He should’ve killed the meddler two months ago, but he hadn’t been able to bring himself to do it. No other playmate had given him such delight. The pain the guy could endure was stunning. His tenacity and sheer guts had somehow kept him alive where others would’ve died long ago.
“May I get you a drink?” one of the attendants asked.
Cute female. “No thanks.”
He pictured her chained up and bleeding as she sauntered away.
The crowd was thinning.
Time to get back home and put some real screws to the tasty bastard.
He grinned as he walked to the door to leave.
Most would call him a sadist if they knew his secret side, especially given how much he enjoyed his work. Watching his victim’s last flicker of life, hearing their last breath, touching their dying flesh, all of it gave him immense pleasure.
He liked to think of himself as an artist of sorts. A very talented artist indeed.
* * * *
Trying to keep her thoughts in check but not doing a good job of it, Mac sat next to Wade Masters in his truck. The man was pure male hotness. Even his voice made her shiver with excitement.
“You cold?” he asked, glancing her way as he turned the key in the ignition.
“No.” In fact, she was warm. Too warm. God, this wasn’t how she envisioned the evening’s outcome to be.
“We’re going to make a stop at the Horseshoe.”
“No, Wade. I need to get some sleep, even if it’s only a couple of hours. I work tomorrow. Remember?”
“Call in sick.”
“I knew this was a mistake.” Definitely, a mistake. She needed to remain focused on finding out if Austin knew anything about her brother’s disappearance. That was all. Any detours would only hamper her investigation.
“Cool it, Mackenzie. I mean it.” His tone was no-nonsense. He did mean it. “I’ll take you home, but tomorrow you’re going with me to The Masters’ Chambers. Understand?”
“Do I have a choice?” She knew she didn’t.
“No. You don’t.” He grabbed her hand and squeezed her fingers gently. “Besides, I know you’ve been curious about the club. I’m a premier member there. I can get you in.”
“That’s not what I’m worried about. I’m not totally in the dark about what goes on there, Wade. I’m much more traditional when it comes to such things.”
His eyebrow cocked up. “Are you, now?”
“Okay, I’ll go, but no funny business. I just want to see it. Will you agree to that?”
The sexy beast only smiled, refusing to answer either way.
“Wade, I’m serious.”
“Relax, sweetheart. One thing about me you should know is that I will never force a woman beyond her limits. Not even you.”
“Good to know.”
He released her hand. His fingers moved lightly down her thigh. “But I am good at helping someone find and push her limits.”
A shiver shot up and down her spine at the promise.
When he parked his truck in front of her apartment, Mac grabbed the door handle.