The Dom Identity (Masters & Mercenaries Reloaded 2)

“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate him being okay with me going into training.” She wasn’t sure about this part. The idea of bondage and submission and all the other kinky things… She wasn’t sure, but this lifestyle had called to her sister.

There’s a new Dom, and I see the way he looks at me. I think he’s following me.

I think he wants to kill me.

Sometimes she wished she’d never found her sister’s notebook, never read the last few months of entries. Then she could have simply mourned her and tried to move on.

She could have believed the police reports about the accident.

She would never have known that her sister had been murdered.

“Of course.” Dani stood up and straightened out her skirt. “Julian is a sweetheart once you get to know him. I wish you would let me put you up here, but I’m willing to be patient. What I’m not willing to do is throw that reception without you. We need to find the perfect dress.”

She wanted to argue. God, the last thing she wanted was to be in a room with Hollywood hotshots. The reception was still weeks away. Maybe she would find her sister’s killer and potentially cause an even bigger scandal than she had before and get her ass fired. Julian Lodge might find out she was trying to prove one of his powerful club members killed her sister, and he would bury her. Problem solved.

It was the way her world seemed to go.

She gave Dani what she hoped was a conciliatory smile. “All right. I’ll consider it a work expense.”

“No, you won’t. It’s a uniform. I’m paying.” Dani started for the door. “Let’s have lunch tomorrow. I want to hear all about the training Dom Julian found for you. He’s being all secretive about it. I’m kind of excited.”

Vanessa nodded. “Absolutely. I’m excited, too.”

“I can tell.” Dani gave her a wave and was gone.

And they called her a bad actress.

Vanessa sat back with a sigh. She had a couple of hours before she had to meet the man who would walk her through the world her sister had occupied.

The world that had cost Nicki everything—including her life.

It was a world she would take down if it was the last thing she did.

Chapter Two

Michael stepped inside the dungeon and had to appreciate the differences between The Club and Sanctum. It reflected the differences between the owners, and probably the people who frequented each.

Sanctum had an industrial feel and a loud, vibrant energy. The Club was old-school beautiful, with elegant lines and an edge of danger that matched Julian Lodge. Though it wasn’t technically open right now, he could imagine a hushed, reverent crowd in this place.

“Have you ever been here before?” Julian stepped out of the elevator that had brought them from the lobby to the dungeon. It was a private elevator, and there had been a security guard who had tipped his head as Julian had approached. If it had been anyone but Julian, the guard would likely have reacted differently.

Security was tight here, but it potentially hadn’t kept out a thief. Julian had indulged his wife and perhaps let someone into his home he shouldn’t have.

“I’ve been in the building, of course. I haven’t been in the dungeon. It’s nice.”

“I’m sure Ian would say something like it looks like a French brothel. Well, he would use a coarser word. He says French because it’s the most elite descriptor he can think of and therefore some kind of insult, but the man literally met his wife in Paris, so don’t let him fool you.” Julian started down the hallway where they were met with another security guard at her post. “Ellie, how are you, dear?”

The pretty redhead gave Julian a bright smile. “Excellent, Master Julian. Your appointment is already here. I showed her to the conference room. There’s tea and some snacks. Mr. Malone, is there anything I can offer you during your meeting?”

“Tea is fine.” He needed a Scotch to get through this, but that wouldn’t do when he was supposed to be a stern, in-control Dominant. Or a charming one. He would have to assess what was needed to get the best hold on the target. Mostly what he thought would attract her was his family name and money. But first he had a question. “Jones? She’s going by her maiden name again? I would think she would hold on to Benedict as long as she possibly could.”

He’d dressed for this first meeting in one of the slick suits he kept around for more formal occasions. He didn’t need a suit in the office.

But he was going undercover, and that meant dressing the part. Including the Tiffany and Co. cufflinks he rarely wore and the Rolex his parents had bought him last Christmas.