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M aggie stepped out behind the tent, breathing in deep. She was utterly exhausted. They were close to finishing up and she was grateful as she didn’t think she could handle much more.

She wanted to head back home with her guys. Maybe take a dip in the pool. Perhaps she could wear the outfit that Ian had bought for her yesterday. It was a pale green dress with a zebra on the front.

It was adorable and just what her Little wanted.

Where were Ian and Jack? She’d looked around before coming back here, but hadn’t seen either of them.

She headed toward the vehicles. Uncle Willy wanted a special filter for a few more photos. Most of the security was gone except for Beck and Hux.

Still, it was weird that Ian wasn’t following her around, pressing her to eat and drink. Or that Jack wasn’t there to tease her. He’d pulled her behind the tent at lunchtime and kissed her until her legs had turned to jelly.

“I realized that I’ve been letting her ruin my life. I won’t allow her to do that anymore. To upset what we could have. I want that back and I won’t let her stand in our way. If that’s what the two of you want as well.”

She froze at the voice. Was that Jameson?

Who was the ‘she’ he was talking about? Was he talking about her? Did he think she was standing in their way? How would she be ruining his life, though?

She quickly hid behind the last car and peeked over to where the three men were standing. Jack and Ian had their backs to her while Jameson was facing her way. It seemed that he hadn’t seen her, though.

“You know that’s what we want,” Ian said. “It’s what we’ve always wanted. That’s why we moved here. For you, mate. After what happened, we knew you needed space. We understood it.”

“I didn’t,” Jack said. “Why the fuck did you need space from us? It was the three of us for years and then you just ran away. Abandoned us.”

You really shouldn’t be listening.

She’d always been a nosey parker.

“Jack, I didn’t . . . I didn’t mean for you to feel that way,” Jameson told him. “I never wanted to hurt you.”

“But you’re sure you’re ready now?” Jack asked. “Because I won’t be so forgiving if you pull away from us again.”

“I won’t pull away again. The lies and manipulation were hard to see past. I think I knew deep down what was happening, but I couldn’t come to you both until now. I’m sorry for hurting you both. But I want to move on . . . with someone suitable for all of us.”

Someone suitable for all of us.

She knew that wasn’t her. She wasn’t sophisticated enough. Old enough. And apparently, she was ruining his life. Although she didn’t understand how.

She tuned back into what she was saying, realizing she’d missed a chunk.

“But why would William tell me that she doesn’t want to stay here?” Jameson asked. “It doesn’t make sense.”

Bollocks. Uncle Willy told him that she said she couldn’t stay? Is that why he thought she’d lied?

Couldn’t they just have asked her what was going on?

She couldn’t . . . she couldn’t stick around and listen to anything more. To see Ian and Jack agreeing with Jameson.

Moving, she hurried away. She could barely see from the tears clouding her vision. But she didn’t care. All she wanted was to get away from here.

“I hate emotions,” she muttered. Why couldn’t she be cold and hard?

Why couldn’t she have slept with them without having feelings?

Because she found it hard to get turned on by people she didn’t know. Sure, at the club, she’d played with some Doms. But only ones she’d met and liked. And mostly, she’d stayed in the Littles area.

She’d shown them her Little.

She’d trusted them not to hurt her.

You’ve got no right to be hurt. They didn’t lie to you, didn’t promise you anything.

Jameson was their best friend. This was what they wanted. And it wasn’t like she could stay.

Still, learning what Jameson thought of her hurt. A lot.

“Hey, are you all right?”

She turned suddenly, staring blurrily at a woman walking toward her. Maggie wiped at her eyes. Why did she look so familiar?

“You . . . you’re the woman from the bathroom at the hospital.” Why would she be here?

“Ahh, yes. And you’re crying. Again.”

“I’m just slightly emotional at the moment. Ignore me.”

“Somehow, I don’t think it’s that. I don’t think our country is being very good to you.”

“No, that’s not true. Everyone is lovely. What . . . what are you doing here?”

“I’m part of the make-up crew.”

She was? Maggie couldn’t remember seeing her.

“I’ve been sticking mainly to the tent.”

Maggie nodded.

“Everyone is nearly done. They’ll probably be looking for you soon. Maybe you should . . . freshen up.”

“Is that code for saying that I look like crap?” Maggie asked.

“I would never say that. Come with me. I have a few things that can help.”

“Okay. Thanks. That’s kind.” Maggie stumbled along. “Aren’t we going in the wrong direction, though?”

“Hmm? Oh, they’re in my car.”

Why was there a car back here? A bad feeling filled Maggie. “I think I better get back.” She looked over her shoulder. She was so far from the tents that she didn’t think anyone would hear her unless she really yelled.

“Don’t do anything foolish, slut,” the woman whispered before something sharp was pressed to her neck. Maggie tried to get away, to fight back, but whatever was injected into her took effect quickly.

She couldn’t move. She was awake, but she couldn’t do anything.

Fear flooded her.

Why was this happening? What was going on?

“Hey,” the woman said. “Got her. I need help transporting her, though.”

Why would this woman do this? Why her? What was going on?

A tear dripped down her cheek. She wanted Ian. Jack. She wanted them to save her.

“Fuck, you couldn’t get her to the car?” a masculine voice grumbled.

“No, I couldn’t. She’s not completely stupid.”

What . . . what was going on? Confusion filled her.

Then, she was flying through the air. She screamed in her head, but nothing came out. She landed on a hard shoulder.

Oh God.

Where were they taking her? Why were they kidnapping her? Did they have her mistaken for someone else?

“Fuck, open the trunk,” the man said. Then he started lowering her.

Into a dark, small space.

No, no, no!

She wouldn’t survive. She wouldn’t!

The door slammed shut.

And darkness surrounded her.

“I don’t know why Maggie said that to her uncle, but she’ll have a good reason,” Jack said.

Why would Maggie not want to move here?

Ian didn’t understand.

Perhaps she didn’t want to take this any further? It wasn’t like they’d discussed it. They’d kept things very much in the here and now.

“I just thought you should know,” Jameson said, looking unhappy. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I don’t want anyone getting hurt.”

“Right, and when we came to you about Elizabeth, you were happy to listen to us about our concerns,” Jack pointed out.

“I should have. I made a mistake, Jack. And I’ve apologized for that. I don’t want the same to happen to the two of you.”

“Not all women are like that bitch,” Jack spat out.

Fuck. Ian had to find a way to rein them both back in.

Jameson looked away. “I was humiliated and angry after everything that happened. I came here for a fresh start. But I miss you guys. So fucking much. I want what we had. The feeling of belonging somewhere. And I want her. If she’ll have me. And if . . .”

If she’d stay? But why did she have to move here?

“We could move to be with her if she can’t come here,” Ian told him.

Jack nodded. “Yep.”

“You’d move from here?” Jameson looked shocked. “But she lives in London, right? People there aren’t accepting of harems like here. Or of Littles.”

“We’d make it work. For her,” Jack said. “She’s worth it.”

Ian wondered if Jameson would pull back. It was a test of sorts, even if it wasn’t a nice one. He loved the bastard, but he had to know that he was all in.

No matter what.

That he wouldn’t let past demons stand in his way.

Jameson took in a deep breath. “I didn’t think about that. But you’re right. If there’s a reason she can’t come here, and she wants to be with us . . . then we move.”

“Even if we might face tough challenges? People who don’t understand and criticize? People we know?” Ian said carefully.

Jameson nodded. “Even then. I’m not being dictated to by my parents and their ideals anymore. Time I lived life how I want. What I need. And that’s the three of you.”

“About fucking time,” Jack said.

Ian agreed.

“What about the fact that she’s a Little,” Jack said.

“I know I said I never wanted to be involved with a Little again, but I’m re-evaluating that. It’s something else I missed. That Elizabeth took from me.”

“Elizabeth wasn’t a real Little,” Jack spat out. “She was a liar.”

Jameson nodded. “Yeah, you’re right. She was just trying to give me what she thought I wanted. Well, what I did want. But not like that.”

“Let’s go back,” Jack said. “We shouldn’t have left her alone.”

Fuck. He was right.

Although plenty of other people were around to watch her, he’d feel better once he had eyes on her. As Jack walked off, Ian turned to Jameson. “It’s good to have you back. We missed you. And I know Maggie has feelings for you too. Just remember, she’s not Elizabeth. She’s sweet and loyal and crazy and fun.”

“I know. I know she’s nothing like that bitch.”

“Ian! Fuck, Ian!” Jack yelled.

Ian turned around at the sound of Jack’s panicked voice.

“Jack never panics,” Jameson said as they started running toward him.

Ian raced harder, his heart pounding at the look of fear on Jack’s face. “What is it? What’s happened? Where is Maggie?”

Because he just knew that the only person who could put that look on Jack’s face was their girl.

“I can’t find her anywhere. She’s fucking gone!”