Wait, wait…right.
It was the Master named Max. He was one of Zuri’s Doms.
There was her starting point. She reached for her phone.
Zuri was an excellent accomplice.
Disconnecting the phone call, Valerie grinned, then shook her head. I hope I didn’t get her into trouble.
Sitting at her kitchen island, she checked the list in her planner. Phone number: check. The rest of the list had the topics to cover—and the possible request.
All right. Time to go to work. Pulling in a breath, she reminded herself she was good at this kind of stuff. It was a shame she’d never been a Girl Scout—she could have sold the hell out of those cookies.
Especially the Thin Mints.
I really could use a cookie right now.
With a huff of exasperation, she tapped in the numbers and then touched CALL. Please, be a nice guy and answer a call from an unidentified number.
After two rings, she heard a man’s voice. “Drake.”
“Hi, um, Master Drake. You don’t know me, but—” Here she had to evade a bit, since Zuri had discovered the man’s phone number by going through Max’s hard copy of contacts. “Well, my name is Valerie, and I’m a member of the Shadowlands where Master Max Drago and Ghost are members. Ghost has run into a problem, and we—some of the submissives—would like to help him with it.”
There was a silence on the line for a moment, as if the Dom was parsing through exactly what she’d said. “Well, this is unexpected.” The voice was deep and smooth, like warm satin with a hint of a French accent. “And what exactly are you to Ghost, might I ask, Ms. Valerie?”
She choked and felt herself turning red. “I…we’re, I mean”—she firmed her voice—“we’re friends.”
He made an amused sound. “I see. In that case, how may I be of assistance?”
That afternoon, Valerie hit the pause button on her laptop. The video playing on her television screen stopped. Even though she’d already watched the recording twice, her sense of outrage lingered. “Now you have it. What do you think?”
There was silence for a moment.
Her apartment was crowded with the women who’d been available to help.
On her living room couch, Gabi, Sally, and Rainie were crowded together. Jessica—so very pregnant—sat in one chair, Linda, the other. Kim, Beth, and Kari were cross-legged on the floor. Josie and Andrea had perched on the kitchen island stools.
They were all there because Ghost already had the support of the Shadowkittens.
Valerie paced across the room as everyone started talking at once.
“I knew he wouldn’t have ignored someone’s limits,” Linda told Jessica, who agreed.
Valerie let them talk for a while before raising her voice. “People. I need ideas on how we can distribute this to the club members.”
“Give it to Master Z so he can email everyone through the Shadowlands distribution list?” Rainie suggested. “Like a special newsletter?”
Valerie frowned. “I have a feeling Master Z would first ask Ghost what he wanted done with the video.”
Jessica broke in. “He would.”
“And Ghost would undoubtedly say no,” Valerie finished. “Because it would…well, expose Faylee.”
Linda nodded. “That would be my read on him, as well.”
“Dios, men have the weirdest codes of behavior,” Andrea muttered. “So…we go around him. Them.”
“Can we send the emails off without involving Master Z?” Gabi asked.
Eyes turned to Jessica who scowled. “After firing Wrecker, Z changed all the passwords—everywhere—including to the Shadowlands email software. I can’t get into it.”
For some reason, everyone turned to Sally.
The brunette shook her head. “I promised Galen and Vance I wouldn’t hack into anything without getting their permission first.”
“And the first thing they’d do is consult with Z and Ghost.” Zuri bumped her shoulder against Sally’s. “I hate those kinds of promises.”
“Tell me about it,” Sally muttered.
Well, so much for the easy way. I’m not giving up. Nope.
“All right,” Valerie said slowly. “What if we play the video for everyone at the club tonight? The members who see it will kill the rumors. Gossip can go both ways, after all.”
There were nods of agreement.
Beth turned to Jessica. “How do we get people to where they could see it?”
“I can get the announcement chime to sound,” Jessica said. “That’ll get most of the members to gather at the bar.”
Kim scowled. “There isn’t any screen or TV in the club. And the walls are covered with floggers and paddles and stuff.”
There was silence, then Josie laughed.
Valerie turned to her. “Idea?”
“Yes.” The bartender waved her hand at everyone in the room. “But…if Master Z fires me, I expect y’all to come to my defense.”
Smiles started to appear along with a chorus of agreement.
“Sure.” “Absolutely.” “Gratitude blowjobs will be given.”
“What do you have in mind?” Linda asked Josie.
“When I was young, our church showed movies on a white sheet pinned to the wall.”
Zuri shook her head. “All the whips and paddles and stuff on the walls would make a hanging sheet too lumpy.”
“True.” Josie agreed. “Which is why you need me. Remember all the chains fastened to the rafters above the bar? We can hook a sheet to them. But if you’re trotting up and down my bar hanging a sheet, the first person Z will hold responsible is me.”
Rainie grinned. “That’ll work perfectly. Especially since everyone faces the bar naturally.”
“I’ll defend you, Josie. If nothing else, I’ll play the pregnancy card.” Jessica’s bottom lip quivered almost as much as her voice as she said, “I…I was so upset to hear Ghost might leave. I begged them to help me, Master.”
Kari snorted. “And if the mind-reading psychologist believes that, I have a nice glacier out in Tampa Bay to sell you.”
As the laughter quieted, Jessica turned to Valerie, and her green eyes brimmed with tears. “It wouldn’t be a total lie. Z feels guilty that he can’t monitor the club like he used to. Having Ghost there lets him relax because he trusts the Colonel to care for the members as well as he could.”
Kari got up on her knees to wrap an arm around the blonde.
Jessica looked around the room. “I don’t want to go back to worrying about Z. We have to fix this.”
Fury rose inside Valerie hard and fast, and she spat out a stream of Arabic.
“What did you say?” Gabi asked, grinning.
“Nothing nice.” When all eyes were still on her, Valerie realized they weren’t going to move on until she translated. Stubborn submissives. “I said the club is not going to lose Ghost because of the lies of a backstabbing, suit-wearing steer who smells like the bottom of a camel-herder’s sandal.”
The group burst out laughing.
Sally was giggling so hard, she sputtered. “Doc Winborne, you can spit out the best insults.”
“Not even one curse word,” Rainie said in obvious approval.
Andrea nodded. “That’s what mine sounds like when I translate for Cullen.”
As everyone settled back, continuing to refine the plan, sadness swept through Valerie. She was old enough to know the pain of losing Ghost would ease. Eventually.
Until then, it would hurt too much to see Ghost with others, so visiting the club after tonight wouldn’t happen for a while.
But, maybe, she could keep these new friends even if she didn’t see them at the Shadowlands. She’d hate to lose being part of this unique group.
With a bittersweet joy, she savored the feeling of belonging, then set it aside and picked up her planner. Time to make a new list. “All right, my fellow conspirators. Who has a white sheet? Who has a projector?”
In the Shadowlands of
fice, Ghost set two papers on Z’s desk. “Here is my resignation from the manager position and for my club membership, as well.”
Z pushed the papers back toward Ghost. “Neither is accepted.”
A trickle of amusement made Ghost cough. “I realize the submissives in the club consider you God; however, this isn’t your decision.”
“It should be.” Z leaned back in his chair. “Finlay, rumors die, especially when unfounded.”
“The flood of gossip will recede, yes.” Ghost shook his head. “But doubts will remain. If I was merely a Dom, it wouldn’t matter. But you can’t have members distrusting the integrity of the manager—or the Masters. It’s not good for the club.”
“The club would survive.” Z’s gaze was uncomfortably perceptive. “At the moving-in party, you appeared to have a rather lovely reason to keep your membership.”
Ghost stiffened as pain knotted in his chest. She’d turned and walked away. “That…didn’t work out.”
“Are you going to let her go so easily?”
There was nothing easy about it.
But it was a valid question.
Ghost’s jaw hardened. “No, I’m not. I plan to talk with her.” Tonight, since he’d no longer have club duties to attend to. “She deserves the truth so she can make an informed decision rather than one based on lies.”
It still hurt she could believe those lies.
He continued, “Resigning from the club and the job has nothing to do with my relationship with Valerie. Leaving, though, is best for the club.”
“I’m pleased you and Valerie will talk. I disagree about your resignation.” Z tapped his fingers on the papers. “Nonetheless, as you said, it’s not my decision. If you could be kind enough to remain in the position for another week, until I can find someone to step in, I would appreciate it. I’m uncomfortable leaving Jessica when she’s so close to her due date.”
Ghost eyed Z, recalling all too well the man was a psychologist. “I’ve heard Jessica talking about playing the pregnancy card. I hadn’t realized a father-to-be could use it, too.”
Totally unashamed, Z smiled slightly. “We all play the cards we’re dealt.” He folded his hands on the desk and waited.
Damn. Ghost sighed and nodded. “Of course, I’ll stay until you find my replacement.”
It would have been easier to simply walk away, but he owed this man a lot. If Z was worried about his Jessica, then Ghost would remain and handle the flack.
The Shadowlands was incredibly crowded. Had all the members swamped the club in hopes of more juicy gossip? As Natalia circled the bar, her fingers tingled with the need to slap their nattering faces.
But that wasn’t who she was.
Her imagination was excellent—she was an artist, after all—but hitting someone? She wouldn’t.
Not even in fun. She’d far rather be on the receiving end.
Having to work, she’d missed the meeting about Ghost and the rumors, but Sally had filled her in on the plan. Since they didn’t need her to help, she was free to deal with her own problem.
“Hey, Natalia, want to play tonight?” The quietly intense brunette was in her forties and a good Top, but Natalia wasn’t in the mood for play. Not tonight.
Maybe not ever. “No, not tonight. But thank you.”
Ever since she’d told Gabi, Valerie, and Kim about the breakup with Olivia, she’d been thinking about the months with the Mistress. They’d been so happy, yet everything had fallen apart. In the space of a few minutes.
It didn’t make sense.
Olivia totally owed her an explanation.
And after that… Natalia felt tears burning at the back of her eyes.
Maybe it would be better to make a clean break, even if it meant losing her friends, too. Working for Linda, she might still see the Shadowkittens now and then.
Natalia swallowed against the lump in her throat. Olivia had gotten her the job, insisting she needed something more fun than working in a fast-food place.
She slowly walked another wide circle around the bar, remembering how her Mistress had wanted to see each new painting and how Natalia would be quivering inside, watching her face to see what she thought. Slowly, Olivia’s eyes would light. Her smile would appear as she took in the colors, the lights…the feeling. She not only appreciated the craft, but she always caught the emotions Natalia’d tried to convey.
Why, why, why did you break up with me, Mistress? Why?
Natalia made another circle of the bar. She was waiting for the right time…and hoping to find some courage to go with it.
Some of the Shadowkittens were sitting in an area close to the bar. Gabi and Kim, Sally and Beth. Valerie, Andrea, and Rainie were there, too. For some reason, they’d pulled a rolling bondage table into the circle.
Sally waved for Natalia to join them, but her nerves were too jumpy.
She made another loop, passing Master Sam and Linda at one end of the bar.
Mistress Anne and Ben were near the middle.
At the other end, Kari and Master Dan were talking with Jessica, Master Z, and Ghost.
And then…
Mistress Olivia slid onto a barstool two seats down from them.
As the air in Natalia’s throat clogged, she rubbed her sweaty palms against her jeans.
Now or never.
Never might be better.
Straightening her shoulders, she walked forward.
Is this what it feels like to walk to an execution?
She halted a few steps from Olivia. “Mistress.”
Olivia didn’t turn…because Natalia had whispered the word.
Kim had said, “Make your voice loud enough that others can hear.”
Sooo not easy. But she could do this. Her jaw set. Olivia had called her a Chihuahua once—small but mighty.
Tonight, she’d try for yappy, too. She pulled in a breath, and her voice came out loud with only a tiny quiver. “Mistress Olivia, I’d like to speak to you.”
The Mistress set her glass down with a thud and turned. “I don’t want to talk with you. I’ve made that clear.”
Don’t cringe. “You broke up with me and wouldn’t tell me why. I want to know why.”
When Olivia’s mouth tightened with anger, Natalia’s nerve started to break.
“Don’t stop now.” Gabi hissed from nearby.
“Finish the job,” Valerie called in a firm voice.
Finish it. Mustering her own anger, Natalia fisted her hands at her sides. “I loved you, served you, did everything I could to make you happy. And then you told me to leave, with no reason. I deserve to know w-why.” Her voice cracked on the last word.
But she kept her head high.
Flushed, Olivia stood. “Because you bloody well cheated on me, damn you. I saw the picture. I know.” Hands in fists at her side, she sucked in a breath, then…did that Domme thing she did, taking control of her emotions.
She gracefully resumed her seat and turned her back on Natalia.
It was over, and Natalia had lost.
Because. Wait, what had she said? “Cheated?” Inside, anger grew, rising hard and fast until her vision blurred red. Her whole body shook with fury.
“Cheated?” Her shout held a hoarse quality she’d never heard before. “There can’t be any stupid pictures because I never cheated on you. I’ve never cheated in my whole life! You’re a liar.”
Olivia thought she’d cheated. Could believe she’d cheated.
As her heart broke all over again, her throat closed, tears filled her eyes, and she ran for the exit.
She would never come back to this place.
* * *
Even as her ears still rang from Natalia’s furious shouting, Olivia heard the little submissive sob.
And something cracked inside her chest.
Her mouth opened.
Natalia ran out of the club. Leaving the words she’d yelled hanging in the air. Reverberating in Olivia’s heart.
“I’ve never cheate
d in my whole life.”
Right up until Chelsey shared the picture, Olivia would have staked her life on her Latina submissive being the most honest person she’d ever met.
“Olivia?” Anne set a hand on her shoulder.
Olivia’s voice didn’t sound like her own. “I saw the picture…on someone’s phone. Natalia with a Domme. A very”—she swallowed—“explicit picture.”
“From prior to when she was with you, maybe?” Anne asked.
Olivia shook her head. “No. I could tell because of her hair. She’d never had bangs before, but I thought they’d be cute, so she had them styled after she moved in with me.”
And it damn well hurt because the bangs had made her eyes look so big, and she was so pleased, and so was Olivia and—
On the other side of Anne, Ben cleared his throat. “Photos can be faked. Doesn’t take too much work, either.”
Olivia froze. “Faked?”
Two people slid onto the stools at her right—Ghost and Z.
Olivia turned to Z. “Was Natalia lying?”
His voice was gentle. “I think you already know the answer, Mistress Olivia.”
She closed her eyes for a moment as dismay swept through her. Because everything inside her said Natalia had spoken the truth.
“However, someone lied.” The Colonel studied Olivia with a hard, professional gaze. His anger was obvious but controlled. “I’m wondering who showed you the photo, and if they had a selfish reason.”
Olivia shook her head. “Chelsey. She came to me and said—”
“Chelsey, hmm?” Ghost gave her a grim nod and strode away.
Walked away.
Probably disgusted with the whole mess. Olivia stared down at her drink. Took a sip. Could barely swallow it. Had she jumped to a horribly wrong conclusion? Had she destroyed something so wonderful without even questioning it?
All because she was a fearful git who’d been burned in the past?
Eventually, she realized Anne was speaking, “What exactly did Chelsey say?”
“She wanted to play, and I told her I was in a committed relationship, and she asked why I was committed when Natalia wasn’t. Then she showed me the picture.”
The Effing List Page 21
