Page 50 of For Love & Torture

I head off down the hall to go to Betty’s office to see what she’s got on Bart Mason, leaving Grant to talk to Tad. Passing one of the other owners, Frank Devine, I give him a smile. “Hello, Mr. D. How’s the evening going for you?”

He looks me up and down, noticing my informal attire. “Did you just come from playing a game of baseball, Isabel?”

If he only knew what I had just come from, he’d call the men in the white suits to pick me up and take me away to the nut house. “I was taking the night off, but Mr. J. asked me to look in on the process of our latest applicant for membership.”

One dark brow arches. “That Mason fellow?”

“That is the one.” I start to walk away.

But what he says stops me. “He was here a bit earlier. I’m surprised Betty hasn’t called you. He was accepted and paid his dues for the entire next year up front. And he put in a request. A request that was accompanied by a hefty sum of money that was put into an escrow account. An account with you named as the payee.”

“And why would that be?” I feel utterly confused and know I probably have a goofy look on my face as my hands find my hips.

“Because he wants you as his sub for this entire year.” His arm goes around my shoulder. “The sum he’s going to pay you is unheard of. You will be a billionaire when your year with him is up.”

“A what?” I find myself shaking. My head is spinning. I can’t do it. I just can’t.

“A billionaire, Isabel,” he reiterates, giving my shoulders a squeeze. “And he’s going to allow you to maintain your job with us. I told him you were in a five-year contract that can’t be broken. He said you could keep your job. He’ll come here to see you anyway. But he did say that at least three times this year, he’ll want you to take a two-week vacation for the two of you to go places together. He mentioned Transylvania of all places. Funny, huh? You know, it being so close to Halloween and all?”

“I can’t take his offer.” I wrap my arms around myself as I grow cold.

“You should really think about it. It’s not as if you don’t know how to be a submissive. You’re fantastic at it. A natural really.” He lets me out of his hold and takes a step back. “So my advice to you is to give it some serious thought. You don’t have anyone in your life. Why not make some money? Enough money to change your life forever.”

Because I’m in love with Grant, that’s why.

With a nod, I walk away, heading to Betty’s office. But the weight of what he told me is sitting like a brick on my chest.

No one will understand why I’m turning down something so life-changing. They’ll all think I’m insane.

Why does the man have to want me?