CHAPTER 57 (18+)

Vera’s POV

The third shot hit different.

Or maybe it was the bass. Or the way Aaron had stopped pretending he wasn’t scanning the crowd every 30 seconds like he was waiting for hell to walk through the door.

Lina was already gone. Passed out on the leather couch, hair fanned out, mouth open. Dead to the world.

“Lightweight,” Vera muttered, taking another sip. The alcohol burned, but not enough.

Aaron smirked, but it didn’t land. His jaw was tight. He hadn’t touched his drink in 10 minutes. “We shouldn’t have left the house"

“Too late,” Vera said. “You made your point.”

He looked at her then. Really looked. “Did I?”

Before she could answer, the air changed.

You feel it in places like this. When the predator enters the room. The crowd doesn’t know why they’re parting — they just do.

Aaron went rigid.

Vera didn’t need to turn around. She knew.

Kael.

And Lucian.

With their bodyguards.

Lucian & Aaron

Lucian didn’t say anything at first. He just walked up to the table, eyes dragging over Aaron like he was taking inventory.

Aaron stood. Too fast. Too defensive.

“Sit down,” Lucian said. Quiet. Not a request.

“I’m not one of your—”

“Sit. Down.”

The two words were soft. And that was worse.

Aaron’s leg worked. He sat.

Lucian’s gaze flicked to Lina. Unconscious. Useless. He snapped his fingers once. A bodyguard stepped forward.

“Car,” Lucian said. “Now.”

The guard lifted Lina like she weighed nothing. Gone in seconds.

Then it was just them.

Lucian braced both hands on the table, leaning in until Aaron had nowhere to look but at him. At the exact same face as Kael, but wrong in all the right ways. Sharper. Crueler. Amused.

“You left the house,” Lucian said.

Aaron didn’t answer.

“You disobeyed a direct order.” Lucian tilted his head. “From your best friend.”

Aaron’s jaw clenched. “You didn’t take me with you.”

"This again?,” Lucian Asked

Silence.

“You’re usually so good at following rules, Aaron.” Lucian’s voice dropped. His thumb brushed over Aaron’s pulse point on the table — once, casual, claiming. “So tell me… what changed?”

Aaron flinched like he’d been burned. He yanked his hand back, but Lucian was already straightening, smiling like he hadn’t just shattered him.

“Get up,” Lucian said. “We’re leaving.”

Aaron looked like he wanted to fight. But he didn’t. Couldn’t. Not with Lucian looking at him like he knew exactly why Aaron had been reckless tonight.

Like he’d always known.

“Don’t make me repeat myself,” Lucian added, already turning.

Aaron followed, but not immediately. His steps dragged half a second behind Lucian’s like something invisible was pulling him forward whether he liked it or not. His jaw was tight, eyes dark, but he didn’t fight it. Not here. Not now. Not with Lucian looking like that.

Because this wasn’t about the club anymore.

It was about control.

And Aaron had already lost more of it than he was willing to admit.

Kael & Vera

Across the room, Aaron didn’t look back.

He didn’t need to.

Whatever was about to happen between Vera and Kael—

wasn’t something anyone interrupted.

Kael didn’t speak to her.

One look and Vera’s skin went hot.

He crossed the space between them in three strides. No hesitation. No words. His hand fisted in her hair at the nape, tilting her head back until she was forced to look up at him.

The club vanished. The music. The people. Just him.

"Really?” he asked

His thumb dragged over her bottom lip. Possessive. Slow.

“I needed space,” she breathed.

Kael’s eyes darkened. “Wrong answer.”

His mouth crashed into hers.

It wasn’t a kiss. It was a claim. Teeth, tongue, control. He swallowed her gasp, her name, every protest she didn’t have. His other hand banded around her waist, yanking her flush against him so she could feel exactly how furious he was.

How affected he was.

When he pulled back, she was panting.

“Car,” he said against her lips. “Now.”

Back In the house

The bedroom door shut behind them with a click,

Kael didn’t touch her yet. He just looked.

Vera’s arms were crossed, chin up. Defiant. “If you’re going to punish me, just—”

“Who said this was punishment?”

That stopped her.

He stepped closer. Like he had all night. “Punishment implies I’m angry, Vera.” His thumb brushed her jaw, barely there. “I’m not angry.”

Her breath hitched. “Then what—”

“I’m disappointed you thought leaving was an option.”

His hand slid to her throat.

Her mind screamed move. Her body swayed into him.

“Your pulse is lying,” he murmured, feeling it jump under his palm. “It says you’re scared.”

“I’m not—”

“Shh.” His other hand caught her wrist, pinning it gently to the wall above her head. “Your body says different.”

She tried to glare. It fell apart when his lips traced her cheekbone, not kissing, just breathing against her skin.

“You disobeyed me,” he whispered against her ear. “You walked into danger. You made me hunt you.”

“I didn’t—”

“You did.” His teeth grazed her earlobe. “And the worst part?” His knee slid between her legs, pressing up, firm. “You liked that I came for you.”

Vera gasped, back arching before she could stop it. She hated that he was right. Hated how safe she felt when he was furious.

“Kael—”

“Still want to pretend you don’t want this?” His hand left her throat, trailing down, slow, mapping every reaction. Over her collarbone. Lower. He cupped her breast through her dress, thumb dragging across her nipple. It pebbled instantly.

Her head thudded back against the wall. “I hate you.”

“No, you don’t.” He squeezed, rolling the peak between his fingers. Her knees almost buckled. “Your body’s honest even when you’re not.”

He tugged the strap of her dress down. Then the other. The fabric pooled at her waist. Cool air hit her skin, then his mouth — hot, wet, owning.

Vera fisted his shirt. She didn’t know if she was pulling him closer or pushing away.

Kael smiled against her skin. “There it is.” He sucked hard, teeth scraping, then soothed it with his tongue. “That sound you’re trying to swallow? Let me hear it.”

“You don’t get to—ah—” She broke off when his hand slid under her skirt, palming her through her underwear. She was already soaked.

He groaned. “You’re drenched for me, Vera. For the man who locked you up. For the man who’s going to put you on your knees for this.” His fingers pressed, circling, not inside yet. Just pressure. Torture. “Tell me to stop.”

She couldn’t. God, she couldn’t.

“I... I should—”

“You should what? Hate this?” His fingers hooked her underwear aside. One finger slid through her folds, gathering her arousal, then retreated. “Your body says otherwise.”

She whimpered. Actually whimpered.

Kael’s eyes darkened. “Turn around. Hands on the wall.”

Her mind said no. Her legs moved anyway.

The first spank landed sharp on her bare ass. Not brutal. Deliberate.

She gasped, arching. “Kael—”

“Count.”

“One,” she bit out, hating how breathless she sounded.

Second spank. Lower.

“Two.”

Third. Right where she’d be sitting.

“Three— ah.” His hand slid between her legs immediately after, two fingers pushing inside with no warning. She was so wet they slid in easy.

Her forehead hit the wall. “You’re a—”

“Bastard? I know.” He curled his fingers, finding that spot that made her see stars. His thumb circled her clit, relentless but light. “You still came with me. Still let me touch you. Still soaking my fingers because you want me, Vera.”

She was panting now, rocking back into his hand without permission from her brain. “I don’t... I don’t want—”

“Then say stop.” His voice was pure gravel. “Say it and I walk away. Right now.”

Silence.

He added a third finger, stretching her, pumping slow. “That’s what I thought.”

Her orgasm was building fast, too fast. That coil in her stomach, tight, desperate. She was going to— “Kael, please,” she sobbed. “I’m sorry — I’m sorry—”

“I know you are,” he said. And he did. He kissed her like he was drowning. Like she was the oxygen. “But you don’t get to come. Not until you learn.”

Her legs were trembling. She was so close. So empty.

“Look at me,” he ordered.

She did. Tears in her eyes.

His fingers stilled. Right on the edge.

Kael’s forehead pressed to hers. Both of them breathing hard.

“Mine,” he said. Simple. Final. “Say it.”

“Yours,” Vera choked out. “I’m yours, Kael.”

He kissed her again, softer now. But his hand was still between her legs. Holding her there. On the edge. Unfulfilled.

“Good girl,” he whispered.

He stopped,Pulled out completely. Stepped back.

Vera nearly sobbed. She turned, furious and wrecked. “Why—”

“Because you don’t get to come yet.” He gripped her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes. His pupils were blown, jaw tight with restraint. “You left, You disobeyed. You made me feel what it’s like to walk into an empty house and think I’d lost you.”

His thumb wiped her bottom lip. “So you’ll take what I give you. You’ll ache for me. And when I do let you come, you’ll remember who you belong to.”

She was shaking. Angry. Needing. “You’re cruel.”

“you are mine,” he corrected. “Which is worse.”

He kissed her then. Hard. Consuming. Swallowing every protest her mind could form.

And her traitor body melted into it.

Kael pulled back first.

Not far. Just enough to look at her properly.

Vera was still shaking. Still breathing unevenly, like her body hadn’t caught up with reality yet. Her lips parted slightly, eyes unfocused, caught somewhere between anger and something she refused to name.

He watched her like that.

Quiet.

Dangerous.

Then his hand came up again—not rough this time.

Just… there.

His thumb brushed under her eye, catching the tear she didn’t realize had fallen.

“You’re staying in my room tonight,” he said.

Not a question.

Vera swallowed. “That wasn’t part of the deal.”

Kael’s gaze didn’t shift. “You don’t get deals right now.”

Her first instinct was to argue.

It always was.

But her body was still betraying her, still leaning toward him instead of away.

That irritated her more than anything.

“…You’re insufferable,” she muttered.

A faint smirk touched his mouth.

“You didn’t say no.”

She looked at him then.

Really looked.

And for a split second—

something softer slipped through.

Then it was gone.

“Don’t get used to it,” she said.

Kael didn’t answer.

Because he already knew.

Down the hall—

A different door shut.

Softer.

But no less final