14 ZEE
Didthemusicalwayssound this loud?
The bass throbbed through the walls of Club Bandit, vibrating up through Zee’s boots and into his ribs.The air was thick with sweat, leather, and expensive perfume, an intoxicating mix that clung to the skin.
Club Bandit pulsated with people and the chaotic energy of a dozen scenes unfolding at once.A new sub, cheeks flushed and eyes glassy, was being strapped to a bondage chair with wide black leather belts that squeaked as they tightened.
On stage, Alex’s twin floggers snapped through the air in rhythmic, hypnotic arcs—perfect Florentine form that had the crowd murmuring.
If Ella were here, Zee might’ve joined in, maybe even drawn her up onto that stage and shown off together.But she wasn’t.
She was exactly where he’d ordered her—at home, on painkillers, resting.
It had been two days since she dislocated her shoulder.The pain at night bothered her, and she still needed to rest.
The only way he could keep Club Bandit going was knowing that she was safe at home.
That’s the only way he was going to be able to fulfill the commitments that he’d made.
And guilt clung to him, tilting his world off-kilter.The stage lights seemed too bright and not bright enough.
He ground his molars, making his way through the crowd to Max.The place hadn’t changed.
The details they had carefully chosen still shone.
The gold textured walls caught the light, hardwood floors gleamed, and the high-end furnishings gave the place that luxe vibe they were going for.
But tonight, it all felt off—like the edges were beginning to fray.
The bondage scene in front of him?He’d seen it a thousand times.
The Dom nearby, methodically wrapping rope around his sub’s limbs in a cross-tie?Predictable.
His skull throbbed with every beat of the music.
All he wanted was a dark room and a bed.
You’re sounding old, Zee muttered to himself.But he plastered a smile on his face and went over to Max who was monitoring the private rooms in the downstairs hallway.
“Hey, Max, what can I do for you?”
“We’re out of blankets in the rooms, Zee.They weren’t restocked at the beginning of the night and I’ve had patrons complain about wipes.I apologized telling everyone we’re short-staffed”
Zee brushed a hand over his face.He didn’t even know where they kept the baby wipes.“Let me see if I have any back in the office.Anything else?”
“Yeah, members are complaining that the new security measures are taking too long.”
“Charlie has told me all night.”Zee tapped the headpiece he was wearing.“But they can live with it.”
Members had asked him for tighter security and now that they had it, they complained about it.But Zee wasn’t going to budge.He had to leave the day after tomorrow, and he wasn’t going to risk Ella’s security.
“Blankets and fresh towels and I found baby wipes.”Suki, one of Ella’s helpers, came to the hallway with one of Ella’s wheelie carts.
“Thanks, Suki.I appreciate the help.”
“I would have come earlier if I had known we were this short staffed.”Suki flung her long braid over her shoulder and Zee could see the flash of hurt on her face.
“That was my fault.I thought we were good.Ella told me to call for more help.She’s the one who keeps the place afloat.”
