Page 65 of Emergence and Ascendance

"Scotlyn, mixing business with pleasure is complicated enough. This is all new to you. Living with your Dom, especiallywhen there are other power dynamics involved, makes things very messy. You two are essentially business partners, correct?”

"Christian has been clear about keeping things separate."

"Has he?" She sighed. "The amendment request came from him, not you. He's already changing the terms."

"With my consent."

"Good. That's what I needed to hear. I just don't want to see you hurt again. Not after everything you expressed experiencing with your husband."

The memory crept in even though I was determined to forget the betrayal.

“I've fulfilled my part of the bargain, Gerald. Ten years with your daughter and the Whitney name attached to everything I've done. I want out."

My father’s reply shattered me. “I got what I needed and so do you. I’ll make sure the divorce is handled properly. You’ll have everything in hand by close of business.”

My entire marriage had been a business arrangement. To this day, I hadn’t told either of them I knew. When the divorce papers were submitted. I signed them. I was too embarrassed not to because arguing the point meant publicly admitting they’d both played in my damn face.

"This is different. How I’m dealing with Christian is all my decision. I know what I’m doing."

"Do you? Or are you still reacting to what happened with your ex-husband?"

“I know what I’m doing,” I stated again.

"Christian can be intense and he's dealing with his own past. Just be careful. Make sure this arrangement is actually giving you what you need."

"I will."

"Call me anytime. Not as the club owner, but as a friend."

"Thank you."

After we hung up, my mind was racing again. What was I doing? Making deals with a man I barely knew. I moved into his house and agreed to submit to him sexually while trying to maintain a business relationship…

I should have been panicking but something about this felt right. I was making choices solely for myself. This didn’t have a damn thing to do with my father or the Whitney name. I didn’t need anyone else's approval.

Whatever happened in the next thirty days would be on my terms but that didn’t stop my mind from racing after the conversation with Giselle as I left the garage, heading back to the study. I needed to talk to someone who knew me, really knew me. I grabbed my phone and called Tezni.

"I was starting to think the dick erased your memory of the most important person in your life."

I rolled my eyes.

"Nope, but I'm not sure you deserve my attention after this shit you got me into."

"What the hell did I do?” She was already laughing, which had me rolling my eyes.

"You know exactly what you did, hoe."

"Ohhhh, this is about Sexy Enemy?"

"Christian Devereaux."

"So you were right then? It was him."

"Definitely him."

"Well damn." She laughed. "The universe has a twisted sense of humor."

"It gets better. I'm living in his house."

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