Queen (Mistress & Master of Restraint) (27 page)

“I need to tell you something. Ade’s going to make a request of you tomorrow. I didn’t think you could do it, but I’ve changed my mind. You’ll be perfect for it. She already has Fate on board. She enlisted me a few months ago.” Her sultry voice turns pensive.

“What the hell are you talking about?” My voice is loaded with hostility. I don’t like knowing that the women closest to me have been shutting my ass out.

“You know how she’s with Ezra; territorial doesn’t even cover it. He’s into something that’s off the grid. She chose me because I’m the obvious
choice, but it hasn’t worked.”

“Quit the pretense and j
ust say it,” I grumble.

“Ezra is heavy into the scene called BDSM. It’s a lifestyle choice. I’d explain what it meant, but seeing that you’re on number twelve, I don’t think an explanation is necessary. That hot
nightclub downtown-
Restraint,
it’s Ezra’s creation. I went there when it opened. Three months ago I started working as their bartender at Ade’s request. She wanted me to have closer access. She wants to know if Ezra is ever with a woman.”

“Ezra’s gay. Is she freaking insane?” I ask incredulously.

“It’s Ade… so yes, she is insane.” Kristal’s throaty laugh heats my skin. “You know certain rules don’t apply in here,” she taps her black lacquered nail on the
leather cover of number twelve.

“It’s not working. They don’t trust me since I’m a sub. They don’t want to play with me either. It seems I’m not compliant enough. Ade wanted Fate to act as a Domme and you as her sub. I don’t think that’s how it should be. I think, and I know you’ll agree with me, that you’re about as subservient as a Queen. Fate will be fine in either position. She’s an excellent actress. As long as it’s not scary, she’ll see it as a thrill. Girlfrie
nd has an adrenaline problem.”

“Who are
they
you keep speaking of?” I don’t know what the hell she’s talking about. I’ve never even heard of the club Restraint.

“Ezra and his partner, Cortez.
There’s a guy there named Dexter. He’s part owner, too. He’s the only one who keeps his identity. I know Ezra is there, but he goes by the name
the Boss
. He and Cortez keep us guessing. We don’t know which is which. I only know their names because of Ade. Otherwise, they’re completely anonymous. They walk around in a hood- sometimes we have two hoods. It’s confusing as hell and they get a kick out of making us guess when we need to talk to
the Boss
. When you go to their office it’s always a surprise with which one you’ll get. Last night they both were in the office and they used the same damned voice- bastards. I didn’t know which
the Boss
was. All I wanted to do was add some new brands to our inventory. They made me beg for it.” She gives a sultry growl.

I try to wrap my mind around the kids I met back at Hillbrook running a BDSM night club. Then again, no one knew the fun-and-games that G
rant and I liked to engage in.

“Why is Ade worried? He’s keeping it anonymo
us, so it doesn’t affect her.”

“When she came to me awhile back, she knew I’d enjoy Restraint and she was curious. Something has her scared and she wouldn’t tell me what. Make her tell you before you agree to anything. Her plan was to get Fate closer to them by being their equal. I told her how the Dominants interact with one another on a differe
nt level than the rest of us.”

“Won’t they recognize Fate?”

“Oh, no doubt Cort will,” Kris cackles. “That’s the beauty of the plan. He wouldn’t suspect a thing.”

“Why?”

“Um- no one knows this but me. So don’t get pissed at the messenger. You know how everyone always assumed that Fate and Faith won’t talk because of their family issues. That’s not it. Faith was dating Cortez Abernathy throughout Hillbrook. Fate came home on winter break and was caught screwing him by Faith. Let’s just say that’s when Cynthia Brooks was born into her gothic glory. Cynthia wanted nothing to do with her “faithless” sister. So, yeah, Cortez knows Fate intimately.”

I draw into myself. I know nothing of my friends- the women I chose to spend my life with, to raise my daughter with, and to partner in business. I feel sucker-punched.

“They’ll recognize me. I can’t risk it. Ella’s too important.” I’d met both Ezra Zeitler and Cortez Abernathy briefly at Hillbrook more than a decade ago. But the risk is too great. I’ve avoided all charity events, social engagements, and press releases since I left the Whittenhowers. I couldn’t chance my name and face getting out into public and having someone put the pieces together.

“Use an alias. The entire community thrives on anonymity. No way would they remembe
r you,” she says dismissively.

“Thanks a lot, Kris,” I growl. “Why are you playing the submissive? I don’t see it.” I change the subject. I don’t like knowing that I don’t know my best friends. I thought we shared no secrets and we had each other’s backs. I was wrong- so much for trust.

“I’ll acquiesce to whoever can make me. I’ll make ‘em work for it. A lazy Dom doesn’t think they need to earn my respect, so they don’t get mine. I don’t know how
the Boss
and company treat their subs since they won’t play with me. They train Dominants. I’m playing with one right now and he’s damned strong. We haven’t had sex, yet, because his master won’t let him.”

“Who?”
I ask in curiosity.

“No- you’ll fuck me up. I’m sure you’d beat me to death. It’ll be my little secret. I think you should enter to train. You’ll be in for a huge, pleasant surprise. By the way, I think Ade has a girlfriend. She won’t say who.” S
he changes the subject- bitch.

“Who?”
I ask again, not so easily deterred.

“I just said I didn’t
know,” she says in annoyance.

“I’m not talking of Ade. Who are you stalking?” I worry for the guy. She eats men alive.

“Wow, look how late it is,” she pulls her phone from her pocket and yawns exaggeratedly. “I better get some sleep. I have to be fresh in the morning. My boss is a real task-master. Don’t wanna disappoint her.”

“Who?”
Something is screaming inside me. A long buried instinct trying to rise. I
need
to know who she’s playing D/s with.

“G’ night, Boss Lady,
I’ll start the McAlester account promptly at nine a.m.” She effectively cuts off our conversation. I’m tempted to make her answer. She smirks at me saucily knowing where my thoughts are leading me.

“Oh, girlfriend, I know exactly what you need. Just says yes to Ade and you may get what you’ve always been looking for.” Yet again she makes me feel like a child. She has a way about her that makes me feel less. She’s three years younger than me and she seems worldlier. There will always be a part of me that holds onto my jaded innocence.

“Make sure my secretive best friend attends the press release for
Transcend
in the morning. She needs to present them with the donation on camera for
The Press.
As always, make sure she knows that I do not exist; no mention of me on camera. And please let her know that I love how she fucked Ade and, apparently, Cortez. She’s such a good sister. We’re so close,” I say with sarcastic venom. 

The look Kristal gives me speaks volumes. She knew of the Ade/Fate tryst, too. I shake my head sadly and leave her sitting on my bed. Fucking bitches.

I scrub their treachery from my skin with scalding hot water from my state-of-the-art shower system. It was essential, not one part of it is indulgent, and it’s quality workmanship. Nope, honest, it’s not an indulgence. It keeps me sane and very, very clean. 

I spend the rest of my night and early morning gazing down at the towhead peeking out the top of her
Strawberry Shortcake
blankie. I bought it for her on her last birthday. It reminded me of her scent. How when you would put
Strawberry Shortcake
up to your nose and sniff, a delicate sweet scent wafted up your nostrils. That is the exact scent of my Ella.

My fingers rake through her fine, white strands. They hold a slight curl; my only contribution to her makeup. I’m thankful that she got my Dad’s curls instead of my wiry mass. I don’t know where my hair came from, but I’m glad my beautiful son received it rather than my daughter. A man can pull it off- females, not so much.

I want to know if her body will fill out like mine or if she’ll be waifish like Ade. I can wait to find out. I want to keep her small and safe. At some point in her future our lives may collapse. I wait with bated breath. The longer the wait, the better it is for my precious miracle.
Her fingers grip the blankie and then relax as she dreams little girl dreams. Her hands are her father’s, tapered, elegant fingers and smooth palms. Seeing them is very bitter-sweet.
I leave my post after another night flew by without a wink of sleep. I make our breakfast to begin our day.

Chapter Four

I craft the third pot of coffee of the day. I allow the grinder to cover Ade’s entrance. I’m pissed at her and don’t want this conversation to happen. When I’m angry at her, I see how one-sided our friendship is and then my fury turns into remorse. She has done so much for me. My children are safe because of her. She’s one of the three that held me up when my world shattered at my feet. My view of her doesn’t change, but, dammit, I’m allowed to be angry at her once in a while. I shouldn’t have to take all of her shit as repayment.

I grind the coffee longer than necessary in avoidance. The brew will be thick and strong- perfection for the caffeine addict.

“It’s finished, Regina. I know you know I’m waiting.” Ade yells patiently from her seat at the granite kitchen island.

“You can’t keep up this pace. You’re dead on your feet today. If you have a heart attack by age thirty who do you think will get Ella? Granted, she will be with Whitt and Niel, but she will be surrounded by all three Daniels.” She stresses the Daniels part.

Right on the spot I vow to cut back on my caffeine intake.
The Bastard
will have no access to my daughter.

I dump half of the grinds in the basket, omitting some to deaden the kick the coffee would provide. I longingly look at the remainder.
I bet you’d feel good roaring though my veins
. I throw it away and hit the red, start button with regret, but resolved.

I pull the sandwiches I made earlier from the refrigerator: pitas filled with white-meat chicken mixed with plain yogurt, pecans, and halved grapes. I place a plate in front of Ade, pasting a huge, bright smile on my face.
See, I’m a healthy girl- no worries.
I pour us an iced tea and take my seat next to her.

“How’s your work at the museum fairing?” I decide on pleasant small-talk. I’ll avoid her “conversation” for as long as I can put it off. She rolls her eyes at me, but answers because
she loves talking of herself.

“Great,” she says enthusiastically.  “I want to thank you for buying us the
Edvard Munch. We wanted to have a huge gala to show it off, but I knew you’d refuse.”

“Have as many parties as you want, just don’t invite me to present my donations. Let me know if you find any more acquisitions and I’ll acquire them for you. Just don’t put my name on them.”
“I had the plaque engraved with
Empowerment
. I figured you’d be alright with that since that’s what you use for all the other charities.”

“That’s good,” I nod my head. “Do you want Fate to act as our spokeswoman? I’d have Kristal do it, but she doesn’t like that shit either and her appearance may frighten the patrons.” Ade
shudders next to me from the implications of Kristal crashing a high-society party. I chuckle and take a huge bite of my pita. 

“God, no, don’t ever do that to me,” she laughs in horror. “You know you don’t have to keep buying us stuff. You know that right? You can keep the money you’ve earned. It’s
yours.”

“I know. I have enough to keep twenty generations of Regals happy, but I want them to earn their keep. I can’t give enough away, more pours in daily. I’m not complaining, but I’d rather make a difference in someone’s life through education and the
arts. Just paying it forward.”

“You don’t live like you shou
ld, Regina.” Ade chastises me.

“I believe that is the point. And who says I need to live like that. Our home has everything we could ever need. It’s soft, safe, and secure and it houses us all with room for ourselves. I don’t need a misery castle of my own to prove my worth. I don’t need to attend galas and spew my achievement. I’m a doer- I do instead of show. I’d rather let my work speak for itself.”

We sit in silence as we contemplate the other’s stance on life. She can’t fathom someone who’s more affluent than her father not wearing their influence like a badge of honor. She would be screaming it from the treetops. I can’t figure out why she’d want such a large target on her back. Money brings many problems. The more money you’re worth- the deadlier the problems.

“How’s Ezra?” I
ask in preemption to our talk