“Shit,” Dean muttered, glancing at Killian and me.
Shit was right. There we were buzzing from our night with Anya — on our way, actually, to sit down and figure out how to make this work, and here was the last man you wanted to see as a member of the club.
“You think this is about what I think it’s about?”
I glanced at Killian’s grim face.
Yeah, I did. There was no other possible explanation for Mr. X being here. Even if I was sure there was no way the guys who’d brought Anya that first night and lied to her about everything, the bracelet included, had seen us with her, I couldn’t imagine what else this could be about.
Killian’s fist clenched as he nodded. “Alright, let’s do this thing.”
We nodded at the driver and stepped into the dark interior of the old limo.
Mr. X was probably around forty — hair slightly peppered at the edges, his chiseled face handsome but lined, and his sharp, steel-grey eyes flickering over us.
“Your Highnesses,” he purred out, his voice like smoky velvet, edged in steel. He smiled thinly, nodding at each of us as he sat back in his seat across from us, his cane to one side and one leg folded over the other. He reached into the great pocket of his tailored dark suit and brought out a metal case of cigarettes, offering it to us. We each shook our heads, and he shrugged and put it aside.
“You’re curious why I’m visiting you here this morning. Though, I imagine not all that curious.”
“What’s this about, sir?” Dean growled.
Mr. X smiled.
“It appears the three of you have made a new friend at the club? A certain Anya Green.” His smile thinned. “Pretty young thing, isn’t she?”
I felt the growl catch in my throat, and felt Killian’s hand on my shoulder as I moved forward, pulling me back into my seat.
Mr. X chuckled. “That fire and passion is legendary in the Kings of Tam, I’m told.” He cleared his throat, clasping his hands on his lap.
“However, there’s a small problem with your new friend, of which I believe you’re aware.”
“What problem is that?” Dean spat.
“She’s been spoken for,” Mr. X said evenly. “And you’re more than aware of the rules of our establishment.”
“She hasn’t been spoken for,” Killian snarled. “She was lied to. She was brought without knowledge of where she was going, thrown into the middle of it, and then given a bracelet without being told what it meant.”
Mr. X nodded. “That may be, but the rules are unflinching, gentlemen. You know this.”
“This is bullshit,” I growled, my eyes narrowing at him. “You’re telling me it’s fucking fine to lie to a woman and bring them there so you can claim them against their will? Are you running a club or a fucking slavery ring?”
Mr. X tensed at my outburst, but he stayed seated, his broad, aristocratic shoulders squaring as he held my fierce gaze.
“It is not okay, no, Your Highness. And frowned upon, to be sure. But the rules are the rules. The matter should have been brought to the council and discussed before you took what wasn’t yours to take.”
“This is insane,” Killian hissed, shaking his head and closing his hand into a fist.
“The rules are there for a reason, gentlemen,” Mr. X said icily. “The rules do not take sides, or weigh right and wrong, or take a vote. They are RULES, and they are everything when it comes to the club.”
His lips went tight, his eyes narrowing at us.
“She’s not yours, gentlemen. End of discussion. You—”
He paused as I swore loudly, narrowing his eyes at me and waiting for me to finish before he continued.
“You will cease contact with Ms. Green. Immediately.”
“Not going to happen,” Dean said, his voice edged.
“I suggest you listen to what I’m saying.”
“Or what?” I muttered. “What happens if we say fuck your rules and see who we please?”
Mr. X sighed, one hand coming up to rub the bridge of his nose.
“This is as plain as I can put it, Your Highnesses. You cease contract with Ms. Green effective immediately, or face excommunication.”
The car went silent, his words hanging like a blade in the air.
Excommunication.
There were stories — whispered rumors — of members being kicked out, but it was definitely nothing that had ever happened while we we’d been members. It was harsh, but the rules were unbending.
Clearly.
I could feel the rage roaring up inside, and I had to fight with everything I had not to lunge for Mr. X and wrap my hands around his throat.
He shook his head, sighing.
“Gentlemen, this is not personal, you have to know that. Believe me, I understand the wrong that’s been committed here, but the rules of our club are sacred. They’ve been like this going back since the first days of the club, and the reason it even still exists is that the rules do not bend. Period.” He glared at us. “I understand that this isn’t fair, but in our club, the rules are blind. And they will be followed. Look, I’m giving you this second chance beyond what I should, as the steward of the establishment. Please weigh that when you think about your next move.”
We sat in silence, the fury brewing under our skin.
“Walk away from her, gentlemen,” Mr. X said quietly, eyes hard on us.
“Walk away, or I’ll have no choice but to cut you free of the Triple Crown Club.”
Chapter 14
Anya
I’d opted to get out of the town car at one of the gates to the palace grounds, opting to walk the rest of the way back to main castle. The sun was shining, my heart was so damn full I felt it might burst, and birds were singing — well, at least they were in my head.
I was in love. Yes, there were three of them. Yes, it would probably mean scandal, and whispered words, and scornful looks.
And no, I didn’t actually care.
Somehow, out of nowhere, I’d found love that I’d never been looking for, in the arms of not one, but three gorgeous, amazing, incredible princes. I’d found the missing pieces to myself that I never knew weren’t there.
I knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but I also knew I couldn’t not try. And the first step was going to be telling my best friend that I’d gone to a sex club and fallen in love with three princes.
I was nearing the palace, walking through the grounds garden, when suddenly, I hear a voice behind me that shook me to my core. I froze, breath caught in my throat.
“I said good morning.”
Slowly, I turned, and I felt my hands close into fists as I came face to face with Carl, Thomas, and Shawn.
The three of them grinned wickedly at me.
“You know, when a girl says she’s going to the bathroom and then never comes back, that’s just mean,” Carl sneered.
“Definitely bad manners,” Thomas leered at me, shaking his head.
“And when she doesn’t come back because she’s found herself some new dates?” Shawn growled, shaking his head. “Well, that’s just not done.”
I glared at them, swallowing thickly.