Zee could have ordered her home with him and forced her to be somewhere that caused her nightmares after she clearly told him she needed space.And if he had done that, he wouldn’t have been the kind of Master he prided himself on being.Not the kind of Dom who should own a BDSM Club.
He loved Club Bandit.
That should have been enough for him.
Zee knew he fucked up and was going to do everything he could to make it right.
Because he wasn’t there to protect Ella.
He was busy chasing another dream when she needed him.
He failed her.
That was on him, and he’d do everything in his power to make it up to her.
Protecting her was his job as her Master.
And where had he been when she was dragged from their garden?
With the team and not with his wife who meant more to him than anything.
He wouldn’t blame Ella if she never forgave him.
One step at a time.Fix what you can tonight.
His phone felt heavy in his palm as he dialed his boss.
“Zee, I was just going to call you.I can’t believe Nico would do something like that.He seemed totally fine at the awards ceremony.”
“Yeah.Guess you never really know people.”Zee swallowed, forcing the words out.“Listen, I appreciate the opportunity you gave me—“
“Zee, don’t do this.I know you’ve been through hell, but the team’s responding to you.We need you.”
“I’m not quitting,” Zee said, sharper than intended.He pressed his hand flat against his thigh, grounding himself.“But you remember when I was supposed to be part-time?I need a new contract.Scale me back, bring Roger in to take the lead.I’ll support, but I can’t keep up this pace.Not anymore.”
Silence stretched so long Zee thought the call had dropped.
“You’re serious.”
“Yeah.I know I said a year but circumstances have changed.I want to go back to consulting from afar, not every day.I’m on my way right now to clean out my office.”
“I should be glad you aren’t quitting on us completely.I’ll meet you at your office.”
“Thanks for understanding.”
“See you soon.”
He pulled up a florist’s website on his phone, his fingers tapping quickly, ordering the biggest bouquet of carnations they had.
Once the order was confirmed, he quickly found a bed-and-breakfast near Nora’s, checking the details and confirming his reservation.
That was as much space as he was comfortable giving her.
As the limo rolled onto the university grounds, he made one more call.
“Zee, how are things?”Ares Montague asked.
“I need a landscaping crew.Last time we were over, Ella admired your jungle of greenery.Can you put me in touch with the best?”
