Page 152 of The Assignment: Room 3

“Why do you think that is?” She’s good at her job, I’ll give her that.

“Because… I fear losing him again. I love him so much that it scares me. I’ve never felt this way about any man before. I would follow him to the ends of the earth and beyond. If anything ever happened to him, I don’t think I could survive it.”

“You have tochooseto focus on the good, Helena. You and Flex get your chance at happily ever after. Not many people find that kind of love in their life. Cherish it. Enjoy it.”

“Why me, though? Why do I get to find my person? I’m nothing special.”

“Oh, little sub.” She reaches over, cupping my cheek in her small, delicate hand. “You are so special to everyone who has had the privilege of getting to know you. Flex Navarro is one of the most genuine men I’ve ever met. He doesn’t love you because you’ve inadvertently hoodwinked him. He sees you for who you are. Not for what you can do for him or to make you beg for scraps. That man is head over heels in love with you. It’s evident to anyone who has been in a room with the two of you. The way he looks at you, Helena, it’s fucking breathtaking. I pray I’ll find that someday.”

“Flex doesn’t know, but when I took the answering machine to the hospital, I had to get it from his safe. There was a ring box. I didn’t look at it, and I haven’t asked him about it.”

“And this isn’t something you want?”

“He hasn’t brought it up. I wonder if he changed his mind. He said something in the hospital about being my husband, but he was high on pain meds at the time.”

“Girl, you need to march your ass home and talk to your Dominant. You’re floundering because you thrive in submission. You’ve taken on a different role these past few weeks. It will pass. Flex is too much of a Dom to change. It’s in every fiber of his being.”

The penny drops. I thrive in submission. I’m fighting Flex on everything, trying to wrap him in cotton wool. Viv is right—I have to connect with my submissive side.

“Thanks, Viv.”

“Anytime. I’ve missed you around here.”

“We’ll be back soon.”

“Good. Now go home and let your man be the Dom he was born to be.”

“Yes, Mistress,” I tease.

“Good girl.” It’s been so long since I’ve been praised that way. I love being Flex’s good girl. His whore, and slut, but above all else, his submissive.

Flex is sound asleep with Gracie starfish napping on him when I get home. I don’t have the heart to wake them, so I sneak down the hall to our bedroom and unbox the lingerie I bought today. I found a delicate clitoral chain that I think Flex will enjoy, especially as it will be the only thing I’m wearing after Gracie goes to sleep.

Taking a quick shower, I shave my legs, among other things, before doing some light makeup and slipping into the clitoral G-string. I like to tease myself sometimes—anticipation is half the fun. It displays my clit perfectly, a pearl droplet brushing against me with every step. Holy shit, it feels good.

I’m excited as I pull on an innocuous pair of sweatpants and a hoodie.

The rest of our day is uneventful until Gracie jumps up on Flex, and her little foot catches him directly on his gunshot wound. I rush over and grab her off his lap as he writhes in silent agony evident in the pained look on his face and the fist in his mouth to stop him from crying out.

“Come on, Gracie, time for bed.”

“Night, night, Daddy.” She has no idea the pain she just inflicted on him.

“Night, Gracie bear,” he says through gritted teeth. “I’ll come and tuck you in tight when you’ve brushed your teeth and gotten into your PJs.”

“Yay!” She goes skipping down the hallway, and as I turn to see Flex, the color is drained from his face.

“Are you okay?”

“Fine. Just give me a minute.”

“Should I call Pierce or Freya? They could come to take a look.”

“I’mfine.Please stop fussing over me, Helena. I’m not somedelicate glass that’s going to shatter if you so much as look at me with anything other than pity.”

“I don’t pity you.”

“Then why won’t you let me be here for you?”

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