Page 75 of Submitting to Them

“Joel—”

“Don’t try to stop me, or you’ll regret it.I’ll destroy what you love most.”

What the fuck is that supposed to mean?My mind immediately goes to Ella.I’m a thousand times glad that Bash and I hired Ironwood to watch over her, otherwise I wouldn’t be allowing her out of my sight.

“Joel,” I say, “think about what you’re doing.We could probably get you some help, a lighter sentence, if you turn yourself in.I’ll help you—I’ll be with you every step of the way.”

“Fuck you, you liar.”

He hangs up.

I stare at my phone for a long, long time while I let my emotions settle.Maybe I just need to accept that there’s nothing I can do to get through to Joel.I wrote him off when he was cruel to Ella, and there’s no reason to bring him back into my life.He can’t be redeemed—at least, not by me.

Needing to hear her voice and ensure she’s safe, I call Ella.

She answers almost immediately.“Hey, Daddy.”

“Baby girl.How are you?”

“I’m good.Just waiting for you and Bash to get home.”

“He’s not back yet?”

“No, he had a dinner with his new agent and some of her other clients.”

“He didn’t invite you?”I ask sharply.

She laughs.“He did, but I’m not in the mood.It feels weird being followed around by bodyguards, and I’d feel like a poser, anyway.”

I frown at the picture window behind my desk.I don’t want her to feel weird or left out.

“King, it’s okay,” she says quietly.“I really wasn’t in the mood to hang out with a bunch of people.Besides, it’s nice getting a bit of alone time.I love you and Bash, but sometimes it’s nice to hang out on my own.”

“Well, I have a few more things to do here at the office,” I say, “and then I’ll be home directly.So don’t get too used to your solitude.”

“Maybe I won’t be here when you get back,” she says with a teasing note in her voice.“Maybe I’ll go out anyway.”

“If you do, let your bodyguards know.They’ll take you wherever you want.”And she wouldn’t have to wait for them to pick her up—I rented a suite in the building for them to use while they’re on duty, just a floor below ours.This way, Ella can come and go whenever she wants to while still being safe.

Ella makes ahmmsound.“Maybe I’ll be a brat and go without them.”

“Don’t make me tie you up, little girl.”

“Well, that sounds fun,” she says, her voice turning sultry.

“Then stay put.I’ll tie you up tonight, wrap you up like a present for when Bash gets home.I’ll make you come again and again while we wait for him.”

With a tiny gasp, she says, “Yes, please, Daddy.”

“Stay put.Give me…” I look at the clock.“One hour.”

“Maybe I should get started now while I wait for you.”

“Don’t you dare touch that little cunt,” I say.“You do, and you’ll regret it.Do you understand me, little girl?”

“Yes, Daddy.”Her voice is even breathier.

“One hour.You can wait.”