Page 142 of Masters of Control

“Hopefully, she knows better, but Patrick is still going to lay down the law with him. No sleeping with Morgan, no leading her on, keep the lines of communication open, and all that jazz.”

“You think he’ll agree to taking a date he can’t fuck or scene with for a week? Especially when they’ve scened together in the past?”

“Hey, he’s a big boy. He can keep his penis to himself for a week. Besides, we’re going to point out that sex could confuse the issue since it won’t be in the club. I’m pretty sure Asad will agree. Otherwise, he can find his own date.”

Freddy tried to think of an objection, but he really couldn’t. In this case, there wasn’t a whole lot of risk, and the reward would be Morgan gaining even more confidence in herself as well as getting the chance to find out who she was away from Stronghold and her support system. The support system was great, but it could also be a little stifling.

He really hoped nothing happened that set her back, which was a very real risk, even if it was a seemingly low one.

Well, maybe she or Asad would say no, and Freddy wouldn’t have to worry about it.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Camille

The Spy Museum had been as much fun as she’d imagined and even more interesting than she’d hoped for. They’d decided to just do one museum before heading over to Marquis for a drink and possibly dinner. The museum had been big enough, with enough activities, to take up the whole day.

Maybe it would be fun to try new restaurants, but Camille was more comfortable with the familiar, and after a day of doing something new, she wanted to go to a place where she knew exactly what she’d be getting. It was fun to sit in the downstairs dining room of Marquis and look around and wonder who knew what was happening on the second floor. Of course, being with Freddy meant she could just ask if someone was a member. A few of the answers surprised her.

They were midway through a thoroughly enjoyable meal when it happened.

“What the hell is this?” As if out of nowhere, Nicholas Alexander III made an extremely unwelcome reappearance in her life. Looming over them at the table, he glared at Freddy for a moment before turning his glare on her. “You’re dating him? Is that why you forced me into that stupid agreement?” Completely flabbergasted, Camille’s brain froze. She couldn’t think of how to respond before the man turned. “Jared, are you seeing this?! She’s dating my ex’s lawyer! That’s got to be a conflict of interest.”

Freddy got to his feet. Despite the fact that Mr. Alexander was an inch taller, Freddy appeared even larger than life as his lawyer side took over, turning him from the happy sub to the fierce shark he could be for his clients. A few feet away, Jared Donaldson, Jr. was staring at her, his gaze going back and forth between her and Freddy, trying to figure out the truth. Both of them were dressed in slacks and dress shirts, contrasting to Freddy’s jeans and sweater, but that didn’t matter.

“First of all, your divorce has already been finalized. Which means there is no conflict,” Freddy said, his voice colder than she’d ever heard it. “And it wasn’t a stupid agreement. She made the best deal she could for you, and it was a better one than I would have liked. You got a lot more than you deserved, and it was because of her. If I’d had my way, we would have taken you to the cleaners, but your ex-wife just wanted to get it over with. Your lawyer was able to negotiate a great deal for you, so you benefited from both women, despite the fact you deserved neither of them.”

Shaking off the panic and guilt that had frozen her, Camille lifted her chin. Freddy was right about everything. She’d done an exemplary job for Mr. Alexander, despite everything. She didn’t bother to stand up. The man wasn’t worth the effort, and neither was Junior.

“This is my personal time, Mr. Alexander. You are no longer my client. If you have a problem with the deal I made for you, perhaps you can ask yourself why none of your buddies at the firm wanted to take your case.”

“Well, because I’m their friend. It would be a conflict-“

“No, it was because they knew you weren’t going to be able to get everything you wanted and that I would get you the best deal possible. Which I did. Now, leave us alone.” Behind Douchebag Number One, Douchebag Number Two had turned bright red and looked as if he was about to explode, but Camille didn’t care. She was so tired of covering for the partners’ inadequacies and the way they’d thrown her under the bus with this case.

“You—”

“Excuse me.” Olivia’s voice snapped out like a whip as she strode toward them, eyes flashing. It seemed everyone in the dining room had stopped to pay attention to the drama. “You are creating a disturbance. I am going to have to ask you to leave.”

Both douchebags puffed up.

“We have a reservation⁠—”

“You can’t just⁠—”

Olivia held up her hand, and miraculously, the gesture silenced both of them. They looked appalled but shut up. For the first time, Camille noticed the host standing off to the side, clutching a pair of menus. They must have been on their way to be seated when Mr. Alexander spotted her.

“You are in my house now, boys, and we have the right to refuse service to anyone.” She glanced at Camille, raising her eyebrow as if asking what Camille wanted. Both assholes picked up on the look and turned back to stare at her, wondering what the connection between her and Olivia was.

“They can stay… as long as they sit down now and behave themselves,” Camille said regally. She looked at Freddy and gave him a nod. He sat down and pulled his napkin back across his lap, then turned his back on the other two men and dismissed them with his actions as thoroughly as she had with her words.

Mr. Alexander appeared stunned as he realized he was only being allowed to eat on her sufferance.

The host seemed to have gathered her courage in Olivia’s presence and stepped forward.

“If you would follow me, please, sirs, without any more interruptions.”

Across the table from Camille, Freddy covered his laugh with a cough. His reaction made her think the young woman was likely a submissive, one who had a bit of a bratty side now that she’d regained her footing. Camille knew how she felt.