Page 34 of Cameron's Contract

“On the contrary. It’s what we both need. As soon as we get back to L.A. we’ll fence.”

“Cameron, my feelings for you—”

“Cancel your replacement. This is not the time for strangers.”

“What if this puts you at risk?”

“You’ve been nothing but professional.”

“Until now.”

“I value honesty.”

“I just have to face you again.”

“Shay, you faced off with a Rottweiler for me.”

“Exactly. I’m thinking with my balls, Cam.”

“Your submissive side’s rising to the surface, Shay. I take full responsibility. You and I both know you’re a switch. I’m going to find you a male dominant to satisfy you.”

“I always fight it.”

“As expected. A challenge any worthy dom revels in.”

“You need—”

“You focused. Your expertise is essential. Promise me your best.”

“Dr. Cole, you have it.’

“Shay, your passion is the loyalty I need.” I gave a warm smile.

And left the room.

CHAPTER 10

CARRYING THAT MAMMOTH document with me, I went in search of Mia.

My suspicion of which room Mom might have placed her in was right. The smallest of all the guest bedrooms. Mia knelt on a chair facing the window, ear buds in, listening to music. Her gaze focused on the garden.

She hadn’t heard me enter so I took advantage of enjoying watching her.

I placed the file on the bedside table.

The décor leaned toward a country theme and I wondered why this one had been chosen for her. Deep green draped window frames, a soft Persian carpet, damask wallpaper, and that Sèvres porcelain vase standing alone on a long thin shelf.

And then I saw it, hanging on the far wall.

Monachine in Riva Al Mare—the painting by Vincenzo Cabiance— ‘Little Nuns by the Sea.’A group of sisters from St. Vincent de’ Paoli, standing and chatting with each other on a hill overlooking the ocean.

This house and these preordained rules of who was welcome and who wasn’t. A class system with its formulated prejudices had no place in the world I’d created around me.

I no longer belonged here. Never had. Not really.

Mia turned and smiled back at me. The sunlight caught in wisps of her hair. Her smile let me in and locked out the world. As it always did.

She was my peace, my serenity, and I needed her now more than ever. Mia would always represent innocence to me. She’d always be just as pure as those Italian nuns on that hill. But Mia would know the love of a man, feel his arms around her, receive his tender kisses and, not unlike God, I’d protect her until my dying day.