Page 23 of Too Hot

“I’m fine,” came a shaky voice.

She followed the voice and found Emily, one of the subs, sitting on the bench by the toilets. “Emily, what’s wrong?” Brianna sat down and put her arm around Emily’s shoulders.

“It’s nothing. I’m just being over emotional.”

“I don’t believe that. Do you want me to go get someone?”

“No,” Emily yelled. “See? Over emotional.”

Something had happened. Brianna persisted. “I’m here.” She squeezed Emily. “It sometimes helps to talk about it.” Brianna racked her brain to remember if Emily had a partner. During her last class, she’d been introduced to a lot of the subs and their partners.

“I don’t want Master Max involved.”

Red flags went up. Brianna was aware Max was very protective of all the subs, regardless of gender. “I can’t say I won’t involve Master Max, but I can say I won’t tell him unless I think others might be in danger.” She could live with that compromise.

“You haven’t played much here, have you?”

“Not really. Holidays and all.”

“The holidays are pretty quiet around here, and that’s fine. I don’t have family close, and it’s hard for me to travel and see them, so I like coming to the club.”

Brianna nodded. “I can understand that.”

“Master Max closed the club for Christmas and New Year, and normally, that isn’t an issue.”

“But this year it was.”

“I was feeling lonely. And I’d met a Dom here at the club. He’s been a member, and I didn’t see any red flags.”

“But?” Brianna knew something had happened.

“We went to coffee and dinner a few times, and then he asked me to a New Year’s Eve party. I accepted.” Brianna nodded, and Emily continued, “When the party was over…” Emily let out a hiccup as fresh tears ran down her face.

“Did he force you?”

Emily nodded.

Brianna took a deep breath. “Is he here in the club tonight?”

“Yes. I saw him the minute I walked in, and I ran out.”

“I don’t blame you.” Brianna stood and grabbed one of the tissue boxes sitting by the sink and took it to Emily. “I know you don’t want to involve Master Max, but we need to. What he did was a crime.”

“How? We were dating.”

“I don’t give a damn if you were married. He violated your trust and you.”

“I guess.” Emily wiped her face.

“What is his name?” Brianna kept her tone calm even though rage flowed through her veins.

“Ward.”

“I’ll be right back.” Brianna stood, grateful she was still dressed. She marched out of the bathroom.

“Brianna?” Rafe straightened from where he was leaning against the wall.

“Give me a minute.” She didn’t stop but made her way into the club and found Master Max by the bar. “Master Max.”

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