MVP (VIP Book 3) (15 page)

I didn’t sleep a wink last night and I sensed that Ysabelle didn’t, either. Maybe bringing her back to Miami wasn’t the best idea, but I couldn’t hide her from her past—it always catches up with you when you least expect it. Although, I had assumed that we were done with all of that.

Hadn’t we paid our dues?

I never thought she would lie to me. I also thought we were passed all of that.

Apparently, I was wrong…

I tried to understand why she would even have lunch with Madam–the woman was no good. She ruined her and took advantage of her. There was no love. I didn’t understand how Ysabelle could interpret anything that involved The Madam as anything more than a scam. I could see right through her from the very first day. The woman loved power, control, and money. She manipulated Ysabelle in every sense of the meaning.

I was her family.

I was her future.

Mine.

If she thought for one second that Ysabelle was going to be a VIP again or be involved in anything to do with that business…

Did Ysabelle miss it? Was she thinking of going back? Was I interpreting this all wrong?

I desperately sought answers and I knew I wasn’t going to get them from Ysabelle. I had to go to the source…with or without her consent.

Ysabelle came in the suite from her run as I was buttoning my shirt.

“Hey,” she addressed.

“How was your run?”

“Great! Definitely what I needed. Where you going?”

“I have to meet Julia, we’re going to discuss Christian.”

“Oh…I thought…umm…never mind.” She turned away and I grabbed her arm.

“Say it,” I ordered.

My patience with her lack of communication was wearing thin.

She looked down at my grip on her arm and I instantly let go, and then she looked up at me. “I just thought I was going with you, is all.”

We had enough problems and drama going on; I didn’t want to pile on anymore. That’s why I decided to go by myself.

I smiled, trying to break the tension that I created. “I don’t want to bore you with family legal stuff. Go shopping and enjoy Miami or go see your friends; I know how you miss them.”

Her eyebrows lowered in confusion. “Okay, I guess.”

I forcefully grabbed her by the back of her neck and pulled her toward me. My mouth caught hers urgently, I kissed her like I hadn’t seen her in years, I kissed her like a starved man needing food, I took out my frustrations and insecurities in that kiss. And when I pulled away, her eyes were sated.

My girl.

She grinned at me and I pecked her one last time before making my way out the door.

What the fuck just happened?

One minute he’s telling me he wants me to be a part of the decision-making process and then the next, he’s telling me that he doesn’t want to bore me with the details. I knew he was restless last night when we were laying in bed. Was it because he changed his mind and didn’t want to tell me? Did he want to spend time alone with Julia? Had seeing her brought feelings back for him?

That didn’t make sense. Sebastian loved me. I knew that.

But…

What if?

I followed the man dressed as a butler up the stairs into an office. The walls were lined with shelves of books and a desk with two leather wingback chairs sat dead center. It was the focus of the entire room. There was a sitting area near the right side with white leather couches facing opposite of each other, a black granite table separating them.

“Welcome to The Cathouse, Mr. Vanwell.”

I turned and saw Madam standing there, leaned against the doorframe with her arms crossed and one leg over the other. She was wearing a red pantsuit with a shit-eating grin that I wanted to slap off her face. I’ve never wanted to hit a woman, but The Madam was no lady.

“You know…this office means a lot to me.” She contemplated what she was saying and cocked an eyebrow. “It’s where I was born. It’s also where Ysabelle was born. You see that couch over there?” She nodded toward it. “I witnessed firsthand how much she was created for a life of privilege. I have shaped several VIPs throughout the years, but none of them can measure up to Bella Rosa.” She pushed off the doorframe and slowly walked over to the couch. “VIPs are chosen, that’s what makes them so precious and valuable.” She sat on the couch and crossed one leg over the other, placing her arms on the back of the settee.

“I am sitting in the exact place that Ysabelle proved herself to me, in more ways than one,” she stated.

In an instant, the TV that was sitting on the dresser in the corner turned on and
my girl
appeared on the screen. She was wearing a white silk robe that was open in the front, her tan skin and luscious body exposed. Brooke was at her side.

“Spread your legs, Bella Rosa.”
I heard Madam’s voice demand on the screen, and she did as she was told.

“Your pussy is sweeter than I thought it would be, you’re just the right shade of cream. It’s a nice surprise that you don’t have any tan lines. Your caramel skin color is natural. That pleases me,”
she added.

I recognized the look on Ysabelle’s face immediately. She was aroused. She wanted it.

She turned to Brooke.
“Do you know that you have a deep erotic smell about you? It’s addicting,”
Ysabelle stated, before grabbing the back of her hair and pulling.

I could see Madam looking at me through my peripheral vision. “You see…that little move...although it’s small and miniscule, with that little action, she proved to me that she was born for this,” she gloated. “Bella Rosa doesn’t wait for what she wants, she goes after it, she controls the situation, she governs the room. They’re not made; they’re born. She’s a motherfucking VIP.”

I tried to ignore every vicious word she spewed, but I couldn’t tear my eyes off the goddamn screen.

I watched as
my girl
seduced Brooke.

I watched as she kissed her.

I watched as she caressed her neck and breasts.

I watched as they fucked each other on their legs.

I watched as
my girl’s
eyes screamed for need and want. They always told me everything I needed to hear.

I watched as Brooke got down on her knees and had her beg to come, exactly how I have done so many times before.

I watched
my girl
shamelessly come apart.

And when it was over…

I watched
my girl’s
eyes…want more.

Madam’s clapping took me out of my daze and I looked over at her. She was smiling like a Cheshire cat.

“I never get tired of watching that video. Now…Sebastian, I can call you Sebastian, right? I mean, we are family,” she mocked, deviously laughing. “You tell me, honestly, do you think you can fully have your Ysa? Do you think that you can satisfy her or make her happy? Does she look happy to you? Huh? Or is she putting on a show? Trust me, darling, I taught her everything she knows. Ysabelle will be whatever you want her to be. It’s how she’s made.”

She placed her finger on her lips in a thinking gesture. “See…I am not an evil woman, contrary to what you think. I actually love her, more than I have ever loved anyone. I want her to be happy, but unlike you, I know when she’s faking it. I bet she didn’t tell you she went to lunch with me.” She grinned.

“Though you already know that or else you wouldn’t be standing here. Would you like me to tell you what we talked about? I don’t mind sharing.” She paused. “All right…I’ll take your silence as a yes. She confided in me that she thinks you’re going to hurt her again. She doesn’t trust you. And she doesn’t think she ever will.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I could be being biased but…given your track record with women, Sebastian, hmmmm…I can’t blame her. You said you loved Julia and you fucked Ysabelle behind her back…ouch…you know?” she ridiculed.

She shook her head as I slowly walked over to her.

“It’s only a matter of time before she’s back at The Cathouse where she belongs,” she emphasized.

I stopped when I was standing over her and she looked up at me.

“This is her home. She’s mine,” she vowed.

I didn’t think and just reacted. I snapped and lunged forward, catching her off guard, and gripped on to the front of her neck; her eyes widened. It was the first time that I’ve ever seen fear in her eyes and then it was gone. I clutched on harsher until her breathing slowed and her face paled. I used all my body weight to shove her into the back of the couch.

“Listen to me, you sadistic fucking cunt! Are you FUCKING LISTENING?! Nod your pretty little head if you’re paying attention, be a good little demon,” I baited.

She subtly nodded and I gripped harder, making her mouth slightly part for air.

“I am not one of your fucking pawns. Don’t for one goddamn second think that I don’t know what the fuck you’re doing. You can’t manipulate me,” I sneered, grasping harder.

“If you for one minute think that I will let her walk back into this house for anything more than your motherfucking funeral, then you’re crazier than I thought. I will kill you before you have your hands on her.”

Her vein was beating rapidly and she was trying to suck in air. I didn’t let her, I held on tighter.

“Now. Do. You. Understand?” I snarled through gritted teeth.

She started wheezing and I lowered my mouth to her ear.

“I could fucking kill you right now and no one would know it was me. You would die in the office that you love so much. It would be your beginning and ending. How’s that for irony?” I whispered.

I maliciously held on to her neck firmer and watched as her eyes glazed over and her head leaned sideways.

Against my better judgment…

I let go and walked away. I heard her instantly gasp for air.

“Thanks for the pep talk,” I stated, not stopping to turn. “You have yourself a great fucking day, Madam,” I shouted.

The truth was…

I meant every last word.