Page 10 of Take Me Darkly

“I don’t even know what most of that means,” Serena admitted, her eyes wide.

“It means you’re safe, princess,” I said.

“You didn’t have all this installed on my account, did you?”

“No. Security was set up before we opened and has been upgraded substantially over the years. It’s necessary because of who some of our clients are. Some of the wealthiest and most influential people in the country come here specifically because we run such a tight ship. They can be free here.”

“What about outside the building?” she asked, gaze narrowing at a corner feed of the sidewalk across the street.

“Perimeter cameras are ours wherever it’s legal. We also cooperate with neighboring businesses for shared angles. We run facial recognition internally for our staff, and for a short list of banned members.” I paused, and then added, “Your ex, Cade, has been added to that list.”

Her eyes met mine at that, searching before giving me a short nod. “That’s probably best.”

Zeke tapped another key, shifting the screen to a master schematic of the building overlaid with glowing red paths.

“These are your evacuation routes,” Zeke instructed, his voice grave. “Every room has two exits. Behind the old sacristy, we have a reinforced safe room—steel-core walls and stocked with a week’s worth of provisions. It used to be a vault, but we converted it for you. Your apartment closet contains a go-bag with emergency cash, encrypted phones, and clean passports.”

Serena swallowed, her fingers tightening into a fist.

I reached out, taking her hand in mine and squeezing it until her fingers relaxed. “I know it sounds extreme, princess. But until we find the people who are after you, I need you to memorize these routes. I want you to be able to get to that safe room in total darkness.”

Serena studied the schematics like an archaeologist learning a lost city. Then she swallowed, the tendons in her throat flexing. Pride and irritation warred in her eyes. She didn’t like needing my protection. She liked even less that I’d anticipated and planned everything for her, and I wasn’t sure how receptive she’d be to what was coming next.

I opened a secure drawer beneath the console and lifted out a small black velvet box, placing it in her hands. “This is for you.”

Serena opened it cautiously. Nestled inside was an exquisite amethyst pendant framed by brilliant-cut diamonds, suspended from a delicate platinum chain.

“Not just a pretty necklace. It’s a panic device,” Zeke explained. “Double-tap sends your location to the security team and to Anton’s phone. Triple-tap triggers a silent lockdown for the club and the surrounding buildings on the property.”

She lifted it free, the jewels shimmering in her fingers. Her jaw set into a hard line as she absorbed everything. “Anton, don’t you think this is all a bit insane? For the love of all that’s holy, this isn’t a James Bond movie. I still don’t understand why we can’t just call the police or the FBI.”

“No,” I said firmly, holding her gaze with cold, absolute authority. “We’ve been through this. You know why we can’t call the local police or the Feds, and I don’t think any of this is insane. Nothing about your life and your safety is foolish or impractical.”

She snapped her mouth shut, her mouth pressing into a grim line.

I took the amethyst necklace from her hands, unclasping the chain. I swept her dark hair over her shoulder and fastened the platinum clasp around her neck, letting my fingers linger on her skin. I leaned down and pressed a slow, firm kiss to her collarbone, feeling her whole body shudder beneath my touch.

“You’re not a prisoner here,” I whispered against her skin, my dark voice wrapping around her like a promise. “You’re protected. Know the difference.”

She looked up, her blue eyes swirling with a tempest of anger, need, and bitter reality. “I’m trying to believe that.”

Zeke cleared his throat, deliberately turning his attention back to his monitors to give us a shred of privacy. “Feeds are clean, boss. You’re clear to take her down to the lower level.”

I looked down at Serena, holding out my hand. “Ready, princess?”

She hesitated only a second before nodding. “As I’ll ever be.”

Chapter Four

Serena

* * *

Protection, not imprisonment.

I repeated the phrase like a mantra, letting the words rhythmically loop through my mind with every step we took.

I wanted to believe him. I desperately wanted to believe I was as strong as I was trying to convince myself. But the brutal truth was, everything felt terrifyingly out of alignment.