Page 77 of A Master's Destiny
“Oh, hell…”
He winks at me as the elevator doors open. When a woman standing in the hallway smiles at him coyly, he waves to her.
“In fact, I think they’ll miss me,” he says under his breath. “You just might have to take over when I’m gone.”
Still shaking my head as I enter the apartment, I head straight to bed. I’m almost asleep when I catch the flash of my phone, letting me know I’ve received a text. Curious, I check to see who it is.
Smiling, I immediately dial the number and lay my head back on my pillow as I listen to the phone ring.
“Hey,moy droog. I was wondering if you would call back.”
“You’re lucky you caught me before I crashed for the night.”
“How has it been now that the traitor is gone?”
I grin, “It’s been going well, actually. Without Ashford, we’ve all come together as a unit.”
“And Surfer Boy?” he asks with a snort.
“Turns out, he’s not half bad. He’s just got issues with his parents—like us.”
Durov states jokingly, “Some people shouldn’t have children.”
“Agreed. But, if they hadn’t, you and I wouldn’t exist. So…there is that.”
“Fair enough,” he replies with a sad chuckle.
Since I’m now fully awake, I start an animated discussion with Durov, detailing everything I’ve learned during the week. But, the moment I yawn, he stops me. “You need to sleep,moy droog. Goodnight.”
I chuckle. “But you were the one who called me.”
“Nyet. I only texted. I’m not to blame if you took the bait.”
I’m shocked when I realize he’s hung up on me.
“Fucking sadist…” I grumble, setting the phone on the nightstand.
In a matter of minutes, I fall to sleep. With good friends, a tool bag full of quality rope, and another practicum waiting for me tomorrow, I don’t have a care in the world.
The setting sun is shining in my eyes on my drive to the Center the following evening, and I curse myself for forgetting my sunglasses.
I’m grateful when I pull into the parking lot. I’ve managed to maintain my good mood the entire day and jump out of my car. Reaching for my tool bag, I look over the roof of my car while I grab it, and suddenly freeze.
Goosebumps rise up on my skin when I think I see my mother in the distance, walking toward me.
I swallow hard, reminding myself that it’s only the submissive, nova. Scanning the parking lot, I don’t see anyone else around. Instead of trying to avoid her, as I did with chastity, I shut my car door and wait, wanting to explain why I can’t be seen fraternizing with her.
The setting sun beautifully frames her silhouette like a ring of fire as she approaches. “Look, nova, we need to talk—”
I stop midsentence, my blood running cold the instant I realize it’s not her.
“I’ve been waiting for you, Thane.”
A car suddenly pulls up beside me and my mother barks, “Get in, son.”
I shake my head in shock, unprepared for this encounter.
“I have something for you in the car. You always said you wanted your father’s violin.”
