Page 88 of Point of Contention

“Such a gentleman,” she teased.

“Oh, how wrong you are.”

She shivered and I smirked, then she looked down at the podium and her steps faltered.

I followed her gaze and immediately understood.

I’d expected Lacey. Possibly another low-level employee.

Instead, Mina stood at the bottom of the stairs, watching us make our way down, her expression blank but her eyes tight at the edges. Her black hair was cut into a sharp bob that made her face appear sharper somehow. She was everything a Mistress should be, but I detested having that hawk-like gaze turned on me.

Mina was the last person I’d ever want to go head-to-head with. She was also one of my closest friends—or had been until I ignored her warnings and went after Rylan, setting off a string of problems for all of us.

“Mistress Sinclair,” I said, bowing my head respectfully.

As we reached the final stair, Rylan’s arm tightened on mine. I slid my hand over hers.

Mina’s eyes followed the movement, sharp as ever and never missing a thing. Slowly, she focused her attention on Rylan. “Rylan, you look good. How are you?”

“I’m good.” She paused, then added, “You’re back.”

“I am.” She glanced at the dark hallway to her left. “I was just on my way to come check in with you. Is the store closed up? Locked?”

“Yes, of course.”

Mina inclined her head. “I appreciate your time this week. As I’m here now, I won’t need your help any longer.”

“Oh… okay.”

Mina titled her head as she switched her attention to me. “I see you’ve decided to continue this…”—she motioned between me and Rylan—“whatever this is.”

Rylan tensed, then stood taller.

“Mina,” she said, and Mina’s gaze cut to her quickly.

“I’m sorry. Mistress Sinclair,” Rylan corrected. “With all due respect—”

I cleared my throat and interrupted, squeezing Rylan’s hand in warning. “Mistress, if you’ll approve, I’d like to bring Rylan back as my personal guest. My submissive.”

“Officially?”

“Yes.”

Mina sighed. “You already know I don’t approve.”

I nodded. “Allow me—us—a chance to prove to you that we are not a danger to the club.”

Rylan’s soft inhale drew my attention and I swiveled my head to her.

“A danger?” she whispered.

“Yes, Rylan,” Mistress Sinclair answered, “A danger. As has already been demonstrated, your relationship is a danger to the safety and security of every member of my club.”

“How…?” Rylan stammered. “Mina, we didn’t do anything—”

“Rylan,” I warned. She’d addressed Mina informally twice in as many minutes, a monstrous show of disrespect within the walls of the underground club.

Mina’s jaw tightened and she looked at me expectantly, then shook her head. “Be a better educator, Master Creed. I expect more from you.” She stepped past us and began to ascend the stairs, then added, “And yourpet.”