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CAUCHEMARS

ELIAS

What the fuck was he thinking, bringing her into the house? I pace my room, sipping from the bottle of bourbon I’d stopped for on the way here. My head’s a fucking mess.

I’d meant for my bathroom liaison to shed light on what Kyrin wasn’t telling me, which it had. But it had also unnerved me to no fucking end.

The last girl that worked for Lucien… Well, the last time I checked on her, she was catatonic. I typically wouldn’t worry about a passing girl, but this one’s different.

When I licked her flesh and felt it rise to meet my tongue with the smallest reaction, my cock had damn near leaped from my pants at her like a mangy dog, breaking free from its lead.

I’ve only been home a matter of hours, and yet the Valdrich Brothers have pulled me into some kind of bullshit.

Yet again.

Lucien will chew Seraphine up and spit out her broken pieces. I don’t know why I fucking care. That’s the most concerning part.

The lawsuit she’ll have against us if she keeps her faculties will be life-altering, just like the girl before the last. She’ll bring the company down around them like a fucking crumbling building after a fire.

“Sir?” my sub asks from where she sits on my couch as I pace and get lost in my head.

My eyes snap toward her. I forgot she was here, if I’m honest.

“Go back to the playroom. Ready yourself.” I dismiss her with a wave.

“Yes, Sir.”

There was no way after the encounter I had with Seraphine to purge her from my system other than release. The best way to do that is with Cheryl—a long-time friend and sub I’ve played with for many years. She’s loyal and doesn’t ask too many questions. More importantly, she doesn’t dwell on the darkness that sometimes overcomes me.

Seraphine.

Fuck, that name.

It’s been on the tip of my fucking tongue since she was, quite literally, on my tongue. What I’d give to go back to that moment and wrap my tie around her wrists as I fuck her raw, her body folded over the counter.

God, her lips.

Her scent.

You’ve been gone from home too long.

It’s true. It’s been a hot minute since I’ve played. Since I’ve properly released the pent-up energy buzzing in my veins like a lightning storm.

I’ve been abroad, working on some accounts for Kyrin, all while he was here, hatching a plan that’ll damn us all, involving the all-too-alluring Seraphine.

I take a long drag of liquor into my mouth and continue down the hall, dropping clothes as I make my way to the playroom.

I find Cheryl kneeling by the door, eyes down, and a tie lying over her knees.

See, this is what I need in my life.

Easy.

Uncomplicated.

Then, why does it feel wrong all of a sudden?

I bind her wrists and motion for her to move toward the bed.