Rex and I share a look. “Text me when you’re back.” He nods once and I step out of the SUV, turning to help Kenz out.
There are already people in line. The front of the warehouse looks like a club, and the top floorisa club. Those who know about the fights and have received an invite will come to the roped off area, give the secret password for the week, then be escorted to the underground portion where the fights are held.
I wrap my arm around McKenzie’s shoulders, holding her close to me, while my eyes dart all around us aware of my surroundings and anyone who is close to us. Jason clears our path as we walk into the club. The fights don’t start for another forty-five minutes, so I lead Kenz to the bar and order us drinks. She hops up on the stool and I stand next to her, my back leaning against the bar watching everything.
The bartender drops our drinks off and Kenz sips at her rum and diet Coke. “That’s the last drink you’re getting tonight,” I inform her as I sip my bourbon.
She tilts her head and looks up at me. “Why?” Her voice is sassy. I smile. I glance at Jason to make sure he’s watching, he silently nods so I turn to give McKenzie my full attention.
I rub my finger along the collar around her neck. “Because you had three glasses of wine at dinner and you’re already a little tipsy. So, I’m cutting you off.”
She purses her lips and arches an eyebrow at me. “I believe the last time I checked, I’m a grown woman and I can make my own decisions.”
I lick my lips, and her eyes immediately latch onto my mouth. I lean down so we’re at eye level. “Tonight you’re not making decisions. I am.”
Her eyes darken as she looks at me under her eyelashes. She leans forward, her lips touching mine slightly. “We’ll see.” I lean forward to suck her lip into my mouth, but she leans back and turns toward the bar. She grabs her glass and downs her drink in two swallows, then lifts her glass to the bartender to get another.
She cocks her head and looks up at me as I stand to my full height.Oh, this is going to be fun.“That won’t be necessary, Eli,” I tell the bartender as he sits another drink in front of McKenzie. I take some bills out of my wallet to pay for our drinks, including the one she will not be drinking.
I lean down, lift McKenzie out of her chair, and drop her over my shoulder. “Nix!” she gasps and slaps her hand against my lower back. Eli gives me an amused look. Jason doesn’t bat an eye. He falls in beside me as I make my way toward the VIP area only meant for us. Jason stops by the roped off area.
I step further into the area. There are two couches, both closed off from view by two wall separators, so no one can see into this area of the VIP section, giving us privacy. I drop Kenz on the couch furthest away from the roped off area. Her back hits the couch, and she immediately tries to sit up, but I’m faster than her. I straddle her waist and place my hands on either side of her head.
She swallows and stares up at me. Her gaze drops to my lips, betraying how turned on she is by this. “Now love, I’m going to have to punish you.”
Her eyes widen and her hands clench into fists. “What? Why?”
I tilt my head at her. She knows exactly why, but I’ll appease her for now. “You were being a brat by ordering another drink.”
Her mouth opens and closes. “It was just a drink.”
“It wasnotjust a drink. In about an hour, we’re going to go downstairs where you’ll need all your senses. Having more to drink will only make me worry more about you. Understand?”
She nods, shame and embarrassment flashing in her eyes. I climb off her and she presses her hands against her cheeks as she blinks her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she murmurs. I offer her my hand and help her up. She stands in front of me, her arms hanging limply at her side.
I wrap my arms around her, pulling her in close to me. “Now you know, but next time, listen.” She returns my embrace and nods against my chest. I kiss the top of her head and pull away.
“Go sit on the other couch.” Her eyes dart to the other couch and her shoulders droop a little, but she does as I say. She sits down and looks up at me expectantly.
I sit on the couch she was lying on and she purses her lips. Her eyes squint at me. I spread my legs slightly and stare at her for several seconds. “Now, let’s address what your punishment will be.”
Chapter 22
McKenzie
My chest tingles with excitement and a little apprehension. I chew on the inside of my cheek as I stare at Nix and wait for his next words. He leans back, his legs spread wide as he watches me. I break eye contact with him, it all becoming too much as I glance around the VIP room.
What will he do to me? Here, where anyone could walk in on us.
We’re hidden by the wall separators, so people could only see if Jason let them past the roped off area. “Eyes on me, love.” My eyes fly back to him as heat rises up my chest, to my neck and cheeks. I bring my finger up and play with the collar around my neck, tracing the heart of the diamond as I gaze at him.
I love this necklace and the idea of it. What it represents. It’s so strange how much things have changed between us. When I remembered he bought me at the auction, the thought of him owning me…My thoughts trail off.Well, this is different. He’s giving me a choice on whether I wear it all the time or not and it means something different. It’s his way of keeping me safe. His way of marking me as his own.
“Get on your knees and crawl to me.” His words bring me back to the present and I freeze.Crawl to him?I glance around again. “Keep your eyes on me, love,” he says again.
“I…” I pause and wipe my sweaty hands down my jeans. “I can’t do that.”
He leans forward and arches an eyebrow. “You can’t? Or you won’t?”
