The camera focuses on Nicola again.Another slapping sound.Nicola jerks forward, her face twisted in pain.
I scramble to stop the video, to make it go away, but I drop my phone.It clatters to the deck.The video continues.
“Please—please stop?—”
“Go ahead, cry for me, Nicky.Your tears make me hard.”
I can’t—I can’t do this.
Dmitri swoops down, grabs my phone, and shuts it off.“Leah, the fuck?I thought you learned your lesson!”
I throw out my hands, anger and devastation warring in my chest.So much fucking pressure.The tears that arose when I first saw the video spill over my cheeks, but I’m not sad anymore—I’m pissed.“Don’t shout at me!I was trying to delete it!”
He rubs his forehead like he’s trying to ward off a headache.“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, well, so am I.”The video hangs in the air like a bad smell.I can still see it, hear it.
“Come here.”He moves to gather me in his arms.
I clamber out of my chair and step back.“I need some space.”
He doesn’t chase after me when I rush toward the cabin.I’m a selfish asshole, leaving him behind to bring everything in.Yet I can’t force myself to turn around and help.
I just want this to stop.I don’t want to face any of it, I don’t want to deal with it, I don’t want to think about it.
When I reach the cabin, I turn around to look behind me.Dmitri stands on the dock, backlit by the sun glinting off the water.I can’t tell whether he’s facing me or the lake.
Either way, he looks like I feel.Defeated.
* * *
Gage
It’s Friday, so I go to Low Vice, intending to sequester myself in my office.But I haven’t taken more than five steps into the club before I catch sight of Seth Colton.He’s leaning back in a booth, his arms extended out on either side of him, resting on the back of the seat.It makes him look like a prince surveying his entertainment.
He sees me at the same time I see him.He waves me over.“Gage, hey.Where’s your girl?”
I only shake my head.
“Well, that isn’t a promising look.”He offers me a commiserating smile.His beard is like mine—more long stubble than a full beard.“I’d order you a drink, but Betty won’t serve us alcohol.”
I don’t need a drink; I need Leah.I miss her with an ache that refuses to ease, no matter how I try to assuage it.
“Have a seat, Jannik.”He scoots over.“There’s fun to be had.The cross is getting some good use.”
His booth has a perfect view of the St.Andrew’s cross.There, a Domme is engaged in a power struggle with her bratty male submissive.How would Leah respond to being tied up there, in full view of the club?She appreciates a lick of pain with her pleasure, and she enjoys some degree of exhibitionism.Would the cross be too much?
Probably sensing my thoughts are still on Leah, Colton says, “Are you interested in sharing her?We could tame her together.”
Colton has taken part in my games in the past.He was my first choice for watching Leah in the car.Last time we talked, he was interested in watching again.Now he wants to engage.
Possessiveness flares in my chest.I stamp it out and pack it away.I keep my eyes on the scene playing out at the cross.The male submissive says something unintelligible.It must be disrespectful, because the Domme’s eyes alight with sadistic anticipation.She can’t wait to punish the sub for his impertinence.
“I’m not interested in sharing.”My words are curt.“But I don’t own her, Colton.So I guess that would be up to her.”
He gives me a thoughtful look, but he doesn’t press the issue.
My phone rings.Mateo Gold.I haven’t heard from him in a few years.Standing up, I nod at Colton.“I have to take this, sorry.”
