Page 146 of For the Sub

Now what the fuck was he supposed to do?

Looking skyward, he vowed he wouldn’t let her get away so easily.

No fucking way.

Chapter Twenty-One

“You’re…?” Leaving his question unfinished, Damien trailed off.

Rather than responding immediately, Niles picked up the Scotch that his host had so generously offered.

Though it was a weekday, he was at the Den, sitting in Damien’s impressive office suite, along with Gregorio.

Because what Niles had to say was important and there were sure to be questions, he’d decided to make the drive to meet with his friends and colleagues in person.

Their shock hung in the air.

Repeating himself, he said, “I’m selling my production company.”

“Go on,” Damien encouraged, leaning back in his chair.

“All cash deal. Quick close. Of course, they’ll want to negotiate with you to ensure they can still film here.” He shrugged. “The deal is contingent on that.”

Damien and Gregorio exchanged glances.

Gregorio lifted one shoulder and offered a single, sharp nod.

That Damien silently consulted the man before giving any kind of response reaffirmed how important Gregorio was to Damien’s operation.

Damien steepled his fingers. “I’m sure we can work something out.”

“Though the terms won’t be as favorable as what you received,” Gregorio cautioned.

“I wouldn’t expect otherwise.” Because he’d been a member of the Den for years and had stuck by Damien in some of his worst financial times, Niles had received a very good deal. He’d been frank about that during discussions with Starla Robinson, the potential buyer.

“This seems sudden,” Damien observed.

Perhaps to outsiders.

But to Niles, it was his only possible step.

In the weeks since Brandy had left his life, he’d been morose.

Lonely in ways he’d never been before.

After playing with her here and spending a weekend together, he no longer had any desire to dominate anyone but her, even for the camera.

He wanted something he didn’t dare name.

Richer.

Deeper.

More meaningful.

Two weeks ago, he’d asked another Dom to fill in for him while he remained at home in Denver instead of making the trip to the Winter Park area.

That same night, as he’d stared out the window at yet another moonlit two a.m. sky, he’d recalled Starla’s offhanded comment that she might want to acquire his production company.

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