The Red Door (The Door Series Book 1) (25 page)

“Was he more than your trainer?”

“Yes and no. Have I ever had sex with him? Yes. Outside of training? No. Besides a few times during training, we never so much as shared a heated glance. He does want a sub, but he wants complete submission. I have submitted in training, and I have been a switch, but I would never fully submit.” I looked directly at Alex, hoping he would understand. “I’ve never even wanted to try fully submitting, until now. Calvin is a good friend, and I do trust him completely. It’s a trust he has earned. My past is that, a past. I’ve worked along with the military and other agencies around the world doing odd jobs. Calvin worked with me on most of those jobs. They paid top dollar and now I don’t have to work. Every now and then a job will be thrown my way, but I usually turn it down. Calvin still does odd jobs but less frequent. If he does take one, I’m sure it’s because he’s bored and looking for something to do. They were never easy and always dangerous, but he loves it. I liked the feeling of helping out those who could not be helped otherwise. I told Ari earlier, it isn’t something worth discussing. I need you to accept that and know that part of my life is over. I have retired and now I’m only a lazy club owner.”

I watched Ari smile and Alex look off working through everything he learned. He glanced back a few times before looking off. I wondered if he had dug into my past. I knew he couldn’t find anything, what I did wasn’t on anyone’s books. My job didn’t exist. My team didn’t exist. Mercenaries—that was the closest thing there was to a name for us, but we didn’t work with anyone, we didn’t answer to anyone, and we sure as fuck weren’t available for hire. We found our own jobs by listening onto secret conversations. When the government couldn’t legally do something that had to be done, we did it. No one asked us, no one called us up and said we need you on a secret mission; we would do it on our own. It could be killing a foreign leader, rescuing a prisoner of war, or robbing a drug lord. When it was done, we would send a foreign account to the person we overheard as a calling card. Sometimes we would be paid, sometimes we wouldn’t. As soon as the money hit the account, it was spilt and sent to several accounts, only to be split again, and again. Leaving no trace.

“When will we be meeting Calvin?” Hmm. Not what I thought he was thinking of then.

“He said he would be here in a few days, but I’m going to try to get him to hurry up. I want all of us working on these records as much as we can. I can’t tell you more than I just have a gut feeling, and it has never failed me. Whoever this is who is working out of the club, is a member of The Black Door. I want Calvin to run it, so having him go over footage while we go over records will not only help us, but also tell him what changes he needs to make. For now, if we can compile a list of members who were here when the kidnappings happened and see who was also a member of The Black Door we might find a trail to follow. I figured we can do this and watch the club on the surveillance feed.”

“What about your dad?” Ari asked.

“If it is my dad, then we need to move carefully. He comes across as an easy guy, but he’s not. He follows politics, backs several different politicians anonymously, and keeps his friends in high places.” I stood up and started a pot of coffee. It was going to be a long night.

Aurora

I woke alone and in bed. I remembered looking at the clock, while checking the live feed at one this morning, but I must have dozed off after that. I went to get up and noticed I was completely naked. Whoever put me in bed must have undressed me, too. I felt the bed and noticed it was cold. Looking past the curtain, I noticed I was once again alone in this apartment. I went and grabbed the robe from the bathroom thinking of how much I was beginning to hate this place. There weren’t enough clothes for Mitch to stay here all the time. I didn’t know where he lived or where Alex was staying but planned on knowing by the end of the day. Looking through the fridge and cabinets, I saw that we devoured most everything last night while we researched. I looked around and saw that all the papers were gone, but the dirty glasses and plates were still lying around. I gathered everything up and washed it all, wondering what I could eat.

I heard the door open and turned around to see a tall gorgeous man walk in. He stood way over six feet. He didn’t look like a wrestler like Mitch did, but he still had more muscles than most of the meatheads at the gym. He also looked like he had way more brains, too. He stood there waiting for me to get done with my perusal. When my eyes finally made it back to his, I noticed his smile, but he still didn’t say anything. I knew he wanted to see how I would react to a strange man coming in while I was pretty much naked. I gave him another cursory glance, noting the red hair and the red and white bag with the golden arches, but no drinks.

“I’m starting coffee now, if you don’t have anything in that bag for me to eat, I suggest you run and grab me some, Calvin.” I turned around, started the coffee, and set down the mugs.

“I have four sausage biscuits. I planned on eating them all, but I guess one is worth a cup of coffee, Aurora.”

I turned around and smiled at him. He was a good-looking man and I felt at ease with him, which was weird because I had never met him and I was naked under my robe.

“You were going to eat all four?”

“Yes.” He walked over and set the bag down on the table.

“Is that normal… umm… for you?”

He gave me a smile that was pure sex. “I’m a big man. The things I do burn lots of energy and make me work up a big appetite.”

“So, you’ve already burned a lot of energy this morning?” I asked on a whisper, knowing what he did to burn that energy. He walked over to me and stood about a foot away. He looked me up and down much more slowly. Starting at my feet and moving up pausing minutely on the tie of my robe then on the v where the top of my breast showed. He leaned toward me, and I scooted back into the counter. He leaned in, against me, and let me feel all of him, and there was a lot to feel. I heard something move behind me, but I was too busy noticing his green yellow eyes to pay much attention. His arm shifted behind me, but I was still focused on his eyes.

“Not yet.” He turned and had his filled cup of coffee in his hand, walking back to the table like he didn’t do a thing. I stood there catching my breath and thought about everything.

“Oh Calvin, you are good.” I laughed at him and realized he was shocked to see me laughing. “I think you and I will get along fine.”

“And why is that?”

“Tell me. Are you testing the water to see how far I would go? You’re an attractive man, and you know it. Or are you wondering if I would cross the line behind Mitch’s back? Or was this to see how timid I am and to see if I’m cut out for this lifestyle?” He looked at me and didn’t say anything. “I’m going out on a limb here, and I’m going to say it’s all three. I could get mad at you for testing me, but the fact is that I appreciate that you would do this to protect him.” I watched him smile at me and poured my coffee adding cream and two sugars.

“Have you seen Mitch or Alex this morning?”

“No. I came to the club last night to let Mitch know I was here, but he was occupied. He was surprised this morning when he called me to ask me to come up and I was already here. He told me he had to run out for a minute, but that you were here and I could let myself in.”

“So, you’ve not met Alex?” I asked as I sat at the table.

“No.” He watched my face waiting to see if I would reveal anything.

“Good. I’m sure you’ll meet him soon. I think you and I will get along well as long as you don’t pull that shit on Alex. He needs time to get used to all the changes going on and neither Mitch nor I would appreciate you screwing that up.”

“Funny. You’re the one new to this lifestyle. You’re the one who only just had sex of any kind. And you’re the one who has a big bull’s-eye on your back, but you’re trying to protect Alex, a seasoned hunter.” He watched me trying to judge my reactions.

“You might have been informed of things and might have even looked into things yourself but don’t presume to know about the relationship I have with either man because you found a few facts interesting. I’ll do everything I can to help build the relationship the three of us have. And if that means I have to go toe to toe with a redheaded giant bully, then I will. You might have the training to maim and kill, but I guarantee I will gut those who harm me and mine.”

His smile started slow then went into a full, all-out, panty-dropping grin. “Gut them, hmm. Yes, Ari, I believe you’re right. We are going to get along fine.”

It was only then I realized he was testing me, making sure that I wasn’t in the relationship for fun and games. I looked up as both Mitch and Alex walked through the door. Mitch was carrying his laptop and a small case. Alex had my clothes. The door opened again and Jackson walked in.

“Good, I see Cal grabbed you breakfast,” Mitch said as he kissed my head and sat down next to me. I looked back at Calvin, Cal, and saw his grin had dropped, but he still wore his smartass smile. He was busy running his eyes over Mitch. Not in a sexual way but protective. He was looking at the bruising.

“Don’t guess Mitch thinks you need that big of an appetite.”

“Mitch doesn’t know all of my plans,” he replied as he looked over my shoulder. I felt Alex move in, his hand coming around my neck gripping it and pulling up. He leaned in giving me a possessive kiss, marking me in front of everyone in the room.

“I have your clothes. Jackson picked them out so I hope they’ll do,” he said with his breath hot on my face. I sat there and stared. I loved the feel of his dominance over me and the gentle squeeze of his hand on my neck. “Now, Babe.” He squeezed again and grabbed my coffee and dumped it in the sink.

“I want to eat before my food gets cold then I’ll go. Thank you for getting them.” I watched as he pulled out some orange juice from a bag. He poured me a cup and set it in front of me. “Umm…I was drinking coffee.”

“You were and now you’re drinking orange juice. Coffee cannot be good for a baby. And you can go change, now. I’ll warm your food up in the microwave.”

“I’m not pregnant. I’m on the pill. And even if I wasn’t, it is way too soon to tell and would be for weeks. Besides, you won’t be telling me what I can eat. And I’ll eat first then get dressed.”

“Angel, I know what you had on under that dress last night, or rather what you didn’t have on. I also know what I left you to put on this morn. Being your dress is on the couch and your underwear is in my pocket, I know you’re naked. Now, go put on some clothes before everyone in this room sees you naked.”

“You have my underwear in your pocket?” I looked him over noting that he had on different clothes this morning. Why was he still carrying my underwear?

“Yes, I found them in my pocket when I changed and thought you might want them back. Now, go get dressed, Ari.” I watched as he ran his hands through his hair as his face got red.

“Fine.” I grabbed my clothes from him and walked behind the curtain. “Just so you know everyone in that room will probably get a chance to see me naked in the club.”

Silence. Then I heard the door slam and Cal laughing. I finished getting dressed and came out to see Alex gone.

“Seriously? Is it that big of a deal?” I walked over to my breakfast and looked down. “He didn’t even warm my biscuit.”

“You’re playing with fire, Ari,” Mitch said to me as he glanced at Jackson, who was still standing in the living room. I walked over and gave him a huge hug to which he didn’t respond.

“That’s okay, I like the heat.” I smiled then looked back to the guys, and over to Jackson who was staring back toward the guys. “What the Hell! Don’t tell me I’m not allowed to hug Jackson outside of the club without permission.”

Silence.

I looked back and forth and saw the looks being exchanged.

“I’m drawing a line. Do not cross me on this one.” I had my hands on my hips and stomped my foot for effect and felt more like I was eight again instead of twenty-one.

“Technically you are in the club, but no, this isn’t my rule you are crossing. Nor is it Alex’s rule, although he doesn’t like you touching other men.” Mitch stood up and pulled me back to my chair.

“Then what’s going on? Jackson? Why are you just standing there?”

“Because I haven’t invited him to join my table.” I was waiting for Jackson to answer so when Calvin did, I jumped.

“What do you mean you haven’t invited him?” I looked back and forth and then it clicked. Jackson needed a new Master and Calvin would want a sub.

“No. No. NO!”

“Ari! It’s not your choice, it’s theirs. Leave it alone.”

I stood up and went to Jackson. “Why him? You aren’t in that club, Jackson. You could keep training with Colby, who would not want you to fully submit. This isn’t you.” He was looking over my shoulder at Calvin.

“Remember what I told you when I agreed to take you on last night?” I heard Calvin come up behind me, speaking to Jackson.

“When I am honest with myself and others, I can begin my training.”

“You were honest with yourself and with me. You were also honest with Mitch. I can see she means something to you. Why can’t you be honest with her?”