Page 26 of Under Their Watch

“Yes, Sir,” I say.

“Girls, come here, please,” Theo says to Anika, Mia, and Emma.

“Casey, I appreciate your patience,” Theo says.

“It’s not a problem. It’s intriguing,” she says. “I have the recording off, so take your time.”

“Kneel, please,” Theo says to the girls. They kneel beside me and match how I’m sitting. “I need all of you to be honest with me, okay?”

“Yes, Sir,” we all say at once.

“Okay. That was hot,” Rowan says.

“I need you all too,” Theo says to the guys.

“I’m not kneeling,” Quinn says.

“Oh, but you’d look so pretty on your knees, Quinny,” Jace teases.

“Bunch of children,” Theo jokes. “I wanted to wait to have this conversation, but we are going to have it right now. Rhea, what is your level of comfort with everyone?”

I go to look at Quinn and Jace, but he grabs my chin. “I’m sorry,” I whisper.

“The difference between total control and abuse is consent,” Theo says. “I’m asking you, not them. This has nothing to do with them. What is your level of comfort?”

“I am comfortable,” I say. “With anything. I trust everyone.”

“Okay. Then you are to submit to every man in this room. Quinn, Jace, Max, Rowan, and myself. If we tell you to do something, the only thing we should hear is 'yes sir', and you doing it. If you are a brat to one of us, you will be punished by that person. Above all, Quinn and Jace have the final say over you. Anika, Mia, and Emma. I want you to help ease her into this, which requires you to move along with her. Is this something you are comfortable with?”

“I’m not submitting to Max, but yes,” Emma laughs. “I love my brother and everything, but I don’t do incest.

“Obviously,” Theo laughs. “Also, Rhea, don’t ask for permission to use the restroom or to move rooms. If you want to leave the house or building, ask. Otherwise, you can do whatever it is you need to do.”

“Yes, Sir,” I say softly.

“I want you writing again. I don’t care what it is or who you show, but I want you writing,” he says.

“Will you see it?” I ask.

“Yes,” he says. “Is that okay?”

“Yes, Sir,” I say.

“Stand up. All of you,” Theo says. As soon as I’m up to my feet, he grabs me by the throat and pulls me closer. “If youeversuggest again that you’re worthless or are better off dead, you won’t beable to sit for days without remembering your punishment. Is that clear?”

“Yes, Sir,” I say softly.

“Now, Quinn and Jace,” he says, turning to them.

“Please make them kneel,” Anika giggles. Her laughter is infectious, and I start laughing. Mia laughs with us, and soon Casey’s laughter drags everyone else in as well.

“You two have got to stop coddling her,” Theo says. “She trusts the two of you, but when you try to force her out of her comfort zone, she panics. Her comfort zone is the Dominant having total control. If you want to help her, match her where she is. You’ll either grow to stay there or help ease her into independence. Shocking her with free roam is how you’ll lose her.”

“I understand,” Quinn says.

“Fuck her up. Got it,” Jace says.

“May I…” I start to ask. I can’t get the words out before Quinn grabs me and wraps me in a hug. “I’m so sorry, Quinn. I’m sorry.”

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