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“It can’t be that bad, John,” Richards pops in as he crosses his arms. “Obviously it has to do with that girl. I just don’t understand what’s so wrong.”

A few moments pass as I gather my thoughts and make sure we’re still alone. “You wouldn’t know because she had the foresight of keeping her mask on. Thankfully, she blended in with the other submissives. No one was the wiser. But she doesn’t belong here. She’s not initiated into our society.”

Grigori’s brows raise as his body tightens. Next to him, Sergei bristles as a fierce scowl mars his face. It’s as if he’s preparing to go to war, even if his opponent is a young woman.

“We left her with Chelsea,” Grigori whistles under his breath. “If any harm-“

“Harm?” Richards barks out. “You’re joking. Right? If anyone is at risk, it’s my Melody. We all know how your Chelsea can be.”

“You may have fucked her,” he spits out, “but you’ve never once tried to know her or her mind. She’s far more vulnerable than you think. Check the tracker,” he shoots over at Sergei. “Make sure she’s still in the building.”

“Da. Bitch is still here. Still safe. I’ve been watching.”

Richards snorts and crosses his arms. “Just because she’s still in the room doesn’t mean she’s still alive.”

“Are you threatening my submissive right now?” The normally even-keel Russian rises to his full height. Even behind the mask, his eyes blaze with murderous intent.

Fuck. I need to fix this now. “Gentleman, please.” As much as I know to never get in between an angry Russian and his victim, they need to fully understand what’s going on. “This isn’t quite the crisis you think it is, but it could easily be.”

After a few tense moments, they break apart and stand away from each other, giving me room to speak. “With her mask on, you probably had no idea who she was. It’s Ashleigh.”

Unfortunately, I cannot say anything more as the bathroom door opens, and the initiate hobbles out with the other submissive. We all stand for what feels like an eternity with our dicks in our hands until they leave, allowing us to be alone once more.

“Who?” Grigori demands. “Do I know her?”

“The one with me at the benefit.”

“Fuck,” he spits out, his Russian getting a bit stronger. “The Hartwell girl?”

Glancing over at Richards, I give him a little more information. “She’s also the creator of the school newspaper.”

“Wait. That fucking Ashleigh? “ Richards exclaims. “Isn’t her father some sort of mogul?”

“Yes. He owns several newspapers in addition to other major corporations.”

“Well fuck,” he repeats under his breath.

“My sentiments exactly.”

Grigori strokes his chin as he takes in my words. “But that’s not the worst part. Is it?” Richards lifts his head as he looks over at me, his eyes burning with unspoken questions.

“No,” I finally admit.

“How the fuck can it get any worse?” Richards blurts out. “She’s with the press. Her father owns the press. She somehow managed to sneak in here. I fail to see what can be worse than that.”

This time, Grigori smiles a genuine grin that crinkles the skin around his eyes. “He wants her. I can see it in his eyes. Our fearless leader has fallen for this girl.”

Richards throws his hands in the air as he begins to pace. “What the hell are you going to do? Is there some way to blackmail her into joining us? How are her grades? I mean, besides in my class. Unfortunately, she’s exemplary.”

“It’s not just your class,” I finally sigh as I run my fingers through my hair. “She’s practically perfect in every way.”

Sergei snorts as his massive frame shakes with laughter. “A Mary Poppins who takes it up the ass. I pay good money to watch movie. Then again... pretty sure I beat meat to that movie before...”

As much as I want to be frustrated with him, he certainly helps relieve the rising tension. “Not helpful. But thank you for the laugh.”

From behind me, another voice slices through, forcing me onto the defensive. “She wants you. That should be enough.”

“Andrew,” I snarl as I urge my body and mind to calm down. “I thought you were with Chastity.”