Feral King (The Dominant Bastard Duology 1)

“Thank you. I take it you’re a kinkster?”

“Submissive masochist.”

“You’d have to be to put up with Brutus over there.”

They shared a laugh, and it felt like Severin’s blood was going to boil out of his veins. Three seconds of conversation, and they were already buddies, with the girl freely offering personal information?

Rodrigo offered them drinks then the two of them got to know each other for a while, while Severin learned more about her than he had during the past month.

“I can’t believe you know Malachi,” Minnow said, shaking her head. “I guess the kink community in the area isn’t that big.”

“No, it isn’t. If you hadn’t gone away to school you’d know all the regulars too.” He leaned back in his chair, draping his arms imperiously along the back of it. “Malachi and I did our apprenticeship at the same tattoo shop, back in the day. Back before I did my degree. We keep in touch. He and the girls have been busy, between the farm and the kids.”

“Yeah, I’m sure they are.” She combed her fingers through her hair, and Severin caught a flash of the bite mark he’d apparently left on her neck. “I haven’t gone out much since my last break-up.”

“No dominant at the moment?”

“No.”

“Ah. I wondered when I saw the bracelet. It looks like someone staking a claim.”

She ducked her head and fiddled with the stainless links.

“I put that on her,” Severin said, breaking his silence for the first time in a half hour.

Minnow bit her lip, her cheeks blazing.

“Catch and release?” Rodrigo asked, raising a brow.

Severin bared his teeth. “No.” He wasn’t sure what had come over him, but he wasn’t going to sit here and let Ro think she was available. Not that she was his, but she sure as hell wasn’t going to be Rodrigo’s.

“So you two are in a relationship you negotiated?” Ro asked.

Severin stared him down, wanting to deck him. Why was Rodrigo pushing him on this? Probably because even though he’d just met the girl, he could tell she was worth keeping. They weren’t in a relationship, and he wasn’t even sure if he was capable of one, but he didn’t want Rodrigo to steal her already.

“It’s complicated,” Minnow cut in, not letting Rodrigo corner him. “It’s also none of your fucking business.”

“Submissive but not a doormat, I see.” Rodrigo winked at her. “And loyal. I like her, Sev.”

“Like her less and I may let you live.”

Rodrigo roared with laughter. Asshat.

“So what did you come by for, other than to hang out and show off your new...handler?”

“I want some work done.”

“Now?” Rodrigo sighed but got to his feet. “I haven’t seen you since Church left and you show up looking for favors. Figures. Is that all I am to you?” His eyes held a mocking challenge that Severin sometimes had the urge to answer. It was better that they keep their friendship platonic.

Severin shrugged. “Pretty much.”

“Just tell me I’m not putting another hole in your junk. You’re starting to look like a tragic fishing accident.”

Minnow snorted.

“Did he tell you his dick is pierced?”

“Oh, I’m well aware,” she said, chuckling. “I just didn’t know you were the one who did the work.”