Page 156 of For the Sub

“Let us know if you’d like us to fire you or whether you’d prefer to turn in your notice.”

“I… What?” She stared at him, trying to comprehend what he’d said, but unable to make sense of the words.

“Your heart is no longer in this.”

“You’re firing me?”

“Do you really want to stay?”

Shell-shocked, she once more sank onto the bench. “I… I don’t know what to say.” For years, the Den had sustained her. She had friendships here, a place to go where she was valued and always welcomed. What would she do with her time? Her weekends? How would she manage the loneliness? The vast, empty nights? “This is unexpected.”

“Is it?” he challenged quietly. “Or have you been moving toward it all along?”

“This is part of who I am, the fabric of my life. God…” She pushed back her hair. “Even you, my annoying older brother, always helped me get through my struggles.” She sighed. “You can’t fire me.”

He laughed from somewhere deep inside. “I’m afraid I can. You can tell me I was right later.”

“Fuck you,” she said.

“And you can thank me.”

Her heart fluttering, the emotion now chasing down her cheeks, she frantically shook her head. “No.”

“You’ve refused to scene.”

“I’ll strip down and find a Dom to beat me.”

“Fuck it, Brandy, you know that’s not what I’m asking. I’m doing this for you. Not us.”

“I know I haven’t been myself.” She hiccupped on a sob. “All I need is a little time.”

“Go home, Brandy. Think about it.”

“You really are terminating me?”

“In that capacity.”

“What other capacity is there?” she asked, not even trying to be polite. She was too flummoxed, overwhelmed. Furious.

“We’ve had complaints about the newsletter not being timely enough, about links not working, about members not being able to find information on special events.”

Her mouth fell open. “Are you offering me a new job?”

“Honey, you’re a part of the Den. We couldn’t survive without you. We need your web service skills and social media savvy.”

She blinked. “I don’t know what to say.” Never in her entire life had she been given a pink slip and a job opportunity in the space of three minutes.

“Think of it as a transfer from one department to another.”

“I’d be working here?”

“From home. But yes, I’m sure we’ll need you for in-person meetings. And maybe you could lead some groups for submissives.”

Which meant she was still adrift.

In a hazy, mechanical state, she cleaned out her locker, dumping the contents into a duffel bag she’d had stashed in there.

Gregorio made no move to help or to leave the room. When she had everything, she flicked the locker door, sending it flying. It slammed with a horrible, harsh, satisfying slap of metal on metal. “Bill me for damages.”

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