Page 52 of Submitting to Them

“We’d like to hire some personal security for you,” Kingston says.

I switch my focus between the two of them.“Like, bodyguards?”

“Exactly like that,” Sebastian says.“We’ve been talking to Jaxon and Ryder at Ironwood Security, but we want to make sure it’s okay with you.”

Kingston adds, “The final decision is up to you, Ella, but I really want you to take the threats seriously, and—”

“Yes,” I say.“It’s okay.If having someone around can help prevent things like what happened on Saturday, then it’s okay with me.”

Kingston and Sebastian both look at me with astonished expressions.

“That easy?”Sebastian says.

“Yes, it’s that easy.If it weren’t for me, it wouldn’t be necessary, and I feel like shit about that.”As I speak, a familiar feeling of shame clouds my happiness.“But that doesn’t change anything.I just wish I could contribute to paying for it.”

“Maybe when you’re rich and famous,” Sebastian says.“Which shouldn’t be long from now.Yeah, I saw your VideYou subscriber count earlier today.You’re killing it, Cinderella.”

“Well, as soon as VideYou’s checks start coming in, expect me to contribute,” I say.

These first checks won’t be huge—not even enough to live on, really.But extra money coming in from doing work that I love is a mental game-changer.

“Ironwood won’t have anyone ready until Friday, so until then, we’re being careful and vigilant, okay?”Kingston gives me a stern look.

“Gotcha,” I say.“Very careful.”

Kingston

The next night, Ella and I have dinner with Bash in the hospital again.He’ll be coming home tomorrow unless something changes, and it’s obvious he can’t wait.I can’t imagine how much it must suck for someone like him, who’s always moving around, to be stuck in a bed.

I bring Ella back to our place after dinner with Bash.

Our place.I fucking love the sound of that.

She retreats to the bedroom to change from her jeans to sweatpants.It cracks me up that she does this—every time she comes home, without fail.As soon as she’s in the door, she puts on something that could pass for pajamas.I love that about her—comfort trumps style.

She doesn’t come back out from the bedroom, though.

“Ella?”I call.

“Yeah?”

Her voice sounds weird—tight and upset.Immediately alarmed, I hurry into the bedroom.

She’s sitting on the edge of the bed, in her t-shirt and underwear, crying.

“Oh, baby girl,” I say, gathering her in my arms.

“I’m sorry, I just—I miss Bash, and I miss the three of us hanging out together, and if those guys hadn’t been after me, he wouldn’t have nearly died.He could’ve died, King!”

“He could’ve died,” I say, “but he didn’t.He’s coming home tomorrow, too.It’s okay.”

“It’s not okay.My stupid brother and his stupid gambling addiction brought this about.If it weren’t for me, Bash would be okay.”

My poor little girl has the entirely wrong idea about all of this shit.

“First,” I say, “none of this is your fault, Ella.None of it.The real people to blame here are the guys in the alley.It sounds like the police will never find them, even with your photo, but you’ve helped as much as you can.You did not do this to Sebastian.”

“I know,” she says, sniffling.“I just feel so bad, just the same.”