Chapter Nine

DANTE

As he was driving back to Couture, he got a notification on his phone. He hit a button so it would announce on his car speakers. Queen Mab had requested dungeon time tomorrow.

Oh, really?

Well, if Emma wanted to play, she needed to be honest with him and herself. Having a little fun on Halloween was one thing, but it wasn’t healthy to hide behind a mask. If it had just been a kink, Dante would have let her keep the mask on. But this wasn’t a kink as much as it was Emma wanting to hide from him, and more importantly, her wanting to hide from herself. He would not allow that.

So he sent her instructions that she needed to come to him unmasked. Dante wasn’t sure that she would go through with it, and regret ate at him for the thought. But maybe that was for the best. Joey was walking a fragile line. Dante didn’t know if Joey could handle him hooking up with his sister.

After leaving their cars for the valet to park, Dante escorted Joey through security to get his temporary day pass and then they stepped into the soaring foyer of Couture. Joey’s eyes widened as he took in the opulent surroundings, the gleaming marble floors, the glittering chandeliers, the priceless works of art adorning the walls.

And, of course, the models.

They were everywhere—draped over plush sofas, perched on elegant chaises, sipping champagne and laughing musically. Each one was more stunning than the last, their flawless features and lithe bodies on full display in haute couture creations that ranged from the breathtaking to the avant-garde.

Joey’s mouth had fallen open slightly, his expression a mix of awe and disbelief.

“Is this place real?” he asked.

“Very much so.”

“How do you get anything done all day surrounded by all this?”

“Would you believe me if I said you get used to it?”

Joey snorted. “Knowing you, you’ve got a new girl every night.”

“It was like that in the beginning.” Dante chafed a bit under Joey’s knowing glance. It had been no secret that Dante enjoyed being single and having nothing tying him down while they were in high school and college. Things were different since he took on the mantle of being a Dom. He held a lot of control over his subs and the women in his dungeon. He didn’t want to promise them anything he couldn’t give them, like monogamy. Dante didn’t want to get wrapped up in feelings and commitment. Until recently, that is. But that wasn’t something he was ready to process right now. Certainly not until he knew if Emma was just sowing wild oats or if she was looking for a permanent relationship.

As they embarked on a tour of the resort, Joey’s head swiveled around at everything: the immaculate gardens, the pristine white buildings adorned with intricate iron-work balconies, the opulent pool area—all of it seemed to dazzle him.

“Over there,” Dante pointed out, “is where the main fashion shows take place. The runway is state-of-the-art, and we’ve had some of the most renowned designers showcase their work here.”

“Hard to believe this is all near our little hometown, huh?” Joey said, still marveling at the surroundings.

“Things have certainly changed since we were kids,” Dante agreed, watching as a group of models were being prepped for an upcoming event. Joey’s eyes roamed over the models’ elegant gowns and the way they moved with practiced grace. Their makeup artists and stylists fluttered around them like hummingbirds, applying last-minute touches before they hit the runway.

“How does someone get an introduction to these ladies?” Joey asked.

“Hey, Crystal,” Dante called out, catching the attention of one of the models who Emma had helped get seed pearls for her Halloween costume. “This is Joey Hartley, Emma’s brother.”

Crystal smiled warmly, extending her hand to Joey. “Nice to meet you, Joey. We all adore your sister. She’s been such a great addition to the Couture team.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Dante could see the wheels turning in Joey’s head as he tried to reconcile the sophisticated world of high fashion with his little sister’s role in it.

“Everyone seems so happy,” Joey observed, watching as staff members moved about their tasks with efficiency and cheerfulness. He paused, taking in the vibrant atmosphere that surrounded them. “I’m glad Emma has found her place here.”

In that moment, Dante felt an odd mix of relief and trepidation. He’d managed to protect both Emma’s secret and Joey’s peace of mind for now, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was balancing on the edge of a precipice, one wrong step away from disaster. It didn’t help that Kiki was eyeing Joey like she wanted to have him for lunch.

“Let’s go and pay her a visit,” Dante said, leading him to her office.

Emma wasn’t at her desk, but Colleen and Tee were there.

“Joey, this is Colleen, the owner of Couture,” Dante said, gesturing. “And this is Tee, her right-hand.”

“Nice to meet you both.” Joey extended his hand to each of them. “This place is incredible.”

“Thank you. I wanted to provide a restful and educational retreat for industry professionals,” Colleen said. “We’re always striving to create a luxurious and unique experience for our guests.”

And then Emma was there, emerging from a side room with a clipboard in her hands and a distracted expression on her face.

She looked up and saw them, her steps faltering. Her mouth fell open in shock, the clipboard tumbling from her suddenly numb fingers.

“Joey? What are you doing here?”

Dante watched as myriad emotions flickered across Emma’s face—surprise, confusion, and embarrassment. Her cheeks flushed a delicate pink, and she quickly bent to retrieve the fallen clipboard, her hair falling forward to shield her face.

“Surprise!” Joey enveloped her in a bear hug, lifting her off her feet. “I wanted to come see where you work.”

Emma extricated herself from his embrace, smoothing down her hair and shooting a furtive glance in Dante’s direction. He met her gaze steadily, trying to convey reassurance and support. He knew this couldn’t be easy for her, having her brother show up unannounced in a place where she was trying to forge her own identity. A place where she was exploring desires she wasn’t ready for her brother to know about. Hell, he wasn’t ready for Joey to know about them yet either.

And Dante was wondering what Emma had thought about his request for tomorrow night.

“That’s...that’s great, Joey.” Emma’s voice was strained, her smile a little too bright. “As long as you’re not checking up on me.”

“A brother should be concerned about his baby sister.”

“I’m not a baby,” she said, almost between her teeth.

Colleen stepped forward with a polished smile. “Emma has been an invaluable asset to our team. We’re lucky to have her.”

Emma cleared her throat, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Thank you. Anyway, I should probably get back to work. I’ve got a lot to do before the next event.”

“Of course,” Joey said, giving her another quick hug. “I don’t want to keep you from your duties. But maybe we can grab dinner at one of the restaurants here later?”

Emma hesitated, her eyes flicking to Dante again. “You’re staying here?”

“I’ve got a day pass. I figured I might as well take advantage of it.”

“That sounds great. I get off work around six. I can make us a reservation at Siesta.”

Joey loved Mexican food, but Dante would have preferred Alfredo’s. Still, Dante could have Alfredo’s every night. “We’ll meet you there. Right now, I think I’ll get Joey here a bathing suit and we can hit the pool.”

Joey nearly rubbed his hands together in glee. Some of the shadows had left his eyes, and Dante was grateful that Colleen had allowed him to come here. He needed a break like this. Now all Dante had to do was to keep him from finding out about Club Inferno a few floors below them.

***

EMMA

The last person Emma had expected to see today was Joey. She had still been reeling from Dante’s bombshell message. No mask. Underwear optional. The thought filled her with equal parts dread and longing. Then, just when she had almost convinced herself that she was going to do it—that she could do it—she runs smack dab into her brother.

That was something else that she couldn’t quite get her head around. Joey was here in Couture. Club Inferno was an elevator trip away. It was way too close for her. And now that he and Dante were apparently going to spend the day together, it would no doubt reinforce in Dante’s mind that she was just Joey’s kid sister.

And to make matters worse, she had to hear a bunch of the models coo over her brother and how hot he was. Gross. Even Kiki Pretty said, “That boy’s got rizz.”

When it was time for dinner, Emma rode the elevator to restaurant row. As she pushed open the door to Siesta, the scent of spices and sizzling fajitas filled her nostrils, momentarily distracting her from her worries. She glanced around, looking for her brother. The walls of the restaurant were adorned with paintings that brought the spirit of Mexico to life. She spotted Joey and Dante sitting at a booth near the back, their faces lit up with laughter. Her heart skipped a beat at the sight of Dante—his dark hair, strong jawline, and intense eyes drew her in like a moth to a flame.

“Hey, kiddo.” Joey grinned, waving her over. “You won’t believe the day I’ve had.”

She slid into the booth next to her brother, her gaze lingering on Dante for a moment before turning her full attention to Joey. “I’m almost afraid to ask.”

Joey’s eyes sparkled with excitement, a happiness she hadn’t seen in him for a long time. “I got a few phone numbers from some models, and they all promised to write to me when I’m back on base.”

“Yeah, you stirred things up,” Emma said. “It’s like they’ve never seen a soldier before.”

“Not bad for a day’s work.” Dante elbowed Joey with a smirk. “This guy was playing the special forces card hard. I thought a couple of those girls were going to fall right into his lap.”

“Can you blame me?”

“Colleen took care of the bill,” the waiter informed them, his smile genuine and warm. “Please, order whatever you like.”

“Well, all right.” Joey beamed and immediately ordered a pitcher of margaritas, raising his glass once they arrived. “To us.”

She clinked her glass against his and Dante’s before taking a sip of the tangy cocktail. The sour taste mingled with the tinge of sweetness on her tongue, and she relished the sensation.

“Hey, Dante,” Joey said between bites of spicy enchiladas. “Which model are you seeing these days?”

Emma stiffened, her stomach twisting into knots. A subtle flame of jealousy licked at her chest, and she stared down at her plate, suddenly finding the arrangement of her tacos fascinating.

“Actually,” Dante replied, pausing to take a drink from his margarita, “since I work as a therapist here at Couture, it would be a conflict of interest to get involved with any of the models.”

Joey chuckled, shaking his head. “That’s poetic justice, man. You had quite the reputation back in college.”

“Mmm.” Emma managed a brittle smile. She tried to appear indifferent as she toyed with her napkin, but inside she was screaming. The thought of Dante with another woman made her want to claw someone’s eyes out.

She took another sip of her margarita, letting the alcohol soothe her nerves momentarily. But visions of Dante domming someone else haunted her, even though she knew she had no claim over him.

As they continued eating, she focused on the flavors of her meal, the zesty spices and tender meat providing a temporary reprieve from her tortured thoughts.

“Are you okay, Emma?” Joey asked, concern etched on his face as he studied her.

She forced a smile, nodding. “I’m fine. Just lost in thought.”

“Enjoying the food?” Dante’s gaze met hers, those piercing eyes seeming to peer into her very soul.

“Very much,” she managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s delicious.”

“Good.” His lips curved into a brief smile before returning to his own plate.

Emma suddenly became aware of the weight of her decision, the choice to reveal herself to Dante without the security of her mask. Being so close to him kick-started a riot of longing and trepidation within her. But would she always be little Emma Hartley to him? The bratty tagalong. Joey’s baby sister. A nuisance, not a woman to take seriously, let alone claim and master.

Pain lanced through her at the bleak thought. Maybe she should just keep her mask on tomorrow or cancel the dungeon appointment. Reject him before he could reject her. But deep down, Emma knew she wouldn’t. Couldn’t. She craved Dante’s dominance too much. Even if he shattered her fantasy and her heart in the process, she had to play this out. Had to know if she could be the submissive he needed.

But for now, she would focus on her brother’s happiness and the laughter that filled the room. Platters of steaming enchiladas, tacos, and fresh guacamole crowded the table. Emma reached for a crispy tortilla chip, but her fingers trembled and she tipped her margarita glass.

Dante’s hand shot out and righted it before more than a splash could spill. “Careful there.”

His fingers brushed hers and an electric tingle raced up her arm. She snatched her hand back. “S-sorry...”

Oblivious, Joey waved the waiter over. “We’ll have another round, amigo. Keep ’em coming.” His words slurred slightly, a goofy grin plastered on his face.

“Might want to slow down.” Dante’s low rumble sent shivers down Emma’s spine. “This stuff will sneak up on you.”

Joey snorted and took a hefty gulp. “Got to enjoy it while I can.”

After dinner, Joey stumbled getting up from the table, the margaritas clearly having gone to his head. He blinked owlishly and grabbed the back of his chair for support.

“Whoa there, buddy.” Dante shot out a hand to steady Joey. “I think maybe I should drive you home.”

Emma rose too. “I can drive his car. That way you don’t have to pay for a cab to get back here later.”

She tried to keep the eagerness out of her voice, but the thought of even a few minutes alone with Dante made her pulse race.

But Dante just shook his head. “Nah, I don’t mind. Besides, this way you can head straight up and get some rest.” His gaze flicked over her, dark and unreadable. “Big day tomorrow.”

Emma’s heart plummeted, but she forced a smile. “Right. Of course.” Did he know? Did he already suspect she was Queen Mab? No. That was ridiculous. She was letting her emotions run riot over her common sense. Still, disappointment sat like a stone in her gut as she watched Dante loop an arm around Joey and maneuver him toward the door.

Then they were gone, and Emma was left standing alone in the empty restaurant, an unaccountable heaviness weighing on her chest. She knew she should probably be grateful for the time to gather her thoughts, to steel herself for what tomorrow would bring.

Sighing, Emma made her way to the elevator, her finger hovering over the button for her floor. But at the last second, she punched the number for the lower level instead. If she was going to do this, really do this, then she needed to see the dungeon again. Needed to imagine herself in that space, on her knees before Dante, without her mask to hide behind.

The elevator delivered her to the darkened hallway with a muted ding, and Emma stepped out on shaky legs. The air felt different down here, charged with a dark energy that prickled along her skin and tightened her nipples. The muffled sounds of pleasure and pain drifted out from behind the locked doors, a forbidden soundtrack.

Emma drifted past the dungeon that she had visited before, trailing her fingers over the elaborate scrollwork. The wood was warm, almost vibrating beneath her touch. As if the collective desires of the club’s patrons had seeped into the very walls.

She closed her eyes, picturing Dante looming over her. His big body caging her in, those blunt fingers wrapping around her throat. Owning her.

Cherishing her...

A whimper escaped her lips, and Emma stumbled back from the door. Who was she kidding? Dante would take one look at her, stripped bare of all her pretenses, and send her away in disgust. Why would he want a timid little mouse like her when he could have his pick of more experienced subs? Women who wouldn’t balk at his darkest, most depraved demands.

But even as the doubts crowded in, choking her, a small voice rose up to defy them. The same voice that had led her to slip on a mask in the first place and descend into this hidden world.

She was tired of being a coward, tired of letting her fears rule her. Maybe Dante would reject her, maybe he would shatter her heart into a million jagged pieces. But she had to know for sure. Had to take the risk.

As she rode the elevator back to her apartment, she entertained the idea of defying Dante’s instructions, wearing the mask in spite of his orders. And if Dante didn’t approve, if he decided to punish her for her bit of rebellion, well...

Maybe that was exactly what she was hoping for.