Page 3 of Dash

3 Months ago

Purse in her lap, sensible black pumps, pencil skirt, and modest geometric print blouse—Liz looked the part of the responsible professional adult. She even pulled her fiery copper tresses into a tight French twist—which could be the source of her headache. Either that or the stress…or the fact she hadn’t eaten breakfast.

Okay, so there were a multitude of reasons for her throbbing head. She tried to ignore it while she did her best not to fidget, sitting there waiting for her lawyer to tell her whether the prosecutor would pursue charges against her.

It looked bad. Now that she’d had the time to process, it made sense to assume she’d been involved, but she wasn’t. She’d never take advantage of those she’d been hired to care for. Only sick, twisted fucks did shit like that.

Sick fucks like Richard.

There were a million and nine red flags in the beginning, but she’d ignored them. She’d been far too eager, and now she might have to pay for it.

Crossing, uncrossing, and crossing her legs again, she chewed on the edge of her thumbnail, trying to manage her nerves. Her right leg shook, her foot bobbling with her loose ankle. She couldn’t stop it. She needed to do something with this energy. She glanced over her shoulder at the door again. Where was he? Her lawyer brought her in here ages ago.

Checking her phone, it had to have been an hour since he’d left her here. No. Ten minutes. Letting out a heavy sigh, she uncrossed her legs again and leaned over her thighs. He’d suggested she wait at home for his call. No. She needed to be there, in person, to hear his voice, see his expression when he told her the news. So, here she was, waiting for her fate. Was she going to trial? Was she going to be charged for a crime she hadn’t committed?

She’d most definitely lose her job. They’d already put her on suspension pending the outcome. Honestly, she couldn’t concentrate anyway. If they hadn’t, she would’ve been useless. Though, this without pay bullshit was really eating into her savings. She couldn’t do this much longer and afford the lawyer.

Fucking Richard.

Her lawyer argued Liz was just as much Richard’s victim as the three clients he’d originally targeted. If this went to trial, yes—yes, she would be. Her personal life would be broadcast for all to see.

The thought had her head in her hands. She could just imagine the questions if they forced her to testify.

“Ms. Martin, please tell the court just how Mr. Stanton had access to your work files if you were practicing all proper confidentiality protocols?”

“Well, you see, he had me tied up and blindfolded.”

The heat of embarrassment blossomed in her chest and flourished up into her cheeks as she thought of having to admit to all the kinky, vulnerable situations she willingly put herself in that allowed Richard access to everything she had. Her parents would be there to support her of course. She’d be forced to come out of her kinky closet.

She’d never be able to work again, at least not in her chosen field. If she had a felony conviction, she’d have to find a new career. No one could hire her. This was her calling.

All because she was a kinky idiot. A stupid woman who trusted someone her gut told her wasn’t trustworthy. She’d been so goddamn desperate to try rope, to be with someone who knew what they were doing, that she disregarded her instincts.

Stupid.

Now, she’d pay for it all right.

The only defense her lawyer had for her was stupidity.

“Your honor, my client wasn’t involved because she was too blind and too stupid to see what was going on right under her nose. She was too desperate to submit to anyone who appeared remotely confident.”

She heard her lawyer’s imaginary words in her head. That’d be his opening statement or closing argument. Who knew? It’d be the truth.

Not only had she wasted time with Richard, but now he might steal the rest of her life from her too. He would just get jail time. Liz would lose the rest of her life because if she got charged—and then convicted—she would lose everything she ever worked for.

Was kink worth it?

No. Not with him.

Sure, he knew how to rig, but there was more to what she wanted than just being tied up. She had an inkling that while Richard knew his way around jute, he didn’t really have a dominant bone in his body.

Rope was his thing. That was it. Liz needed more.

However, if this moved forward to trial, it wouldn’t matter. She’d be in fucking jail too. Kink would be the last thing on her mind. Hell, a job would be the last thing on her mind. Survival. It was about survival at this point.

Pushing off the chair, she stood and paced the small office. She cupped one elbow while she switched the thumb she chewed on. Can’t be uneven when she’s in jail. That would be unseemly. She was ridiculous.

Once more, she ran her hands over her face. How could she worry about symmetry when her entire life was about to be turned upside down? The door to the office finally opened, and she turned with a snap.

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