was in there and had to deal with men pawing all over her and worse...

Murray closed his eyes.Stop torturing yourself. It won’t do anything to help Hannah.Again, telling himself to do something and being able to accomplish it were two different things. He let out a shuddered breath and tried to steady himself. Later, he’d allow the rage to flow. At the moment, he had to focus on saving Hannah and Christian.

“I’m looking for something specific,” Jaqueline said, drawing Murray out of his thoughts.

“Oh? What are you interested in?” the man asked.

Murray peered up at the guy. He was bald, had a goatee and wore an expensive suit. The man exuded confidence and power. It was then Murray noticed they were in the VIP section. The area was away from the main floor and the roped off play space. Men and women congregated together. There were subs and Doms along with servers. The setting was intimate, the complete opposite of the main floor.

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