Damaged Queen (Darkness Within Duet 2)

Would Axel put her life in danger?

Absolutely.

“I don’t want you walking off tonight.”

“I won’t.”

“I’ve also got to give you something. It means no one else will approach you, and you’ll be safe there.”

She glanced over at him. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“I will have to leave you alone, but you’ll be in good company.”

She’d noticed the tension within him, and it was freaking her out, scaring her.

“I’ll do whatever it is you need me to.”

“I got a call from the wedding planner. You’re avoiding her calls?” Draven asked.

She’d been avoiding the calls since Axel’s conversation. “I haven’t been in the mood to plan a wedding. It’s fine. I’ll call her as soon as I know more.”

They were silent for the rest of the ride. Arriving at what looked like a club, Draven got out of the car, and she noticed no one made a move to open her door. He handed his keys to one of the men waiting outside, and opened her door. He’d pulled something out of his jacket, and as she got out, he turned her and place something against her neck.

She touched her fingers to the collar, recognizing words.

“It marks you as mine. No one else will touch you.”

She turned to look at him. “You don’t think it’s strange you’re about to enter a club where a woman needs to be branded to be kept safe.”

He took her hand. “Sometimes questions spoil it.”

“Did you really need to bring me here today?” she asked.

“I wanted to share this with you. I feel it’s important.” He kissed her knuckles, and then they entered … another world.

At least to Harper it was another world.

Lights were turned down low, but there were stages and different rooms. The music was down low, but it seemed to fill the room. The energy hit her straight away.

Draven put his arm around her, tucking her close to his side, and she looked around, having her fill of every single room.

It wasn’t long before Harper recognized the woman from the party. She stayed by Draven’s side, but stood in a long black dress, tall and serene as if she was above everyone else. Harper wanted to knock her off that little pedestal.

“Draven, darling, I’m so pleased you could come. And you brought your pet. Would you like me to mark that pale skin again?” Tillie went to touch her, and she stepped back, glaring at the woman, who laughed.

He didn’t let her go far. “I wanted Harper to see part of what you did here.”

“I have our guest here. Will she be here for that?” Tillie asked.

“No. I want her protected. She’s mine.”

“Yes, I remember. She’ll be safe here. No one will touch her. She’s got your mark. That is all that needs to be seen.”

Draven turned to her.

“You’ve brought me to a sex club, and now you’re leaving?”

“I’ve got some business to attend to. Look around. Have some fun. Don’t talk to anyone, and I’ll be back.” He pressed a kiss to her lips.

She watched him go with Tillie by his side.

One day soon, she was going to hurt that woman.

She didn’t have time to admire the views. Passing the rooms, she thought about what Axel said—the basement—and went in that direction. When she passed a room that showed a woman being bound and whipped, she had to stop and watch.

Men and women were gazing at the stage with such rapt attention.

Harper saw the whip and flashed back to that night.

Unlike her, the woman on stage relished every sting and bite.

For Harper, just seeing it made her feel sick to her stomach.

She stepped away from the room and kept on with her search. She passed rooms, and didn’t go for the stairs. Walking to the back of the house, she saw there wasn’t as much activity, and whenever someone passed, she hid in an alcove or a closet.

Harper looked down a short passage, and she saw a guy holding a gun, standing guard near one of the doors. He stood out like a sore thumb.

Why did he guard this one door?

She flicked her hair back, lowered her shirt so that more of her cleavage showed, and made her way toward him. She pretended to be a little high, and certainly very easy.

“Honey, you’re not allowed to be here,” he said.

“Oh, shoot, did I make a wrong turn? I have no idea where I’m going. It’s all so exciting.” She stopped in front of him, and she saw him relax. His gaze was on her chest. Pushing some hair off her face, she let out a giggle. “Why are you not part of the party upstairs? You would be so much fun to play with.”

He chuckled. “Well, I get off in half an hour. Save me some play time and you can make it up to me.”