Beneath the Scars (Masters of the Shadowlands #13)(11)

His smile grew. “I’m pleased. However, hear me out. There is more.”

Hasty. Don’t be hasty.

“Since the members indulge in unusual practices, so to speak, you will be required to read and sign the membership agreement—your fees are waived, of course. There is also a background check and physical.”

A physical and background? “But…you’re serious?”

“Quite. The members rely on the club to ensure their privacy and safety.”

“Oh.” Then again, what did she care? She was healthy and law-abiding. Sheesh, she didn’t even get parking tickets. “Sure, that’s not a problem.”

“Good. Now, since the club is outside of your comfort zone, you may consider next Friday and Saturday a test. We’ll talk afterward.”

She let out a relieved breath. “That’s more than fair. Thank you.”

“In that case, you’ll have the terms, the application and membership agreement, and an appointment for the doctor’s visit in the morning.”

Good grief, he moved fast.

This was good, she told herself. She couldn’t afford to be out of work long. “All right.”

“I look forward to seeing you this Friday. The previous bartender’s name is Cullen, and he’ll handle your orientation.” He smiled and tapped her door. “Lock that before I leave.”

He was one bossy boss, wasn’t he? She shut the door, flipped the lock, and heard him stride away.

She blew out a breath. She hadn’t even been unemployed for two hours.

But…a BDSM club? Lord help her.

*

Next door, Holt settled back in his chair and smiled at his remaining three guests. Wasn’t it amazing how happy Zuri appeared? When he saw her last, she’d been terrified of meeting Max and Alastair’s family. “Did you enjoy your Thanksgiving in Colorado?”

Her face lit up. “Oh, Holt, you should see the Drago ranch. The Dragos were incredibly nice. I even learned to ride.”

“Mmm, I see.” Holt lifted an eyebrow.

Snickering, she threw an ice cube at him. “Ride horses, you pervert. Get your mind out of the gutter.”

When Max simply snorted and Alastair’s lips curved up, Holt was relieved. He and Zuri had originally played together in the Shadowlands, but their relationship had changed into that of siblings. She was the little sister he’d never had.

Working in the peds ICU, he ran into Alastair now and then, and knew the doc was extremely even-tempered. The cop, Max, on the other hand, carried a weapon. So, it was nice that Zuri’s two new lovers weren’t threatened by the past. The little subbie’d chosen well.

“Your new neighbor seems quite nice,” Alastair commented.

Holt nodded. Although Josie didn’t seem to like him much, she’d charmed everyone. He glanced at Zuri. “Did you get to know her at the Highlands?”

“No. When I lived here, she’d visit her great-aunt in the other half of the duplex. I guess when Mrs. Avery sprained her ankle last month, Josie wanted to live closer.”

“She found a house for rent right next door? That’s luck,” Max said.

Zuri snorted. “It’d been for sale for ages. The place is a dump, and they had no takers.”

Alastair turned to eye the house. “That’s a big building for one person.”

“There are two of them. She has a kid,” Holt said. “Maybe ten or eleven or so.”

“Carson’s eleven,” Zuri said. “He’s a sweetheart.”

“An eleven-year-old?” Max frowned. “Unless I’m off base on her age, she’d have been a youngster herself when she had him.”

A youngster? Holt considered. Josie was late twenties, maybe. Twenty-eight minus eleven…ouch.

“A teenage pregnancy. I bet that was rough.” Zuri curled deeper into her chair and leaned her head against Max’s arm. “She didn’t seem very comfortable with you, boo.”

Trust Zuri to have noticed. Holt’s jaw tensed. “Guess some people aren’t comfortable looking at scars.”

“What?” Zuri said.

Oh hell, he shouldn’t have said anything. The guy who’d knifed him had been after Zuri, and she still felt guilty. Even worse, she and the Doms knew Nadia had dumped him because of the scars. “It’s no big deal. I—”

Zuri straightened. “Josie’s better than that. She wouldn’t—”

“Easy, princess.” Max gave a tug on one of Zuri’s corkscrew curls.

“But—”

“She might have other reasons for being uncomfortable.” Alastair set his hand over hers. “Perhaps she’s uneasy around men?”

“Pffft. She works in a bar, and men are always coming onto her. That shouldn’t bother her.” Zuri shook her head.

A bartender. That was a unique profession. He had to say, in her tailored black vest and white shirt, she’d looked both sexy and professional.

However, she didn’t want to be around him. “How she feels is how she feels, Zuri. If I make her uncomfortable, I’ll keep my distance.”

Zuri’s eyes narrowed. “I have trouble believing Josie’d be like that, but we’ll see. However, if I ever run into Nadia, I’ll give her a smackdown she won’t forget.”