Page 31 of Reignite

Gray swore under his breath, but the fact that Foster was walking didn’t matter much to me. I wanted to know what was going on inside the guy’s head. “What did he say to you?”

Addison looked around at the people in the room and I could practically hear her swallowing down her nervousness. “He said you were opening a new club in town and that because I was, uh, big and beautiful, I’d be perfect for his mission.”

“He used the word mission?” Gray asked.

“Yes. He said I should try to get a job working for you and then report back to him about what you and Grayson were doing. He specifically asked that I get close to the guys from your harem and try to get the drawings for the club to send to him.”

“You targeted me, didn’t you?” Dominic stood up, all six foot something of his dark godlike stature hovering over Addison.

“Dominic, sit.”

He glared at me but when I gave him an understanding look, he sat back down.

“Why did you tell Grayson about this now?”

“I told you, it’s not worth it.”

“Why?”

“Dominic is right. You are building something special here. You are special. I’ve been in and around kink since I was eighteen, and no one, no club, wants to build a community like you do. Everyone is out for themselves, for their own pleasure.”

I saw something in Addison then. She hid behind the make-up, and the black clothing. Underneath it was a woman trying to find herself while trying to protect the fragile woman she was at the same time.

That I could understand. I was Addison. Before Gray.

“All right. Good.” I stood up, because while I might be short and curvy, I was mighty. “You are mine now, Addison. Not to be owned, not to be controlled, but to be loved and protected.”

Addison paled even more, which I wasn’t sure was even possible. I needed to get this girl some sunshine. “You are part of my team. The offer I gave, and that you accepted, stands. You will work for me. You will help me establish the community I already know you believe in.”

Gray, Hawk, and Dominic all opened their mouths to protest. I held up my hand to silence them all. Lilly grinned first at me and then over at Addy.

“You will throw off both the fear and the obligation of Foster Bennett. I and mine will never break under his lies and nastiness.”

Addison stood and Lilly moved beside her, a shimmer of tears in her eyes. “We are with you, Angelina. I’ll take Addison under my care and show her what it means to have happiness like I have, instead of unmet needs like Foster creates in his wake of havoc.”

If we’d been in a movie, the uplifting inspirational music would be crescendoing right about now and the crowds would lift us all on their shoulders, chanting our names.

Instead, everyone simply nodded. I knew we were stronger for the connection between each and every one of us.

“Okay then, team. Get out there and show ‘em who's boss.” By boss, I meant me.

Lilly led Addison to the door, with Hawk behind her, and Dominic trailing behind.

“Dominic?”

He paused and turned to me but looked at the floor. “Yes, mistress?”

“I’m making you responsible for Addison’s well-being.”

“But—”

“No buts. I know you think she’s betrayed you, but I think it’s because of you that she admitted everything to us today. You saved us a lot of heartache, I’m sure. Don’t hold that against her too long.”

He shook his head. “I was completely wrong about her.”

“No, I don’t think you were. I’ve always trusted you and your instincts. Trust me on this one.”

He frowned but nodded. “Yes, mistress.”

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