Parker shook off the hands restraining him. “She was fine.”
Roman looked at Julia. “Was that negotiated?”
Still struggling to breathe properly, she shook her head.
Roman moved in front of Parker, shoulders squared, his body a wall with no way around it.
“You agreed to the rules,” he said flatly, expression hard as iron. “Including no breath restriction. No impact to the face. No nonconsensual humiliation. There isn’t a rule you didn’t break.”
“Jesus Christ,” Parker scoffed. “People are too damn sensitive nowadays.”
“Get your things and get out.”
The words cracked through the room like a whip.
Stunned, Parker blinked. “What?”
Roman erased the distance between them, each step deliberate, until he was close enough that Parker had nowhere to look but at him. “You’re done here. You will never touch another submissive in my house again. Anywhere in Miami, if I have my say.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“That you think this is up for debate tells me how serious I should be.”
Another dominant moved to Roman’s side. Then another. And a third. They weren’t threatening. They were closing ranks and standing united, which was worse.
Parker looked around the room and finally seemed to realize no one was on his side. He swore under his breath and stormed toward the hallway, the other doms following close behind to make sure he didn’t break this newest rule.
Only when he disappeared did the tension in the room lessen.
Julia pushed herself upright, still fighting to steady herself. She tried to speak but swallowed, the tenderness in her throat making her wince.
Rachel dropped to her knees beside her. “Are you okay? Do you need a doctor?”
She shook her head, fingers gingerly touching her throat. “I think I’m okay,” she said, sounding raspy. “Thanks to you.”
Someone draped a blanket around her shoulders. Roman crouched in front of her, expression grim and deeply unsettled.
“That was completely out of line. Please accept my apology.”
Before she could reply, Rachel cut in angrily. “I can’t believe that happened. It was wrong on so many levels. Who invited that asshole?”
Roman scrubbed a hand over his jaw. “I did, I’m afraid.” Disgust crossed his face. “I’ve never seen him act that way before.”
Julia suddenly wanted out of there more than she wanted her next even breath. She rose unsteadily with Rachel’s help and looked around for her clothes. “I’m leaving.” Her voice sounded so raw, she barely recognized it.
“I’ll drive you home,” Roman offered immediately.
“I have my car.”
His frown deepened. “You probably shouldn’t drive right now.”
“I’m okay.” She drew the blanket closer around herself. “I just want to get home and forget this.”
“I’m so sorry,” Rachel whispered, looking miserable. “I feel like this is my fault.”
“If you didn’t know him, how could it be?” Julia essentially croaked.
Roman studied her for another long moment before conceding, “I’ll walk you out.”
