Camilla stood perfectly still, her eyes wide open. She looked at Zade with pure bewilderment. She could not believe her younger brother had actually just done that.

He had grabbed a half-naked male escort by the waist and declared the man was for his own personal pleasure. It was the most ridiculous, crazy lie she had ever heard in her entire life.

Damon slowly opened his hand. He gently released Camilla’s delicate wrist.

He stopped glaring at his wife. He turned his head slowly and looked directly at Zade. The deep, terrifying anger on the General’s face slowly melted away. It was completely replaced by a look of profound confusion. He stared at Zade’s hand resting firmly on the escort’s hip.

Standing in the doorway behind Damon, Syrus could not hold it in anymore. Syrus leaned his head back against the wooden doorframe and laughed out loud. It was a bright, highly amused laugh that echoed loudly in the quiet, tense room.

"Damon," Syrus laughed, pointing a finger at the young lord. "Your brother-in-law is really interested in this kind of activity."

Syrus shook his head, highly entertained by the family drama unfolding before him. He smiled a wide, teasing smile.

"That’s nice," Syrus teased smoothly. "Everyone has their own unique preferences. The capital city is a very open-minded place, after all."

Damon closed his eyes for a brief second. He felt a sharp headache forming behind his temples.

He opened his eyes. He looked at his laughing friend.

"Stop it, Syrus," Damon spoke. His deep voice was flat, exhausted, and incredibly tired. He did not want to discuss Zade’s fake romantic interests in front of the entire establishment.

Over by the low glass table, the situation was becoming even more awkward.

Mateo who was currently being held hostage by Zade, felt deeply uncomfortable. He was a professional, but this was not what he signed up for. He looked down at Zade’s hand gripping his skin.

Mateo slowly reached down. He gently placed his hand over Zade’s fingers. Mateo tried removing Zade’s hand from him with a polite, firm push.

Mateo leaned down slightly. He brought his face close to Zade’s ear so the angry General would not hear him.

Mateo whispered very softly, keeping his professional smile frozen on his face. "I’m sorry, my lord, but I’m into women."

Zade heard the whisper. His face instantly turned a bright, burning shade of hot red. The absolute embarrassment hit him like a physical blow to the stomach.

Zade let go of Mateo’s waist immediately. He took a quick step backward. He looked at Mateo from head to toe, taking in the man’s exposed, muscular chest and his perfectly styled brown hair.

Zade leaned forward. He whispered back to the escort. Pure frustration was evident in his face.

"Do you think I’m into men?" Zade whispered angrily through his gritted teeth. "I am just trying to save my sister’s life from that monster! Play along, you idiot!"

Camilla saw the fake excuse completely falling apart. Zade was failing. She needed to take control of the situation immediately before Damon decided to arrest everyone in the room.

Camilla quickly turned her body back to Damon. She needed a new lie, and she needed it fast.

She let out a soft, sweet sound. She chuckled nervously.

Heh. Heh. Heh.

The sound was slightly forced, but she tried to make it sound as natural as possible.

"My Lord," Camilla said, stepping a tiny bit closer to him. She looked up into his, confused eyes. "Pay no heed to my brother. He jests."

She smiled her brightest, most innocent, caring smile. She waved her hand dismissively toward Zade, acting as if her brother was just a silly little boy making bad jokes.

"He is just playing around," Camilla lied smoothly, her brain working at absolute lightning speed. "I am not here for his pleasure, and I am certainly not here for my own pleasure."

Damon raised a single dark eyebrow. He crossed his strong arms over his broad chest. He waited patiently to hear what completely ridiculous excuse she was going to invent next.

"Then why are you here?" Damon asked silently with his cold stare.

Camilla took a deep, steadying breath. She put on a face of profound, serious dedication.

"I am actually here to help you," Camilla declared proudly. "I am here to find soldiers for your army."

The room fell completely silent again.

Damon stared down at her. He blinked his eyes slowly. Soldiers? In a highly secretive, expensive male escort establishment? It was the most absurd lie he had ever heard in his entire military career.

But Camilla did not stop. She pushed forward with absolute, unbreakable confidence.

"I know you are looking for new recruits," Camilla explained, nodding her head seriously. "Generals are always looking for young, healthy men to join the army. It is a very hard job."

She gestured her hand gracefully toward the five men standing in the center of the room.

"Look at them, My Lord," Camilla argued smoothly. "They are physically perfect. They have broad shoulders. They have strong arms. They are in excellent shape. They would make wonderful, strong soldiers for your front lines."

She took one small step closer to Damon. She leaned in toward his chest. She cupped her hand near her mouth and whispered to him, acting as if she were sharing a highly classified military secret.

"And," Camilla whispered, her breath brushing softly against his uniform collar. "They are really good at what they do. They have excellent stamina. They can stand for hours. They are very obedient to commands. They are exactly what an army needs."

Damon looked down at her. He could clearly smell the sweet scent of her hair. He listened to her complete, utter nonsense. He did not say a word. He just wanted to see how far she would take this ridiculous performance.

Camilla pulled back from his chest. She turned around to face the five escorts. She put on her best, most commanding voice. She acted like a strict military general inspecting fresh troops.

"Alright everyone," Camilla called out loudly.

She raised her hands in the air.

Clap! Clap!

She clapped her hands together twice, the sharp sound echoing off the velvet walls.

"Show my husband your physical talents," Camilla commanded them firmly. "Show him your strength and your agility. One after the other, please. Do not be shy."

As soon as she gave the order, the men scrambled to obey the wealthy client.

Mateo who was still standing awkwardly near Zade, used this command as a perfect excuse to escape. Mateo moved away from Zade as quickly as he possibly could. He practically ran to the other side of the glass table, eager to get away from the young lord’s confusing advances.

Camilla reached out her hand. She firmly grabbed the thick fabric of Damon’s sleeve.

She did not wait for his permission. She tugged his arm forcefully. She dragged Damon away from the open doorway and pulled him directly toward her large red velvet seat.

Damon was so entirely surprised by her bold, fearless action that he did not resist. He allowed her to pull him across the red carpet. He allowed her to push him gently backward until he sat down heavily onto the soft cushions of the sofa.

Camilla quickly sat down right next to him. She smoothed out the skirt of her dress and sat up straight, ready for the show.

The escorts quickly took their positions.

Elian hurried over to the corner of the room. He quickly picked up a beautiful, small wooden harp. He placed his long fingers on the silver strings. He began to play a fast, rhythmic, highly energetic tune. The music filled the room, carrying a strong, beating pulse.

The dancer, Ilias, started first.

As the fast music played, Ilias began to move. He did not dance a slow, romantic dance anymore. Because Camilla had ordered him to show his "military talents," he performed a dance of pure physical power.

Ilias spun rapidly in circles. He leaped high into the air, his long dark hair flying wildly around his face. He landed gracefully, completely silently, perfectly balanced on his bare feet. He moved his arms in sharp, powerful strikes, mimicking the fluid motions of a highly trained warrior in battle. He flexed his broad shoulders. He tightened his hard abdominal muscles with every single twisting movement.

It was a spectacular, breathtaking display of male physical beauty and raw strength.

Camilla sat on the red velvet sofa. She leaned forward slightly, resting her hands on her lap.

She was completely, utterly mesmerized. She watched Ilias spin and jump. She watched the muscles in his back ripple under his flawless skin. Her eyes were wide open, shining with pure delight. She completely forgot she was supposed to be inspecting soldiers. She was just enjoying the absolutely beautiful view.

Damon sat right next to her on the sofa.

But Damon did not watch the dancer. He did not care about the half-naked man spinning in front of him. His gaze was completely on her.