Page 61 of Submitting to Them
“There’s more,” Ella says.“It might not have anything to do with anything…but Joel knew I had a keyboard in my apartment…but he’d never been there.And what if Bryan wasn’t the only one who was watching me?”
That’s fucking creepy, but it tracks…Joel did film her during sex without her permission, so this is only another step along the same path.
Ella shivers, wrapping her arms around herself, and Sebastian and I are at her sides in an instant.
“It’s okay,” she says.“It’s gross and invasive, but it’s over.I’m okay guys, really.”
“But maybewe’renot okay.”Bash sounds angry.“When is this going to fucking end?”
Everything seems like it’s flying out of control, like we’re on a runaway train and at the moment it’s hurtling through empty streets…but sooner or later, it’s going to crash into a building.
“I hate everything about this situation,” I say.“Ella, can you send me the recording?I want to share it with the police detective.”
“Sure,” she says, tapping on her screen.
A second later, my phone buzzes with a notification.Snatching it up, I find Detective Baldwin’s phone number in my contacts.I go straight to voicemail, so I leave him a message to call me as soon as possible.
I’m not sure what else to say after I hang up.
Ella
Kingston still hasn’t heard back from the detective in the morning.As I’m pulling my hair into a ponytail, to get ready for my cleaning shift at Dorado Terrace, I’m distracted by the sound of the penthouse’s buzzer.
It’s only seven a.m.Looking over at Kingston, who’s already completely dressed, I ask, “Are we expecting someone?”
“It’s Ironwood,” Kingston says, striding to the other room and pushing the intercom.He says a few words to the Ironwood people.
Going over to the bed, I nudge Sebastian, who’s still sleeping.He growls at me and rolls over.
“I think you’re taking too many lessons from Schrödinger,” I say with a smile.Instead of nudging him again, I smooth a hand over his whiskered cheek and run a finger over his lips.
“Ella,” he breathes.
“Good morning, Daddy,” I say.“The personal security people are here.”
He sits up, his hazel eyes flying open.“Right.Let me get dressed.”
I go out into the living room to wait with Kingston, who holds my hand as we watch the elevator.In less than a minute, the doors are opening, and three huge, muscular men and one muscular woman step into the entryway.
“Hello,” Kingston says, letting go of me and stepping forward, hand outstretched.“I’m Kingston Tyler.This is Ella Marchand.Thank you for coming.”
“Of course,” the woman says.Her dark hair is cropped short and her black pants and black, button-up top—similar uniform to the men’s—screamsprofessional badass.“I’m Cora Fenton, and I’m taking the lead on this team.This is Terrence, Hunter, and Roman.The four of us will be your primary bodyguards, although shifts may have to change depending on our schedules.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Kingston says, shaking their hands.
I do the same, trying not to be intimidated by how strong everyone looks.In a room full of apex predators, I am most definitely the fluffy little bunny.I’m tempted to call the whole thing off.I know Kingston and Sebastian would disapprove, but they did, after all, say this was up to me.
But I’m not going to risk myself, or my men, again.
We exchange a few pleasantries, and then Sebastian comes out of the bedroom in a rumpled t-shirt and jeans.He’s introduced around, too, and then it’s time for me to go to work.
The bodyguards don’t seem shocked in the slightest when I kiss both men on the lips to say goodbye.I puzzle over that for a minute in the elevator before remembering that they work for Ironwood—and Olivia, Jaxon, and Ryder are in a relationship together as a threesome.
It’s reassuring to think that my relationship with Kingston and Sebastian won’t seem out of the ordinary to these guards.
Cora and Terrence drive me to Dorado Terrace.They don’t talk much as they drive, either to me or to each other.I sneak peeks at each of their profiles when they turn their heads every so often.Terrence has brown skin, black hair, and brown eyes.The only way I can describe those eyes issad.Something about the way Cora interacts to him, even though they barely speak, gives me protective vibes.
Something happened to him.I wonder what, but it’s not my business.
