“Wig,” Thayer says tightly, clearly unhappy about the fact that I’m going with him, and I haven’t had my appointment with Cosette yet. He helps me tuck my hair under the wig, carefully securing every loose strand of pink.
I do a double take when I see myself in a full-length mirror in the corner of the room. I don’t even recognize myself.
We walk to the door, but before he opens it, he stops short and spins me around to look at him. I start at the sound of an angry knock at the door, and Fabien’s deep voice. “Thayer, get your ass out here.”
“On my way,” Thayer snaps. He grabs my chin and holds it tightly, making me look at him.
“We’re investigating an alarm. Normally, we’d call in emergencies on secure devices, but occasionally we need to keep things discreet. I don’t know what we’re going to be met with. It’s unlikely anyone after you has already discovered where you are, but our enemies have eyes in many places.”
I swallow.
Our enemies.
How many do they have?
“I already told you I expect you to obey me. You do not talk to strangers. You do not leave my side. You hold my hand unless I tell you not to. This is not a time and place to ask questions, which I’m sure you’ll have. I want every single person who sees us to believe that I am your master and you are my slave. Is that clear?”
I nod even though no, it isn’t clear at all. I don’t know enough about this sort of thing to pretend convincingly enough. I do know to follow his lead. I know not to do anything that will draw attention to myself, and maybe that’s good enough for now.
Pursing his lips, he shakes his head. “We don’t have time,” he says with regret. “But we’ll try this for now.”
He takes something small and black out of his pocket and slides it around my neck. Without a word, he attaches a necklace to a little loop. Is that… a collar? I go to reach my fingers to it, but he smacks my hand.
“Hey!”
He growls. “No talking back to me.”
Why did I think this was hot? He’s driving me up a wall already, and we haven’t even left the room.
He opens the door. Fabien looks from Thayer to me and narrows his eyes before he gives me a discreet nod. “You okay?” he asks in a low voice.
I look to Thayer for permission to speak to Fabien. Thayer nods. “Good girl.”
“I am,” I tell Fabien.
“Fucking hell.” Fabien curses and looks away.
Methinks Fabien isn’t a big fan of this whole sister-in-law as slave hoax.
“Why the alarm?” Thayer asks as we walk down the hallway that takes us to the main lobby.
“Suspected security breach by the dance floor.” Fabien glances at me, then speaks in a low voice. “Maybe not the best idea to take her.” I open my mouth to comment on there being a dance floor, but quickly snap it shut. I’m guessing the less I say, the better. Thayer curses and grits his teeth. If there’s a security breach, we risk someone seeing me and, worse, identifying me.
Thayer looks from me to Fabien, then back again. “I’m putting you in one of the secure rooms. I won’t be long. You donotleave.”
I hide my disappointment, because I know he’s right, and I don’t want to do something dumb. But damn, I want to see this place. What if we leave, and I never come back? Nicolette and Fabien would be very happy if that happened.
“Have you given her a rundown of Le Luxe?” Fabien asks in a normal voice, as we walk toward the lobby.
“Some,” Thayer says.
They’re both picking up the thread that I’m here as his guest. I walk close to Thayer, trying to look as guest-like as possible.
“We have a strictly enforced code of conduct,” he explains. “As well as a scrupulous screening process to ensure our members and guests are safe. There are secure entrances for members and guests, and private suites for high-profile members.”
I nod, not sure if I should be talking or not at this juncture.
We arrive at the lobby, and now that I’ve had my blindfold removed, I can see everything. My heart races with excitement. This. Is.Incredible.
