Page 77 of Sunrise

“You heard me.” I roll my shoulders back. He’s a big guy, but so am I. “Please leave.”

He doesn’t pay for the meal. He doesn’t say a word.

But he fucking smiles when he exits Midnight Run, and I know I’ve made the right decision.

Chapter 24

Vault

“She called out again,” Ryker says over the phone.

Shit. Sitting on Knox’s couch, I brainstorm what I should do.

“Does this have anything to do with you and Knox?”

“No.”

“Vault, I can’t have you stealing my best Femme Domme.”

“We haven’t stolen her. What the fuck do you think we’re doing, holding her hostage?”

“No.” He sighs. “I think you’re spreading her too thin. She’s a workaholic and now she’s tangled in your and Knox’s shit. This second night off is uncharacteristic of her. I’m worried.”

“We are too.”

“She hasn’t answered her phone since shooting me the text saying she’s not coming in.”

I get that he’s concerned, but Sophie is a grown woman. Not everyone has to live at the club. “Maybe she just needs a goddamn break, Ry.”

“In all the time we’ve worked together, how many days has she taken off? And don’t tell me you don’t know.”

“None.”

“Exactly. This is a bad sign.”

I’m not sure what he expects me to do about it. “I’ll find her and make sure she’s okay.”

“Call me when you do.”

This level of protectiveness doesn’t surprise me. Ryker takes his family very seriously and Sophie is family.

First, I shoot her a text.

Vault: Hey. Call me.

Next, I call Knox, but he doesn’t answer.

Leaning back on the couch, I come up with a dozen situations that could explain what may or may not be going on. Look, I’m not one to overreact, and Sophie calling off from work is not a red flag, regardless of what Ryker thinks. She’s been grinding so much lately that I’m sure she just needs a breather. Good for her that she’s doing something for herself and taking the night off.

I’m also secretly a little relieved that she’s not with any other Monarch members. Don’t get me wrong, I love watching that woman work a room, and specifically a couple in a private session, but ever since this past weekend, I’m kind of digging Knox and I having her all to ourselves.

Don’t ever tell her I said that, though.

All I know is, when we left her house this morning and she went to work late, that woman was beaming from ear to ear.

So why isn’t she calling me now?

Unlocking my home screen, I check to see if the text delivered.

---