Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 67211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
“They’re saying potential blizzard, Tobias. The snow’s already coming down.”
Tobias frowns. “We have new members coming tonight. I’d hate to shut the doors so soon, especially when the forecast has been total shit lately. I’ve closed these doors four times in the past month due to the forecast, only to have not a single flake fly before daybreak.”
It’s a hard call to make. And it isn’t like a school where children are coming, either. This is an adults-only club, so anyone who arrives comes here of their own volition.
He looks to me. “Would you close?”
I respect that he asks advice. He’s got more responsibility on his shoulders than literally anyone else here, yet he asks me my opinion. I think about it, shaking my head. “Nah. I wouldn’t close. If the winds pick up, then we can close. These are all adults. If they’re worried about the forecast, they can stay home.”
“Agreed,” he says. “Thanks, man.”
His gaze flickers back to the screen. I get it. He doesn’t want to be impolite and dismiss me, but he has shit to do.
I stand. “Thanks, man. So there are lots of new members?” I ask, on my way to the door.
He nods, eyes back on the screen. “Couple of dozen. Mostly word of mouth.”
Verge is growing and has been since they opened its doors. It’s rare to find a place as classy as Verge in a place like NYC, where the population exceeds some Third World countries. BDSM clubs are aplenty. Trying to find one like Verge is another story. The growing membership is partly why Tobias hired me on as dungeon monitor, to protect the integrity of his club.
As I make my way back to the bar area, I can hear the wind picking up outside, whistling in the night like a scream. I shiver, and nearly collide into Diana.
“Sorry, you okay?” I ask, steadying her.
Her eyes are wide, but she takes a deep breath. “I’m okay. But I need to go. The babysitter just called and Chad fell. Gotta take him to the hospital, and he’s freaking out.” Her son, and Tobias’s step-son Chad, has special needs. It’s rare that she gets called out like this but it’s not unheard of.
“Okay,” I say calmly, recognizing the need to stay in control for her. “Where’s Beatrice?”
Diana releases a shuddering breath. “Bea and Zack went to their private room, and I don’t want to interrupt them.”
I nod. “I’ll walk with you to Tobias. C’mon.” She nods thankfully, and we walk back together to Tobias’s office. Diana explains the problem, and Tobias listens patiently.
“You’re the one who can calm him down best,” Diana says, pleadingly. I stand to leave, but Tobias calls out to me before I leave.
“You staying here tonight, you said, Axle?”
“Yeah, man.”
“Keep an eye on things so I can get my girl home?” He gets to his feet. “Zack’s here for now, and Brax is, too. Call if you need them.”
“Of course,” I tell him. “I’ve got this.”
He gives me a chin lift and stands, shutting down his computer. “Thanks man,” he says. He takes Diana’s hand and he pulls her close. It tugs at my heart a little, but I dismiss the brief flash of weakness.
“Stay safe,” I tell them.
“You, too. I’ll call when things settle down at home,” Tobias says. “If we get a state of emergency notice, we’ll have to close.”
He briefly goes over how to lock things up, then leaves.
When I walk into the dungeon, I hear a sound that makes me freeze mid-step, as if someone waved a magic wand and halted me in place. It’s a laugh. One that haunts my dreams and conjures up nightmares when it drags my past to the present.
It’s just in my mind, I tell myself. There’s no way she’s here tonight. It’s the memory that surfaced earlier that’s playing with my head.
I cross my arms and stroll through the Dungeon. But I’m not really keeping an eye on safety like I’m supposed to. It isn’t until the third brunette looks at me as if I’m crazy for staring at her that I realize, I’m looking for her.
She isn’t here, though. I’d know that chestnut-colored hair. I’d know her deep brown eyes framed with thick black lashes and dark, beautiful skin. Hell, I’d know her scent from across the room.
I’ve got to get my head out of the past. I look at the bar. Fuck, I need a drink, but Dungeon Monitors don’t drink while on duty.
A chorus of obnoxious phone alarms go off at once, including my phone, which beeps and shakes until I take it out of my pocket and shut it off.
Damn.
Blizzard warning in effect until six a.m. No on-street parking. Citizens are urged to avoid roads and get home as soon as possible.
That’s my cue.
I text Tobias first then Brax and Zack, and in thirty minutes, despite some protests and reluctance from some members, we’ve completely emptied Verge. They head home, but I live a good distance away from here and don’t want to risk the commute. Plus, I’m responsible for this place tonight, and even though it’s vacant, I’m happier staying. My room is comfortable, and I have a change of clothes, food, and water.