The mood sent a crackling electricity through the air.
No one could throw a party like us. Even a few of our leather clad ponies had been set free for the evening and allowed to wander among the guests. Their tails were made out of real horsehair, and their erections stood as proud as the men who wore them. Some held hands, while others wove in and out of the crowd, making new friends and hugging old ones.
An hour ago I’d gathered my staff and delivered the news I was leaving. Most had taken it well. Though not Penny, Scarlet, or Lotte. They’d begged me to change my mind. This was not how things were meant to go.
We all knew that.
I’d created this safe haven for other likeminded members and the director leaving was unfathomable. Life had a funny way of changing plans right after you’d made them.
Chrysalis, an avant garde lifestyle I could no longer partake in.
I’d given my final order to Scarlet and Lotte—
“Prepare Mia.”
They’d led her away and right now she’d be immersed in a sensual pampering in the spa, and, afterward, binding her in fine chains using Shibari.
Richard patted my back. “We’ve had some fun times, haven’t we?”
“The best.”
“I’m going to miss you, Cam.”
“Come visit.”
“You bet.”
“You do realize what you pulled off for me, don’t you?”
“You keep reminding me.”
“You saved us.”
“Yeah, well you saved me. We’ll be waiting for you.”
Now, more than ever, I realized how much I needed tonight. Mia had foreseen that leaving here wouldn’t be easy.
“You know what impressed me the most?” said Richard.
I turned to face him.
“Even after you believed I’d purposely lost all your money you still didn’t hate me. That was enlightening.”
“Apparently lack of sleep doesn’t look good on me.”
He leaned against me for a second. “Losing your friendship would crush me.”
“Never going to happen, buddy.”
“Dominic’s not taking it well.”
“Look after him.”
“Of course.”
I reached into my pocket and withdrew the gold key, a symbol of all I held dear, and handed it to him.
A smile slid across his face. “Never thought the day would come.”