Black Promise (Obsidian 3)

My phone went off on my nightstand, ringing loudly even though it was almost eleven.

What the fuck?

Rome immediately stirred at the sound, the noise impossible not to notice.

I spotted Jackson’s name on the screen before I answered. “What?”

“Uh, hello to you too.”

“It’s eleven.” No one called anyone at this time unless it was important.

“So? Are you an old married couple now? You used to go to bed at two at the earliest.”

The room was quiet and his voice was loud through the phone, so Rome could hear everything. “Did you need something, Jackson?”

“Yeah, I’m having some problems at Ruin. Can you come by?”

“Tonight?” I asked incredulously.

“Yes. Tonight.” He didn’t insult me as much as he normally would, probably because he needed something. “You coming or what?”

The time of night made no difference to me. But Rome was a problem. I couldn’t leave her here alone, even though it was unlikely Hank would do anything. He probably gave up his stalker tendencies when he realized I could crush his skull with my bare hand. I debated what to do in my head.

“Hello?” he asked with an irritated voice.

“I’m thinking, idiot.”

“Think harder.”

I didn’t want Ruin to change even though I was no longer a part of it. I wanted it to remain as perfect as it was. “I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

“Awesome. See you in a bit.” He hung up.

Rome continued to lie there like nothing happened, caring more about sleep than my conversation with my brother.

“Sweetheart, let’s get dressed.” I kissed her bare shoulder in apology, wishing I didn’t have to disturb her beauty rest.

“Why?” she asked with a sleepy moan.

“We need to stop by Ruin.”

“You can go without me.” She hugged the pillow tighter.

“Actually, I can’t.” I brushed my lips against her shoulder again. “I don’t want to leave you here alone in the middle of the night.”

“I’m sure I’ll be fine, Calloway.”

“I’d rather not take the chance.” To get her ass into gear, I yanked the sheets off her and let the cold air hit her. “Come on. You can sit in the office while I take care of business. You can even sleep if you want to.”

She groaned in response.

“This is what’s gonna happen.” I moved on top of her and pressed my face close to hers. “Get your ass up, or I’ll carry you. What’s it gonna be?”

She hooked her legs around my waist. “How about we make love and go back to sleep instead?”

I groaned quietly under my breath, hating the brilliant tactic she just used. If she ever wanted to keep me under her thumb, all she had to offer was sex. Like a mindless idiot, I turned into a sex-crazed man who was obsessed with his woman. “As tempting as that sounds, I’m needed elsewhere.”

She pouted her lips in protest. “Hank isn’t going to bother me.” She dragged her hands down my chest. “My big, sexy man chased him off.”

I closed my eyes and released another frustrated sigh. “I know what you’re doing.”

“Then let me do it,” she countered. “Make love to me then go to Ruin.”

My cock knew what he wanted, but my need to protect her came first. “Get your ass up. Don’t make me ask you again.” This time, I left the bed altogether so I wouldn’t be tempted to sink between her legs.

She knew her tactics weren’t going to work, so she sighed and got out of bed. “Just let me put on my makeup and find something to wear.”

“You don’t need makeup.” I loved the way she looked first thing in the morning, with a fresh face and rested eyes. I took her features in completely, seeing past the eyeliner and foundation she wore to work. In either scenario, she looked incredible. But she was one of the few women who didn’t need any help in the beauty department. “I’ll only be there for twenty minutes.” It hit me then that I was taking Rome to Ruin, to the place that contained my essence. She would see firsthand the kind of shit I used to be into—was still into.

“Then why do you need me to come at all?”

I walked up to her and almost grabbed her by the neck, the way I used to touch Isabella. The disobedience and the questions rubbed me the wrong way, antagonized me to my core. But I kept my hand steady, respecting Rome’s wishes. “You know why.”

The bouncer took one look at me and stepped aside. “Good evening, Mr. Owens.”

“Hey, Charles.” I fist-bumped him then grabbed Rome’s hand, keeping her by my side. She wore the sub ring so every Dom in this place would know and respect that she was mine. But I wanted to keep her close anyway.

The music blared over the speakers, and the lighting was dim so people could be engulfed in the shadows. Some women were dressed in skintight leather. Some women were topless, their nipples pierced with a chain that connected their tits. Men walked their subs with leashes around their necks, yanking on the chain when their women didn’t keep up with them.