Page 56 of Lesson In Honesty

“I-It’s mine.”

“Well, Liam will be pleased. Grit, not so much.” Straightening, Violet sighed and held her hand out, palm up. “Show me.”

Obedient as a puppy, her body language conflicted, Tabitha did as she was told without a whimper of complaint. She vibrated as Violet inspected the bandage, twisting her hand around, prodding lightly at the padding with her thumb.

“This is very neat work. Yours?” Violet directed the question Sierra’s way without looking at her.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I suppose I can let Grit decide if it warrants further attention, then.” The Mistress kept hold of Tabitha’s hand. “I’m here in a mediatory capacity. As the Domme taking responsibility for everyone in this room right now, I need to make sure you’re comfortable going back out there to your Doms.”

Oh boy. That meant the guys were ready to scene, and she wasn’t convinced Tabitha was prepared to do anything but take a nap. Her new friend was exhausted, even if she wouldn’t admit it; the slump of her shoulders, the hollowness in her eyes and cheeks, spoke of fatigue so deep it went beyond her bones.

Now, she dropped her eyes, breaking the intense battle of wills. “I’m not afraid of Grit. Kicking his ass with one hand isn’t a problem.”

Violet released the hand she held captive, then stroked her fingertips over Tabitha’s forehead. “I’m hearing the bravado, sweetheart, but I ain’t feeling it. Do you need some more time? A shoulder to cry on where no one can see?”

The quiver of those colorless lips made Sierra’s eyes well with tears. What was it about Dommes that sucked the venom from wounds and offered relief? Maybe they couldn’t fully purge the toxins, but with just words and simple gestures, they took the pain away.

“I’ll go tell them she’s not ready to play,” Sierra murmured, forcing the words through a tight throat.

“That might be a wise decision,” Violet agreed in a soothing tone, rubbing the backs of her fingers over Tabitha’s bloodless cheek. She was a very tactile woman, using touch to connect.

“No.” Head jerking up, Tabitha wet her dry lips. “No, I want this over with.”

“God bless stubborn subs. Are you sure?”

“No, no, no, said the rabbit to the bee. There’s nowhere left to run to, nowhere left to flee.” Trembling, Tabitha sucked in a breath and slid off the counter, stiffening when the Mistress’s arm curled around her waist for support. “The rabbit didn’t want to hide away, but she knew the same shit would come back to bite her another day.”

“Time to get you back to Grit, sweetheart.” Violet tipped her head at the door. “Would you mind, please, Sierra?”

The Doms were waiting outside when she hurried over and yanked the door open. Meeting Liam’s eyes, she shook her head subtly.

No one was more shocked than her—although Violet was probably a close second—when Tabitha stepped over the threshold and… camouflaged herself. It was an amazing feat to witness, actually, but a dangerous party trick.

Inch by inch, Tabitha’s spine straightened, her shoulders lifted, and a mask dropped down to conceal her exhaustion. While she couldn’t quite erase the signs borne from fear, stress, and pain, the woman standing here now wasn’t the same one who’d been sitting on the counter thirty seconds ago.

“Little tiger,” Grit said, stepping forward to steal her from Violet. His arms folded around her, tucking her close to his body as he hugged her tightly. “Christ, this has blown well out of proportion, baby. How bad are you hurt?”

Sierra’s mouth dropped open when her friend waved her bandaged hand casually and replied, “It’s nothing. I caused all this fuss for nothing, okay?”

Tempted to poke her, wondering if Tabitha somehow transformed herself into an android of some sort, she scurried over to Liam and nestled into his side instead.

“I don’t know why everyone looks so serious,” Tabitha continued, glancing around. A tiny flush of heat warmed her cheekbones when she realized how much attention was on her from the bar patrons now she’d emerged from the restroom. “It’s obvious I’ve managed to make a fool of myself in front of the whole damn club. I’ll get over it.”

“That’s not the issue here and you know it, baby.” Grit grasped her face in his hands. “We can call it a night, go home and get some rest. Try again another time.”

“No.”

“Tabby Cat—”

“It won’t be any easieranother time. We’ve done that song and dance, Grit.”

“My way worked last time, didn’t it? Slow and fucking steady.”

“I’m telling you, that won’t work now. When I was using sex as a weapon like Dominic taught me, Inevergave my ass to anyone. It’s only ever been taken from me, Grit. Can you see the difference?” She took his wrists, leaning into him. “I love you, and that is the only reason I am giving you one shot at this. Here. Now. Because I know you love me too and,” she paused when her voice cracked, “y-you won’t mean to hurt me. Not like the others.”

“Fuck.” Closing his eyes, Grit pressed his lips to her forehead.

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