Page 42 of Slave

Before I knew what was happening, she had pulled us both inside with a squeal and enveloped the woman at my side in a hug. Brianna’s reaction was delayed for no more than two seconds before she hugged Lily back, and I released a deep sigh, relaxing just a little more. Maybe tonight would be okay.

We were ushered farther into the house, and we found Logan in the kitchen moving expertly from one dish to the other. He looked up. “Hey, Stephan.” He smiled at me and then shifted his attention to the woman Lily had her arm wrapped around. “And this must be Brianna.” Logan wiped his hands on the towel he had tucked at his waist and came around the island. Extending his hand, he said, “It’s good to finally meet you.”

She didn’t take his hand, but instead looked at me. I nodded, letting her know it was okay. Her hand came up cautiously to shake his.

Logan didn’t hold on for long before moving once again to take his place behind the counter.

There was tension in the room that hadn’t been there moments before, and once again I was worried. I knew she wasn’t good with people, especially new people. It would just take time. But even though I knew this, all I wanted to do was shield her from it.

Lily broke the tension by asking if she could get us something to drink. I told her water would be fine, and she moved behind Logan to get glasses. When she handed our water to us moments later, she asked, “Can I steal Brianna for a while? I want to show her the new dress I bought.” I nodded, and she was off with Brianna in tow.

I could hear Lily rambling on until a door shut in the background. And although I knew she was safe with Lily, I still worried anytime she was out of my sight.

Logan cleared his throat, drawing my attention. I raised my eyebrow, silently telling him to go ahead and say what he had to say. He reached into the oven, took out four beautifully cooked steaks, and set them on the counter. Taking a piece of tin foil, he covered them loosely and then turned back to me. “Lily says she’s doing better.”

“She is. Much better actually.”

He raised his own eyebrow at this and then shook his head. “If that’s really the case, I do hope you know what you’re doing. I know you collared her, but do you really think she’s ever going to get to the point you need her to be?”

For some reason his words lit a fire in me that I didn’t understand. “I will not give up on her, Logan.” He jerked at my tone, and realizing what I’d done, I softened my voice. “There’s no telling what tomorrow might bring or what she’ll want once I tell her she is free should she so choose. Truthfully, that possibility scares me. I know the chances of her wanting to stay with me are not good after what she’s been through. And Logan, it was bad. She hasn’t talked to me about it yet, but just by her reactions to certain things . . . I don’t know if she will ever fully trust me. Or anyone for that matter.”

Logan threw a strainer full of asparagus into a pot of boiling water. “She’s like this all the time?”

I shrugged. “The first few days were worse. She’s a little calmer at home now, more relaxed. But anytime we’re out around people, yes, she’s like this.”

“She drew closer to you when I approached her. And she deferred to you.”

“Brianna is very submissive. Too submissive sometimes. Like I said, when she’s home it’s better, but I think that has a lot to do with the fact that she knows what to expect. I’m trying to keep us in a routine as much as possible.”

“Probably a good idea.”

“Yes.”

“I already know the answer to this, but I’m going to ask it anyway. Are you planning on involving the police?”

Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. “No. First, I have no idea how I would explain my involvement without it becoming fodder for the press. And second, I can’t see that helping her. What’s done is done. It would be her word against Ian’s. He would fight, and she would back down.”

Just then, Lily and Brianna re-entered the room. Lily strolled to Logan’s side and asked if there was anything she could do to help. He quickly gave her several plates to take to the table.

Brianna came to stand beside me, but kept her head down. I brought a finger up under her chin. “No looking down tonight.” She nodded, and we made our way to our seats.

Dinner was pleasant enough. The food was wonderful, almost as good as Brianna’s, and I said as much. I saw her blush at my compliment, but she refrained from commenting. Logan did ask her some questions, and she answered but didn’t elaborate. Everything she said was to be polite, nothing more.

It was after nine when we arrived home, but I wasn’t ready for bed yet. I wanted to keep our evening ritual and asked her to join me in the chair. She sat down on my lap, folding her hands in front of her as always. I brushed her hair back so that I could see her face. “Did you have a nice time tonight?”

“Yes, Master.”

“What did you think of Logan?”

She hesitated before answering. “He seems nice.”

“But?”

“Nothing, Master.”

“Brianna,” I said in a voice that brooked no argument.

“He’s your friend,” she said. Brianna clamped her lips together but said no more.

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