She nods, but doesn’t look convinced. “I want to stay until Rex brings them in. I want them to be forced to face me. To know they got caught.” I pull her into my arms and kiss the top of her head.
“Whatever you want, love. It’s yours.”
Chapter 26
McKenzie
Phoenix takes my hand and leads me to a door I didn’t notice. It leads into a room that looks similar to the VIP room we were in earlier tonight. It has a self-serve bar off to one side stocked with all the drinks that you could want. There’s also a wine refrigerator, and a stainless steel refrigerator maybe for snacks. There are couches and chairs placed strategically throughout the room.
“This is the celebration room, so they won’t suspect anything.” Phoenix’s jaw clenches and inhales deeply. “The amount of times I’ve had drinks with both Bill and Dr. Chamberland in this room and they smiled and joked with me, all the while abusing you.”
My hand flutters to my throat, and I finger the collar. My stomach dips as I realize what he means. “Bill started fighting here while I was kidnapped?” I ask. Nix nods, his neck and face red with rage. “I’m never taking this off,” I whisper.
His eyes collide with mine. There’s hope and relief in them. “Are you sure? You can take it off when you’re at home.” I love that he’s making sure I’m okay with this.
“But I was taken the second time from our property.” I can tell Nix wants to argue, but his phone vibrates, so he looks at the screen.
“They’re on the way.”
I gesture to his naked chest. “You’re still not wearing a shirt. It’s very distracting.”
He chuckles and walks over to a wardrobe. Opening it, he grabs a white button-up shirt that looks exactly like the one he had on earlier and puts it on. He grabs my hand and walks me over to the bar. “Want a rum and coke?”
I scowl at him. “You said I couldn’t have any more alcohol.”
He snorts. “Things have changed significantly in the past couple of hours. But that was also because I wanted your mind clear while we were watching the fight.”
I twist my lips to the side as I think. “Do you know what I’d rather have?”
He steps in close to me, wrapping his arm around my waist. “What’s that?”
I can tell by his expression he already knows what I’m going to say. “An orgasm.”
He grins at me, but his eyes are full of concern. “Even after the memory you just had?”
I bite my bottom lip and lift my shoulder. “I’d like for you to take that memory away,” I admit.
He leans forward and kisses my hairline. “Anything you want, love.”
I sag into him and he supports my weight. This man. He has no idea how amazing he is. I open my mouth to tell him, but before I can, the door opens. I stiffen in his arms and his grip on my waist tightens slightly. My back is to the door, so I don’t see as they enter. I glance up at Nix as my heart begins to race. He rubs his thumb along my cheek and leans down, kissing me softly.
He pulls away slightly, his lips still brushing mine. “Act naturally in the beginning. You’ll know when you can confront them.” I nod once and he gives me one more kiss before tapping me lightly on the ass, and turning me around to face my nightmare.
I force myself to keep my face neutral, even though all kinds of emotions are roaring through my veins right now. Dr. Chamberland looks the same as he always did, but he looks exhausted and unkempt. I wonder if his lifestyle is creeping up on him. He has his hair slicked back, but it looks like it’s slicked back from grease, not product, and he has dark circles under his eyes. He rubs the back of his neck and unbuttons the top button of his shirt. His eyes flit around the room, not staying on one person too long.
Bill, I can only glimpse at. I know if I look at him any longer, I won’t be able to contain my emotions. He’s bald, has various tattoos along his chest and arms, and his eyes look almost black. Like he’s possessed, and it freaks me out. One side of his mouth tips up slightly and his eyes wander down my body like he’s remembering all the things he did to me and I have to look away. I smile at Rex, and he gives me an encouraging smile in return.
“Your wife is here to celebrate with us tonight,” Bill says. He begins to walk toward us and I internally freak out, afraid of what he’s going to do. Nix wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me against his chest. His warmth invades my senses, and it helps me calm down slightly.
“Yes,” Nix responds. “This is McKenzie.” Bill extends his hand in an attempt to shake mine, but I only stare at it. I will not touch this man and he will never touch me again.
He arches an eyebrow. “No handshake?” I shake my head no. “That’s rude.”
Nix comes to his full height and maneuvers me so I’m slightly behind him, but can still see everyone in the room. “Don’t speak to my wife that way. If she doesn’t want to shake your hand, she doesn’t have to. Do you touch women against their will often?”
Bill takes a step back and raises his hands in surrender, his eyes narrowing slightly. Dr. Chamberland’s shoulders pull back and he watches our interaction more closely than he was. “Sorry, man. I didn’t mean anything by it.”
“Make sure it doesn’t happen again,” Nix snaps.
