My breath hitches at the way he repeats my words. He seems more like a Colton to me.
“Have a seat.” Julius motions toward an armchair as he resumes his spot across from me. Colt returns to his spot on the loveseat. Davis pulls up a chair from the small table.
“Who’s going to tell me what’s going on?” I ask.
“I am,” Colt says.
I shift my attention more fully toward him. This is the oddest assembly of people. Colt is a stranger. Julius, I’ve known for years since he’s the manager. And Davis is a member of the club, but I’ve never scened with him. We only know each other in passing. He has a serious girlfriend and doesn’t scene with other members anymore.
Colt clears his throat. His brow is furrowed. “I’m an undercover agent with the local police.”
I flinch.
“Don’t worry. You’re not in any trouble.” He offers a small smile to emphasize his words. “I’m investigating a human trafficking ring in the area, and I’m concerned that you’re on their radar.”
I gasp. My hand comes to my chest. “What? Why?”
“I wish I knew.”
“So, you think someone is planning to…what? Snag me off the street and sell me?”
“Essentially, yes. That’s my concern. There’s no way to sugarcoat it.”
My hands are shaking now and I fist them in my lap as I tuck my crossed legs closer to the chair. I suddenly feel vulnerable and scared. It’s not a feeling I relish. When I’m at Surrender, I’m usually in my little space, but I just left work. I’m totally out of sorts in my adult persona with a hint of my little peeking through. Adult Evelyn does not panic or cower. I lick my lips. “What the hell am I supposed to do with this information?”
“Let me protect you, basically. I’ve been watching you for a few weeks.”
I flinch again. “Seriously? I’ve never seen you.”
He smiles. “I’m good at my job. You weren’t supposed to see me.”
I narrow my gaze. “Wait. How closely do you follow me?” I flatten my palms on my thighs but grip them with my fingers. The thought of someone spying on me for two weeks is unnerving.
“Don’t worry. I’ve never been inside your apartment or anything. I’ve just kept an eye on you from a distance so far.”
“And now? Did something change?”
“Another man is also following you. I’ve spotted him several times. It concerns me. I’m worried he’s watching for a weakness in your routine. Right now, it’s too early in the investigation to be certain. I can’t be certain any lead I’m following is legit.”
“But you’re concerned enough to confront me,” I point out.
“Yes. It’s safer for you if you’re informed, and I’d rather not remain in the shadows anymore.”
I stare at him. “Do you know who’s following me?”
He shakes his head. “Not a clue. He wears a ballcap. I haven’t gotten a look at his face, but I will catch him eventually.” His voice is confident. So is his stance. This is not a man who fails.
I lean back in the chair, my breathing quick and shallow. “This is crazy.”
Davis speaks next. “Colt is going to start coming to the club on the nights you’re here.”
I glance at this undercover cop who had me clenching my legs together just five minutes ago and try to picture him in the club. “Do you have any experience with fetish clubs?”
He shakes his head. “No.”
I groan and lean back. “What a disaster.”
Davis speaks again. “I was thinking the two of you could come over to my place for dinner tomorrow night. Britney has agreed to help Colt understand our particular type of fetish so he isn’t blindsided.”
I rub my temples. I’m not embarrassed about my age play. Not when I’m around like-minded people. Not when I’m at the club or alone at home. But the thought of exposing that vulnerability to a stranger is unnerving. “How about I just don’t come to the club at all for a while?” I wince. “Except, shit. I have plans to meet Owen here Friday night. What am I supposed to tell him?”
Julius nods sympathetically. “You need to keep your routine the same, Eve. You should come to the club because it was already planned.”
I sit up straighter. “Why? So I can lure some madman in? Am I bait?” I jerk my attention to Colt, the man I’m now deciding maybe isn’t so sexy after all. Or, I tell myself that at least.
He shakes his head. “No. I would never use you as bait. But if someone is watching you, they might be inclined to move up their timetable if they think you’ve gotten suspicious. Like Julius said, you need to keep your routine the same for now.”
My head is starting to pound. I look toward Davis again. “What have you told him about me?”
Davis shakes his head. “Nothing yet. I wouldn’t break anyone’s confidence like that.”
“How did you get involved at all?”
Colt answers before Davis has a chance. “I met Davis last year when Britney was targeted for human trafficking.”
I jerk my attention back to Davis. “God, I never knew that.”
He nods. “It was over before Britney started coming to the club. She doesn’t like to talk about it.”
“I’m so sorry,” I tell him. How horrifying. I’m still confused though.
“Colton is good at his job, Eve. He helped save Britney’s life.”
I jerk my gaze back to the man who has put himself in charge of…keeping me alive?
Before I can ask another question, Colt speaks again. “I was in the booth next to you yesterday when you had lunch with your friend Leah.”
I think back. “Jesus. You listened to my conversation with Leah?”
“Yes.”
As my memory floods, my face heats. “We mentioned Davis.”
“Yes. Pure luck on my part that I happen to know Davis. I didn’t know he was a member of a club, but once you spoke of him, I knew I could ask him to help me out.”
My head is spinning and I cringe and shift my attention
