Page 61 of Volatile

“Then trust my judgment,” Jon said.

“What?”

“Trust mine. I’m giving you my word that Joshua is a good man. He will take care of your sister well. They may not have a conventional relationship, but that doesn’t mean it’s less worthy.”

“And how can you make such crazy promises?”

“Because I’ve spoken with him.”

“He... he came to a session?”

“No, I went to him.”

Ivy scrunched up her face, then turned on her full fury, eyes blazing at him. “All this time! All this time you knew who this guy was and you kept it from me?”

“It wasn’t my place to tell you. That was Lily’s job when she was ready, and I wasn’t about to betray her trust. Not when she wasn’t in any harm. I know she’s your sister, but she’s also my client, and I have a responsibility to her.”

“Unbelievable.” A shit ton of pissed-off comments foamed at Ivy’s mouth. And there was no doubt she’d be spewing it all over him if they were alone.

“I’ve also had him checked out. I would not tell you Lily’s safe if I had the slightest doubt.”

“Look, I know you’re a shrink and all, but how can you determine if someone is good after one visit? Sociopaths fool people all the time.”

“You don’t think I’d be able to recognize sociopathic tendencies?”

“What I think is that sex therapists believe any kink is normal, no matter how depraved. Maybe it’s part of your oath; I don’t know how that shit works. But I do know that you can’t make this glowing diagnosis based on what you learned in school. And I’m also pretty damn sure that Lily should talk to someone else who specializes in Stockholm syndrome. I feel very strongly that she’s been brainwashed.”

Lily made a loud sigh, and he felt the same frustration. She didn’t need to be dragged around from specialist to specialist until Ivy found someone who agreed with her. And how would she even pay for that anyway? Take on extra shifts at Rig’s? Goddamnit. Her mind was locked so tight, and the fucking key had melted in her blaze.

Ivy stood up and grabbed her purse, and he wanted to pull her back down onto his lap. He wanted to bring back the woman who couldn’t get enough of his touch. The woman who had come all over his hand less than a fucking hour ago.

“She’s not brainwashed; she’s submissive. I suggest you learn the difference before saying anything further. One single experience—as horrific as it was—does not make you qualified to call every Dominant a degenerate. I’m well aware how emotions can overthrow reason, but I would have thought you’d have figured that out on your own.”

Ivy opened her mouth, but he continued before she could spit something out. “Despite what you believe, I’m an ideal therapist for Lily. I don’t just understand her world from a textbook perspective, I know it from experience. And unlike you, I am fully qualified to make determinations about Joshua because I’ve lived it. I also have friends who know him and can vouch for his character.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“I think you have some idea, Ivy.” She looked like her blood just ran cold. It crushed him, but it was too late to stop. “I’m an experienced Dominant and—”

“No,” she said, shaking her head. “I’ve never heard anything so ridiculous.”

“Just please listen to him,” Lily said softly.

“No. This is all some big fucking joke.” Ivy glared at him. “You are not a fucking Dominant, and my sister is not going to be some fucking victim.”

That seemed to be the final straw for Lily. She leaped up and stormed out of the office. Ivy rushed to follow, but he clasped on to her arm before she could leave out the door.

“Let her go,” he said.

She tugged her arm. “No. Let me go.”

How did everything disintegrate so rapidly? The way she looked at him compared to before the session? Like he’d said, it fucking crushed him.

“I will, but you’re going to hear me out first. I’m a Dom, and it’s your right to decide whether or not you can live with that. But just understand that I’ve been one long enough to know if another is treating their submissive correctly and with respect. If you believe nothing else, believe that Joshua will take care of Lily and give her everything she needs. He’ll protect her with his life. Let her go and be happy.”

Ivy yanked once more, and he dropped his grip. And without a word, she stomped out of his house the same way she’d entered months before. Beautiful and bullheaded.

*****

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