Free French Kiss (Decadence Nights Book 2) by Maddie Taylor

enough to permit couples to sway close or to writhe and gyrate to music supplied by the top notch band performing live on the stage on the far side of the enormous room. Again, he was surprised that this private sex club rivaled the opulence and style of Baroque, in Lisbon, with its 500-euro minimum, the ultra-exclusive 79 Club in Paris, or the hedonistic escape that was Insomnia in Berlin.
    His attention was captured by a half-naked nymph of a submissive leashed and being led across the room by her clamped and chained nipples. Surveying the rest of the members in an array of attire from full body latex, to skimpy club wear or requisite leather, to full on designer evening wear with the sub in silk and lace to match their dom in Armani and a silk tie, he knew nothing in Europe had anything on Club Decadence.
    “To answer your other question,” Arturo continued, “although the clubs in Europe are more prevalent and may boast royals on their guest lists, I’ve never been to one with quite the, uh, shall we say panache and vibrancy of your charming club.”
    A hand clamped on his shoulder as he finished speaking. “Good to hear, my friend. That’s what we were shooting for when we opened.”
    Twisting on his stool, he looked up at the mountain of a man who towered over his own above average six-foot-two-inch frame. A grin split his face.
    “Cap, mon vieil ami !” he exclaimed as he rose and clasped his old friend’s hand. Ordinarily it would end with a handshake, but they were in Texas so he returned his friend’s shoulder bump and firm slap on the back.
    “You’re a sight for sore eyes, Arturo.” Cap was former Special Forces Captain Tony Rossi; a man he’d first met twelve years earlier while they each served their country in response to the 911 attacks. Arturo, who had dual citizenship, also had the same rank in the UK Special Forces and was leading a Special Air Service—SAS troop—deployed in Iraq and subsequently to Afghanistan. As part of the coalition forces, he’d had the opportunity to team up with Cap and his crack unit of highly skilled Green Berets, many of whom he still worked with, Master Dex included, after retiring to San Antonio.
    “I hear you’re here for other than recreation. The General filled me in on what he knows. You have all the resources Rossi can provide should you need it.”
    “Which is much appreciated and something I’ll readily take you up on.”
    Their eyes met, Tony read the seriousness of his situation easily, and nodded. “Let’s go to the office. I’ll gather the rest of my team and you can fill us all in at once on exactly how we can be of help.”
    “I was told you have an excellent computer man.”
    “Yes, Jonas Mitchell.” Cap glanced down at his watch. “I haven’t seen him tonight, but he should be along any moment, if he hasn’t already come in the back.” He held out an arm indicating the door in the rear of the lounge marked private. “This way.”
     

Chapter Six
     
    The morning light filtering through the window blinds woke her. Her eyes opened, but she didn’t move, trying to find a reason to get up. There was the boutique. She could run by and check on…
    No, Adriana was an efficient manager. She’d only be in the way.
    Mari racked her brain trying to come up with some other reason to dress and rejoin the living, but failed. Her kids were gone. Jordan, always Jordy since he was born, was in his junior year at Baylor in Waco, a three-hour drive away, and her baby, eighteen-year-old Beth, was a freshman at Texas Wesleyan, another hour and change beyond that in Ft. Worth.
    Neither had chosen Rice, her alma mater, which was at home in Houston. God forbid, they should be so close to their mom. She understood, though. It was a chance to spread their wings as they embarked on this new stage in their lives.
    Jordy’s leaving, not long after Derek’s sudden passing, had been hard, but Beth heading off for college only a few months ago had been