Page 22 of The Reluctant Siren
He didn’t even know where his best friend was living at thispoint. He knew Jensen was in Dallas and working at a business that was a frontfor a criminal organization. From context he’d figured out Jensen was some kindof bouncer, so it was a club or a bar, of which there were almost a thousand inDallas proper alone. When he took in the close suburbs, the number jumpedconsiderably.
“Hey, it’s going to be fine,” Harlow said as they approachedthe door. “This is a simple case. If I can’t get Miranda to come with me, Ihave to give her mom all the info I have and let the police deal with it ifthere’s anything illegal going on. She’s an adult. I can’t kidnap her.”
“Kidnap? You’ve kidnapped someone before?”
She gave him her “what, me” look. “I wouldn’t call itkidnapping. I would call it liberating. And it wasn’t a person. It was apoodle. My client totally had every right to her dog. Her asshole ex wasstarving the poor baby. I would leave the human extractions to theprofessionals. Ruby and I are more like intelligence gatherers. That’s whatwe’re doing tonight. Getting a lay of the land.”
He could do that. He brought her hand to his lips. “I willfollow your lead.”
He took a deep breath as the big guy at the door opened itfor them.
“Welcome to Decadence. Please check in at the front desk,”he said with a nod.
That was when Niall caught sight of the gun in a holsterunder the doorman’s jacket.
Harlow squeezed his hand as though she knew he’d seen it andit made him antsy. It wasn’t like he hadn’t spent his life around firearms. Hedidn’t like going into a club where they were apparently needed. Oh, he wascertain there were a shit ton of weapons at The Hideout, but everyone kneweveryone else.
He guided Harlow to the big desk inside the foyer. A prettywoman with hard eyes stood with a clipboard. He gave her their names. Well, theones Ruby faked for them, presented his card—another fake since Ruby wasapparently good at them—and they were shown where to leave their coats andbags. He wasn’t sure the lockers they were offered would keep anyone out butthey used them. They were allowed on the dungeon floor with no lecture on ruleswhatsoever.
He was pretty sure there were no rules here. The Hideoutrequired a six-week course, psychological examination, and a vote by the boardto get a foot in the door. This place required a hundred-dollar cover charge.
The thud of industrial music hit him first, and then thesound of someone groaning to his left.
There was a small scene space being used, and a sub was tiedup and being spanked. Her head was down, and it was clear she was gagged.
Outrage sparked through him because her hands were empty.Her legs were tied down. There was no way for her to indicate she’d had enough.He’d been taught when the sub wanted a gag, there still had to be a clear wayfor the sub to safeword out. Usually, they would hold something and drop it orsqueeze it if it made sounds. Or they could raise a leg.
This sub was given no options but to take whatever the topwas giving.
Harlow went on her toes but instead of kissing him thistime, she whispered in his ear. “I am begging you not to get us kicked out,Sir. I know you are outraged because you’re a good Dom, and I promise we willreport this place, but Miranda Falls might be in real, life-threatening danger.Please.”
He took a long breath and let it go. She had a job to do andhe would wreck it if he protested, and very likely nothing would come of it.
But it made his gut twist to walk away.
“Thank you, Sir,” she said quietly. “Let’s go and get adrink. If she’s working here, she’s likely a server. I can already see onewalking around.”
“They’re serving on the floor?” He had to keep his voicedown.
She winced but started moving.
Once she found her way to the bar, she selected one of thecouches that were placed around the somewhat luxurious lounge. It was where itlooked like they’d spent the most cash. There was an open love seat in a cornerwhere they could see out over most of the club.
He sat down and drew Harlow onto his lap. He wrapped an armaround her waist and brought her close. “This place is more dangerous than youmade it out to be, princess. What do you know about it?”
A slightly guilty look crossed her face, and she leaned in.“I’m worried it’s attached to a group that’s running drugs in the city. Don’tfreak out. We’re still only here to talk to Miranda. If we can find her.”
“We’re going to have a long talk when we get out of here,”he vowed.
She twisted slightly so she could look in his eyes. “Ididn’t want to freak you out. And I’m not scared of whatever punishment youintend to mete out, Sir. I’m way more scared that you’re never going to fuckme.”
This was not the time nor the place, and a wave of guiltrushed through him. “I promise you I will and you’ll be ready for me.”
She huffed, a bratty sound. “I am ready. You’refrustrating.”
A young woman walked up dressed in fet wear, a corset, andwhat looked to be a thong. She wore ridiculous heels and set a couple ofcocktail napkins in front of them. She was definitely not the woman they werelooking for. “Good evening, Sir. What can this one get you and your submissivethis evening? I should warn you our bartender took a break, but this one hassome experience.”
“I’m easy,” Harlow replied. “I’ll take whatever white wineyou have.”
