“Okay, just make sure you’re early.”
“Will do.” I hung up and reached for the double bacon cheeseburger, stacked with lettuce, onions, and tomatoes. “Hell yes,” I hummed sitting back. “Thank you.”
He offered a soft smile in appreciation as he picked up a smaller wrapped burger, plain, and unwrapped it, tossing it to Lucy.
I watched her devour it and I couldn’t help but smile. “Is that how you won her over?”
“I asserted myself,” he told me, eyes flicking to my lips as he took a seat in the chair beside the couch. “A few burgers helped,” he added with a shrug at my look.
My smile widened and I sunk my teeth into the burger, groaning at the taste. God, I was so hungry.
“I bet she never moaned for you like that,” Evelyncommented, stealing an extra pack of fries and falling into the chair opposite Everett.
My cheeks warmed, remembering last night. I had done far more than that for him. I’d do anything for him. Anything at all.
I finished my meal, Lucy enjoying her meal as well, and finally moved to the table where Evelyn got started on my makeup and wig while I started massaging my right hand, preparing it for the signing event. Usually, I had a whole process of taking care of my hands the day before the signing, preparing myself for the hundreds of books I would sign, but alas, I prayed this would be enough.
Halfway through the process, Everett, who had been silent since lunch, brought over another box and set it in front of me as Evelyn worked on my hair.
I glanced up, the weight of the false lashes prevalent. It had been a while since I wore them last, and it was always something to get used to.
Without a word, he opened the box, revealing to me a thin, chain-link necklace, a pink jewel inset in silver hanging from where it was threaded through a large silver circle on the chain.
Evelyn tucked my hair into a cap and stepped back, allowing Everett to take her place, but as soon as I felt him turn that key, the lock springing free, my hand slammed against my throat, keeping the collar in place, my heart thudding.
I hadn’t realized how much I liked it until this moment. How much I had gotten used to it. A reminder of who I belonged to. Of who owned me.
I didn’t want to take it off. Not now, not ever.
Evelyn looked from me to Everett, her eyes worried.
Everett stepped to my side, gently taking my chin under his knuckle and tilting my head towards his. “You have to take it off, pup. If you want to keep your identity a secret, you can’t wear this in both worlds.”
I knew that. Rationally, I knew that, but even so, it took more effort than I wanted to admit to pull my hand away.
He ran his thumb gently over my chin before straightening. He slid the collar off my neck, setting it gently on the table, and picked up the necklace. So much thinner than the collar. Less obvious.
He pulled it around my neck, threading that jewel through the metal loop and pulling it tightly around my neck, letting the jewel and the excess chain fall nearly to my breasts.
I smoothed my fingers down the length of it, wrapping them around the pink jewel, admiring the way it shined. With this one, I could take it off if I wanted. It wasn’t locked. I had a choice.
I didn’t want that choice.
Evelyn took her place behind me again, sliding on the natural, red-colored wig and my eyes lifted to Everett’s as he picked up my pink collar and put it in the box the necklace had just been in.
The box was barely big enough to fit it. “I’ll return this to you when Olivia Rose returns to me,” he told me, almost in warning. “But make no mistake, I own each and every one of you, that tattoo is proof of that.”
My cheeks warmed, and I felt my sore pussy throb. I nodded once, my hand tightening around that jewel.
“Okay,” Evelyn finally said. “You’re ready to go. How big is this event?”
“Thank you,” I told her as I stood. I headed for Everett’s room to change into my clothes, the door remaining open. “Biggest one yet,” I told them, wincing and hissing in pain as I pulled on the casual business attire.
A pin-striped, black pants-suit with a flowing white shirt, the hem tucked in, and the top buttons undone. “Katie is stressed, but I’ve been to book signings before, it’s not that big of a deal. Sign some books, talk to some people. Go home, drink.” I flicked my hair over my collar and walked back into the room.“I have to go over all of that paperwork. Ugh,” I frowned, easily sliding into Abigail’s persona. “Figure out how she did it,” I went on, mostly to myself. “Maybe she’s over-paying or over-hiring. I don’t know. Probably just clean house and start over. Might have to travel,” I realized and straightened.
Everett’s eyes locked with mine.
“Might have to go back to Denver for a while. Straighten some things out.” I chewed on my lip as I turned back to my purse. “Maybe I’ll just hire some people to take care of it for me,” I went on, shuffling through my things. “That’s what smart people do. Hire accountants and lawyers and all the people so they don’t have to lift a finger.”
