Page 70 of Rebellion

“I’ve put a lot of money and resources in this club, so I thought I’d better come check in on my investments. Besides, I heard rumors that my slave wasn’t behaving.” He tugged Lilly’s lead causing her head to jerk around and face him.

I was ready to punch him in the face myself, not a feeling I was used to. I didn’t know the ins and outs of Lilly’s contract with Foster, and there was little love lost between the two of us, but being treated like shit wasn’t cool.

Gray’s hand went from my back to around my waist, holding me tight against him. He used his body to tell me to reign in my fight response. I did, but I left my ire written across my face.

Foster didn’t miss any of it. “Playing the switch, Angel? I wouldn’t have thought Grayson would be into that, but then again, he’s a man of many secrets, isn’t he?”

Oh, he was bringing it. “Not from me.”

Foster folded his hands in his lap, relaxed as can be. Except I could see the tension in his shoulders. It matched Gray’s. Both were ready to pounce.

“So, Gray has told you how he and I were once comrades in arms?”

“We are not doing this, Foster. What do you want?” I could practically hear Gray’s teeth grinding around his question.

“It’s not what I want. It’s what Angel here needs. I thought we’d celebrate her graduation and the renewed success of the Ranch with a soiree tonight. My people have made the arrangements. Some of the members are already here and enjoying themselves.”

Why the hell did he think I was finished with my training? Or that Gray was here? I might have guessed that Lilly was spying for him, sending him information, except for the way she had her arms wrapped around herself and kept scooching as far away from Foster as her lead would allow.

She’d changed a lot from the glaring witch at The Asylum or even from a few months ago when she’d tried to shame me and pick a fight upon my arrival here in Texas.

I had Hawk to thank for that.

So, who had been feeding Foster details of what was happening at the club?

“Here’s Tate now. Finalized all the details for the party? I want to be sure all your new members are here to witness the birth of a new Dominatrix.”

Tate didn’t look at any of us, only Foster. “Yes, sir.”

Sir? Shitballs. “Tate, vales verga.”

Tate’s eyes darted between Foster and the floor at my feet. “Angelina, I, uh...”

“Ah, ah, ah, Tate. You know the deal. Another word and you’ll be the subject of my next demonstration, not to mention the financial consequences.” Foster wagged a finger and Tate slumped.

“Yes, sir.”

“Good. Off you go then, make sure your members have everything they need.”

Tate skulked away. I’d find a way to corner him later and find out what exactly his deal with Foster was. If this was about the money, I could do better. Foster might think he was made of gold, but I had the bank accounts to prove that I was worth more than my weight in it. Maybe I would buy the Ranch. To spite Foster.

Gray didn’t let the tete-a-tete between Foster and Tate sway him from getting this done and over. “Don’t make me ask again. Why are you here? What do you want?”

“I told you why I’m here. Don’t spoil the party, Baker. I’m hoping to see some of the hard work you’ve done building up your curvy Dominatrix tonight.”

I didn’t believe for one second he’d come all the way down here to see me in action.

Foster ran his hand over Lilly’s hair, petting her. Lilly looked like she wanted to bite his hand off. Or throw up. Or both. “Why don’t you instruct her to have some fun with those playthings of hers?”

Gray’s arm around me tensed and then released. “Angelina can do whatever she likes.”

I didn’t know whether I liked that answer or not. It implied we didn’t have the kind of connection I thought we did. That kind of stung.

But we were new to this being a couple thing, and he was probably trying to show Foster I was badass. I’d go with that.

“Thank you, querida.” I touched his face and lingered looking into his eyes. I pushed Gray’s arm away and tried my best to send him mental telepathy to trust me. He was going to need a dozen massages to release the tension in his body when I approached Foster. “May I?”

I reached for Lilly’s lead hoping Foster wouldn’t make a scene and play along. He raised an eyebrow, but didn’t relinquish her to me.

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