Chapter Twelve

EMMA

As Emma lay beside Dante, her heart still racing from their passionate encounter, she traced delicate patterns on his chest, feeling the rise and fall of his breathing beneath her fingertips. There was something else she needed to talk to him about, but the words caught in her throat. This was the moment she had been simultaneously longing for and dreading. Part of her wanted to burrow deeper into his embrace, to avoid the conversation entirely. But she was trying to be brave and there was still a little of Queen Mab left in her that allowed her to blurt it out.

“We need to tell Joey about us before he leaves,” she said.

Dante’s fingers stilled on her back. “I know.”

What if Joey disapproved? What if their relationship caused a rift between Dante and him? What if Joey blamed her for breaking up their friendship? A thousand terrible scenarios played out in her mind, each ending in heartache and loss.

“I don’t need his permission to date you, but I would like his blessing,” Dante said.

“What if he doesn’t understand?”

“I’m not going to give him details,” he scoffed. “What we share...it’s sacred. And complex. More than he could comprehend. And it’s none of his damned business.”

Cradling the back of Dante’s neck, Emma guided his forehead to rest against hers in the barest hint of a nuzzle. In that infinite pause, she found her resolve strengthening like tempered steel. This was her life now, their unorthodox brand of passion that somehow struck a perfect chord between them. She couldn’t hide from it.

“I just want him to know that we’re together and be okay with it,” Emma said.

“I agree, and if he does get upset, then that’s his issue to deal with.”

“He’s been different about a lot of things after his tours. This last one really did a number on him.”

Dante nodded sadly. “He’s worried about you too. But I think while he might be shocked at first, he’ll come to realize that I love you and will always protect you.”

Emma bolted up. “Love me?”

He smiled. “Of course.”

She smacked him, unable to believe that this wasn’t him teasing her. “Don’t play around with something like that.”

“I wouldn’t.”

“I love you too,” Emma said. “For the longest time.”

“I’m glad you finally decided to let me know.” His palm cradled the curve of her jaw, fingertips just brushing the sensitive hollow beneath her ear as he pulled her into a scorching kiss.

For the first time in her life, Emma felt truly alive. Dante’s touch had unlocked something inside her she never knew existed. She felt confident, powerful...free. He’d shown her the ropes, pun intended, and she couldn’t get enough.

***

DANTE

This wasn’t going to be a fun conversation. Dante imagined that no one wanted to hear, “Hey, I’m fucking your sister.” And even if he phrased it that he and Emma were in love and dating, Dante was sure that Joey would hear the former.

He spotted Joey sitting alone at the bar, and he made his way over. Might as well get this over with. If he was lucky, Joey would throw a few punches and then they’d have a few drinks and get over it.

“It’s about time. I’ve been sitting here wishing I was back at Couture with all the hotties,” Joey said. “What are you drinking?”

“Beer.” He took a seat on the stool beside Joey and signaled for the bartender.

After the bartender slid two bottles over to them, Dante and Joey clinked them in a silent toast before taking a sip.

“So, what’s this all about?” Joey asked. “Why did you want to meet up tonight?” His expression was curious, but guarded, like he already knew something was off.

Dante took a deep breath, steeling himself for the conversation ahead. But just then, a woman strode into the bar and everyone turned to look.

“Shit,” Dante muttered.

Kiki Pretty sauntered in. She wore a short skirt and a matching jacket with one button. It didn’t look like she was wearing anything underneath it either.

“Hot damn, she’s coming this way,” Joey said.

Yes, she was. And Dante recognized the look in her eye. The spiteful bitch hadn’t liked being assigned to another Dom. She must have followed him here. But what was her endgame? As she approached, she flashed him a mischievous smile.

“Hey, Dante,” she said, her voice low and seductive. “Mind if I join you?” Without waiting for an answer, she slid onto the barstool next to him, her body brushing against his.

“Yes, Kiki, I do mind. You’re interrupting a private conversation,” Dante said with enough steel in his voice to make her flinch back.

“Let’s not be too hasty,” Joey said. “Is this your girl?”

Kiki grinned, revealing a wicked glint in her eyes. “I used to be,” she said, batting her eyelashes innocently. “Until he dumped me.”

Dante felt a knot form in his stomach. Oh, here we go.

“Yeah,” Joey said. “He does that. But I’m available.”

“Are you?” Kiki moved to sit on Dante’s lap.

He shoved her off and she would have lost her balance if Joey hadn’t steadied her. “What’s your problem, man?” Joey asked him.

Kiki fake sniffled. “It’s okay. Dante likes it rough.”

“Kiki,” Dante warned, livid.

“I’m sorry, sir,” she said meekly. “Are you going to punish me now?”

“Punish you?” Joey asked. “What kind of sick psycho shit is this?”

“It’s nothing,” Dante said. “Just a woman scorned. You know the deal.”

Kiki’s eyes flashed in anger.

Dante took a deep breath, steadying himself before he lost his temper with her. “Kiki,” he said, his voice calm but firm, “it’s time for you to leave.”

A flicker of defiance crossed Kiki’s features, but it was quickly replaced by a sneer. “Fine by me,” she huffed. “But I wanted to show you something first,” she said to Joey, her voice low and seductive.

“Don’t do it,” Dante warned. He couldn’t believe she was going to risk her career as a model at Couture and the lawsuits Colleen would level on her like a ton of bricks. And yet, she still hadn’t said a word about Club Inferno. She was keeping it personal, if vindictive as hell.

Kiki unbuttoned the jacket and turned around. She was topless, but as she eased the jacket down to the middle of her back, all Joey saw was her back and shoulders.

Dante knew there were probably reddened whip marks, especially if she just came from a session. Joey’s eyes widened in shock as he took the welts, his expression shifting from confusion to anger. “What the hell is this? Who did this to you?” he demanded, his voice rising with each word.

Joey the protector. He couldn’t see that Kiki didn’t need his protection.

Dante clenched his jaw, frustrated. “It’s not what you think,” he started, but Joey’s hand shot up, silencing him.

“Are you into some messed-up stuff, Dante?” Joey’s tone was accusing, and Dante could see the disappointment swirling in his friend’s gaze. His fists clenched as he struggled to find the words to explain without revealing too much about his lifestyle.

Before Dante could respond, Kiki leaned in closer to Joey, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper. “He’s a Dom, Joey. He gets off on beating women.”

Well, so much for telling Joey that he was with Emma now. That would bring this shit show to a whole new level.

“Is that true?” Joey asked him.

“Kiki likes to cause trouble,” Dante said instead of answering him. “And she doesn’t like the fact that her actions have consequences. Like this little scene here.” He picked up the phone and called Istvahn. When his friend answered, he said, “Kiki Pretty followed me to a bar and is running her mouth.”

“Dante, don’t,” Kiki said, trying to grab the phone out of his hand and button up her jacket at the same time.

“I’ll file a complaint when I get back, but I want her gone by tonight,” Dante said.

“I’m on it,” Istvahn replied.

“You can’t do that!” she said, panic in her eyes.

Dante pocketed his phone once Istvahn confirmed that he’d have Kiki’s apartment cleaned out and her things ready to leave right away.

“Your membership to Couture has been revoked,” Dante said. “You can wait in the lobby while they bring your stuff to you.” She would know that would also include her membership to Club Inferno.

“Fuck you, Dante,” she snarled, and stormed out of the bar.

“What the hell was that all about?” Joey asked.

“Models.” Dante shrugged.

“Yeah.” Joey drank from his beer, still staring after Kiki. “So she was your girlfriend?”

“Not exactly,” Dante hedged. Then decided, fuck it. Kiki had already outed him. “Do you know what a Dom is?”

“Yeah, it’s like the Gimp from Pulp Fiction.”

“No,” Dante said, shaking his head. He pointed to where Kiki had stormed out. “That was the Gimp.”

“I’m confused,” Joey said.

“You can’t be that confused. You’ve got the Internet and seen movies and shit.” Dante rolled his eyes. “Look, being a Dom means I enjoy the dominant role in a BDSM relationship. It’s about control, trust, and mutual satisfaction. Kiki was my submissive for a while, but things didn’t end well between us. And, as you can see, she’s a spiteful little bitch.”

Joey’s eyes widened in surprise, but Dante could see the gears turning in his friend’s head as he processed the information. “So, you...you like to...beat women?” Joey asked cautiously.

Dante nodded, bracing himself for Joey’s reaction. “Men too.”

Joey blinked.

“It’s not always sexual. I’m a sadist.”

“People seek you out to whip their ass?”

“Sometimes, quite literally.”

“Huh.”

“It’s completely consensual and safe. Both my sub and I have clear boundaries and rules. It’s not about abuse or violence. It’s about fulfilling desires and exploring trust.”

“You keep saying trust.”

“That’s because it takes a lot of trust between the parties involved. A trust that Kiki just broke by outing me to you.”

“Is that why you had her kicked out of Couture?”

Careful. He had to be careful about this so Joey didn’t connect Couture with any BDSM activities. Dante probably shouldn’t have even said Couture before when he was talking to Kiki. “Yes. I didn’t want her to turn her claws on Emma.”

And while that was true, the real reason was he didn’t want Kiki to betray anyone else’s trust.

“Good thinking,” Joey said. “Thanks, man.”

Of course, it was all about protecting Emma. Dante could even imagine how his next words could possibly be: I’m dating your sister.

“Okay,” Joey said slowly. “Well, that was way too much information about your personal life that I didn’t want to know.”

“I would have spared you if I could,” Dante said.

“I may not understand it completely, but if that’s what makes you happy and it’s all consensual, then who am I to judge?” Joey said, and ordered them another round.

Yeah, Dante was pretty sure if his sister was involved, Joey would be judging plenty.