Page 60 of Mistress A-0002

A low, deep chuckle. “How fast we forget. It’s okay; I forgive you. After all, it has been…about fourteen years, give or take.”

Seconds past. Remembrance hit me like a freight train.

“Dear God.” My annoyance was thick. “Why are you calling me, Harrison? I believe the last time we spoke I told you never to call me again.”

“I’m you’re sponsor, Melissa. I call when you fuck up. You know this. And boy did you fuck up this time.”

I signaled to the slave, waiting as he made my coffee. I snatched a chocolate muffin, leveling the phone with my ear and shoulder as I ripped open the package.

“I can think of a few things I fucked up on, but nothing that warrants me to get a call from the likes of you. Did the Council have you call? Or let me guess…Elec snitched me out. He called you, didn’t he?”

“Actually, I haven’t spoken to him in months.”

The hardness melted from my face as I stood up straight. I tossed the wrapper in the trash, sinking my teeth into the muffin. Should I be speaking? Asking questions to the one man whodidhold my life and reputation in his hands?

Again, I held the phone against my shoulder as I took my coffee and headed for the table. When I managed to sit and swallow, I could barely say the words.

“It was the Council then. Well, what is it? What do they say I did?”

“Did? How about what you didn’t do?”

My head shook. “I don’t understand?”

“I can tell. For a minute, let’s pretend you’ve behaved yourself. Things are going great. You’ve followed all the rules to the letter, and so has your son. Now?—”

“Is that what this is about? Jett? I didn’t accept Elec’s lawyer.So what. Jett is a big boy. He says he’s innocent, and I believe my son.”

“You’d bet his life on it?”

I swallowed hard. “He’s an adult. He says it was consensual and that Sebastian’s slave let him in. If he’s lying, he’ll face the consequences.”

“Oh, he’s lying. We’ve all seen the footage Elec submitted to play during his trial. The Council will not stop his execution if that’s what you’re hoping for.”

“The LaRoes do not rely on special treatment. Jett knew better. I warned him more than once. If he is guilty and the penalty is death,so be it.”

Silence.

“You are aware how this will appear to the Council?”

“I’ll tell them myself,” I said between clenched teeth. “Jett is not a baby I need to coddle.”

“He’s your heir,” Harrison exploded. “He’s your family’s namesake, and I’ve fought like the devil to keep it that way. Just because you don’t see me doesn’t mean I’m not doing my job.”

I took another bite of my muffin, feeling nothing at his anger.

“Is that it?”

“No. It’s more than Jett. The Uppers are in arms by what you’ve done.”

I swallowed, glaring through his words.

“What do you mean, what I’ve done? I haven’t done anything.”

His laugh wasn’t out of amusement. More…incredulous shock.

“Maybe youhavegone crazy. Or maybe you just think you’re that smart. I’ve seen the footage. You’re in so much trouble.”

Guilt. It had me reaching and sipping my coffee as my mind swam in evil deeds. Present. Past. Future? Did they know about Adrian’s plot to murder Ronald? I hadn’t called to make sure the footage was deleted, but I shouldn’t have needed to. My men knew to keep an eye on me. They knew anything incriminating needed to be erased. I programmed them. I all but burned it into their fucking brains.

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