“So what, I’m just going to spend the week hanging around La Puissance? Joining their dance rehearsals and palling around with scores of the Gifted?” The thought doesn’t sound as terrible as it once might have, not if it means seeing Lady Caterine again.
“Lady Caterine is going to be giving you sex lessons.”
Whisky comes flying out of my mouth. Luckily Dom is quick enough to duck.
“Sex lessons? You asked her to give me sex lessons?” I picture the woman I watched glide around that stage, her knowing smile and lush curves. I think about my sister telling that majestic woman that I need sex lessons. My entire body flushes with heat and shame, and perhaps underneath all of that, maybe a tinge of excitement.
Her eyes meet mine, the blue twinkling with mischief. “You brought this on yourself, Callum. You are resistant to what needs to be done. Don’t blame me for finding a way to make this situation work.”
“There wasn’t a slightly less humiliating reason you could’ve come up with?” I grumble. It doesn’t escape me that it’s been a long time since Dom had anything close to humor in her eyes, and how grateful I am to see it, even if it is at my expense.
“She’s expecting you in her suite tomorrow evening. She doesn’t know the full extent of what you might require of her.”
Well, there’s that small bit of relief at least. She doesn’t yet know I’m being pressured to murder my own father.
“Use this time to learn to trust her, Cal.” She swigs the remaining whisky from her glass. “And if nothing else, maybe let her relieve some of your stress, if you know what I mean.”
I glare at her, because I know too well what she means.
Dom heads for the door, but she hesitates for a brief minute. “Lady Caterine’s Gift is powerful, but specific. She can’t manipulate your emotions unless you…finish…in her presence. So if you are feeling wary, abstain from release and you’ll be fine.”
“How am I supposed to relieve my stress if I can’t—” My question is cut off by the door slamming in my face. “Why couldn’t I have been an only child?”
I down the remaining liquor in my glass. Then I finish the small amount left in the bottle.
Sex lessons.
My stomach flutters, the mere thought of my hands on Lady Caterine’s curves enough to set my emotions whirling. Embarrassment floods through me, but I’d be lying if I said there also wasn’t a hint of anticipation. A whole week to be spent in Lady Caterine’s bed. My skin begins to itch, like something spiky is coursing through my veins. My blood begins to heat, before it rushes to my cock, the mere thought of Lady Caterine wrapped in silk sheets enough to make me hard as granite.
Then the reality sets in. A whole week in Lady Caterine’s bed without allowing myself to orgasm lest she manipulate my emotions without my consent.
A week that will likely end with me stabbing my father in the back.
Will this be the best week of my life, or the worst?
Alex,
I have not yet received word from you regarding your nephew’s decision. You swore to me you would handle it and we are running out of time. If things are going to go according to plan, Callum must be the candidate representing Scota. I thought this was one thing we both agreed on.
Please provide a progress report immediately.
Sincerely,
August Sotello
9
Cate
I ask them tomeet me in Bianca’s room so we’re on neutral territory. The ink has long dried on our contracts. The guards seem to be watching our every move. Lady M hovers over every facet of the club, focused on only one thing: bringing in enough coin to satiate her needs. She is using me to collect information on the royals of Scota. I can only imagine what she might have asked of the other girls.
Surely by now the rest of the Gifted at La Puissance have realized the danger she poses to life as we know it. Andra and I might have a way out thanks to my little visit from Dominique Reid, but the others are not so lucky. If my remaining time here at the club turns out to be limited, if it proves we need to make a quick escape, I need to make sure my friends are safe. I need to make sure they are seeing what I’m seeing as far as Lady M is concerned.
I need to make sure Harold is safe, as well. And the only way I can think of to do that is to show him how much hurt she has caused his darlings. Harold might love his wife, but he loved us first, has loved us longer, and I have to believe if I can present him with evidence of her wrongdoings, he will not take her side.
Bianca’s room is smaller than mine, the bed not as commanding or opulent. When clients come to Bianca’s room for services, they are looking to be healed, not pleasured, and the space reflects her more spartan needs. A large shelving unit dominates the space, tinctures and glass bottles lining the dark wood. We sit around the small dining table—Bianca, Tes, Meri, Rosa, Helen, and I. I tried to collect Andra from her room on my way here, but she wouldn’t even open the door, claiming she needed to rest. I should ask Bianca to check on her later, but first, I need to prepare my case for Harold.
I clear my throat. “You know how much I love all of you.”
