Page 50 of Into the Blue

I know he’ll never truly share how deep the blue goes. None of that matters because he’s claimed me as his.

Once you’re in the blue, you’ll never get out again.

I know that his empire wasn’t built on strictly legal means and neither will mine.

Blood is already running and I’m directly responsible.

We aren’t in this business to win awards.

We’re in it to make money.

As long as I have the upper hand with him, I can at least make sure that I keep my life now.

I decide to change the subject altogether. My feelings for Blue and his feelings for me are completely inconsequential to the job. “Are you staying safe? I miss home so much. I miss you.”

My starring role as Rapunzel in this tower was vital for the story. I could complain and be honest about how much I hated being stifled in this house under his protection, but I needed to remain the helpless little woman in his eyes in order to keep his trust.

He can’t know my true intentions for being here.

I couldn’t go back to Atlanta now anyway. I knew that was where Junior was holed up to avoid Blue. Coward.

The birds chirp idly from her porch. She must be smoking before her shift. Normally, we’d be sitting there together. “You know Lidia never lets me out of her sight. I might as well say she’s my personal bodyguard.”

A little chuckle escapes my lips. “And you want me to face facts? You’re not doing it yourself.”

Her exhale is a brief moment of static on my end. She’s definitely smoking without me. “You’re right. She is my personal bodyguard.”

I laugh at her obliviousness. “Pot meet kettle.”

“Couldn’t tell what you’re referring to. My regular has been feeling very generous, since I’ve been with the flog. You think I should start demanding to be called Mistress or Domme? Mistress Lee does have a good ring to it.”

“Gets my vote.” I cross my legs under myself as I settle back onto the couch. “You could finally use some of that fetish wear. Surprised you have money for food with how much there is.”

“A girl’s gotta have hobbies,” she laughs. “Don’t worry about what I’m doing in my free time.”

“You could be making so much more if you truly offered yourself as a Mistress. OH, I know who would enjoy being your test dummy. I guess, test subby is more accurate.”

“Ruben isn’tthatwilling. I feel like I’ve been training him to be more submissive. The flog was just on a whim—”

“No, Lee. I meant Lidia.”

“Lidia?”

“Yea.”

“No. That’s not a thing.”

Lidia had worked at the club long before Liezel or I started on the pole. She is a staple in The Chrome Flame and for good reason. Strong, takes no shit, and keeps the girls safe. Especially, those of us who were in high demand. But there is only so much that she could do against new ownership without losing her job.

I knew for a fact that she had a soft spot for Lee. When Junior started spewing his shit into the club, Lidia was the first outside of Lee’s door to make sure none of them touched her.

None of the coked out patrons and none of Junior’s men who were passing it around like candy.

“Come on. Studs like to be dominated, too. You’d be so good at it,” I assert.

“I don’t think so. I’m not ready. Plus I have all this on my plate with you.” She’s not wrong. With my Rapunzel status, she’s having to take on more than she usually would.

“Not for long,I—”