Bound Beneath His Pain (Dirty Little Secrets 1)

“A month ago.” Gabe takes the folder from me and places it in front of him, lifting a brow at Ryder. “What do you want me to do with her?”

Ryder taps his thumb against the table in a steady rhythm. Then, “Until I can figure all this out, are there any men at Afterglow you trust implicitly?”

Gabe nods. “A couple, yes.”

“Perhaps, then”—Ryder frowns at the folder in front of Gabe with clear fierceness, almost a protective edge even—“as a punishment for being written up twice, order her to only play with the men you trust, in a private room. Keep her as secluded as possible.”

“Done,” Gabe agrees, pushing his dark brown, unruly hair out of his face.

Ryder leans back in his seat and I can see his mind is elsewhere. Which only reminds me how glad I am not to worry over Lace and the day-to-day goings-on. I can deal with money. I can fix business problems. I’m not very good at emotional issues that you inevitably have to deal with at our businesses. Unless it has to do with a sweet little treat named Allie. She is something I’ll happily deal with.

“All right, Micah,” Darius says, breaking me away from my thoughts. “Tell us what unfolded with this pushy oil tycoon out of Texas.”

I shove Allie from my mind for now, focusing on the reason for our meeting today, and report, “Craig Harrington attempted to purchase the nightclub Elements the other day, and word on the street was he planned to open a rival club. I bested his offer and stole the deal out from under him.”

Ryder says, “We might have to bring Craig in and discuss the matter, if he continues to pursue opening a club.” His emerald green eyes sharpen as he leans back in his chair with his fingers laced behind his head. “But I’m not sure it would be in our best interests to let him know how involved we are.”

“I agree,” says Darius, “It could backfire.” His face becomes stern as he slaps a hand on the table. “That said, I’m glad you took care of him, Micah.”

I nod and smile. “Demolition starts in a couple weeks and a shopping center will occupy that space.”

“You didn’t steal the property away,” Gabe says with laugh. “You eliminated it. Way to prove a point.”

I do it to protect us. No one in this room wants a sex scandal about our preference for the darker delights of sex, or to give anyone the chance to blackmail us. Which are all things that come with fame and power. Besides, the sex industry is a booming business, and none of us wants to lose the money flowing in from our clubs.

“With that out of the way,” Darius says, his eyes scanning the faces in the room, “do we have any other matters to discuss?”

Once Ryder and Gabe answer with a silent shake of their heads, I speak up. “Now’s a good time to review our plans for next quarter.” We’ve never competed with one another. And we won’t. Not ever. “Lace’s management has told me they’re doing an erotic circus theme over the next few months.”

Gabe smacks his hand on the table. “You’re such a lucky bastard having the people you do working for you. Their ideas are brilliant.”

“It’s not luck.” I grin at him. “It’s skill in hiring the right people.”

He snorts.

Gabe and I were roommates during our time at Harvard, and we were also the original members of the DC. A healthy competition streak is the bones of our long friendship.

He tilts his chair back, stretching out his arms, addressing the others now. “Afterglow is opening its doors to swingers once a week, hoping to gain more members that way. We’re also doing submissive auctions every weekend, too. So, no competition from us.”

Darius adds, “Masquerade is hosting Shibari events, so no conflict there for us.”

“And you?” I ask Ryder.

“No events for Impulse,” Ryder replies, glancing once more at the folder before looking at me. “I’ve been told the club is going back to basics and holding newbie nights teaching everything from bondage for beginners to the understanding of the power exchange.” He smiles, showing off his deep dimples. “My manager says he needs some new innocent skin to brighten up his life.”

Laughter fills the room. It’s odd, I admit to myself. Years ago, I would’ve felt a rush over the thought of Shibari and even about a new submissive to enjoy. Now I’d seen it all. I’d done it all. The high had faded long ago.

Though I can’t help but notice I felt a similar high with Allie today. I’m pretty damn sure I’ve never met any woman who’s smart and humble, strong and sweet, sexy and innocent, loyal and adamant, all at the same time. She’s a giant contradiction.

I like contradictions, because I’m one myself.

The beeping intercom breaks into my thoughts before my assistant Neil’s voice sounds through the meeting room. “Excuse the interruption, sir. Your eleven o’clock is waiting for you in your office.”

I press the button on the intercom. “Thank you, Neil.” Then I rise from my seat and address the others, “This appointment can’t wait.”

“Ten grand that this appointment looks great in skirts,” Gabe says with a laugh.

“She doesn’t look great…” I move to the door and open it, looking over my shoulder. “…she looks fantastic in them.” I exit the meeting room hearing the masculine laughter fading with the door closing.