Page 14 of Madness

I needed to run. That was the only thought in my mind. I needed to get away from that look. From him.

I smiled at Deep Pockets before pushing his hand off me and stepping back. I walked as quickly as possible through the club, but I felt his eyes on me the whole time. I tried to suck air into my lungs, but my breaths kept getting caught between my ribs. My limbs were awkward as I walked. I was two steps away from the backroom when Rodney stopped in front of me, cutting off my escape.

“I need you to work the private room again tonight.” He looked at me in much the same way as Deep Pockets, like I was nothing, but he still owned me.

My heart was beating so fast in my chest it felt like it would run out of steam. I didn’t want to go back into that room with the demon. His eyes had been scary enough. I had no idea what he would do to me if we were alone again.

“I can’t. I need to—“

“I don’t care. Maddox asked for you specifically.” At least I had a name for the demon now. “So you’ll go and take care of whatever he needs.”

“Whatever he needs?” I swallowed thickly.

“What don’t you understand?” Rodney practically screamed at me. “Get your ass to the private room before I drag you there myself.”

“I’m going.” I stepped back before Rodney could act on his threat.

I knew Rodney liked to give the guests in the private room extra attention. It cost a lot of money to rent that room out, but this was taking it overboard. Who was this Maddox guy? And why did he have so much power here? I knew he was an owner; had he threatened Rodney’s job if I didn’t show up? Not that I cared if Rodney got fired. He was an asshole and deserved it.

Rodney’s threat or the threat to him isn’t what made me walk to the room. It was the look in Maddox’s eyes. I knew if I didn’t show up, he’d find me. At least here in Entice, I felt like I had some control. I didn’t want to face him outside these walls.

The tattooed guard stood outside the door again. He didn’t even look at me as I grasped the handle. Guess I wasn’t getting any help there.

I opened the door and felt my heart knock as I locked eyes with the demon.

Maddox.

10

Maddox

Iwatched as the little dove closed the door behind her. She was in another of those tight tank tops. The fabric molded to her breasts and showed off her trim waist. A ruffled black skirt stopped mid thigh, and her legs were covered in another pair of tights, black sheer this time. I wanted to rip them from her body so I could see her creamy skin. I wanted to mark those legs so no one would touch her.

“Hello, Kincaid.”

A vicious smile crossed my face as she flinched. She didn’t want me using her real name. I already felt the endorphins filling my body as her fear seeped into my bones.

This is what I needed. I needed to play. That was going to bring me what the beating hadn’t earlier. A high.

“Maddox.” I liked the sound of my name on her lips. I was going to like it even more when she screamed it.

“You figured out my name then. What else did you find out about me?” Her lips pressed together. She didn’t know anything.

And I thought she was smart. Not smart enough to realize information was power.

“Can I get you something to drink?” Kincaid asked, deflecting my question.

I clucked my tongue at her. “Oh, little dove, let’s not pretend you’re in here to be my waitress.”

“I’m not doing this.” She crossed her arms and took a step back towards the door. “I don’t want to be a part of whatever sick game you’re playing. I need to go back to work.”

“You mean back to thestronzothat put his hands on my toy.” I contained the anger in my voice, even as it roared through my blood.

I didn’t like seeing someone else touching her. Normally I didn’t care, and that was pissing me off too. Why did I care if someone had his hands on her? It had to be because I hadn’t broken her yet.

Or maybe because Kincaid smiled at him while she looked at me like I was her worst nightmare. I was, and she was clever enough to know it. But I didn’t like that she saw that so easily. It would make her harder to break.

“I’m not your toy.” She said. “I’m a person.”