Page 37 of Bound By Her

NORTH CAROLINA

The foyer was well lit with the morning sun. A white glow gently embraced Adria’s back as she climbed the ornate staircase in the west sector. Her hand following the oak banister as she focused on her six-inch heels making it to the top without any mishaps.

Her dark corset was pulled tight on her waist, and her body settled into a shallow breathing pattern. The clothes were her armor. They transformed her. In them she was confident, a Dominatrix that no one would dare defy.

Eric and Loretta were right, she had waited long enough. Running her hands along the seams of her corset, she moved to Seth’s door.

In the west sector, every door was equipped with locks. Punching in her code, the door swung open.

Seth was in bed, above the duvet, fully clothed.

Adria had initially given them full access to the western sector for the first few days, needing time to get ready. As a bonus, she had the time to observe their interactions. Seth stood out as noticeably smaller than the other two, with a boyish appearance. Despite his quiet demeanor, she noticed his assertiveness when he spoke up against Kaydon on multiple occasions.

His blond hair meant he was not Romanian. Which explained many of his tattoos. On the right side of his neck in bold script was ‘OWNED’—no cypher needed. It was exactly the type of blatant, blunt language she had come to expect from the Winters.

His face appeared to have improved in the week since they arrived. Callen had been truthful. Aside from Bryson’s broken rib, there were no lasting physical injuries. Eric had inquired, but not one of the boys was inclined to share where the injuries had come from.

Under normal circumstances, Adria would want to wait until everyone was completely healed prior to starting, but with two unexpected guests and only a year to train, time wasn’t a luxury she had.

“My name is Mistress Adria,” she said, observing his reaction to her presence.

His eyes were clinical. They tracked her movements and assessed her every breath. Eric was in the hall, and while she was able to handle herself, she hoped their initial encounter wouldn’t require violence.

“I want you to know the business I have conducted with the Winters doesn’t include you or your friend?—”

She looked down at the dossier Eric had given her. “Kaydon.”

Of course, she knew Kaydon’s name, but Seth didn’t know that. Adria wanted him as relaxed as possible and, in her experience, people were less relaxed if they felt seen.

“If you or Kaydon would like to leave, I’ll be entertaining that option for the next ten minutes.”

She walked to the adjoining door, typing in another code and the door swung open, revealing Kaydon’s room.

His room was dark, and Seth’s room lit up the space intrusively. Brown eyes under shoulder-length sandy-brown hair blinked up at her.

Awareness came to Kaydon quickly. His broadmuscular frame moved in the space. From what Adria had observed, he had a calm, assessing, level-headed temperament. Perfect for a Right Hand.

She stepped out of the doorway, leaving the threshold open.

“I was telling Seth that the two of you are free to go,” she said, watching Kaydon move past her to sit on the bed.

Seth visibly relaxing next to him. Adria hadn’t quite put her finger on the group.

“We aren’t going anywhere.” The gravelly tone came from Kaydon.

She raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

“We are here to stay,” Kaydon confirmed.

“Stand up.” Her vocal tone shifted, and her posture stiffened.

Kaydon stood. It was casual and without hurry, but he complied. Seth raised his eyes to meet hers. He recognized the command, but he did not stand.

She smiled. “Clearly you are not here to stay.”

She let the words sink in.

“The deal I made with Callen was for Bryson. You two,” she motioned at them dismissively, “are one of two things. A fun bonus,” she paced to the door near the hallway and gestured out, “or dead weight.”

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