Page 16 of Hacker Betrayed

"The orgasms are always a plus." I nodded and waited for her to continue. "BDSM wasn't something I sought out or thought I would enjoy. When you join Blackwood, you get a membership for free. I'd also heard rumors about Brock and Eric back in the day. I worked at Blackwood for three months before I asked to see the club, and after my first visit I didn't quite understand but wanted to try. Brock had introduced me to a couple of Doms, and I didn't realize how much I needed to submit. Doing a scene is an escape from my reality."

When we were in the conference room of Club Rose, I noticed the way Eric stared at Mia with longing in his eyes. "And did you play with Eric?"

"No. Eric has wanted a relationship with me, but I never crossed that line." She rested her head against my chest and continued. "I never felt the draw to him. This is probably the most intimate conversation I've had I years.”

I loved how she felt in my arms and didn't want to let her go. "Do you miss him?"

"Donovan? He was a safe place for me. I'm a firm believer in Stockholm syndrome or transference syndrome." Mia giggled. "Your therapist friend would have a field day with me. But no, I don't think I was in love with him."

"I think part of our contract should mandate you see a therapist once a week. The one you choose can be anyone you feel comfortable with." Panic filled Mia's eyes, and she tried to get up, but I locked my hand around her arm and kept her in place. "You have a lot of traumas in your past. Keeping these secrets bottled up will make you sick."

Mia's eyes narrowed. "I've seen parts of your file. You expect me to go to a therapist, but you don't."

"Oh, but I do. Bently and I have a session every Wednesday at my office. He's also one of my closest friends, so his psychoanalysis bleeds over into my life more than I like." Besides the evaluation he did on her for the club, I doubted he would actually take her on as a client. One thing I liked about my friend was that he had my back, and he wouldn't be able to help her if we dated.

There were times I sat back and wondered if I should speak to someone else. Bently was with me during the worst time of my life, and he was there when we lost our close friend to a hit-and-run. The night of the accident, the car should had taken me out, but Ezra saved my life and ended up dying instead. Parts of that night still haunt my dreams, and I know I should talk about them, but I don't. Bently still has guilt from the night, and he'd only told me one night when we drank way too much expensive tequila.

I shook my head to clear my thoughts from the night that I wished I could do over again.

"You're right. I should talk to someone. I just don't trust anybody with my secrets," Mia admitted. "I have the urge to grab Lucas, pack our things, and run. The rational part of me understands I cannot outrun my past. No matter how deep you think something is hidden, the truth will always come out."

A black SUV pulled into the driveway, and my alone time with Mia was over. Her boss was here.

"How about this?" I placed a kiss against the soft part of her skin near her ear. "Once everyone leaves tonight, we will go over your limits list and do a small scene."

"I would rather do a scene than deal with Brock. He's going to take over and demand we handle this case his way."

I didn't bother denying her claim. Her way got her shot. "If you agree to everything he wants, he'll leave sooner."

Before she had time to reply, a second SUV pulled up, and two men jumped out. Brock and Eric both pulled their guns.

"Fuck," Mia growled and jumped off my lap.

There was about to be a damn shootout in my front yard, and I had no clue how to explain the blood to the gardener, let alone keep Lucas away from the front. I ran after Mia toward the front door. I had to get her to stop. She was in no condition to head into a fight.

CHAPTER5

Mia

Irushed through Paxton's house for the front door. If I had to sacrifice myself to keep my son's existence a secret, I would. My purse was near the front door, and I grabbed my gun from it.

Donovan Calhoun’s head snapped in my direction when I stepped outside the door and raised my gun in the air. He was still as handsome as I remembered. His dark hair had turned a shade lighter, and his green eyes that kept me fighting years ago were still vivid. The same green eyes I saw every time my son looked at me.

Donovan could destroy me by taking my son.

He was never the right man for me. I never wanted to be part of the mob. From a young age, I studied my ass off, hoping to go to college states away from Florida and pursue law. Instead, I was right back in what I’d tried to escape twelve years later. "I swear to God, if everyone doesn't put down their gun, I'm going to start picking people off one by one and haul the bodies to Kat's house. Three bodies ought to be enough to get her to stop complaining."

"Mia," my brother sighed as he holstered his weapon. "I think we should listen to her. She has the same frown she had in sixth grade before she kicked Billy in the nuts for stealing her friend's lunch money."

Sebastian didn't volunteer that when Billy kicked his foot out and knocked me over, Big Brother came to the rescue and punched Billy, which led to my brother being expelled from another boarding school and transferring to public school. "Brock, lower your gun. You too, Eric. Dr. Renolds doesn't want to have a gunfight in his front yard. Will you leave if I come with you?"

"You're not going anywhere," Paxton growled before lowering his voice. "I'm going to redden your ass later for putting yourself in danger. Brock and Eric were both out here. There was no reason for you to come charging outside."

For a second, I lost my concentration. Paxton's voice was like a warm, fuzzy blanket wrapped over me. His touch made my body sway in his direction.

Brock lowered his gun and slipped his weapon under his jacket. My phone buzzed in my pocket, but I kept my eyes on Donovan, who slowly lowered his gun. Brock sighed before he yelled, "Mia, check your phone. "

Kat: Tell Paxton his neighbors can see into his pool from the roof. Just in case you guys want to skinny dip.

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