Page 23 of Delicious Surrender

Garrick:We might have a problem. Dimitri is back in London. He has set his sights on Tink.

Gage leaned back and sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.Not Dimitri.He was one of the first members to invest, before they had a following. While Gage appreciated the referrals of several foreign billionaires, he didn’t like the man. Once he learned of Dimitri’s failed bid to buy the building Dominus was housed in, he became even more guarded.

Gage:Fuck. Call me.

Gage picked up the call the moment it rang. “What happened?”

“His comrades spent a few hours polishing off a bottle of Stoli. Tink was the only one in the bar when he came in.”

“Where the fuck were Bill and the security guard?”

“Bill had gone to the cellar, and the guard was called upstairs.”

“Unacceptable.”

“I agree. Anyway, he got under her skin. Mel came back and brought him the drink he ordered.”

“I’m sure that didn’t go over well.” Gage knew the man and what kind of service he demanded.

“No, it didn’t, but I smoothed things over. Brynne brought him a tea before I sent her home.”

“And she didn’t dump it in his lap?” Gage secretly hoped she did so he could mete out a punishment.

“No. She maintained her cool. I’m not sure what she said to him before she left the table, but he laughed like I’ve never heard before.”

Gage rubbed his chin. “We’ll need to keep a close eye on him. And, G, I want to know why security left the floor. His ass should be out the door.”

Garrick was apologetic. “I’ll handle it, Gage. Don’t worry. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Thanks, man. Have a good night.”

By the time Gage went to bed, he knew what he had to do. If it was in her best interests, maybe he could reconcile how much of a prick he was going to be. The only consolation would be the amusement it would bring, however short-lived.

Gage arrived at the club by three o’clock on Friday afternoon. He’d worked from his penthouse most of the day, digging deeper into the financials of the company he was considering investing in. The club was still quiet when he found Garrick alone in his office.

“Hey.” He strolled in and took a seat. “Did you speak with Bill?”

“Yeah, I made it crystal clear that someone must always be on the floor. I told him Dimitri showed an avid interest in Tink and that under no circumstances was she to be left alone with him.”

“Good. And the AWOL security guy?”

“Tore a strip off him—and told him the safety of our staff was the most important element of his job, and if he failed at that ever again, I would fire him.”

Gage decided to share his plan with Garrick. “I am going to compel Tink to quit. We both know that Dimitri hates to lose—and he’s recently discovered that it was my political connections that won me the real estate deal, even though he outbid me by a million pounds. And now with this infatuation with Brynne? I don’t like it.”

Garrick paused and studied Gage. “He has always skated the line, but never crossed it. He doesn’t want to lose his membership. We’ll keep a close eye on him.”

“Listen, she’s a novice and cannot handle a Dom like him. That’s why I need to get her to quit. It will just be easier.”

He could read the doubt in his friend’s eyes. “How do you plan to do that? She strikes me as a determined little thing.”

“Aye, you are right. But for her own good and my peace of mind, she needs to go.”

Garrick shook his head. “It’s a pity. I’ve taken a liking to the little spitfire. Why don’t you just sack her?”

Gage looked at his friend, wondering if he was entertaining similar carnal thoughts. That didn’t sit well with him. “No, I intend to teach her a lesson. She came here playing at being submissive, and I don’t believe she is. I’ll put it to the test. By the time I’m done, she will give up and quit.”

Garrick’s mouth crooked. “I hope you’re right, boss.”