Page 87 of Cameron's Contract

“You made both me and Mia vulnerable. An intolerable mistake.”

“How?”

“Zie used her pussy to get to me. And you let her.”

“Actually, I seduced her.”

“Yes, I’m sure it seemed that way.”

She glared. “Zie and I are perfect together.”

“Good to hear. Now tell your pussy partner to get her kitty cat claws out of my back or I will personally declaw her. And it will be bloody.”

Silence creeped in and backed me up with its intensity.

Laura stared at me. “I’ll tell Zie to back off.”

“I appreciate that.”

“I’m sorry, Cameron. I should never have had that session. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“Better,” I said. “Are you ready to run this place?”

“Yes,” she whispered. “Cameron…forgive me.”

“She better not hurt you.”

“You still care about me after what I did?”

“I can handle Zie.” I scrunched up the receipt and threw it back in the trash. “The question is, can you?”

She looked stunned.

“I’ll always be here for you,” I reassured her. “Just remember she’s dangerous.”

“I love her.”

“Call me. Anytime. We can share war stories.”

CHAPTER 25

MASQUERADE MASKS WERE worn by everyone.

The vibrancy of a Chrysalis party was well underway, with our guests donning the usual attire. Even some of the women dared to wear half corsets, with their masters by their sides. Now and again the roles reversed, with women leading men on thin chains.

From up here on the top step of Chrysalis’s staircase, Richard and I both sat side by side, surveying the guests who continued to trickle in, and those who had mingled within the foyer before setting off to explore. There would be plenty for them to see tonight—everything from dungeon play, the spanking rooms, and even a private tour of the stables.

Richard and I too had worn our finest bespoke black tie suits, our masks secured, that usual anticipation rising…

The dramatic notes of a soprano singing Richard’s favorite opera, La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi, carried from the great hall. How I loved this complex, brilliant man with a penchant for danger and the most forgiving heart of anyone I knew, other than Mia, of course.

With him by my side, I’d ruled this empire with a fierce control. The irony was not lost on me that the function of Chrysalis was to offer a safe and secure place in which complete surrender could be realized and freedom from selfhood guaranteed.

A sanctuary for the sexually elite.

Shay had increased the security and no one was getting in unless he personally sanctioned it.

Our attention was momentarily pulled to that passionate couple to the left of the stairs, their wild lovemaking against the wall having drawn a small audience.