“I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”

“It happened all the same.”

“What do I do now?”

“Why’re you asking me? I saw one of the best guys I’ve ever known embarrassed and forced to leave a fight he’d helped set up because he couldn’t stand to see you get hurt. And knowing you, you expected him to be waiting around, ready to pick up the pieces.”

She had.

“I’m proud of him for walking away. I’d be even happier yet if you went back to Japan.” He paused. “Because we all know that’s what’ll eventually happen. You’re leaving. You’ve got Knox all wound up and caring for you when you’ve never had any intention of staying here.”

She wanted to scream that he couldn’t make assumptions when she hadn’t made any decisions about that. Instead she snapped, “My personal relationship with Knox isn’t your business, Deacon.”

“Yes, it is. Who do you think he’ll lean on after you’re gone? Won’t be Ronin, because he’s firmly on Team Shiori.”

“Where is Knox right now?”

“Like I said, I don’t know. But even if I did? I wouldn’t tell you.”

Last night Shiori had thought she couldn’t feel worse or more alone.

Turned out she was wrong.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

SATURDAY night Knox went to Twisted.

Security was on the slim side, so Merrick had been glad to see him and put him to work.

For the first two hours Knox tended bar. He kept his eyes on the new submissives who seemed determined to cause a scene—and not the good kind of scene.

The bar stayed busy. When it slowed down, he got to catch up with the regulars, who asked why they hadn’t seen him in the past few weeks.

Because I have a Mistress. And it’s a little fucked-up with my refusal to let her claim me in public even when she’s one of the best things that’s ever happened to me.

That’s why Knox hadn’t removed his bracelet before coming to the club. But none of the regulars had commented on it, which he found odd.

Since the club members exchanged first names only, Knox had deemed the conversations here superficial. But Merrick claimed money and job prestige automatically segregated people. By having their baser desires out in the open, it brought like minds together, not like bank accounts.

That was another wrinkle in the Shiori situation.

But he didn’t want to think about that right now. He tried to refocus his attention on the clubgoers around him. He should talk to Bobby Sue about why she chooses men who are old enough to be her father. Talk to Ridge about the appeal of violet wands. Talk to Merrick about—

“Knox?”

He spun around and smiled when he saw the redhead at the bar. “Vanessa. I haven’t seen you in ages. How’ve you been? You’re looking good.”

Vanessa blushed. “Thanks. I’ve been working out of town. But to be honest, I considered giving up my membership.”

“Why?”

“I’m just not getting what I need out of it anymore.”

“Weren’t you hooked up with Master Jack?”

“For a short time. But he’s not a one-sub guy, and I’ve no interest in being part of a harem.”

He rested his elbows on the bar. “What are you looking for tonight? I can give you the rundown of what’s happening. It’s probably not too late to get in on the disco orgy at the main stage.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Might be fun to watch, but too many players. Once, at an orgy I turned my head and this guy was about to stick his dick in my ear.”

“No shit?”

“I’m thinking . . . of all the holes in this room you can put it in, you’re eyeing my ear?”

He laughed for the first time in forty-eight hours.

“You have a great laugh, Knox.” Her gaze lingered on his chest. “You have a great everything. So what are you doing here?”

“Helping out. I needed a distraction from my real life.”

“I could be that distraction, if you’re interested.”

Knox picked up her hand and kissed her knuckles. “I’m flattered. And if I weren’t spoken for, I’d take you up on it.”

“That sounds like a permanent spoken for, not just tonight.” She curled her hand around her glass and studied the bracelet dangling from his wrist. “Am I right?”

“Yeah. It’s a little fucked-up. Actually, it’s a lot fucked-up.” He sighed. “Sounds like paradise, huh?”