Dirty Bad Savage(39)
“Think your luck might just be changing, kid.” She squeezed my wrist again, and it felt nice. “Missy’s a good girl. Loyal, and smart, and kind. Kinky as fuck, but that’s par for the course with us lot.” Her laugh was like a cackle. It suited her really fucking well. “You’ll get used to it, this place. If you’re planning on sticking around, I mean. Give us a shot, and we’ll give you one right back. We’re a good crowd.”
“Dunno what I’m doing,” I admitted. “Feel like a fucking idiot messing around with all them whips and shit. Don’t get me wrong, I like it hard. Like playing rough. It’s in my blood. Just don’t know how to put it together, don’t wanna fuck her up, neither.”
“There’s violence and there’s violence, baby. Depends on the motivation.” She stubbed out her cigarette and offered me another. I took it, grateful. “What we do here isn’t temper, or rage, or violence taken too far. BDSM is sexuality without judgement. We play safe, sane and totally consensual. We look out for each other, too.”
I scuffed my trainers on the ground. “Sophie told you about me? I ain’t like other people. Bad blood, Mam says. Got a short fuse, and used to using me fists before me brain. Kept me alive. Don’t know what someone like Sophie’s seeing in someone like me.”
“She sees soul in you, baby. I see it too.”
“See something in her. Never met anyone like her before.” I looked away. “Ain’t much of a talker usually. Dunno why me mouth’s suddenly running.”
“Talking’s good, enjoy it.” She looked back towards the door. “Say, maybe I’ll have to take a trip down East Veil one of these days, take a look at your work.”
I tried to keep it cool. “Sound, yeah. Got some left they haven’t reached yet. Been going higher these days.”
“I’d like to see them.”
“Can’t miss some of ’em.” I dropped both my fag ends in the ashtray and buried my hands back in my pockets. “Gonna give this place a go, for Sophie.”
“Good choice.” Her eyes were sparkly, like the night sky. I tried to remember, so I could paint her one day. “We’d better get back in, they’ll be wondering where we’re at.”
“Aye.”
I went to open the door but it was already swinging our way. I stepped back, adrenaline spiking on instinct, clearing some space between me and the huge motherfucker heading our way. I heard Raven squeal, and got ready for trouble, but it wasn’t that kind of squeal.
She flew at the man as he stepped outside, jumping up into huge arms that lifted her clean off the floor. The man was wearing a mask, a dark leather thing covering most of his face. He was half naked too, like a bloody gladiator, muscles ripped and tanned, with a fucking massive piece of ink all the way across his chest.
He was a fucking beast.
And he was heading my fucking way.
***
“Masque!” Raven squealed. “Didn’t think you were coming, baby. You’re so fucking late.” She dropped from his arms, and dragged him a few steps over. “This is Callum. Here’s here with Missy. He’s got the most amazing fucking ink, designed it himself.”
The big bastard gave me the chills, made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. He looked tough, not tough like the Stoneys, or me, or Tyler Jones, though. He looked like he’d walk into a bar fight without even breaking a sweat. Calculated and tough. Tough but not hot-headed. Hard to explain.
Was trying to work out whether I needed my wits about me, but he smiled and held out a hand.
“Missy’s a fine girl, congratulations on the guest status.”
I took his hand. It was firm, like the rest of him. “Cheers.”
“Must have some fine ink to get compliments like that from our lovely Raven. She’s quite a talent herself.” He stepped forward into the balcony light where I could see him better. “She designed mine.”
His tattoo was fucking awesome. A huge black beast, bit like a dragon, two heads, though. It curled around his back, touching almost down to his hips. “That’s some cool ink, man.”
“Chimera. One body, two beasts. Resonates with me.” He turned back to the door as it creaked on its hinges. A girl followed him out, tall and pretty. Long dark hair and the craziest green eyes I’d ever fucking seen. Looked like a fucking lynx or something. Raven did another squeal, then more hugs, more kisses, gushing about her tan. The beast turned his attention back to me. “Sorry, we just got back. Holiday.”
Green eyes headed over, threaded a dainty arm through his. “Hey. Who’s this?”