Page 116 of Ensnared

Aftera moment,Domnods.Incompanionable silence, we watchBeaumake breakfast.

Iwrap my arms around my legs, and ask quietly, “Ishe going to stay mad at me?”

Domsnorts, surprising me.Heglances back at his friend, then down at me with a wry smile. “Beau’sgot no idea how to be mad—he was brought up too nice.He’llsulk until he gets over it.”

“Soundshealthy.”Myheart sinks.

Awarm, muscular arm shrugs beside me. “Oryou could confront him about it.Thatworks about half the time.”

Igrimace. “Andthe other half?”

“Makesit worse.”

Hisgolden eyes kindle with humor.Ihaven’t seen that look in them before, like warm honey, andIhave to look away as my cheeks flood with heat.

“Whyaren’t you more mad at me anyway?”Iask, flustered.

“I’mfurious with you.”Evenwithout looking at him, his irritation is palpable. “There’sjust not much we can do about it now.I’llhand you over toJasperfor punishment when we get back.Thenwe can call it even.”

Myheart rate picks up. “Jaspersaid he wouldn’t punish me without my consent.”

Orat all.

Ican’t quite seem to put that into words though.OrwhyJaspernotpunishing me sounds like the worse end of the deal.

“Hewon’t,”Domagrees, then asks seriously, “Butdo you really think you don’t deserve it?”

“I—”

“Youput me andBeau—not to mention yourself—at risk with this stunt.Andnote or no note,I’monly about fifty percent sure the others will stay put.Youlied to us.”

“Youlied to me first,”Imutter.Domglowers, andIraise my hands. “IknowImade a mistake, but punishment is for children.Iunderstand thatIshould have stayed at home, but ifI’dhad all the information—”

Domis shaking his head. “That’sthe thing,Eden, you don’t understand.Whetheror not you had all the information isn’t relevant, not when you’re putting others at risk.Youcan afford to do that when you live by yourself, but not in a group.Notwith us.Ineed to know that ifItell you to do something, you’ll do it.Idon’t give out orders for the hell of it, andIalso can’t always spend the time to explain everything—at some point you’re going to have to trust me.TrustthatIknow whatI’mdoing to keep all of us alive, and just do whatIsay.”

Iswallow. “Ido trust that,Dom.Thatyou’ll keep us safe.”

AndIdid.Ihaven’t doubted that since he planted me beside him on that cliff face and laid waste to every one of the nightmares who chased me.

“Ifyou did, you wouldn’t have come out here.”Hisvoice is grim. “Youthink that if any one of the others had disobeyed orders like you did, that they wouldn’t get punished?”

“You’dbend them overJasper’slap too?”Iask tartly.

Dom’sface hardens. “Theywould be so lucky.Trustme whenItell you that you’re much better being punished as a submissive and a civilian than as one of my men.”Hesighs and rubs a hand over his jaw. “It’sharsh because it needs to be.Yourdecisions can have serious consequences,Eden, andIneed to know that you’ll remember that lesson.Whateveryou say, there’s a difference between thinking you understand something and reallyfeelingit in your skin.”

Bitingmy lip,Ithink that through.Despitemy serious lack of interest in “getting punished” there may be some teensy tiny point to what he’s saying.Beaunearly shot me, after all.Thatwould have haunted him for the rest of his life.

“Italso works to clear the slate, work out resentment in a healthy way.Onceyour punishment is over, it’s over.Lessonlearned, no hard feelings.”

Igive up and stare at him then. “Justlike that?”

Hislips tilt up again. “Justlike that.”

Thispunishment sounds different toJasper’s... vocation.Ina way, it’s almost refreshing.Nogrudges.Noguilt trips.

“Wouldyou really call that a ‘healthy way’ though?”Iask, thoughI’mmostly teasing.

Domrolls his eyes, then points his chin back atBeau. “Youprefer that route?It’sgentler, sure, but it might beChristmasbefore he forgives you.”

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