As the trees closed in around them and the road dipped into the island’s lush green interior, Kel let herself relax a fraction. She didn’t know what they would find on the other side of theisland. She didn’t know what Ms. Leighton had planned or what kind of emotional landmines waited in the days ahead, but she knew one thing. She would sit beside Madeline through every bump, every detour, and every insult disguised as art.And if Ruthi Shay wants to keep throwing daggers?Kel smiled a little.Then I’ll be ready to catch them.
6
As the Jeep navigated the path to the other side of the island, Ruthi did her best to keep her thoughts from straying to Mistress Eve. Whatever she had been expecting, the woman garbed in a maid’s uniform with stiletto heels wasn’t it. Ignoring the rumblings of doubt that clenched her stomach, Ruthi did her best to convince herself that Ms. Leighton, from all accounts, knew precisely what she was doing.I certainly hope so, she thought grimly.Dealing with June Cleaver here and her sidekick is going to be enough of a nightmare without being subjected to a fake Dominant on top of it.
Notwithstanding her attempts to focus strictly on the shoot, she heard Eve’s soft, authoritative voice in her memory, brimming with self-confidence, as the Domme immediately took control in their oh-so-brief meeting.All I can do is wait and see what happens next, I suppose. I hope the Mistress doesn’t wait too long to send for me.
As the jeep reached the site and coasted to a stop, Ruthi swung out of the seat, immediately scanning the terrain. “I want a three-point lighting setup,” were the first words out of her mouth, her tone brisk, as the film crew began to unload theirequipment. “Depending on what time of day we film, we may need to use a bounce card to alter the natural light. The key light is sunshine, which means it’s high key because of our location, but I don’t want a bunch of shadows creeping in from filming too close to sunset.”
She gestured impatiently to Madeline. “Come here.”
“Who, me?” Madeline asked, startled and automatically leaning closer to Kel.
“No, the man on the moon. Of course, you.” Ruthi tapped her foot. “I need you to be standing where you’ll be positioned during your dialogues, so we can position the fill light to cancel out the shadows created by the key light. Anddon’tmove. The thought of being up here all day because you can’t follow simple directions does not appeal.”
Without another word, Ruthi turned her back on Madeline, looking at her phone’s screen. She froze when she saw a text from a number she didn’t recognize, but something in her gut told her it was from Eve. Her hand shaking and her heart racing, Ruthi opened the text.
“Meet me at my cottage in the rear of the property immediately after you are finished with your location scout,” the message read. “Knock and wait for further instruction.”
Swallowing hard, Ruthi stared at the text.Do I write back?she wondered.How does one respond to a Domme?Finally, all she typed was, “Yes.” Then, after a beat, she added two uncharacteristic words. “Thank you.”
Madeline stoodin the patch of sun Ruthi had pointed to, trying not to squint, sweat already beading at her temples. The light was blinding, the air thick with humidity, and the gentle breeze that had felt so refreshing earlier now teased her hair into her mouth every time she opened it to speak. She shifted her weightfrom one foot to the other as the cinematographer and sound tech adjusted their equipment around her.
“Just hold still for a sec,” the sound tech said gently, placing a small lav mic on the edge of Madeline’s neckline. “We’re testing levels over the sounds of the ocean.”
“Got it,” Madeline said, trying to keep her voice light. She offered a small, hopefully professional smile in the direction of the camera crew. From under the shade of a palm, Ruthi stood watching it all with arms crossed, and her expression unreadable behind her dark sunglasses. She hadn’t spoken much since they arrived, only barked the occasional instruction and muttered to herself about angles and light balance. Still, Madeline felt the weight of her presence like a heat lamp.
“Try a line,” the sound tech prompted. “Doesn’t matter what.”
Clearing her throat, Madeline tried to come up with something. “Um... okay. How about—’This place is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. It feels like... like I’m standing at the edge of something about to begin.’” She winced slightly, hearing how cheesy it sounded out loud.
Ruthi didn’t even look up from her tablet. “Are you auditioning for a Hallmark movie or just reading greeting cards today?”
Madeline blinked. “I was—”
“Testing levels,” the sound tech interjected quickly, shooting Madeline a sympathetic glance. “That was perfect, thank you.”
Stepping back, jaw tight, Madeline tried not to let the sting show. She felt Kel watching from the edge of the clearing, her posture tense, arms folded. There was a silent question in her stance.Want me to say something?Madeline gave her a tiny shake of the head.
They continued to walk the site. Ruthi barked at a grip for setting a stand in the wrong place, snapped at the assistantdirector for not having a printed schedule, and corrected the lighting tech twice in less than five minutes.
Madeline did her best to stay out of the way, to appear helpful without being a nuisance, but it didn’t seem to matter. When she offered to help test a lighting angle, Ruthi waved her off with a clipped sentence. “If I need a human reflector, I’ll let you know.” By the time one of the staff appeared and announced it was time for lunch, Madeline felt like she’d been through an emotional obstacle course. She didn’t know how she could be so exhausted when she hadn’t even done anything yet.
They followed a winding path up the hill to a large cream-colored tent nestled beneath a canopy of palms. Inside, the air was noticeably cooler thanks to discreet fans in the corners. A long table was dressed in crisp linen, gleaming silverware, and polished glassware catching the light. Platters of grilled fish, mango salad, coconut rice, and roasted vegetables filled the air with warm, mouthwatering aromas. Madeline’s stomach growled audibly, and Kel, who’d materialized beside her like a loyal shadow, chuckled. “Subtle.”
“I’m starving,” Madeline muttered, grabbing a plate and trying not to look like she was about to inhale the entire buffet. They sat near the edge of the tent, Madeline and Kel on one side of the table, with a few crew members scattered around. Ruthi sat at the far end, alone, picking at a salad. Madeline tried not to watch her. She tried not to care, but it was hard not to feel the weight of those dark eyes, even when they weren’t looking her way.
“I’m trying, Kel,” Madeline whispered, leaning close. “I really am. But I think she hates me.”
“She doesn’t hate you,” Kel said, spearing a piece of grilled pineapple. “She just hates everything.”
Madeline snorted. “Great. So I’m lumped in with humidity, poor lighting, and the concept of joy.”
Kel smiled faintly. “Pretty much.” They ate in relative peace, the sound of utensils on glass and the occasional murmur of conversation blending with the distant crash of waves. Madeline was starting to feel almost normal again, her limbs relaxing, and her brain finally quieting.
When a waiter offered her a second slice of coconut bread, Madeline gracefully declined and stood to stretch. “I need to walk this off before I fall asleep,” she said, waving Kel off when she made to rise too. “I’m good. Just going to go look at the pool again.” The natural pool looked like something out of a dream. Turquoise water, smooth stone edges, and a faint mist rising from the surface where the sun hit it just right. A few crew members had wandered over, shoes off, dipping their feet in.
Walking to the edge slowly, arms loose at her sides, Madeline breathed deeply. She felt the tension leaving her body, along with the weight of Ruthi’s attitude fading with each step. She didn’t even notice the sound tech from earlier behind her until she turned and bumped straight into her. “Oh God, sorry,” Madeline stumbled back, arms flailing for balance and failed. Her heel caught the edge of a stone, and she went down with a startled cry that echoed across the clearing.
