Page 2 of Mistress A-0002

Jett crossed his arms over his chest. “I understand you have the hots for him. I see the way you look at Elec Wexler. I’ve seen it for years. He can do no wrong. Does father know?”

Should I have been afraid? Angry? Technically. I felt nothing for the ungrateful son who didn’t so much as increase my pulse with his threat.

“Ooh. Hit a nerve, Mother? Or maybe you’re just ready to admit what everyone here already knows. It’s embarrassing, really. You couldn’t even make it to the booth on time because you were too busy following him around.”

“Is that what you think?” I smiled, continuing to take in our Main Master. “I work, Jett. I do have patients here.”

“Oh, I know all about your patients and your little games. I’m not blind.Not today, anyway.”

I did turn my attention to him then, feeling my smile melt. My hate wouldn’t hide behind the calm, sweet mask I was so used to wearing. My silent attention had Jett glancing over, but I saw no son. I saw a hindrance. A regret. I saw an entitled child I should have broken years ago. Had I thought his rebellious behavior on holidays was bad? He was raised in schools. Raised by tutors and nannies, just as my daughter. But she wasn’t like Jett. Quite the opposite, not that I gave her much praise for it. I did my duty. They were here. I had thought that was enough. My mistake.

“There’s that nasty look. What’ll it be this time,Mommy? I’ll forget how to talk? Walk? Maybe?—”

“You’ll forget how to breathe.”

Jett’s eyes widened in horror as I kept his stare. His hands flew to his throat, almost as if he were choking. Full lips parted, and his mouth gaped, increasing only to decrease as he tried to will his lungs to take in oxygen. The pleading in his depths wasn’t enough. I’d seen it before. Jett was too much like me, butnowhere near as smart. Just a killer. Anyone could take a life. Not many had the courage to lose their own.

“You test me more than is safe, and I usually let you get away with it, but you’re not a child anymore. You’re grown. A man, or you’re supposed to be. You’re here: the best place in the world. Do you know what people would do to be invited here? Being at the Gardens is a gift. One I’m starting to see you don’t deserve.” His head shook, but I took my time. “When I said you’re going to behave, I meant it. With patients, I sometimes make them forget my orders. You won’t. I’ll never erase your memory.You’re going to know what I want of you.You’regoingto know what will happen if you don’t obey. Do you understand?”

The chair scraped against the floor and just as he went to surge to his feet, I snapped my fingers. Large gulps sounded as the anger returned.

“I asked you a question.”

“Yes,” he bit out, coughing. “I heard you. Loud and clear. Best fucking behavior. Understood.”

My teeth ground at the curse word. “Good. Watch and be quiet.”

And he did turn back to Elec as the Main Master continued, but not because of any persuasion on my part. I hadn’t instilled as much discipline in my son as I should have. He physically resembled my pathetically weak husband. I used to love Jett’s determination and dominant personality that overshadowed my secret disgust for his looks, but something had changed, and I’d have to fix him if our name was going to stay untarnished. But did I even want to try? Did I want to invest my time when it was already so stretched? I had my own wants. But I did have duties…a reputation, not that I couldn’t find ways to change the narrative or the elites’ minds.

“If you look down the arm of the chair, you will see a button. That is how you will bid.Do notpress that button unless you aresure you have the money. There is no lay-a-way plan or loans. If the slave is too much for you to afford, don’t bid. At the Gardens, there are no such thing as accidents. If you bid, youwillbuy. If you don’t have the money, I will take my payment from you from the outside world, and you can stay here with me and the slave you so desperately wanted. This life can be simple if you just follow the rules. They’re easy. Complete acceptance into the Garden of the Gods is not. Honor your contract, abide by it, and Alpha status will be yours.”

I stood, glaring down as Jett hesitated to meet my eyes. “I have business to take care of. I’ll see you for breakfast. Youwillbe there.”

Heads turned to the back as lights ran the length of the room, traveling over the entrances where the slaves were lined up. The Main Master was already bounding down the steps of the stage, and I didn’t wait for Jett’s response. I had bigger issues than an ungrateful son. I knewexactlywhere Elec was headed, and I was going to be there to cut him off.

Mistress A-0002

Was love valid if mixed with hate? Was it divine if warped by devious intent?

What Elec and I had couldn’t be matched. On special occasions, we burned for each other. He was mine, and I was everything he needed. It didn’t matter that he battled me in our everyday lives at the Gardens. It didn’t even matter that he didn’t know what we shared. I was the bad guy. Someone had to be. It was trivial. It wasn’t like his needs mattered anyway. This was about me. This was what I wanted.

“It’s been days. You’re avoiding your sessions.”

Elec’s features hardened as he spotted me, and he slowed in his approach.

“I called. I told you I was busy.”

“Busy doing what? Planning around June’s arrival?”

“I answer to the Council. I don’t answer to you.”

Agitation flashed in his depths, forcing me forward, churning the lustful rage even more. Our game was push and pull. Sword and seduction. If only he knew how wrong he was.

“I’m your doctor. We’ve talked about this.”

“And I told you to mind your own damn business.” Elec’s tone was deep, not at all acceptable. My eyes narrowed at my suspicion, sweeping his expressions as he continued. “I said stay out of my way, Melissa. I know what I’m doing. I’m fine.”

“That remains to be seen. Your appointment is in the morning. You’ve rescheduled enough. Iwillsee you, then.”

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