I moved closer into Crewe’s side, feeling like bugs were crawling all over me. I didn’t like it when Bones looked at me that way, like he was fucking me in his mind then and there.
Crewe circled his arm around my waist, his powerful forearm acting as a cage to keep Bones away. “Thank you. I’m a very lucky man to have this woman to myself.” He hugged me tighter into his side, silently claiming me as his property.
I’d never wanted to be claimed more in my life.
Bones finally stopped staring at me, picking up on Crewe’s hostility. “Quite a party.”
“Too bad you didn’t bring a date to enjoy it.”
“She’s too banged up for an appearance right now.” His eyes scanned the crowd like his words had no meaning at all. Talking about beating his slave was as ordinary as a sunny day.
I wanted to stab him with a butter knife.
Crewe didn’t respond to his comment. “Can I get you a drink? You know my scotch is worth your time.”
“Sure,” Bones answered. “You got a second to talk in private?”
“Yes.” Crewe got one of the waiter’s attention and motioned for him to bring them three glasses.
My heart was pounding in my chest. I knew Bones wanted to speak to Crewe in private with me nowhere in sight. But I couldn’t let that happen.
Crewe handed me a glass before he nodded to the stairs. “We’ll go into my office.” Crewe led the way with Bones beside him.
I trailed behind, hoping neither one of them would notice until we reached the door.
We walked down the hallway until Crewe found the fifth door on the right. He opened the door and let Bones walk inside first.
I tried to pretend it was perfectly acceptable for me to be there by walking over the threshold.
“Your whore can wait downstairs,” Bones said as he sat on one of the couches. He drank from his glass without looking at me.
My eyes turned to daggers, and I was about to speak my mind when Crewe grabbed me by the elbow and directed me outside. He shut the door behind him and lowered his voice. “I’ll be done in five minutes, alright?”
“Crewe, I don’t want to be without you.” I didn’t know how else to get my way unless I appealed to his ego. The more I wanted him, the more he liked it. If I really had to, I was prepared to make out with him in the hallway and rub his cock through his slacks. “I won’t say anything.”
“That’s not the point. He doesn’t want you there. I can’t change his mind about that.”
Shit. “I’m your woman. Where you go, I go.”
His eyes darkened like he wanted to push me against the wall and fuck me right then and there. “Five minutes.”
I was about to lose. “Crewe, please.”
“What are you so afraid of?” he whispered.
“I’m always afraid if you aren’t with me. You’re the only man who makes me feel safe.” It was completely out of character for me to say any of that, and I hoped Crewe didn’t figure that out. Since the day we met, I always thrived alone. I didn’t need anyone to take care of me. I’d been looking after myself for a long time. But the more I wanted him, the more powerful it made him feel. There was nothing Crewe wanted more than power.
Crewe’s annoyance dimmed slightly. “You can stay in the hallway if you want. But we need to have this conversation in private.”
I knew that was his final answer and arguing wouldn’t make any difference.
He grabbed my chin with his fingertips and pressed a kiss to my lips. It was tender and soft, a quiet apology since I couldn’t get what I wanted. He walked inside and shut the door behind him. The last thing I heard was him speaking to Bones. “Call her a whore again, and I’ll kill you.”
Bones chuckled. “Ah, so she’s not your whore. Can’t blame you. She really is beautiful.”
Their voices trailed away, and I couldn’t hear their words anymore. I stayed in the hallway and looked from left to right. Crow was in the first room near the staircase, and I considered joining him. But I knew Crewe would be pissed that I’d crossed the line with his client. I shouldn’t interfere when I didn’t have anything to do with the drama unfolding at this party.
I considered going back downstairs and joining the party. If I stuck to Ariel’s side, I’d probably be fine. She was observant, so it would be stupid for Joseph or one of his men to make a move. But I might also be putting myself in the spotlight. If they watched me walk away with Crewe, they probably assumed we were still together.
Nothing had happened so far, so I decided to stay put.