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“Yeah,” she says with a small smile. “You are stressed out. I get it. I hope I was able to help.”

“I shouldn’t have taken my stress out on you. I apologize,” I say.

“It’s okay, Julian,” she says with a brighter smile. “You do have a girl up front looking for you, though. She is a hot mess.”

“Who?” Calder asks.

“She looks hurt, but just asked for you two. I think she said her name is Eliza, maybe,” she says.

“What?” I ask as I step into my shoes. “What do you mean she is hurt?”

“I mean, it looks like someone slapped the shit out of the girl. Her face is swollen,” Natalie explains.

“That son of a bitch is dead,” Calder growls, slamming the door open and storming out.

Three

Eliza

I am standing inthe corner of the lobby in The Velvet Room. I knew they would be at this location because it’s the closest to their house. This was their first location before they expanded into other cities. I don’t come here unless it’s daytime and only to bring paperwork to the manager, Ryan. Although I end up talking to him for a while when I am up here. Ryan isn’t here tonight, though, so all the employees here don’t know who I am. I am not dressed to go waltzing through the place, so waiting here is better. I also look like a crazy lady, so I doubt they’d let me back anyhow. They hardly wanted to even tell them I was here.

The door opens and both Julian and Calder rush me. I am a little stunned that Julian is pulling on a shirt, but I’m distracted when Calder gently grabs my face. “Are you okay?” Calder asks. I amtrying so hard not to cry, but hearing his gentle tone when there is anger boiling in his eyes causes tears to spill out.

“No,” I whimper.

“Come on. Let’s go to the office,” Julian says. When he touches my lower back, I flinch away and hiss as fire crackles through the welts on my back. Julian stops dead in his tracks before turning to look at me.

“A private room,” Calder says to Julian before grabbing my hand and pulling me through the door. I suddenly feel like everyone is watching us as we walk through the play area where people are getting fucked. Julian and Calder don’t even seem to notice how many people turn to look at us. Instead of the office, we go to one of the private VIP rooms.

“Natalie,” Calder says.

“Yeah?” a petite blonde woman asks, stepping in behind us.

“Can you join us?” Calder asks.

“Yeah,” she says, shutting the door behind her.

“What happened?” Julian asks as he picks me up and sits me on one of the leather-covered tables.

“I thought I ended the call before I left work…” I say, dropping my head to look at my lap. “When I left the office, the call was still going… He heard everything…”

“What did he do?” Calder asks.

“I tried to keep the peace. I really did,” I say as I start crying. Julian lifts my chin with a sigh, and I try to sniff back my tears.

“What did he do, kitten? Did he hit you?” Julian asks softly.

“Yes,” I whimper. “He slapped me, but… He, uh… I don’t know how… I’m sorry.”

“Let me,” Natalie says, bumping her hip into Julian to move him out of the way. “I’m Natalie. Eliza, right?”

“Yeah,” I whisper. “I’m their assistant.”

“Oh! I know you. They are always raving about their amazing assistant,” she says happily.

“Are you their…”

“No,” she laughs. “I am one of the sub students. That’s it. What did dickbreath do?”