Page 12 of Clover

“And Lily. She’ll want to help too.” She looks at me sternly but also pleading with those eyes in a way only a woman can. I don’t disagree and nod, giving her a weak smile.

“Very well, Magnus, Arrow, and Lily.” Griffon echoes.

For the next five minutes, I’m held captive, unable to leave as Griffon assigns us search areas. Beau and I are taking the downtown clubs. Arrow and Lily will be checking office buildings and restaurants. Zander and Rosie will be checking in the residential areas, apartment buildings, and houses that are known to be used for recreational purposes. Magnus is going to the north warehouses. Finally, Griffon states he will contact a few informants and put feelers out to see if anyone has seen her.

Once the plan is set, I can finally leave. And set out to find my girl.

***

Our first stop is The Jewelry Box. Since that’s where I found Braxton last night, it seems as good a place to start as any. We bypass the first floor. There’s nowhere for him to hide her there. Making our way to the second floor. Since it’s now late morning, the place is empty. Good. Makes it easier for us. Not having to deal with seeing two dozen overpaid lawyers, fat hairy politicians, and unsatisfied married men’s dicks trying unsuccessfully to please one of the many women who work here is a bonus. It also means I’m less likely to walk in on one of them trying to fuck my girl. Lucky them, cause they wouldn’t see me coming. I wouldn’t put it past Braxton to whore her out once he’s had her. Hopefully, we find her quickly enough that neither of those happen.

With every door, I open and empty room I find, my heart rises and falls with anticipation and disappointment. The same happens when we search the third floor. Only finding a few daytime security guards and cleaning crew. Deep cleaning and sanitizing all the surfaces, and I do mean all. The things that go on in this club are by no means clean. I’m sure everyone appreciates a good bleaching.

My insides war as I knock open every door and survey the private rooms. One side of me thinking of how I’d like to have Clover in some of these rooms one day could be rather fun to see her on the stage spinning on a pole, the other sick to my stomach that Braxton has her in a room like these.

The Jewelry Box is a dead end. Nothing here—no one here. The security doesn’t know who she is, and most weren’t even here last night. They’re useless. At this point, I’m useless. But I’m not done. Not by a long shot. This is only one of many clubs. I will tear each and everyone apart looking for her.

Chapter 5

Clover

Twelve hours have passed since I woke up in this luxury hellhole. Since Braxton welcomed me to his dirty den of debauchery. Since I last saw my jailer. He hasn’t come for me yet, not that I’m complaining. I’d rather he didn’t come for me at all. But the longer I’m here, the more panicked I become that no one will find me. I can only hope that Nix is the reason Braxton hasn’t shown his face yet. Maybe he won’t get a chance to return. Maybe Nix will find me before he gets time toplay with me, as he put it. Although I highly doubt that. Like he said, he always gets what he wants. Right now, he wants me for some unknown reason.

I wish I’d never met Braxton Shaw. I wish I wasn’t working that night he came into the bar. I wish he’d never even come in. I wish…I can’t even think of wishing I’d never worked at the bar or come to North Carolina. Because that would be a lie. I love it here. I love the bar. I love the Colton’s and everything they’ve brought to my life. They’ve filled that hole created when I lost the last of my family, creating a new family in their place. Not replacing them but filling in for them now that they’re gone. Giving me something I never really had. Community. Acceptance. I can’t wish to never have found them and come to North Carolina. Braxton Shaw will not interfere with the new life that I’ve made here. I won’t let him. Hopefully, neither will Nix.

Resolving myself to not allow Braxton to take advantage of me in any way, I sit up straighter on the king bed. Swearing to myself that I will do whatever it takes to protect myself until Nix arrives. Because he will. He has to.

Until then, I have to keep my strength up, and I’m actually really hungry now that the adrenaline has worn off. No matter how much I bolster myself up, I’m still really freaking scared. My nerves are like the electric edges in a game of operation. Every time anything brushes against them, my whole body buzzes in protest. My mind may be solid, but my heart and body are a hot mess.

The need to move is like ants crawling through my veins. Standing, I make my way to the kitchen in the far corner. Rays of morning sun shine in through the wall of windows overlooking the city. A city I don’t know. The kitchen is like any other kitchen. Stainless steel appliances, white granite counters, oversized farm sink, and food. Sadly, no knives. I checked. But there are forks, could work in a tight spot. Choosing some fresh fruit and cheese and crackers, I eat standing at the counter, facing the hall that leads to the only exit. I will not be taken by surprise if Braxton shows up. Death gripping the fork in my left hand. It’s easily sharp enough to stab through his throat.

Wondering around my new personal hell, I take an inventory of the space. Large and luxurious. A few months ago, I would have killed to live in a place like this. After meeting Nix and the Colton’s, I could care less that the couch cost five thousand dollars, and the sheets are pure silk. I’d gladly take the worn-in used grey sofa and basic white cotton sheets over them any day.

There’s nothing out here of use. Maybe I’ll find something in the bathroom or closet?

The bathroom produces even less than the kitchen. He’s removed everything, even nail clippers. Only toilet paper, towels, and soap remain in the cabinets. Not even a toothbrush I could sharpen into a shank.

Taking a closer look in the closet, I inspect the small section of women’s clothing. Cocktail and evening dresses in a varying array of luxurious brands and fabrics, as well as sizes. Nothing over an eight. Apparently, Braxton doesn’t like curvier girls. Prick. The only casual clothes I find are silk pajamas. I’ll stick with my jeans and Colt 45 tank top, thank you very much. I’m not going to put on any of these glittery momentums. A pair of shoes would be useful, though, if I plan to escape. The only ones I find have heels half the height of my leg. Not practical for running.

A horrid thought occurs to me as I run my hands along the beautiful gowns.What happened to the women who wore them last?The various sizes and styles. He must have purchased them for his previous conquests.Where are they now?The shiver that radiates through my body reaches all the way to my toes. I don’t want to be another dress on a hanger in his closet of trophies.

Everything spins around me when the panic causes all the blood to drain from my brain into my feet. Every part of me is heavy, and I don’t have the strength to hold myself up. Slumping against the wall, my back slides down, ass hitting the floor with a soft thud on the plush carpet. He’s done this before. Gotten away with it before. There’s no way out of here. No way out but through that door with the ten-digit code that I’ll never in my lifetime be able to hack. I couldn’t hack a toaster.

The rest of my body goes as heavy as my heart, and I fall to the floor, laying on my side, curling my knees to my chest.

Nix will find me. The Colton’s will find me. Braxton will not kill me. Not yet. He hasn’t gotten what he wants yet.

I still have time. Time that passes in a blur. I have no idea how much time has passed as I lay on the soft carpet of the closet. When I hear the sound, that will forever be a trigger. Beep. Beep. Beep. Swoosh. It’s the door. Braxton is back.

The panic that weighed me down before is now pushing me into action. I need to move and hide.Hide? Where the hell am I going to hide? What a stupid fucking thought.I do need to be prepared. Because I have no idea what he wants to do to me.

Getting to my feet, I race towards the door. I need to find my fork. I sat it down somewhere while looking around. There’s no time to find it, though as Braxton Shaw stands at the center of the space, a devilish grin on his lips.Fuck.

His crisp white dress shirt is partially unbuttoned again, and his sleeves are rolled up. He did not come here to talk. This time he’s going to take action. We don’t speak. We don’t have to. The game of cat and mouse has begun. Lucky me, I get to be the mouse. Running as fast as my short legs can carry me, I cross the room, leaping over the bed and rounding the couch. Braxton’s footsteps are heavy and loud in the quiet space, echoing closer and closer. I try to lunge over the couch, but he catches my ankle, and I drop. Landing on my stomach hanging over the back of the expensive sofa. Knocking the air out of my lungs for a moment. Sucking in a rough gasp, catching my breath, I kick my feet wildly, trying to shake him off.

The motherfucker is laughing. He’s enjoying this. I kick harder. Not willing to allow him the satisfaction of capturing me for a second time. This time I manage to break free and slide headfirst off the back of the couch. Landing awkwardly. Feet over head, almost kneeing myself in the face. Scrambling to my feet as fast as possible, I slip a little on the hardwood floors. Catching myself before I return to my previous position tangled on the floor. The momentary pause to gain my footing just long enough for Braxton to catch up to me. From behind, Braxton’s large body presses to my back, and his strong arms wrap around me. Pinning my arms to my side.

“Oh, sweet thing. I love it when you run. Makes it all that more enjoyable when I catch you.” His hot breath coats my neck and ear. It makes my skin crawl. I take the opportunity and snap my head backward. Missing his precious face by mere inches, and only because of his fast reflexes. Instead, the back of my head whacks into his broad chest. It’s enough of a distraction for him to stumble back, loosening his grip just enough. I slip free, but it’s short-lived.

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