Page 51 of Hers to Rule

Esmé met them just inside. She curtseyed deeply, spreading her full green skirts to both sides. “Doña Reyes, welcome to La Petite Mort.” She gestured for them to follow.

Several people milling about in the lobby stopped to look at them, curious about the change in management.

Mari inclined her head in greeting and then stepped closer. “I’ve been looking forward to my first visit. I’m excited to hear about the changes you’ve made.”

Esmé smiled. “Well, as I mentioned earlier, Argento was already gone when I arrived.” She left it tactfully at that. “I found a list of VIP customers in his office whose memberships I have temporarily revoked until they sit down for a meeting with me, where I’ll outline the new policies and such.”

They walked side by side, with Rio trailing one step back to Mari’s right. “And how did it go with the staff?”

“A handful left with a fair payment and our best wishes. Several more said they would stay for a week to see what it was like and reassess. I’ve got six new people starting today and a few others on deck in case we need them.”

“That seems better than anticipated.”

Esmé nodded. “I think so. We might lose a few more, but we’re in good shape. I brought over some extra security for the first couple of weeks as well.”

“Are you expecting trouble?”

Esmé shrugged. “I’m not sure. Some of the VIPs are dangerous, but I don’t know if they’ll want to provoke a fight. Argento is a definite threat.”

“I wanted to talk to you about the silver.” Mari didn’t look at Rio but could see him tense at the edge of her vision.

Esmé turned to look more directly at Mari, her expression registering a faint bit of approval. “It’s been removed from all the playrooms and will be disposed of tomorrow. If patrons want that kind of play, they can go elsewhere.”

Mari nodded. “I agree.”

A murmur of excitement behind them made Mari turn around in time to see Cisco entering the lobby, looking windswept and gorgeous.

He walked straight to Mari and dropped a chaste kiss on her cheek. “I hope I haven’t missed the tour.” He kissed Esmé’s offered hand and took up position on the other side of her.

“Your timing is impeccable.” Esmé smiled. “We were just about to start.”

A house witch dressed in a sharp black suit opened the doors before them with a wave of her hand as they approached, and then bowed low.

Esmé gave her a little wink and then walked through. “The first floor is the bar area. The most important change here right now is only sensual play is allowed on this floor. No pain.”

The bar area was busy but not packed, and everyone Mari could see seemed to be having a good time.

“The vibe is very different already.” Cisco sounded impressed.

“Some are still rightfully skeptical, but I think it will improve even more over time.” Esmé held out her hand to indicate a seating area to their left. “I reserved this one for you. Best seats in the house. You can see everyone as they enter, and they can see you.”

The seating was elegant, comfortable, and shaped in a semicircle. Cisco and Rio waited for Mari to pick a spot. She chose the seat with the best view of the doors they had just walked through. Once she was settled, Rio fell to his knees gracefully, his arm brushing her leg slightly in a silent offer of support.

Cisco sat to Mari’s left about an arm's length away.

Esmé reached to touch a metal plate set into the back of the seating area, and a shimmering veil of magic rose around them. The view and sound from outside were partially obscured, but Mari knew, from the other side, those within would be imperceptible. “In case you want a little privacy.” She grinned and lowered the curtain again.

“Allowed level of pain escalates as you go up the floors. So be warned that the higher floors are not for the faint of heart.” She pointed to the far end of the room where a neon sign proclaimed: “This way to subspace.”

“If you want to go up there, talk to Hyssop at the elevator. They can see that you get where you’d like to go. Your membership is comped, of course, so you can go all the way up, if that’s what you want.”

Rio spoke up for the first time since the limo. “The top floor?”

Esmé met Mari’s eyes and offered the information that Rio couldn’t or wouldn’t. “Top floor used to be some dubiously consensual fight club, which is not allowed in my fucking house. It’s now an area exclusively for submissives, for them to rest and recharge. No dominants allowed. Not even me. Willow runs it like a spa.”

Rio sighed heavily and leaned to rest his head on Mari’s knee. She ran her fingers through his hair and felt him relax against her. She hated that her father had caused him so much pain and didn’t have any idea how he trusted her as much as he did.

“The people who were there?” Mari asked after a moment.

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