Page 19 of Betrayed

Her phone rang, buzzing as it crawled across the nightstand.

Rolling onto her side, she reached for it, noting it was after one o’clock in the afternoon. She’d slept half the day away. Scanning the screen for the incoming number, she frowned at the area code. San Antonio, if she wasn’t mistaken.

Swiping the screen with her thumb, she answered hesitantly. “Hello?”

“Marilee?”

She didn’t recognize the deep, rumbling male voice but recognized the distinct aura of authority. She stiffened with unease, answering with a tentative, “Yes?”

“Dexter Russell here, from Club Decadence.”

She choked, practically swallowing her tongue. Why was the master dom calling her? What could he possibly want?

“Mari? Are you there?”

“Yes, um, sir. I mean, Master Dex.”

“This is an informal call, darlin’. Dex is fine.”

Her brows drew together. What did that mean? Intervening last night when Reyn canceled and now a call. What on earth was going on?

“Uh, okay, um...Dex.” Closing her eyes, she rubbed her temple. Calling him by his first name was strange and felt oddly uncomfortable. “What can I do for you, sir?”

“I was calling to check in. The attendant last night was worried after you flew out of the front door and zoomed out of the parking lock at Mach V. Was there a problem with Master Arturo? He’s a new member. Was there an issue with him I need to address?”

“Oh, no, Mast—” Submissive etiquette, too long ingrained kept her from calling him by name, despite his permission. “Uh, no, sir. Master Arturo was, uh, wonderful. He was polite and a perfect gentleman. I used my safeword, and he honored it without question.”

“I’m glad to hear that, although I’ll keep your comments between us. Calling a sadist polite or a gentleman is damning him with faint praise. I’m not sure Arturo will appreciate that getting around.”

“I didn’t mean— Uh, well, it was very nice, the scene I mean.”

He chuckled, and she realized that nice wasn’t much better. “Why the sudden exodus, then? Was it something else?”

“No, I just had to be home at a certain time. I live in Houston, you see.”

“I know that Marilee, I have your file here.” He paused. “If you’re certain there is no issue...”

“Everything is fine, sir.”

“Good, then let’s discuss something that isn’t. It seems we were remiss in getting all the required forms signed when you joined. I’ll need you to stop by administration on your next visit and get that taken care of.”

“What forms would that be, sir?”

“Your limit list isn’t complete, which I find an appalling oversight. You didn’t fill out anything beyond the beginner’s checklist.”

“That wasn’t a mistake, sir. It is as far as I’m willing to go, so I didn’t think—”

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but you’re not a beginner.”

“No, but—”

“And the section on your experience with BDSM, past relationships, etc. is incomplete, which is very sloppy. Who signed you in, might I ask?”

“Um, I’d hate to get anyone in trouble.”

“You aren’t. I’m asking. Who was it?”

Damn persistent doms. “I don’t know her name.”

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