Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 67211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67211 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
Her response comes quickly.
I’m sorry, I’m already heading to the restaurant. I’ll get there as soon as I can.
Ugh. My friend is wining and dining with people who could hurt her. Kill her. I need to do something. But what?
I shoot Axle a text. I need to see you.
Axle told me to stay but I need to warn Marla. Maybe if I find him, he can help me in a way that doesn’t compromise anyone’s safety. I push myself out of bed and feel the burning sting of the paddle with every move that I make. Damn, he spanked me good. I’ll feel that one for days. Opening the drawers where I keep my clothes, I choose one of the outfits Axle’s picked out for me and slip it on.
What am I doing? I allowed him to spank me. I’m wearing the clothes that he bought and staying in this room because he told me to. Why do I like this?
Do I like this?
I need to talk to him. He told me to stay here, but he’s been gone a while, and it doesn’t matter anyway. If he really loves me, he’ll love me without the trappings of a lifestyle like this. Maybe I need a little space. I’m strong and capable, and I’m not sure I need to submit to him to prove that.
I stand and go to retrieve my clothes when I notice a folded square of paper on the floor. I bend to pick it up. It must’ve fallen to the ground when he took his clothes out. When I read the words, a chill rolls over my body. The note’s written in a swirly script with hearts dotted over the “i’s.”
Sir, thank you for everything you’ve done. Love, Missy
What the hell is this? I crinkle it up and toss it back to the floor.
After dressing, I glance at my phone again, but there’s nothing. He hasn’t responded. With my hand trembling, I push open the door. I don’t like disobeying him, but our relationship should be stronger than obedience and rules.
I feel a little like a child sneaking out of bed at night when I walk down the hall. My ass burns from the spanking he gave me, and I know that it doesn’t matter if he just spanked me or not, if he catches me out here, he’ll reignite that sting pretty damn easily.
If I let him, that is. Maybe I won’t let him.
The hall is vacant, but the dungeon is filled to the brim, couples scening and mingling and socializing. Every bit of the furniture is occupied, and there’s even a line at some places where people are waiting their turn. Someone’s suspended in a harness, and several dungeon monitors pace the floor. I recognize a man named Geoffrey as well as Braxton and Zack. I know Brax and Zack are there for a reason: they’re on the lookout for any signs of danger.
It’s dark in here and there’s some kind of smoke machine tonight. Zack walks over and has a hushed conversation with someone, gesturing to the machine, but the man shakes his head. And then I see him. Axle’s standing with a woman at the far end of the room, hidden in shadows and smoke, but I see the tattoos along his arm and the same black t-shirt he wore when he left the room. I blink in confusion. He’s not checking on things to make sure they’re okay. He’s… holding a woman on his arm. I stare at them, so confused and shocked I don’t know what to do when I see him lean down and kiss the pretty woman, lingering and sexy. My heart cracks like shattered crystal, shards of hopes and dreams crashing down around me.
I take a step toward them and freeze. Do I want him to see me?
He wouldn’t. He couldn’t. How could he?
Is that “Missy” he’s with?
I trusted him. I loved him. I love him, still. Is this why he demanded I stay in the room? So that he could meet with his other woman? I shake my head. This can’t be happening. This isn’t happening.
We went too fast, too soon. I should have taken my time with getting to know him. He isn’t who I once knew, and I rushed in too soon. God, I’m stupid. I’m so damn stupid. I don’t know if I want to laugh or cry or tear him away from her like a jealous, vengeful lover. My blood turns to liquid lava, molten hot, and I clench my fists.
I don’t know what to do with myself. If I leave Verge now, I abandon Marla to the fucking mafia, and if I stay, he’ll see I left the room. With my head unfocused and dizzy and my heart shattered into pieces, I make my way to the bar. I’ll have a drink and not talk to anyone and figure out a way to make this better. Sliding onto a stool, I lift a hand in greeting to Travis. I breathe a sigh of relief when he pours me my usual and pushes it across the counter.