Julia didn’t move.
“Sit.” It came out low but firm, leaving no room for refusal.
She hesitated, like she might push back. Her jaw tightened, shoulders bracing. She crossed to the living room and sat, arms folded, expression closed off. But she was in the chair. He’d take it.
“You can’t keep going to The Underground.”
That broke through. Surprise and embarrassment flashed and vanished. Her spine stiffened like steel instead of bone as she lifted her chin enough to meet his gaze.
“How do you know I went there?”
“That’s not important.”
“It is to me.”
“That place isn’t safe.”
“I can take care of myself.”
“You might think you can.”
Her eyes narrowed, and the mulish expression returned.
He exhaled, already feeling the conversation veering off course. “I want you to come back to the Pointe.”
Leland saw more than heard the catch in her breathing, and for a moment, her features softened. He should have quit while he was ahead, but he kept talking.
“I’ll stay out of your way,” he said. “Let you find the dominant you’re looking for.”
The softness vanished, and she looked away.
“It’s safer—” he continued or tried to.
She pushed to her feet. “You can’t just show up here, tell me where I should and shouldn’t be and brush it off as if none of it matters.”
“I’m trying to protect you.”
“That isn’t your job.” Her voice sharpened. “You’re not my father, and you had your shot at being my dom—but declined.”
“Julia—”
She headed for the door. “You need to leave.”
He stared at her. Was she actually throwing him out?
“I care about you—”
“Oh, no,” she cut in, whirling to face him. “You don’t get to set the terms, pretending things you don’t actually feel.” She pressed a hand to her chest. “This is my life. I deserve better.”
“That’s not what this is.”
“Then, what is it?”
He didn’t have an answer he hadn’t already given.
Her gaze held his, searching. Then she stomped to the door, angrier than he’d ever seen her, and yanked it open. “Good night.”
He followed, but he didn’t go. He shut the door, shy of a slam. “There’s a stalker at The Underground targeting submissives. One is dead. Three others are missing.”
