Page 3 of Master A-0011

Elec threw me a nod but was already walking towards the hall at a fast pace. I turned back to follow and make my way tomy private balcony, but I took my time, watching as he rapped against a door:the doorto the Couple. Within seconds, he disappeared behind it.

Where moments ago I would have been curious who the couple was, all I wanted to do was get this other part of bidding over with. I had thed…now for theb?iiis. Their looks would have to be impeccable. What they were taken for would be their downfall. What they’d probably used to get their way in the outside world would come back to haunt them. Ethan O’Brien wasn’t a savior. He was about to become their worst nightmare.

Opening my door, I paused, waving over a male slave at the end of the hall waiting to offer assistance should anyone call.

“Master, how may I help you?”

“I am Master Eleven. This is important. I need you to listen carefully. The Six has my auction schedule. I need you to have them bring up my meal. Even though they’ve gotten it right the last two auctions, I need you to make sure they bring up my three o’clock meal. Not the six or the eight o’clock one. I need the three, and two bottles of water. I am on a very strict diet. It has to be right. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Master Eleven. I will have them bring it right up.”

“Great.”

I headed inside, shutting the door behind me. Lights were already going crazy with increasing bids on the large screens above the stage. I glanced at the blonde, tempted to push my button to get it over with, but I wasn’t looking for aw. Virgins weren’t my thing. They were too innocent. They didn’t ignite the rage I needed to release.And it was time…The slight shake in my hand drove my fingers to twitch at the thought.

Walking to my seat, I paused as female laughter had me looking to the wall that divided me from the couple. The hum of voices held a joyous tone, but it didn’t last through the murmurs that continued. I remained standing, stepping closer to the wall.With the buzz from below, it was hard to hear, but the closer I got to the balcony, the clearer the conversation between the couple and the Main Master became.

“I have to admit, I was surprised when you called and cut your honeymoon short to return. And did I hear correctly that you both went back to Boston instead of Chicago? I thought Chicago was the plan?”

At the Main Master’s question, the woman’s soft voice answered.

“It was but…Rhett and I…”

The man, who must have been her husband, stepped in when she trailed off.

“June thinks she’s forgetting something from her past. She thought maybe she could find it back in Boston. I told her there’s nothing there. I think she needs your help again, Elec. The nightmares are getting worse. I can barely calm her when she wakes.”The anger from the man couldn’t be mistaken.“Is it David, her ex? Is it what the stalker did to her? Both? She’s so afraid, but she doesn’t know why. She can’t remember the dreams. Can you do what you did last time? You’re the only one who can make her better when she gets like this.”

Silence.

“Rhett, you did the right thing requesting that I come. Now, go sit in the chair and think about how much you love your wife. You hear nothing I say until I speak your name again. Nothing. June…come to me.”

A brunette in a blue, sheer slave robe walked to the stage, but I was more intrigued by what was going on to the one behind the divider. I mindlessly reached over, grabbing my button to bid, still listening as I waited for the Main Master to continue.

“June, June, June.”There was an edge of disapproval in his voice, yet it somehow seemed sad?“You didn’t call me. Not inyour first week like I told you to, and not when you started having these nightmares. We talked about this.”

“I was going to. I really was, but I couldn’t. Calling you is all I think about when I’m not here. I swear I wanted to. I just.”She abruptly stopped.“My fingers wouldn’t stop shaking when I tried to dial. That’s why I made Rhett call you. I really tried. I think…I think I was just scared.”

“Of me?”

“…I don’t know.”

The Main Master’s tone dropped so low I couldn’t make out the foreign words that seemed to leave him. But I knew what it was. I knew Elec and what he was capable of doing to people’s minds.

“Look into my eyes, June. You don’t fear me. We’re friends. See. There we go,”he said lowly.“I believe you, and I forgive you. Come closer. There we go. Just like that. Follow my finger and listen to me. You don’t fear me. Everything I do for you is to make you stronger. You look up to me. You think of me as your best friend. We are friends,”he practically growled under the smooth tone.“Best. Friends. The best. I helped you after the stalker. I did that. No one else. I will always protect you. You don’t fear me. Say it. Believe it.”

Seconds. Almost a minute.

“We are best friends. The best. Friends. Elec, my best friend.”

“There we go.”He let out a breath that almost sounded like a sigh of relief.“Just like that. Perfect. We are. See, your body is losing all tension. You’re relaxed. That’s right. You feel so happy to be at the Gardens. Happier now that you’re with me. You love this place. You long to come back and watch your husband have his revenge towards men who hurt you. You can’t wait to see me every time you’re here…To help me.”His tone softened as another minute passed.“One more breath.Slow. Deep. Isn’t that so much better? No more fear. Good girl. Eyes back to mine. Perfect. I’m going to close out any fear you may have for good. I have a gift for you.”

A snapping noise filled the space. Then two more.

“A gift?”

“You’re my best friend. Of course I have a gift for you. Do you want to know what it is?”

“Yes.”

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