Page 110 of Brat Baby
I frown at that. “She has no family, no support network. If she isn’t able to talk to us, her partners, when she needs help, like any other student would, that will leave her at a disadvantage.”
Thayne shrugs, his face devoid of empathy. “That is definitely a factor you need to consider. She’ll have to figure that out on her own. Join study groups, hire a tutor. Whatever she needs to do. If there is ever seen to be any form of academic coaching from any of you, while you are employed at Newton University, she will be expelled for academic breach and behavior unbecoming of a student. You will also be fired, effective immediately, for fraternization with a student and manipulation of academic records. There is no wiggle room on this.”
Silence descends on our little group, and even though the music from the club pulses around us and the area we are in has steadily filled with people having a good night, it is hard to muster up any enjoyment about this condition.
“Are there any other conditions?” Darcy asks.
Thayne nods. “There are, but they are all minor compared to those two. Nothing that you can’t achieve or that will require much discussion, mostly just that you are required to keep me updated on the progress of the relationship. If you extend the contract again or cancel it altogether, I must be made aware so that the paperwork can be updated.”
Hudson shifts on his stool and I glance at him. He gives a subtle nod. I don’t even really bother looking at the other two. They are highly unlikely to ever teach her. As an economics major, her core courses come from the math and business departments. Our teaching and education paths will inevitably cross again.
So, the question is, can I walk away from my first-year students right now? A class I have taught since I was a TA myself? And then any future classes of mine that she may wish to enroll in?
Keep teaching, keep my position, keep my tenure, keep Emery. Everything else will remain the same. I just need to give up this one thing.
“When can we sign the papers?” I ask Thayne, a happiness I have rarely felt lately spreading out its warm fingers through my chest.
“They are already waiting for you in your inbox.” The smug bastard reclines back in his couch, his attention catching on someone walking up to us.
“Devi.” Thayne stands, eyes lighting up at the sight of the Madam of Club Obsession.
The four of us stand, while Abigail and Wyatt remaining kneeling, and turn to face Devangeline, Devi for those allowed to address her that way. Madam, Mistress, or Madam D for those who aren’t.
She smiles, her bloodred lipstick drawing the eye. “Please stay seated. I just wanted to come over and congratulate the three of you again. It was a pleasure and a privilege to watch one of my oldest—and I mean that in the age sense—friends finally settle down again.”
Thayne makes a scoffing noise, and we all have a chuckle at his muttered, “I am not the oldest person you know.”
Devi turns to face Darcy and offers him a black paper bag by its handles. “And to deliver this to you.”
Darcy lights up and reaches for the bag, pulling Devi’s much smaller frame into his for a hug. “Thank you. Would you like to take a seat with us?”
He gestures to the space in the middle of the couch, and Devi accepts, all of us resuming our seats.
But before conversation can resume, another group of people joins us, and when I spot the young woman with them, I tense. Dylan, with Caleb and Logan, fellow masters and dungeon monitors for Obsession.
Her head is bowed, and she is wearing unlinked cuffs around her wrists. Internally, I raise my eyebrows at that. It seems she is currently under the ownership of whom I can only assume is Caleb and Logan, with how close they are watching her. Not having been at the club since before Emery, I am totally out of the loop on what is happening right now.
I feel Darcy staring at me from behind Devi, but I ignore him.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Caleb starts, his hand on Dylan’s lower back. “But Dylan was hoping to talk to you, Derek.”
I move to stand, because I can see this for what it is. This is an amends. Giving Dylan the privacy she deserves for this is something I am happy to bestow.
But Logan stops me with a shake of his head, arms folded over his chest. “Here is fine. She chose to embarrass you in public, she can now apologize in public.”
“If that is what is required, then that is fine with me. However, I do not require this to be public,” I respond, wanting to provide an out. Public apologies are never an easy thing.
“Please, Master Derek, allow me this. I wish to show everyone that I was the one in the wrong.” Dylan manages to drag her eyes up from the floor. They shimmer with a sheen of tears, and her long blonde hair is brushed perfectly straight and hangs around her flushed face.
It’s only now that I notice she is in a plain white cotton shift with no shoes, not one of her typical all-black leather-and-lace outfits that leave very little to the imagination.
Everyone seated around us has gone quiet, providing this moment for just Dylan and me.
I’m also aware that people around the bar and other seating areas have taken notice of the exchange, and not wanting to drag this out, I incline my head. “You may apologize.”
Dylan immediately steps forward, winding her way around the coffee table with our drinks on it, kneels directly in front of meand makes direct eye contact, that shimmer of tears beading over her lower lashes.
“Master Derek, I wish to apologize for my behavior during our last scene. I knew from the moment that we discussed what would happen that I was not going to enjoy the activity, and I should have discussed this, regardless of my fear that I would displease you. I ended up doing so, anyway. I failed you and broke our trust. I am sincerely sorry for causing you to use our safe word during a public scene, when I knew better. I hope that, one day, you will be able to forgive me.”
