Page 119 of Gilded Locks
“Publicly,” Ash finished.
Marigold laughed nervously. “Are you planning on leaking the surveillance footage?”
“No, but keeping you safe, keeping the lodge staffed and fully functional, requires a great deal of money.”
She sat back, confused, her humor fading. “But I have nothing.”
“We aren’t asking you for money, printsessa.”
She frowned. “Then what are you asking?”
“It’s time to re-open our doors,” Hunter explained. “We haven’t hosted a party since you arrived, and now that things are settling with your family, we figured it was time.”
“You want to have a party?”
“Not just any party. The kind of gatherings that people pay millions to attend.”
Her eyes widened.
“That’s what we do,” Ash explained. “It’s why we have so many rooms.”
“And so many toys.” Stone’s smile was pure mischief.
Hunter shifted closer, his eyes intense. “Do you remember what it means to belong to all of us?”
“It means trust,” she said as if reciting sacred vows.
“Absolute trust,” Stone agreed. “Trust enough to let us make decisions for you, to guide you, to push your boundaries in ways that might terrify you even as they set you free.”
“It means surrender,” Ash finished, his voice carrying the weight of mountains. “Real surrender. Not just in bed, but in life. Letting us take care of you, protect you, and provide for you.”
She understood that they were trying to do what was right, what they knew, but they would only do so with her consent. “Will I be invited to the party?”
Stone laughed and Hunter shot him a silencing glare. “Some, but not all.”
She frowned. “Why not all?”
“They can be dangerous.”
“For you?”
“No, not for us. But you know what happened to Katya.”
“You said that would never happen again.”
“It won’t.” Stone’s tone had shifted from playful to serious. “You’re safe here. We have Cole and the guards watching the cameras twenty-four-seven.”
She flushed, not liking the idea of anyone watching the things they’d done, especially Cole. “Then why can’t I come to the party?”
“There are some you can attend, but there will be rules.”
“Strict rules,” Hunter emphasized. “None of these escaping games you like to play.”
“Look, I can’t help it if your lead security guy was outmaneuvered by little old me.”
“This is serious, Marigold.”
She dropped the sass, fully trusting Ash and the others to put her safety above all else. “Sorry.”
