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Ezra sat back and considered his answer, which was fine. Dev had been clear that the talks in this office were when the twins got to talk about what they want and do not want with complete and total honesty.

“Mikael gave me paperwork to read about consensual power exchange relationships,” Ezra finally said, “and how the submissive gets to define the parameters the Dominantcan work within. I believe, once I’ve gained the trust and responsibility to be given some freedoms, that I would like to negotiate such a relationship with you.”

“And what would you ask for? Something to happen, or something to never happen again? I’m sure there are some of each.”

“A safeword outside of punishments, and some kind of limit on orgasm restrictions. I haven’t had time to figure that out yet, but maybe at least one orgasm a week, or two a month. I understand why needing permission to orgasm is important in a power exchange relationship, and why the submissive can’t make too many demands, but I don’t know that I’d stay in a relationship that denied orgasms for months at a time, or longer — not when I could walk away at any time.” He took a breath. “Also, that I won’t be fucked while in my four-legged form ever again.”

“I can give you that one while you’re a slave. Unless something drastically changes in your attitude, no one’s going to fuck your cat form, here. That’s coming from me and not Brooke, but I’ll ask her to give you the same promise, and I believe she will, though I can’t assure you of it, obviously. As for orgasm restriction, I can do a little of that now as well. I’ll guarantee you at least one orgasm per month unless I choose to implement orgasm restriction as part of a punishment or consequence, and then you could go years without one, but I have a hard time seeing you intentionally disobey to the extent it would take for that kind of consequence.”

He sighed and considered the safeword request. He liked that Ezra knew, even once he was free, that punishments were never going to come with a safeword. The truth was, even now, if one of the eight most powerful vampires in the coterie wanted to use and abuse Dev more than they wanted to follow protocol, he wouldn’t have a safeword, either. Other than for punishments,it hadn’t happened in a long time, but mostly because they understood Dev was a favorite of Brooke’s, and she wouldn’t approve.

And Brooke knew most everything that happened in her coterie. Nothing important got past her.Ever.

Besides, Dev was fully aware the vampires considered it fair game to do as they pleased and then just fuck with the memories of the poor human or shapeshifter. If you weren’t strong enough to protect your mind then it wasn’t against supernatural law so long as they didn’t get caught doing something wrong via electronic means, which was a problem with hidden cameras, and phones that could record audio and video without a warning.

But he didn’t need to go into all of that with Ezra, who’d lived with vampires all his life. “I can give you those two things because you’re on the path towards attaining your freedom, and these are items a free person in the coterie can dictate, so I’m allowing you a little leeway — the beginnings of freedom.”

He steepled his fingers, looked at them a second, and then met Ezra’s gaze again. “However, I believe you understand how vampire society works. Survival of the strongest. Even as a free man, so long as you’re part of the coterie, you won’t have a safeword. Some in the flock have negotiated for one, but in reality, the vampires keep going and then mindfuck them later, so they either don’t remember safewording, or they believe everything stopped when they used it. In vampire society, there are rarely safewords because if you want someone to stop, they will only do so if you are strong enough to stop them, or if you are the favorite of someone strong enough to stop them.”

A tone sounded on his phone, and he used a remote to turn a wall monitor on. He watched the car carrying Genie pull past the gate, and he told Ezra, “She might not be happy with me. Brooke gave her an object lesson, and I’m not going to be terriblysympathetic.” But he had more things to talk with Ezra about before she made it inside. “It was the opinion of your handlers in Italy that your twin bond was imperative to the stability of you both, and that messing with it could be catastrophic.”

“I believe that’s accurate.”

“What do we need to do so your brother feels connected to you again once his punishment is finished?”

“Either an hour alone with him, just he and I, and I know we’re likely monitored electronically, which is fine, but it needs to be just the two of us in a room. Or, the four of us doing an activity where he feels fully included and no longer outcast.”

“I’d prefer the latter, if you think it will work. With Genie pissed at me, he can be between you and me, with Genie on the other side of you, and she can transfer between the two of you naturally, maybe. The question is what we can do? What group activity?” Dev understood it needed to be something more relaxed than sex.

“Do you have a ping-pong table?”

“Yes.”

Ezra smiled. “If neither one of you are any good, then you’ll want Elijah and I on separate teams. If one or both of you are good, then my brother and I can be on the same team.”

“I take it the two of you are good?”

“Yes.”

“It’s been a while since I had time to play, but I used to be better than average. We play that if you crush a ball you lose a point.”

“Yes, that is how we play as well.”

“Genie’s almost here. You should stay, even if things get awkward. While you are in this room you are a partner and not a slave. Feel free to say whatever you think is appropriate, though keep in mind the point of you speaking up should be to helpand not to make things worse, but you have no restrictions other than to use your best judgement.”

“Thank you for having trust in me.”

Dev pulled him up, kissed his forehead, and hugged him. “Thank you for not disappointing me. Thank you for listening to me. I like youandyour brother. I care about the two of you. There are going to be setbacks, but it feels good, having you here like this. I look forward to the day we can do this outside of this office.”

The door to the stairwell opened, and Dev wondered why Genie had opted for the steps rather than the elevator, but he opened the office door and met her in the hallway without asking.

“I didn’t know she had that planned, or I’d have insisted on coming with you.”

“Could you have stopped her if you’d been there?”

“No. She’d have likely frozen me, to keep me out of trouble, knowing I wouldn’t be able to sit and watch you tortured.”

“Wait,” Ezra said from the office door. “Brooketorturedyou?”