Page 98 of Unexpected Hero

Before I let go of Jesse, I issue a final warning. “If anyone approaches her about a scene, it won’t end well. That includes you. Stay away from her.”

As he slips away from me, he rolls out his shoulder to shrug off the pain. “Fuck, man. Why don’t you collar her if you’re that worried?”

“She’s not a sub.”

“She sure as hell ain’t no Domme. She has submissive written all over her.”

Biting the side of my cheek, I attempt to rein in my uncharacteristic outburst. “She’s here to work, and that’s all.”

If the submission hold I had him in didn’t make it clear, the look on my face likely removes any lingering doubt.

“James, you have my word. I won’t approach her for that, and I won’t let anyone else either. I’ll look out for her. Same as you’d do for me.”

The seriousness in his tone eases my frustration enough for me to unclench my fists, letting the blood flow return to my extremities.

Jesse tugs at the collar of his dress shirt. “Who is she, anyhow?”

Once again, my eyes sweep over the room, coming up empty. “A friend.”

“A friend, huh?”

A groan emanates from deep in my chest.

“Must be a good friend for that type of reaction.” He taps me on my upper back. “It’s nice to see you connect with someone.”

“Thanks.” I return the gesture. “Sorry for overreacting. I’m protective over her.”

He dips his chin. “All good, man. We’ve all been there.”

Been where? Obsessed over someone they can’t have and living in a hell of their own making? That’s where I am.

A few others acknowledge me as I circle the room again. A nagging fear pricks at the back of my mind. Could the supposed joke Freya told me be based on some amount of truth? Did the tour Dante’s taking Lettie on include the voyeur room in the back? She’s not ready to see that shit.

Moving swiftly, I power down the hall, paying no mind to the members I pass. When I get to the door, I pause and count to three. I can’t go in there in this state of mind. If she’s in there, I need to react logically and not with this... rage or whatever the fuck I’m feeling.

Stay calm.

Don’t freak out.

Get a grip.

My panic slowly recedes, allowing a sense of calm to return. Now that I’m under control, I enter the room.

A glance at the two-sided glass reveals a scene in progress. A woman I don’t recognize is naked, spread wide open, and bound face up in a seated cross chair. Eric, one of the Doms, hovers between her thighs, lining up a sex machine with her entrance. There are red marks all over her thighs and stomach from impact play.

Normally, I’d be all for watching that. But not tonight.

I scan the crowd of onlookers. Some are engaged in various sexual acts with partners or masturbation. Others quietly watch the room.

No Lettie or Dante.

Spinning on my heel, I leave as quickly as I came. The sense of relief I feel at her not being back here is alarming.

It shouldn’t matter so much to me.

Eventually, she’ll see what happens in here. She might even decide to do a scene or become a member.

I have no right to stop her. No claim to her.

---