Page 41 of Masked Darling
Kade sneaked a glance toward the bar, catching sight of Jagger. His brother stood rigid behind the counter, his body unnaturally still as he watched their interaction, knuckles white against the edge of the bar. Even from this distance, Kade could see the tension radiating from him, like a predator ready to strike.
“Am I in now?” Kade asked, his tone casual as he tightened his grip on Sadie’s waist.
Mont’s demeanor changed, the easy charm dropping. He stepped closer to Kade, invading his personal space without a care as he made sure to crowd him.
“In?” Mont repeated, his voice dropping to a sardonic whisper. “You think bringing me one pretty blonde means you’re in?” A cold laugh escaped his lips, humorless and sharp. “You haven’t proved shit yet, Wilder.”
Kade maintained his composure, though his heart hammered against his ribs. “I thought this was the initiation—bringing a girl.”
Mont’s eyes narrowed, the Green Light painted on his mask catching the neon glow from above. “Bringing a girl is step one. Step two is proving she’s yours to give.” He circled them slowly, like a shark scenting blood in the water. “If she’s a token of your loyalty—if she’s broken in like you say, then you won’t have any problem showing us how you handle her,” Mont finished, his voice thick with anticipation as his eyes raked over Sadie’s body. “I want to see exactly what she’s learned to do for you.”
The air in the bar seemed to grow thick with the weight of the man’s demand. The music continued to pound around them, but Kade felt as though they were isolated in their own pocket of hell, the rest of the world fading into a blur of lights and sound. His mind struggled to keep up, searching for a way out, a way to stall, anything to avoid having to put Sadie through this.
Mont’s patience was clearly wearing thin. He stepped forward, his hand reaching for Sadie’s arm. “Maybe I should give her a test run myself.”
Mont’s hand shot out like a viper, moving to grab Sadie’s arm. But before his fingers could make contact, Kade yanked her backward against his chest, his movements swift and possessive. The sudden action made Mont pause, his eyes closing into narrow slits as he watched Kade position Sadie with her backpressed firmly against his front, her body on display for the men gathered around them.
“I know how to handle her,” Kade growled, his voice indicating he wasn’t one to be messed with. The words tasted like ash in his mouth, but he kept his expression cold and detached as he met Mont’s gaze over Sadie’s shoulder.
Mont’s lips curled into a satisfied smirk. “Then. Handle. Her.” He challenged, taking a step back to watch.
Kade knew he couldn’t hesitate any longer. Every moment of delay only increased their suspicion, and suspicion would get them all killed. So, he moved his hands to Sadie’s shoulders, his touch gentle despite the possessive display he was putting on. His fingers traced down her arms, leaving goosebumps in their wake as they slid around to her front. The sequins of her dress felt cool and rough against his palms as he slowly, deliberately moved his hands upward, his touch hesitant despite the confidence he was trying to project.
Kade lowered his head, his lips brushing against Sadie’s ear as his hands moved higher, cupping her breasts through the thin fabric of her dress. The sequins scratched against his palms as he molded his hands to her curves, putting on a show that made his stomach turn.
He massaged her breasts and whispered “sorry” over and over in her ear so only she could hear. Each apology fell like a desperate prayer between them, hidden beneath the roar of the music and the privacy the mask gives. The sequins of her dress glittered in the light, scattering prisms across his hands as they moved with practiced precision—a performance for their audience and nothing more.
Sadie leaned back against him, her body responding with a fluid grace that spoke of years spent dancing, years spent learning how to make men believe exactly what she wanted themto believe. She tilted her head to the side, exposing the pale column of her neck in a gesture of surrender.
Sadie let out an audible sigh as Kade’s hand slid higher, tracing the curve of her hip with deliberate slowness. The fabric of her dress rode up with the movement, revealing more of her pale thigh. The men around them watched with hungry eyes, their attention fixed on the slow unveiling of her skin. Sadie arched her back and moaned loudly enough to make it seem like she’s enjoying it.
Kade’s fingers drifted upward along her inner thigh, every inch feeling like a betrayal of his brother’s trust despite their agreement. He could feel the heat of her pussy through the thin fabric of her underwear, the boundary he knows hecannotcross.
Just as he moved her underwear to the side so he could reveal her sex to the hoots and hollers of the men around them, there was a loud crashing sound from the bar.
The sound of shattering glass cut through the haze of the moment like a lightning strike. They looked to see Camille yelling at Jagger about dropping a bottle, her pink hair swaying in her ponytail as she gesticulated wildly, throwing her hands in the air. The shards glittered on the floor, reflecting the neon lights in a thousand tiny mirrors while amber liquid pooled onto the bartop and the floor.
“What the hell, Jagger?” Camille’s voice carried across the room despite the pounding music. “That was our last bottle of Macallan! The expensive stuff!”
Jagger didn’t respond, his eyes still locked on Kade and Sadie.
His fury was barely contained.
Mont’s laughter erupted suddenly, a booming sound that cut through the tension like a knife. He clasped his hands together, his eyes crinkling at the corners behind his mask as he watched Kade quickly adjust Sadie’s dress, covering her exposed skin.
“Now that’s what I like to see,” Mont roared, slapping Kade on the back with enough force to make him stumble forward. “A man who knows how to show off the merchandise.” He gestured broadly to the bar, his gold rings catching the light as he moved. “Get the lady a drink! She’s earned it after that little performance.”
Kade’s hand found Sadie’s, his grip tighter than necessary as he led her toward the bar. But just as he sat her down at a stool and Jagger rushed over to her, Mont called out, “You’re almost there, kid. You can show me just how you break ‘em in with our new filly. I’ve been calling her firecracker because she’s certainly got some life in her. I’ve been trying to break her all week. If you can do it, I’ll let you in.”
Jagger and Kade’s eyes locked across the bar, Sadie sitting safely between them. But they shared a look of pain and horror as they realized that Madison was to be brought out like a prized horse. One to be beaten and fucked into submission for all to see tonight.
There was no more time.
“Get them here, now,” Kade growled as he turned to walk back to Mont.
Jagger was visibly shaken from the ordeal he just witnessed with Sadie and the fact it was going to get even worse. Camille ran off, phone in hand, as she slid a beer down to Sadie since Jagger couldn’t seem to let her hand go.
Kade took a deep breath as Mont led him to the small stage of the Pit. At least it was him and not one of them. He could protect her like this.
