The Expose 3

CHAPTER ONE




DAX



Secrets have always been my strong suit. They bring me power. Control.

As the owner of the most exclusive sex club in New York City, people trust me with their darkest confessions, their wildest fantasies. Without total secrecy, my whole empire is at risk.

But when it comes to my personal life, secrets are the enemy.

I need to know what people are hiding. I need to trust them with my life. And when someone lies to me, betrays the faith I put in them, that person is dead to me forever.

“I’ll ask you one more time,” I say, my voice ringing with rage.

I look at her, the one woman who has gotten under my skin like nobody else. The woman who almost made me lose control. But who it turns out has been lying and manipulating me since the very first moment we met.

She looks so innocent. I came so close to trusting her.

What kind of fool does that make me?

“Tell me who the hell you are,” I demand again, furious. Just moments ago, she was coming in my mouth, moaning in ecstasy, but now— just the sight of her is making me dangerously pissed off.

“Please, Dax, I can explain.” The girl swallows, afraid, looking around for escape. But there is none. It’s just the two of us alone in my apartment. Her drink on the table. My bedroom down the hall.

I pictured tonight going very differently. Now, I can’t believe I ever let her set foot in this place.

“You told me your name was Kate Kendell.” I fight to keep control. “You said you wanted the hostess job to make money while you interned in the city. But that was my head of security on the line just now. He says Kate Kendell is off volunteering in Africa, and has never even been to my club. So what the hell is going on?”

“I...um... may not have told you the whole truth,” she babbles.

Still naked under my bathrobe, her luscious body peeking through the fabric, she was about to get the fuck of her life. I was five seconds away from owning her, licking every part of her body til she came over and over again, but now I can’t wait to put as much distance as possible between us.

But not before I get answers.

I stride over and grip her arm tightly. “What’s. Your. Name?” I grind out with a clenched jaw. “Your real name, none of this Kate bullshit.”

“Zoe,” she admits. Her eyes flash with fear. “Zoe Warren. It’s the truth, I swear. I’m sorry.”

I don’t care about her apologies. “And who’s Kate?”

“My roommate, from college,” she confesses, looking miserable. “I took her identity to get the job. I thought that if you knew my real name, you’d never give me the gig.”

“Why not?” I keep hold of her. Zoe doesn’t reply. It takes everything I have not to shake the answers out of her. “I’m not fucking around,” I warn her, my voice low. “If this was some con game, I could call the police right now--”

“No!” she protests quickly. “It’s not like that. The thing is...” She takes a deep breath, and finally meets my eyes. “I’m a journalist. At least, I want to be,” she adds quickly. “I’m working on a big story. I got the job so I could go undercover at the club.” She exhales, looking guilty. “I’m sorry.”

I release her, turning away. A journalist? So all this time, she’s been snooping around the club trying to get information for some big exposé.

I feel a chill. Just what is she planning to reveal? Any one of my members getting outed would be a massive scandal, the kind that brings down politicians or CEOs.

“What information do you have?” I turn back to her, forcing myself to stay calm. “Who have you told?”

“Nobody.” Zoe shakes her head vigorously. “I mean, except for my editor at the paper. But even then, I don’t have much. You keep everything under lock and key, so I don’t have my big scoop yet. I’m still trying to get my break.” She looks down, like she’s genuinely ashamed. I won’t fall for it. This girl has no remorse.

“If you’re lying to me...” I step forward. She skitters back.

“I’m not. I promise.”

“Excuse me for not trusting the word of a lying, cheating snoop,” I spit back at her.

Zoe looks up at me. “I really am sorry,” she says. “I didn’t plan on this.”

“Which part exactly?” I ask, icy. “Seducing me for information? If you’re trying to convince me you have any sense of ethics, I’m afraid it’s a little late for that.”

“Hey!” Zoe protests, folding her arms. “I didn’t mean to get involved, but you’re the one who chased me. And if you want to talk about ethics, screwing around with your employees isn’t exactly above board.”