Page 76 of Heist

Austin leaned back in her chair. “I’m not against the idea, other than, I’m not sure I’m ready to lose my job or start my own firm yet.”

Hunter smiled. “I get it. Branching out on your own is scary sometimes, but I have faith in you. I’m pretty sure everyone in this room does.”

Elijah cleared his throat. “Speaking of faith, how would you feel about sitting on the board?”

“Of Solitaire?” Austin asked, her eyes going wide.

“Yes, of course. Then if you still wanted to participate in the house submissive program, you would wear a house bracelet that has all the colors in it.”

Austin smiled. “Like the one Dakota sometimes wears.”

Dakota grinned. “Yep. These goons don’t like it when I want to do the whole house submissive thing, but I actually think it’s good for the board to have submissives that participate in the program along with everyone else.”

Austin nodded. “I like it. I’m not sure I like the idea of taking Patrick’s bracelet off though. I know we’re worried about whoever leaked my membership information. I want to complete the house submissive program though. I’m very torn right now.”

Patrick picked up her hand. “Wearing the house bracelet would give you the illusion of not having me as your Dom to the membership. The house bracelet signifies that you answer to all the house Doms, but we would all know better. You’re still mine,” he said with a wink, hoping to relax her.

It worked and she smiled. “OK. If that will make you feel better about the potential mole, I’ll do it.”

“Can I keep this one?” she whispered, holding up her wrist.

Patrick felt his heart swell. “Of course, baby girl.”

When the group had finished their discussion of welcoming Austin to the board, Lance kicked everyone but Austin and Patrick out so he could work on her devices.

“Austin,” Lance said, patting the chair next to him. “Come sit over here in case I need passwords.”

Austin snorted. “Do you actually need passwords?”

Lance chuckled. “Ethical hacker, babe. I’m trying not to be a total creep about digging into all your private information.

Austin gave him a small smile. “I appreciate it.”

Patrick looked on while Lance worked. Changing her bracelet felt as if he were losing part of what they had but he knew it needed to be done.

While Lance and Austin talked quietly about her online habits, Patrick zoned out and read through his own e-mail until Lance raised his voice a level.

“I swear to Christ if you were mine, I would spank you and take away all your electronics until you learned some basic fucking computer safety.”

Patrick winced as he watched Austin shrink back in her chair, but he didn’t say anything, wanting to see how she would respond.

“I’m sorry, Master Lance,” she whispered.

Lance just shook his head and kept typing. “I’m going to set you up with a few basic safety features and when things have settled down, we’re going to have a long talk about how to keep yourself safe. If this leak was electronic, I wouldn’t be surprised if it came from a two-bit hacker trying to make a buck off a reporter.”

“God, I feel so stupid,” Austin whispered. Patrick could hear tears in her voice.

“Hey, don’t be so hard on yourself, baby girl.” He tossed a scowl at Lance, who turned and picked up Austin’s hand.

‘I’m sorry, I’m being an ass. I just get a little intense about information security. You’re not in trouble. I am going to teach you a few things though.”

Austin smiled. “OK. I’m good with that.”

“Then you two should get out of here. I’ve got what I need for now.”

Patrick stood and held his hand out for Austin. When she stood and took it, he walked her across to Eli’s office.

A knock on the door told him nobody was in there, so he pulled out his key and unlocked it. The office was Eli’s because he was director of the board, but all the board members had a key.

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