Page 19 of Coach's Pet

As I’m about to call Joey, he messages me back.

Joey

Family lawyer. Why do you have her number?

Me

Crucinda gave it to me to confirm her story.

My phone rings, and I answer. Joey’s voice is so loud I have to pull the damn thing away from my ear.

“What the fuck is going on, brother?”

Patience, I tell myself. Have patience. Unfortunately, I’m running short of it. “You know, I have a unique approach to getting information. Well, I broke her. And what she told me sheds new light on things.”

“For fuck’s sake. I told you this was not what we should be doing.” He’s angry, and I don’t blame him. Hell, I’m edging my way to feeling confused and hurt about my father possibly lying to me.

Joey cuts into my spiraling thoughts. “So, what do you want to do, then?” He’s always been a loud and cocky bastard, but he’s always there for me.

“Let’s not go guns blazing this time. I’m going to bring Crucinda back to civilization. We’ll put her in the barn with the animals while we confirm the rest of her story. Don’t bother John with this yet.”

“Goddamn it. Fine, but this better pan out, Jase, or we all could fucking go to jail.”

He’s not wrong, but I will not admit that to him. Laughing, I hang up and walk back to the cabin.

If what she says is true, that means I’m the monster, just like my father.

Crucinda is exactly where I left her. Well, that’s a start. Maybe I can trust her for the moment. Now, for the test. I lock the door and stand there, looking at her as she finishes her last strawberry. This could go one of two ways. I’m hoping it goes the way I want it to go.

“Come here, pebble.” There’s no mistaking the demand in my voice.

Will she be good and follow my lead?

Or is she going to be a brat?

She doesn’t keep me waiting. I watch her sit the plate down on the coffee table, stand up, and she limps toward me. If I were a better man, I would meet her halfway.

But I’m not.

“Do you remember what I told you to call me earlier?” I don’t touch her. Nope. I want her to earn it first. Fuck, I’m a depraved man, getting hard over the fact I want to watch her obey me so I can sink my dick into her.

A soft, glowing blush pops on her cheeks, and I smile. “Yes.” She’s directly in front of me now.

“And what was it?”

“Master.” She looks at me, perplexed.

“Good, pebble. You’re going to do everything I demand.” She doesn’t move or balk at the idea.

“Does that mean you trust me?” The hope in her eyes kills me because, if I’m being honest, I enjoy being the bad guy and crushing her.

“Not even a little, but for now, because the number came back as the person you said it would, you get a reward.”

Crucinda’s smile before this was almost blinding. “Okay.” She mutters with disappointment. I get this gut feeling that only a few people have ever trusted her before she became a fashion mogul.

“Go to the bedroom. Take off the sheet and get on the bed with your face down on a pillow.”

Apprehension contorts her features, but she nods. Turning around, she makes her way to the bedroom with no argument. Following her, I stay by the door, letting her decide to do as she’s told. I’m not into being a Master in the BDSM sense, but goddamn, I’m excited to see her obey me.

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