Rehab for SuperVillains (18+)-Chapter 64: a mental checklist

Kael stepped out of the Haven for shopping, a mental checklist ticking away in his head.

First stop: the butcher—for ribs. He’d picked ribs on purpose. Slow-cooking meant more time on the stovetop, which meant more time to toy with Freya during their rematch.

The thought curled a sly grin onto his face. His hazel eyes glinted as he pictured her in that white lace lingerie—pride battling vulnerability in every breath she took.

The market street bustled with midday energy.

Vendors hawked fresh produce, grilled skewers, and sugary pastries, the scent of spices and charcoal smoke wrapping around him like a warm haze. He weaved through the crowd until he reached the butcher’s stall.

The butcher, a burly man in a stained apron, gave him a nod as Kael pointed to a thick, meaty rack of pork ribs—perfect for dragging out the cook time.

"These’ll do," Kael said, peeling a few bills off the wad Harris had handed him the night before.

The butcher wrapped the ribs in brown paper.

Half would end up charred by Freya, sacrificed to the flame.

The rest will be turned into lunch by him after she loses.

Kael tucked the bundle into his bag, the weight comforting against his side as his mind wandered back to Freya—her stubborn focus, her scowl when she lost ground the previous day.

He grinned.

Next up: chocolate pudding for Rhea.

Her tsundere pout from last night flashed in his mind—sucking on her spoon, demanding double the dessert—and he chuckled, heading for the massage parlor where they stocked her favorite brand.

The bell jingled as he pushed through the door, the familiar scent of lavender oil and clean linens hitting him.

The receptionist looked up from her desk, her dark curls bouncing, round glasses catching the light as a smile spread across her face.

"Kael!" she chirped, clearly pleased. "You’re here without notice—give me a sec to pull up some appointments. Got a few regulars who’d love you today."

He held up a hand, grinning. "Hold off, Lila—no work today. Just here for pudding."

Lila blinked, her smile faltering into confusion, one brow arching behind her glasses. "Pudding? Seriously?"

Kael pulled two crisp notes from his pocket—the same cash Rhea had grudgingly let him keep—and waved them with a flourish. "Yup. Chocolate, the good stuff. Enough for this."

She nodded, still puzzled, and turned to the small fridge behind the counter, pulling out a stack of chocolate pudding cups—rich, creamy, the kind Rhea devoured day and night with a smirk.

As she packed them into a bag, Lila glanced over her shoulder, her voice casual but curious. "You haven’t been around much, Kael. Found a side gig that’s keeping you flush?"

He leaned against the counter, his grin easy. "Something like that. If it pans out, I might not be back here kneading sore backs and knotted shoulders."

Her hands paused mid-pack, a flicker of disappointment crossing her face, her dark curls falling forward as she looked down. "Oh," she said, softer now. "Well... good luck with it, then. Whatever it is."

Kael caught the shift, his charm kicking in. He took the bag, their fingers brushing as he met her gaze. "Thanks, Lila." He paused, then added, "You know, even if I’m not working here, we could stay in touch. What’s your number?"

Her smile returned, brighter, a faint blush coloring her cheeks as she scribbled her personal number on a scrap of receipt paper. "Here," she said, handing it over, her voice warmer. "Don’t be a stranger, okay?"

"Deal," Kael said, pocketing the note with a wink. "See ya, Lila." He stepped back into the street, bag swinging, a satisfied grin on his face.

One more stop to go—the final piece of his plan.

’The Naughty Times’

The sex toy store was a few blocks over, tucked between a dive bar and a thrift shop, its neon sign flickering discreetly.

Kael’s face broke into a perverted grin, unbidden, as he pushed through the door, a bell chiming overhead.

The air inside was heavy with the scent of rubber and faint perfume, shelves lined with every kind of pleasure device imaginable.

He’d come for nipple clamps and small vibrators—simple tools to up the ante with Freya—but as he wandered the aisles, his horniness took the wheel, steering him into dangerous territory.

He grabbed a pair of nipple clamps first—sleek, silver, with adjustable size and soft rubber tips, perfect for teasing without overwhelming.

Then a few small vibrators, bullet-shaped, wired, controlled by a remote. Its hum promising precision when he’d need it most.

But his eyes kept roving, snagging on a set of velvet-lined handcuffs, their black straps glinting under the store’s low lights.

Why not?he thought, tossing them into his basket.

A dildo vibrator caught his attention next—curved, textured, with variable speeds that made his grin widen.

Then an anal plug, smooth and tapered, and a string of anal beads, each one slightly larger, a challenge he wasn’t even sure he’d use but wanted on hand.

Clamps with built-in vibrators joined the haul, their dual purpose sparking ideas he filed away for later.

By the time he reached the counter, his basket was overflowing, he might have shopped a bit more than he had expected.

The cashier—a lanky guy with a bored expression—raised an eyebrow, scanning the haul with a look that screamed pervert.

Kael met his gaze with an awkward smile, shrugging as he handed over a chunk of Rhea’s cash.

"Busy weekend," he muttered smugly.

The total stung—more than he’d planned, eating into what Harris paid for Rhea—but no one needed to know where he was spending the money.

Not Rhea, not Freya.

He left the store, bags heavier now—ribs, pudding, and a small arsenal of toys rattling together—and headed back to the Haven, his mind buzzing with plans.

It was almost close to Lunchtime and Freya’s rematch was minutes away.

The stage was set.

Ribs to slow her down, lingerie to rattle her, toys to break her.

His grin returned, sharper now, as the Haven’s door came into view.

Game on.