Page 15 of Big Bad Boss: Mated
Brick hauls me closer. “No one touches my fiance but me.”
Another snort. “Wolves,” Thaddeus murmurs to me. “So territorial.”
“The possessiveness goes both ways,” I inform him and put a hand on Brick’s chest. Thaddeus inclines his head. We’ve made our position clear.
No one will be fucking with me or my fiance tonight. If they do, a wolf will rip their head off.
“My fiance wants to experience this club to its fullest,” Brick announces. “We’re going to scene on stage tonight.”
“Lovely.” Thaddeus says, like this is news to him and not something he orchestrated. A mutter runs around the room. I can feel everyone’s eyes on us.
“My attendants will show you the way backstage, so you can prepare.” Thaddeus snaps his finger, and two club employees in matching sparkly purple bodysuits step up to the dais. “Let them know your every request, and it will be granted.”
Brick puts a hand on my back to guide me to follow the club attendants. We’re halfway to a discreet back door painted black to blend into the wall when Thaddeus calls to us.
“And Blackthroat?” The vampire king is standing. The lights have changed, cooled, and Thaddeus’ figure now casts a long shadow that ends at Brick’s feet. “Break a leg.”
It sounds like a threat.
Chapter Five
Backstage turns out to be a green room equipped with everything we might need. Including a wall of paddles, rope, handcuffs, and wicked looking whips–everything a top might need to play with a partner.
I set my bag down on a side table and let an attendant take my coat. Underneath I’m wearing a white slip dress and nude ballet shoes. The outfit is sweet and virginal and will contrast nicely with Brick’s black suit. An implicit power exchange and as close to CMNF we can get without having me naked.
“At least two extra exits, one through this back hall. One through the kitchens,” Sully is reporting to Brick.
“I still think you shouldn’t do this.” Billy has his arms crossed over his chest, leaning against the doorframe. “We shouldn’t be caving into that leech.”
“We’ve been over this.” Brick unknots his tie and stuffs it into his pocket. “Madi and I are going to put on a show. We’re doing it on our terms, but we’re doing it, and the sooner we get this over with, the sooner we can leave.”
“Maybe we kill one or two of them instead,” Billy grumbles.
“How would we sell that?” I ask. “A fight to the death, gladiator style? We’re trying to do this with no bloodshed.”
“We could just leave,” Sully says. “Make up an excuse.” His voice is low, barely above a growl. He hates this as much as Billy, probably more. He’s head of pack security, and here we are, the alpha pair, unprotected on hostile territory. This is his worst nightmare.
“We’re going to do what we said we’d do,” I say. “Thaddeus arranged all of this to see what we’d do. He’s making his power known–he can get us to come and do his bidding. We’re showing him we’re willing to play ball, within boundaries. We’re stable, sane, and able to negotiate. And, this will put him in our debt. In a power struggle, he’ll be more likely to side with us than another pack.”
“Unless he’s double-crossing us,” Sully says. “What if he records your scene and threatens to leak it?”
“He won’t do that,” Brick says. “A leak would imply his member’s privacy is at risk.”
“What if he shows it to another alpha? Like Aiden Adalwulf,” Billy asks.
“Then they’ll see I’m in control and in love.” Brick’s face is set, his eyes remote. “Now get out. My mate and I need a moment alone.”
Billy and Sully leave without another word.
“This is my fault,” he says. “If I hadn’t fought fate for so long, I never would’ve gone moon mad. Thaddeus knows I almost lost control. He’s doing this to see if I’m worthy.”
“Worthy of leading your pack?” I’m ready to remind him he more than proved he’s a worthy alpha, and besides, it’s his pack’s opinion that matters, not a vampire’s. But he shakes his head.
“Worthy of you.” He lifts a large hand and fingers the ends of a strand of my hair absently. “Thaddeus longs to feel again. I'm a powerful paranormal creature like him, and I now am thoroughly, publicly in love.”
The fierce flare of his eyes takes my breath away.
“The full moon,” I say. “Are you going to lose control?”