It was clear from Xavier’s standoffish posturing that he didn’t consider it necessary for Ava to be a part of this conversation. Still, Bella’s eyes flicked nervously toward Ava and back as she forced a breathy chuckle. “I’m sorry, sir, I don’t think you understand what you’re asking.” “I understand that I’m not asking at all. I gave you an order, Ms. Sutton.” Bella ducked her head in a nod, “Of course, sir. If you’ll allow me a moment to prepare, I’d be happy to prepare a demonstration for you.” She hesitated for just a moment before continuing, “It would give you the opportunity to see how we train our staff.” This time, the smile Xavier offered was nearly genuine, “That would be perfect, Bella. Thank you.” With another nod, Bella strode out of the conference room, notably lacking much of the grace she had strode in with.When the door shut behind her, Xavier walked over to a fully stocked bar hutch and grabbed a laser-cut crystal glass. Ava stood in disbeli
Two weeks after Ava had struck her bargain with Xavier, she sat at her shiny new vanity, nestled in the corner of her own private en suite bathroom. She was still getting used to having…*things*, belongings that were completely her own.She had barely begun to scratch the surface of her debt to Xavier and the Red Moon Pack, but the few thousand dollars she had made, she’d made honestly, and that made her feel good. Accomplished.Ava was relieved to find that the court member’s escort training was thorough, but flexible. She was taught everything from how to make intriguing conversation and massage therapy, to pain play and the traditional art of Kinbaku bondage.Thankfully, Bella seemed to be particularly conscious of Ava’s handicap, and made sure to assign her to clients who sought out companionship rather than sexual gratification. So far, Ava had bantered and flattered her way into what money she’d managed to accumulate, so far, without offering anything more intimate than a should
Xavier stared down at her with a stony expression, but Ava could read his silent agitation. He reached down, grabbed her by the upper arm, and pulled her to her feet. “Oy, Xav, we need to work on your taste in women, mate.” Someone scoffed, but Xavier ignored them. When Ava stood, she became unbalanced on her sky-high heels and stumbled. Her arm shot out and caught onto Xavier’s sleeve to keep from tumbling back down to the floor. Some of the others saw her clinging to Xavier’s arm and started ribbing him at Ava’s expense. “The clown doll’s caught herself an Alpha!” “You sure she’s woman enough for you, Xav? We know you like it rough!” “Nah, breaking them in is half the fun!” The males continued to laugh and crack jokes, most of which featured Ava as the punchline. She stared down at her cleavage, rather than look Xavier in the face. He gave her arm a shake, prompting her to meet his gaze, but she resisted. “Is this fun for you, having people mock and d
Xavier’s mad dash to the hospital was a blur of phone calls and righteous fury. He cursed Bella for not taking better of the girl, despite her direct orders to keep an eye out for Ava. He queued up his contact list via the large Bluetooth enabled screen in his car. He nearly hit the button to call Lance, but quickly dismissed that option. After his showing last month, it was best if the brutish male stayed as far away from Ava as possible. Not to mention how handsy he’d gotten with the human waitress, who barely looked old enough to be legally serving alcohol. Xavier knew things went down in his club between consenting adults, and sometimes those things were better enjoyed when it looked as if one or more of the involved adults were less than willing. He drew a line at blatant assault, however. Even if Xavier felt the situation hadn’t escalated to a point that called for a public reprimand, it still needed to be addressed. Besides, the idiot was showing up with co
Xavier stood glowering at his friend, not quite able to wrap his mind around the other male’s bold accusation. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He snatched his arm from out of Jack’s grasp. “Really?” Jack’s eyebrow twitched upward as he gestured to Ava’s hospital room, “Since when is it protocol to bring in the cavalry to cure colds?” “Is that what ails her? Even though you barely looked at her?” Xavier’s voice was heavily laden with sarcasm, even as he attempted to deflect his friend’s line of questioning, “I knew you were good at what you do, Jack, but damn – you might need a raise.” Jack pursed his lips slightly and slowly shook his head back and forth, completely unfazed by Xavier’s foul nature. But, of course, that was one of the reasons Xavier had bonded with the Gamma in the first place and continued to keep him around – the male was too intelligent to scare easily. “We both know that what’s really keeping her in that hospital bed is something
“The both of you need to leave.” Ava stated firmly as Xavier and his friend re-entered her room. She didn’t make eye contact with either male, unwilling to give Xavier any feasible reason to pounce on her again. “I’m not interested in fucking your friend just you can spite-watch, or whatever.” The stranger’s eyes went wide, but he wisely kept any questions he had to himself, as Xavier glared at her. Instead, he primly cleared his throat and stepped forward. “I think we may have started off on the wrong foot. My name is Jack Williams,” he walked up to her and presented his hand for shaking. “I’m the Red Moon Pack’s Chief Healer. My only priority today is to make sure that you’re back to feeling good as new.” Ava looked at his outstretched hand and scoffed. “No thanks. I think the humans have everything under control.” As far as Ava was concerned, anyone associated with the Red Moon Pack was bad news. She didn’t know whether or not Jack realized who she was, but she
Xavier’s phone rang just as he stepped out of the hospital and into the brisk night air. When he looked down, it was Bella’s name he saw flashing across his screen. Instead of picking up immediately, he walked to his car, pressed the button on his key fob to activate the vehicle’s gull-wing doors, and slid inside. He needed the extra moments to collect his thought and tamp down the white-hot irritation that felt damn near all-consuming. Xavier didn’t know who he was angrier at, Ava for refusing his help, or himself for creating a breech so wide that it was impossible for the female to meet him half-way. Xavier grimaced. The knotted web of feelings he felt for Ava were far too volatile, too complex for him to bother considering at the moment. Thinking about his wayward mate sure as hell wasn’t going to do anything to help improve his mood. The phone was just shy of disconnecting when Xavier finally answered. “Speak.” “How is she?” The mistress’s concerned tone was
Ava collapsed onto her bed the second she stepped back into her suite at the club. After the constant rotation of IV drips the hospital had put her on, she’d not only kicked the worst of her illness, but she felt more rejuvenated than she had in years.It was amazing what a little electrolytes could do! Minus the unpleasant surprise visit from Xavier and his latest model of lackey, the hospital stay had begun to feel as pampering as an all-inclusive resort stay – forty-eight-hour vacation from her life. “You should have stayed a little longer then.” Bella said in light admonishment. “The extra rest would do you good, Ava.” Ava sighed. Bella hadn’t been thrilled when she’d checked herself out of the hospital and called her for a ride back to the club. She understood her boss’ concern, but nice as it her convalescence had been, that was two fewer days for Ava to reach her ridiculous quota and earn her freedom. “I don’t have any time to waste, Bella. No offense, but