“He’s visited The House before, but not often. He prefers to keep to himself.”
“Who?” Cole asked again, his impatience an edgy burn under his skin.
“Lucas Holt.”
“What’s his story? Is he into the scene or is he just someone playing at the game?”
“He’s serious,” Damon said slowly. “His background checked out or he wouldn’t have been admitted to The House. He’s wealthy. Successful businessman. Owns several clubs both in Houston and Dallas. I think he recently opened one in Vegas. He spends a lot of time in Vegas but he has residences in Dallas and Houston as well.”
“Have you ever seen her at The House?” Cole asked. How close had she been all this time? Had they barely missed each other? Had she been present in the very place he frequented?
His pulse ratcheted up and he stood, the urge to go after her so strong that he was almost in motion when Damon spoke again.
“Sit down, Cole. Don’t make a scene. I’ll tell you what I know.”
Reluctantly, Cole retook his seat but watched the pair until they disappeared from view.
“Who is she?” Serena asked in a low tone.
She put a gentle hand on his arm, a gesture of comfort he appreciated, though it took everything he had not to snatch his hand back and go chasing after Ren.
Ren.
God. He couldn’t believe it. She was here. And she belonged, really belonged, to another man. There was a clear stamp of ownership for the world to see. He couldn’t even wrap his mind around it. He’d never imagined that Ren would have gone from their failed experimentation into a submissive relationship.
Jealousy. Anger. Rage.
Excitement.
Longing ate at his gut until his stomach churned and the food he’d eaten knotted into a giant fist.
“Tell me,” he rasped in Damon’s direction. He ignored Serena’s question for now. He had to know all he could about Ren.
Damon calmly sipped his wine, almost as if he were trying to infuse some of that calm into Cole. “I haven’t seen her at The House. But it’s been quite some time since I’ve seen Lucas. He isn’t big into the scene or into public displays for that matter.”
“Who did you see him with?” Cole bit out.
“He doesn’t bring his submissives to the club. When I saw him last, he was simply there to observe. He’s extremely private. He only has one woman at any given time. He’s loyal and he demands the same, but his relationships aren’t permanent.”
Cole frowned. “He’s a player?”
Damon shook his head. “I never got that impression. I’ve spoken to him before. Had drinks with him. He finds comfort in the women in his keeping. Most interestingly, he is completely faithful to his submissive. However, he has discreetly inquired in the past as to men for his woman. I think he likes to watch. Perhaps he even participates. But he himself only has sex with the woman in his care.”
“How the hell do you know all of this?” Cole demanded.
Christ, like he wanted to imagine Ren with other men while the bastard watched? He was a flaming hypocrite. He wasn’t so pissed he didn’t recognize the blatant hypocrisy in his anger. He’d had sex with a woman who belonged to another man. He’d indulged in Angelina more than once at Micah’s urging.
Damon shrugged. “We’ve talked on occasion. He’s asked for recommendations.”
Serena’s brow furrowed. “Are you trying to delicately state that you’ve been with some of his women?”
Damon smiled and lazily ran his fingers over her shoulder. “No, Serena mine. You of all people should know I don’t share. Even another man’s woman. I don’t look down on the practice. However, it isn’t for me.”
“I need to see her,” Cole said tightly. “I… have …to see her.”
“Is she important to you?” Serena asked, her blue gaze studying him intently.
“She used to be everything to me.”
Damon lifted an eyebrow. “I wondered.”
Cole sent him a questioning look.
“Let’s face it. You’ve had your pick of beautiful, willing women all but throwing themselves at your feet,” Damon said dryly. “And yet you’ve shunned them all. That speaks of a man whose focus is elsewhere.”
“I hurt her,” Cole said in a low voice. “I was young, arrogant, stupid. I abused her trust. She gave herself to me. She believed I wouldn’t hurt her. I did.”
Serena’s face crinkled in sympathy. Damon simply stared back, silent.
“I need to know how to find her,” Cole said. “I have to see her.”