Page 24 of Paved in Venom

“They never stay here for long,” Aaron says. “They travel all over the place. They make deliveries here every few months, and then they’re off again.” Aaron lets out a harsh laugh. “We don’t even get to meet them.”

“There’s no reason for any of us to meet them,” David says, and even I can hear the shift in his tone.

Danil laughs. “Not even if it’s to thank them for the tightest goddamn pussy I’ve ever felt?”

The men share a laugh while Danil’s fingers tap along my back, reminding me that we’re still playing a part. The problem is, it doesn’t really feel like a part. I was still sold a few hours ago, and now I’m sitting in the lap of the man who bought me. The tattoo on my wrist is proof that I’m not really playing a part at all. I’m a possession, Danil’s possession, and I have no idea what that means beyond tonight. Is he ever going to let me go?

My fingers stop and I slouch even more against him, suddenly exhausted for so many different reasons. Danil rubs circles along my back while the men talk about the auction and Aaron gets his lap dance. I’m barely able to keep my eyes open when I hear Danil say, “We need to get going. I just wanted to offer my thanks in person.”

He stands up, easily taking me with him. He holds me bridal style while David laughs and says, “You’ve really worn her out.”

“I’m not even close to being done with her. Poor thing’s going to have a long night.” The laugh he gives is hard and cold, and if I didn’t know him, I’d believe it. I wouldn’t doubt for a second that he’s a cruel sexual sadist who gets off on buying and raping women. It’s terrifying to see how easily he can morph from one thing to the next, and I can’t help but wonder if this is the truth of it. Maybe the whole good guy act is just a show.

“Enjoy your new pet,” David says while Aaron laughs and smacks the grinding ass in his lap.

“Oh, I will,” Danil says before turning and carrying me back through the crowd.

As we’re leaving the VIP section, the woman who’d first let us in gives another cutesy giggle. “Come back soon, Danil, and we can spend some time in the back together.”

“Thanks, but that’s what I have her for,” he says, looking down at me.

“But you could have us both.”

I can’t see her, but I can hear the pout in her voice, and I have no doubt she’s giving him some serious fuck-me eyes right about now.

“I’m not interested,” he says, walking past her and back into the crowd. He looks down at me, and sighs. “I’m sorry. We can talk about all this later. I know it’s confusing.”

Before I can say anything, a man walks up and smacks Danil on the back. “Hey, I recognize her. You’re the one who set the bidding record.”

Danil’s jaw tenses, but he turns to give the guy a smile. “Were you there?”

The man smiles at him and runs a hand through his thinning blond hair. “Fuck yeah I was.” He leans closer like it’s let’s share our perverted secrets time and says, “Bought myself a little something while I was there, too.” He laughs again, making the wrinkles around his eyes stand out even more. This dude has got to be someone’s grandpa, and fuck if that isn’t all kinds of messed up.

“I didn’t spend near as much as you did, though,” he continues. “My name’s Tom, by the way, and I don’t mean to hold you up, I just wanted to extend an invitation. I’m having a little party at my house this weekend.” He looks at me and smiles. “Bring your pet, of course.”

“Who all will be there?” Danil asks.

The guy shrugs, and because he’s clearly had a few, it comes off looking clumsy, especially when paired with the slightly drunken hand wave he gives. “Mostly regulars from this club, but there will be several that were at today’s auction.”

“I thought everything was supposed to be anonymous,” Danil says.

Tom laughs. “That’s just at the auctions so the big guys can cover their asses and keep their reputations intact.” Tom waves his arms around like an idiot. “We’re a close-knit group here, though, and everyone sorta knows everyone, especially when you bring your pet in that we all saw on the stage.” He gives me a sloppy, drunken wink.

“Mind if I bring some of my brothers to this party?”

“Sure, sure,” he says. “Bring whoever you want.”

He rattles off the date and time along with his address before raising his glass to someone at the bar. “I gotta go, but I’ll see you two soon.”

Danil watches him walk off while his fingers start tapping against my thigh again. I do another scan of the room, trying to find anyone who looks familiar, but I’ve never seen any of them. After a few minutes, I give a soft shake of my head and we leave the club and start walking back towards the SUV.

“You can put me down,” I tell him.

“Your feet hurt,” is all he says.

When we’re only a few feet away, Vitaly opens the door and Danil puts me inside before taking the spot next to me. Matvey and Lev walk over to hear the news.

“I see you love the club as much as we do,” Vitaly says, looking at the expression I’m wearing. “We all have that thrilled look on our face when we exit that fucked-up building.”

---