Page 111 of Brat Baby
To Dylan’s credit, her voice holds strong, even as tears make streaks down her reddened cheeks.
As much as the recollection of that scene brings me terrible sadness and anger, I can’t help but feel sympathy for this girl. Young lady, really. She is only a few years older than Emery, with a membership that is only in its second year.
I shift forward in my seat and lean down so that I can whisper in her ear. “Dylan, all I want for you is to be happy. To find your master, or masters, and allow them to help you grow into the woman you are meant to be. I hope that Caleb and Logan are that for you.”
I pull back, and Dylan stares up at me. “I…I think they might be.”
Smiling, I chuck her on the chin. “I’m glad. If you ever need to talk, I hope you know that I am here. We may not have worked out in the long run, but I will always consider you a friend.”
The ghost of a smile appears on her lips, and she releases a watery chuckle. “Thank you, Master Derek. I’ll keep that in mind.”
I straighten in my seat and look to Caleb and Logan, both of whom stand with their arms crossed over their chests as they watch us. One with worry, the other stoically.
“Apology accepted.”
Caleb’s shoulders lower a fraction, and he offers me a thankful smile. “Dylan, please provide drinks for everyone at the table. I think we all need something to smooth out the edges.”
Dylan follows the order and quickly rises before dashing off to the bar. Conversation starts up around us, with everyone asking Thayne about their honeymoon. He allows Abigail and Wyatt to join in, and Darcy quickly engages with Devi about the exhibition event she went to earlier this week, where she picked up his ropes.
I look around at my friends, thinking about the email waiting for me that will allow us to pursue Emery once again, without fear of repercussions for any of us. I curse the no-personal-cameras rule for the main club area. The urge to run to the changing rooms and retrieve my phone from my locker is strong, but I haven’t seen my friends for weeks.
Dylan arrives, carrying a tray of drinks that has something for everyone. Once she has served everyone else, she returns to where she was kneeling for her apology, raises the tray above her head, and offers me her drink. I accept it and she maintains her position.
I check in with Logan, as Xavier has engaged with Caleb, and he mouths,Her idea.
Ah, a bit of service submission as a part of the apology.
I take a sip and replace my drink on the tray and let my mind wander to our precious girl.
Emery should be at the apartment now, eating the food I had delivered. We can all surprise her tomorrow morning. We’ll get the papers signed and delivered to Thayne first thing Monday, and I’ll speak with Justin to see if he is happy to finally take the step of teaching a class on his own.
The weight that has been pressing down on me lifts suddenly, like a rocket launching into space.
We did it. We walked the line. This is going to work.
Emery is going to be ours.
I scan the room, watching the people mingle, but then have to do a double-take, because she can’t be here. It’s impossible. My mind has to be playing tricks on me. She’s at the apartment.
Emery.
Here.
At Obsession. Not fifty feet away and in nothing but black lingerie.
Her eyes are wide, gaze jumping around to everyone in our group. I turn to see where she is staring at Darcy, a portion of his brand-new rope in Devi’s hand as he talks to her about it. Then over to Hudson, leaning down and talking to Abigail, who is still kneeling on the floor at his feet. Then Xavier, talking to Caleb, Logan, and a woman with curly red hair that I don’t recognize.
And then back to me. And Dylan. Who is kneeling for me. Who Emery clearly recognizes.
That weight is back on my chest as her eyes slam into mine, hurt and betrayal tearing at her beautiful features.
No. No. No.
“Emery.” I surge to standing, startling everyone around me. Startling her as well. Her eyes widen even farther as Darcy, Hudson, and Xavier shove to standing when they hear her name.
Before any of us can react, she turns on her heel and dashes back through the crowd, disappearing from sight.
Chapter 57
