IzzyAs I step back behind the curtain, Eva is waiting, watching with a knowing smile.โNot bad, Gabby,โ she says, her voice carrying a hint of pride. โSo about this guy.โ Her eyes are steady, understanding in a way that feels comforting, like Iโm not as lost in this as I thought.โIt wonโt ever work, you know?โ I admit, the uncertainty twisting in my stomach. โWhat he likes, Iโve never done anything like that. I wouldnโt know where to start.โEva raises an eyebrow, a glint of something in her eyes. โHailey!โ she calls out, catching the attention of our manager. I look at her, confused, as Hailey approaches.โYou know how Iโm over at Delouxe Chambers for the rest of the night? Any chance we can split Gabbyโs work between here and there?โ Eva says smoothly, glancing at me with a smirk.Delouxe Chambers? I canโt even hide the confusion in my face as I try to process what sheโs setting up. Before I can ask, Hailey sighs. "I'll need to check," Hailey says before walking off.I start dress
IzzyMy heart races with a mixture of anxiety and excitement as I follow Eva into Delouxe Chambers. She catches my eye and offers a reassuring smile, her voice calm but firm.โWeโll stay in the communal area for now,โ she murmurs, her tone soothing. โI wonโt take you into the private rooms yet.โ She winks, a mischievous glint in her eye.I nod, though curiosity eats away at me. โWhatโs the difference?โ I ask, my voice barely steady, a trace of nerves slipping through.โCommunal is more relaxed,โ she explains, her words measured, her gaze sweeping over the room ahead. โItโs where men and women come to drink, unwind, with the workers nearby, creating an atmosphere of quiet power. Private, on the other hand, is one-on-one. Thatโs where specific requests are made.โ She meets my gaze, her voice softer, almost conspiratorial. โAnything from domination, humiliation, to more intimate exchanges, including sex. But rememberโyou only do what youโre comfortable with.โWe step further in, and the
IzzyโWhat about those private rooms?โ I press, keeping my tone casual. โIf I wanted to learn more, would what Iโm doing out here be enough training?โEvaโs gaze sharpens, picking up on my curiosity. โNot quite. The private rooms are different. If youโre serious, youโd need to observe some of the Dominatrix's up close and watch how they work. But if youโre interested, I can set it up for you tomorrow night.โI nod quickly, eager to dig deeper into Zadeโs world, to understand what draws him here. The questions build within me, and I can feel the excitementโthe need to figure out what Zade wants, craves, and why he needs this hidden side of himself.Eva gestures for me to follow, her heels clicking softly as she weaves further into the room, her steps purposeful and confident. My pulse quickens as we pass by the velvet lounges and alcoves, taking in every flicker of movement, every subtle exchange of power. Eva stops at a plush armchair where a man sits, masked and handcuffed, his postu
ZadeI havenโt seen Izzy since work, and itโs starting to gnaw at me. Sheโs been close with Sammi lately, always stopping by or at least making an appearance, but tonight, thereโs been nothing. A part of me is itching to ask Grayson if heโs heard from her, to see if he knows where sheโs gone, but doing that? Itโd be admitting I care, more than I should. Getting sucked in is a trap I canโt afford, so I shove down the urge and stay seated at the table, my eyes drifting over the dancers who know better than to approach me right now.I turn my head as the door opens, and Eva strolls in. She makes her way over and sits across from me, her gaze assessing.โWe lost a dancer,โ I start, my tone dry. โGo on, tell me all about it. Iโm sure the whole scene sent her running for the hills.โ I settle back, waiting to hear how โCandyโ handled it.But Eva only chuckles, shaking her head. โActually, youโd be surprised. Sheโs a natural. Young, yes, but she took to it like that.โ She snaps her fingers, s
ZadeI move quickly, closing the distance and slipping inside Graysonโs office just as she enters the other room. Her date, completely oblivious, steps toward the door, and I seize my chance. Grabbing him by the collar, I yank him into the shadows of the office, his eyes going wide with shock.โZadeโโBefore he can finish, my arm snakes around his neck, and I pull him against me, tightening my grip as he starts to struggle. Thereโs no way heโs going to touch her, not now, not ever. He claws at my arms, his body thrashing against mine, but I hold tight, tightening until his struggles start to slow. I keep squeezing until heโs motionless, ensuring heโll never be a problem for her again. Finally, I release him, letting his lifeless body drop to the floor.My chest heaves as I look down at him, the reality of what Iโve done settling over me. Itโs done. There were other ways to handle this, I know that, but none would have been as final. None would have guaranteed that heโd stay out of her
IzzyBack at my apartment, I sink onto the couch, feeling the weight of disappointment settle over me. My place is simple and unclutteredโdark wood floors, walls painted a soft gray, and the minimal furniture I managed to collect. A small, dark green sofa sits against one wall, a vintage reading lamp casting warm light across the living room. Books line the shelves, everything carefully organized, almost obsessively so. But tonight, even the familiar calm of my space isnโt enough to settle my mind.I don't have a lot. I refuse to ask for handouts. If I can't afford it with my own money, I won't get it. Which everyone is pissed at me for. I told Zade, Grayson and them I wanted the basic salary for the job I'm doing, nothing more.My mind goes to tonight. Iโm trying to make sense of itโJake was all over me, eager, practically drooling at the chance. And then he justโฆ vanished. After all that build-up, he left me in the back rooms without a word. Maybe it was because I let it slip that I
IzzyWhen I wake, itโs five, and my heart pounds with anticipation as I reach for my phone, sending a message to check in with Darren.Izzy: Still coming by?His reply comes quickly, and relief blooms inside me.Darren: Just finishing up some calls, then Iโm on my way.At least heโs still interested, unlike so many others who ghosted just before meeting.Izzy: Hopefully you donโt run like every other guy Iโve spoken to on this appโฆDarren: Running isnโt in my nature. I never run.A small smile pulls at my lips; maybe he really is different.Izzy: Good, Iโm going to text from my phone xSwitching to text, I hit his number.Hi. Itโs Izzy.Minutes go by, and I start searching for something to wear, trying to distract myself from the nerves twisting inside. But then, my phone vibrates.Hi Izzy, Iโm just about to set off. Are you sure you want me to come to your place and not somewhere public?A laugh slips out. Bit late to be asking that now, but his cautiousness is almost charming.No, m
IzzyIโm lost in thought when Zade shifts in his chair, his gaze steady on me. โSo,โ he says casually, the barest hint of amusement in his voice, โhow was your night, your date?โMy eyes narrow, irritation simmering just beneath the surface. He knows about the dateโGrayson mustโve told him. And here he is, prying, acting like heโs curious. โFine,โ I snap, not bothering to hide the edge in my tone.His eyes linger, studying me, the look on his face both unreadable and annoyingly persistent. โCome on, Izzy,โ he coaxes, his tone low and easy. โFine doesnโt sound like the whole story. Grayson mentioned you were going on a date, and Iโm just curious, thatโs all. Didnโt think youโd be in such a mood the next day.โโOh, it was great.โ I plaster on a fake smile, leaning back with my arms folded, doing my best to keep my expression light, mocking. If he wants to act like he cares, I can play along. โThe date was amazing. He stayed all night.โA flicker crosses Zadeโs face, barely noticeable, b
ZadeI knew if I waited, things would go wrong, which is why I proposed to Izzy sooner than I had planned. Good job I did as if I hadn't. I was meant to be proposing right now, which isn't ideal.The room is buzzing with controlled chaos. Nurses move efficiently around us, murmuring instructions and checking monitors. Izzy lies in the hospital bed, her face flushed, hair damp with sweat, and hands clutching mine like a lifeline. Her grip is strongโstronger than I ever expectedโbut I welcome the pain. Itโs grounding me, keeping me in the moment when I feel like I might lose my mind.โZade, breathe,โ Izzy groans, her voice strained as another contraction overtakes her. โYouโre supposed to remind me to breathe, not forget how to do it yourself.โI snap out of my daze, nodding quickly. โRight. Breathe, Izzy. Deep breaths.โ I mimic the motion, inhaling and exhaling like Iโm teaching her something she hasnโt been doing perfectly for hours.She glares at me between breaths, sweat beading on
IzzyI canโt help but smile at Zade as he drives, his hands steady on the wheel, his profile glowing in the soft morning light. Time has slipped by so quickly. It feels like only yesterday we were grappling with fears and uncertainty, and now here we are. Zade has been by my side so much more than I ever expected. He still works, but not nearly as much as he did before. Somehow, heโs found a balance, and itโs brought us closer in ways I didnโt think possible.While heโs working, I spend most of my time at home with Sammi and baby Emmerson. Itโs been heartwarming to watch Sammi and Grayson navigate parenthood together, their bond strengthening with every passing day. Watching their joy gives me hopeโhope that Zade and I can have something just as beautiful with our baby.Zade has been going to counseling regularly, and I see pieces of the real him emerging more and more each week. The man beneath the armor he built to survive, to lead the mafia, to bury his painโthat man is someone ext
Zade POVI lose myself in her, time slipping away as I drink her in, the salty-sweet flavor of her flooding my senses. She collapses into the bed eventually, her body limp, a satisfied sigh escaping her lips. Even now, her walls quiver, her body still coming down as I lick the last remnants of her release.When I finally pull away, I move up her body and kiss her with a desperate need, our lips crashing together in a possessive claim. Iโm hard again, painfully so, but thereโs no rush. Tonight, thereโs no clock ticking down, no interruptions, just us.โAlright,โ I say, standing to strip the last of my clothes, my eyes devouring her sprawled form. โLetโs keep going.โShe whimpers, weak from the relentless pleasure, and reaches for me, her hands trembling as they find my shoulders. โZade,โ she murmurs, but Iโm nowhere near done.Izzy tastes like heaven, pure and raw, a flavor I never want to forget. My lips return to her swollen clit, teasing and tormenting her again. Her body jerks as s
ZadeAs I help Izzy into my car, her radiant smile reminds me just how much Iโve been neglecting her. Iโve been so consumed with making sure Grayson is home with Sammi and the baby that Iโve failed the one person who needed me mostโher. The guilt eats at me as I start the engine, and I steal glances at her, soaking in her beauty, her strength, her unwavering patience with me.She pulls something from her bag and holds it out to meโa scan image. My heart twists as I take it, running my fingers over the black-and-white lines that outline our baby.โIโm sorry I missed it,โ I whisper, the weight of regret heavy in my voice.Her smile is soft, understanding. โItโs fine. You were working and making sure Grayson was home for Sammi and the baby.โ Her words are kind, but they cut deep. Missing this moment wasnโt fine, and I canโt let it happen again.When we arrive, I park and immediately step out, going to her side and lifting her into my arms. She laughs lightly, her arms wrapping around my
Izzy POVHis dark eyes burn into mine, a mixture of frustration and desire. โYouโre playing a dangerous game, Izzy,โ he murmurs, his voice low and hoarse.I lean in, letting my breath ghost over his lips. โGood. I want to play, Zade. And this time, I make the rules.โโYou want to fuck me?โ His voice is low, teasing, as his dark eyes bore into mine, a smirk playing on his lips. The sight of him, restrained and vulnerable yet brimming with raw power, ignites something primal in me. I chuckle softly, leaning in to capture his lips, grinding against him as I feel him stir beneath me.โOh, you have no idea how much I want to fuck you,โ I murmur against his lips, my voice husky with desire. Pulling back, I let a wicked smile curl on my lips. โYouโre all mine now,โ I whisper, my words dripping with dominance. Slowly, deliberately, I sink to my knees in front of him, maintaining eye contact as my hands glide over his thighs.His breath hitches when I reach up, my fingers wrapping around his s
IzzyItโs been two months since we came back, and while Zade and I have grown closer, some days feel like weโre barely keeping our heads above water. The distance that came with my pregnancy has dissolved, and his promise to fuck me every day? Heโs kept it. But most of the time, itโs rushed, like an obligation rather than passion.I understand whyโheโs juggling too much. He practically ordered Grayson to stay home for a couple of months after Sammi had the baby, leaving him to hold everything together. Sure, his brothers are around to help, but Zade hardly leans on them. Itโs as if heโs still carrying the weight of raising them, of being their protector, even now.Today was supposed to be different. It was the scan, the moment Iโve been excited about for weeks. But, at the last minute, he got a callโsomething urgent, something he couldnโt ignoreโand I found myself in the clinic with my mum instead of him. All I got from Zade was a quick message asking how it went. No follow-up, no exc
Izzy POVThe moment Zade walks in, the tension between us hangs in the air like a storm waiting to break. We talk briefly, my voice trembling as I tell him the words that have been weighing on my heart: โIโm keeping the baby.โ Relief flickers across his face, but itโs not pure joyโitโs layered with fear, uncertainty, and something I canโt quite place. He doesnโt say much after that, just pulls me into his arms, holding me close. I melt into him, exhaustion taking over as I fall asleep wrapped in his warmth.When I wake, the space beside me is empty, and the bed feels colder without him. Slowly, I sit up, rubbing my eyes. My gaze falls on Zade, seated at the foot of the bed, his back turned to me. His shoulders are tense, and his head is bowed slightly, as if the weight of the world is pressing down on him.I hesitate, unsure of what to say or how to bridge the chasm that feels like itโs grown between us. Things had been going so well before all this, and now? Now it feels like weโve b
IzzyThe moment Grayson wraps his arms around me, I feel the weight of everything pressing down on me like a storm. For the first time in hours, thereโs a flicker of safety, but itโs fragile, like glass teetering on the edge of shattering. Zadeโs words still echo in my mindโangry, hurt, rawโand even though I know deep down he would never hurt me, in that moment, he didnโt feel like the man I fell in love with. He felt like someone else entirely, someone I didnโt know.The sound of the door closing behind me sends a chill through my spine. Zade has left. I should stop him, run after him, beg him to stay, but I canโt. My legs feel like lead, and my heart is a hurricane of guilt and confusion.โWhatโs happened?โ Graysonโs voice cuts through the silence, low but laced with tension. His arms tighten around me, and for a moment, I let myself break. The tears come in uncontrollable waves, and I bury my face into his chest as though I can hide from my own mistakes.โIโm pregnant, Gray,โ I cho
Zade POVEvery time I close my eyes, I see her faceโtear-streaked and filled with anguish. Then the memories hit, unbidden and relentless. Blood. The screams. The bodies. My parents, mangled and lifeless. Herโmy ex, so pregnant, so full of life, and then... gone. The flashbacks swallow me whole, dragging me under. My breathing becomes shallow, erratic, and I grip the edge of the table to ground myself, my knuckles white.โZade,โ a voice cuts through the storm in my mind, anchoring me back to reality. I look up to see Grayson sitting across from me, his face a mixture of concern and frustration.I canโt even muster the energy to speak. I just stare at him, then down at the untouched glass of whiskey in front of me.โDid you drink it?โ he asks, his tone sharp but not unkind.I shake my head. โNo. But I wanted to. God, I wanted to.โGrayson exhales, leaning back in his chair. โAt least you didnโt. Thatโs something.โ He watches me closely, his eyes narrowing slightly. โYouโre drowning, Za