Page 71 of Bling

“Master Garrett,” Holly said, “Can we steal Isabelle for a little while? We’re trying to organize an impromptu girly hour at the bar.”

Isabelle looked up at him and he could tell she was about to say it was OK if he didn’t want her to, but he stopped her with a chaste kiss. “I think that’s a lovely idea. Go have fun, Isabelle. I have a few things I need to take care of to get ready for tonight anyway. No more than one drink for now, though. I have plans for you later.”

Her face turned red, but she turned to Holly and said, “OK. I would love to join. Master Garrett says I’m supposed to be taking it easy this weekend anyway.”

“Good for him. You work harder than most of the paid staff members do,” Dakota said, slinging her arm around her. “If you can only have one drink, we better make it a good one. Let’s see what Mitch can whip up for us.”

“Dakota,” Garrett growled. “Do not get my girl drunk. I would hate to have to get payback.”

She stuck her tongue out at him and Garrett just shook his head. Dakota could be a brat, but he knew Isabelle was safe with this group.

Hunter came in the door a few minutes later looking a bit disheveled, but he wore a lopsided grin.

“No date tonight?” Garrett asked.

Hunter shook his head. “She had to be in Denver for a performance. Not to mention, we haven’t exactly discussed my… proclivities. I’ll just find a cute unattached sub to play with if I get lonely over the weekend.”

“I hear Mark is recently unattached,” Lance said from his perch behind the desk. Mark was a gay sub who had recently parted ways with his Dom.

“Fuck off, Lance,” Hunter said. “Though, if I’m picking between Mark and your ugly ass I’ll go with Mark every time.”

Garrett chuckled at their good-natured ribbing. Lance was far from ugly and had recently been named one of Chicago’s hottest men by some big-time gossip magazine that covered Chicago’s elite.

He excused himself from the banter filled conversation and made his way upstairs. He wanted to set a few things up for Isabelle to enjoy later. His goal for the weekend was to see her relax and not worry about anyone else for a change.

In the room, he saw that Cassie, a former house submissive, had set up the items he requested. Bath oils, candles, a nice fluffy robe, and a face mask. He added a few of his own items to it before sitting down to get some work done.

When he opened his email, he scowled at a message from Regina. Why hadn’t she called him?

He lifted his phone to his ear.

“Regina, you should have called.”

“Sorry, Sir. You seemed adamant about not being disturbed. I figured if it were important enough you would see my email and get in touch.”

“Fair enough. What’s the new information you have?”

“We looked into the former employees fired for stealing at your Colorado Logistics facility and found something interesting. Helen Peters is dead, died a few months after she was fired when her car went off a bridge. Carmen Alvarado, as you know, is in prison, and so is Susan Arno.”

“Fuck,” Garrett swore. “Is there any reason to believe this is just a monumental coincidence?”

“That’s going to be a question for a private investigator, but my gut says no.”

“I’m talking to an investigator in the morning. Anything else?”

She hesitated. “What is it, Regina?”

“I’m sure it can wait until Monday, but I was reviewing your social calendar and you had the Colorado Small Business Gala penciled in. The problem is, I haven’t received an invitation.”

Garrett frowned. “That’s odd. I’ll give Paul a call next week and get it sorted.”

She cleared her throat.

“Jesus, Regina. I know I’m an asshole, but I also know you’re not afraid of me. Spit it out.”

“Your brother has an invitation already.”

“Maddox Oliver, or whatever last name he’s using, is going to the Colorado Small Business Gala? That doesn’t make any sense.”

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