Page 88 of High Roller

“We’ll be taking you to Victor’s house soon, Lili,” Owen says, peeking around the kissing couple.

I motion to them. “Is this ever weird for you?”

Owen kisses the top of Bellamy’s head and releases her fully into Tobias’s arms then crosses the room to sit with me.

“It was at first. The story is long and complicated, and if you end up with Victor or Grace, I’ll share it sometime. The condensed version is that the three of us were friends long before we were lovers. Bellamy is devoted to both of us in unique ways, and Tobias and I have rekindled a friendship that never should have ended.”

“That sounds lovely. I’m glad it all worked out. I fear my own complicated story won’t have such a happy ending.”

“My wife is right. I was incredibly rude a moment ago. Forgive me. I am protective of Victor and Grace and everyone else in my family. But I suspect your story is filled with the same family politics that many of our stories are. If you decide to stay with us, you will be welcomed with open arms.”

I put a hand on his arm. “Thank you, Owen. I can’t say what will happen, but I’m smart enough to understand I’m safer here than with my husband. It’s true that I have no good reason other than a gut feeling, but I trust you all more than I trust him and his contacts. So, while it’s hard to get past what Victor did, I understand where it’s coming from, and I will do my best to help put an end to this madness.”

Owen stands. “I have to finish one more task and then we can go.”

As he passes Bellamy and Tobias, who are still huddled together talking quietly, he pauses.

“Bellamy, love, I’ll see you in my office as soon as you’re finished saying hello to Tobias.”

Her demeanor shifts and she ducks her head respectfully. “Yes, Sir.”

As Owen walks away Tobias teases her. “Uh Oh. Someone is in trouble.”

She smacks him and he catches her wrist. “Stop. We have company,” she says with a smirk on her face.

Tobias kisses her and shoves her off in the direction Owen went.

When she disappears, he comes to sit in the spot Owen vacated.

“Hello again, Lili. Apologies if we’ve made you uncomfortable.”

I shake my head with a smile. “Not at all. I’m very fascinated by your dynamic. I get the idea that Owen is in charge.”

Tobias laughs. “We let him believe he is anyway.”

“And it works for you?”

“Bellamy is my priority, and she is happiest with both of us. Owen has been my best friend forever. Though we had a falling out and didn’t speak for a few years. We have worked through that, and this relationship just makes sense for us.”

“What about the power exchange element? Is she submissive to you?”

Tobias raises an eyebrow, and I drop my head. “Forgive me. I’m being too intrusive again.”

He chuckles. “Don’t worry about it. We aren’t exactly being subtle around you. I’m happy to answer questions, I’m just always surprised when people pick up on the differences. Then again, Bellamy can’t hide her slave-like devotion to Owen. I’ve known he owns her since the beginning. But I also know how committed she is to me, and I am an equal partner in this relationship. Yes, she submits to me, but for us it’s more about fun and perhaps even tenderness. With Owen, I would describe him as her God. If it ever came down to it, his orders would take precedence over any that I’ve given. But he and I agreed in the beginning not to step on each other in front of Bellamy. We work out our differences away from her on the rare occasions we have them.”

I smile. “That’s so sweet, and I’m thrilled you’ve found each other. My marriage was an arranged political maneuver, which is why it’s ending.”

Tobias laughs. “I was betrothed to Bellamy as a similar political arrangement. If we had gone through with it the way our families wanted us to, we would not be happy, so I understand. It sounds like there are some other aggravating circumstances forcing you to leave as well.”

I know he’s referring to the abuse and the cheating, and my face flames. Embarrassment and shame are not emotions I am used to, but for some reason having this man acknowledge the darker failings of my marriage invokes both now.

Owen returns without Bellamy, and I wonder what the conversation in his office was like. I’ve always been a bit of a voyeur when it comes to human interactions, and I’m discovering that I’m even more intrigued by the dynamics of dominance and submission when it’s outside the bedroom. Finn’s proclivities have always been strictly about sex and control, and while I tried to meet his needs in the beginning, he saw me as property and couldn’t give in to that side of himself to let me, and I became the object of his ire instead.

“Are you ready to go, Lili?” Owen asks.

I nod and stand to return the poetry book to the shelf.

“Tobias, will you go release Bellamy in twenty minutes? Make sure she also passes my message along.” Owen says.

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