Page 66 of Enthrall Shadows
I hurried out of the kitchen, fighting off memories of growing up in a house like this.
My seclusion was now compromised.
I easily found the back stairs, and after making my way up to the spacious roof, I surveyed the crowd mingling below. Everyone seemed to be having a good time and enjoying the housewarming party I’d not been warned about.
I couldn’t see over the walls of my neighbors on either side, which meant they couldn’t see over to my side either—a level of privacy I’d like if I stayed.
I scanned the crowd for Lotte, but couldn’t see her. Maybe she’d had enough, and if so, I couldn’t blame her.
Ironically, I was forbidden to be with the only woman who soothed my psyche. The one woman who I sensed was perfect for me.
I reached for my tie and pulled at it until it hung off my neck, inhaling sharply to regain some sense of control, some sense of balance.
Ripples of laughter came from all around, the chatter of complete strangers.
I was in L.A. and for all the wrong reasons.
The truth was crushing my ego.
I’d come so far in my recovery and yet had so far to go.
Letting out a long breath, I tried to figure out why the hell Reese’s letter wasn’t where I’d left it.
Because there are too many people interfering in my life.
All of them are suffocating me.
I should drive over to the Bel Air and search the room myself.
Or maybe destiny had also had its say.
This year was panning out to be one of my worst so far and the baseline had already been low.
Peering over the wall, I assessed how easy it would be to jump from here into the over-sized swimming pool. I’d trained for more daring pursuits. And if they expected a show from the damaged son, I should mix things up a bit.
After removing my shoes, I pulled off my shirt and stripped down to my boxer shorts.
I was ready to climb the wall and leap right into the sparkling pool.
Because today, rebellion felt fucking fantastic.
If you tell me I can’t do something, it makes me want it even more.
Which explained why I was back at Chrysalis four days after being banned.
Lately, I’d found myself rebelling a little more than usual.
Richard would have forgotten my faux pas by now. He wasn’t even here. It was business as usual as far as I could tell.
In the hallway outside the Harrington suite, I leaned against the wall with whip in hand, taking my time with this punishment.
Three submissives were on their knees in the grand hall, all of them assuming the submissive pose, all of them eager for my return.
I waited for the strain of uncertainty to work its magic on them.
I felt comfortable being back at Chrysalis where I belonged—not at some stuffy garden party. Yesterday, I’d met karma head on when Henry had taken his revenge out on me for inviting him to Imperial.
I’d fallen for it. Henry Cole’s alluring air had captivated me.
