“But she’s strong and adventurous. She never backs down from a fight, and she never admits weakness. She’ll have an open mind about it, and once we get into it, she’ll enjoy it.” I knew she didn’t like being told what to do, but I gave her commands when we fooled around and she didn’t mind those. I could push her further than that—make her enjoy lots of things.
He shook his head in disagreement. “I’m serious. Cut her loose.”
“Why the fuck do you even care?” My brother was telling me what to do like he had any right to say a goddamn thing. And he was sticking his nose where it didn’t belong.
“Because I want you to be happy. Ever since you met this girl, you’ve abandoned Ruin. And worst of all, you aren’t a Dom anymore. She’s changing you too much—and not in a good way.”
“She’s not changing me.” I was exactly the same person I’d always been. I didn’t come into Ruin as often, but that was because I fucked Vanilla in my bed. If she were a sub, I would come around a lot more often. “And I think you should shut your mouth before you really tick me off.”
“She is changing you, man. And pretty soon, you’ll leave Ruin altogether. And I couldn’t handle that.”
“I admit my relationship with her is different than the others. It’s the only relationship that has started off traditional before it became Dom-sub. But that doesn’t change anything. I’ll teach her the art of the trade. I’ve done it before. And I’m not leaving Ruin.”
“If you stay with her, you will.”
“You’re making a huge assumption.” Ruin was my business, something I took seriously. It was a home to me, a place where I could be myself.
“I know you aren’t going to break her, Calloway. She’s going to break you.”
I narrowed my eyes on his face, offended by the immense insult. “Excuse me?”
“You’re pussy-whipped, and you know it. You haven’t been to Ruin during working hours for over a month, ever since she moved in. And we both know it’s because you aren’t man enough to leave the house and tell her where you’re going.”
I downed the rest of my glass, getting every drop except the ice. I set it down hard enough to vibrate the table. “I’m going to break this glass and shove it in your eye if you keep talking.”
“If you can’t handle the truth, then that’s your problem. But you can’t leave Ruin. I need you there.”
“Why?”
He didn’t give me an answer, and judging by the restraint in his eyes, he wasn’t going to. “Because I do. And I know this woman is going to pull you away. She’s not the one who’s going to submit. You will be the one who breaks.”
My eyes narrowed on his face, and I felt rage rush through me like electricity. Jackson and I had our differences, but I’d never truly wanted to hurt him until now. Doubting my domination and assuming Rome had some kind of control over me was one of the biggest insults I’d ever received. I wouldn’t break for anyone—not even her. “Get the fuck out.”
Jackson slid out of the booth and left his empty glass behind. “I know you’re going to be ticked at me. But you’ll eventually see that I’m right.” He gestured to someone in the bar and beckoned them over to our table.
“Or I’ll slit your throat.” Whomever it was, I wasn’t going to give them the time of day.
Isabella reached our table and slid into the booth across from me. Wearing a skintight dress with her brown hair in loose curls, she was the most beautiful woman in the bar. Every man in the place was eyeing her with obvious lust.
But I didn’t feel anything.
Jackson rapped his knuckles against the table. “Enjoy your evening.” He walked out and left us alone together in the booth. He felt safe in a public place because I wouldn’t throw a punch with so many eyes trained on me. It could ruin one of my reputations—either as the philanthropic charity man or the club owner.
“I’m sorry Jackson brought you into this.” She needed time and space to get over me. If my brother kept filling her brain with false hope, she would never move on. It was a sick game he was playing. “Whatever he told you, I can assure you it’s false.”
She rested her arms on the table, sitting so still she practically looked like a statue. “Actually, I think he has some good points. And I’m worried about you.”
“There’s nothing to worry about.” With Rome, I was happy. Even with the vanilla sex, I was satisfied. When she lived with me, I enjoyed every moment of her presence.
She tilted her head and regarded me with those large almond eyes. “Cal, I know you. I know you better than anyone.”