Page 164 of Masters of Control

But if it wasn’t, she could risk her friendships.

Better to stay quiet.

“If they did, I’d never be allowed in,” Marissa joked. “Olivia would have a file on me this thick.” She held her hands out in front of her, about a foot apart. “Actually, she wouldn’t be here, either, if I was allowed to file reports on her. Just let it go. They aren’t going to kick you out. If they were going to, they would have already done so.”

“But she’s making it so I can’t scene with some of the Doms,” Noelle complained, her gaze darting over to the table where Iris was standing.

“Do you want to scene with one of her friends?” Morgan asked. That seemed like a safe question, and from the way Noelle kept looking over there, she was starting to wonder if Noelle had a crush on one of them.

“I mean, I wouldn’t say no to any of them,” Noelle said with a smirk. “Especially Connor. He looks like the kind of guy who could throw me around the room, if you know what I mean. But no, I just don’t think I should be shut out of things because Iris is trying to get back at me. It’s not fair. I’m not going to be bullied into leaving Stronghold.”

Amy and Marissa exchanged a glance, which Morgan saw but didn’t completely understand. People did that sometimes. They looked at each other and knew what the other one was thinking. She was never part of those glances and was okay with that. She wasn’t sure she’d be able to figure out what they were trying to say, anyway.

Navigating relationships on her own was hard.

Worth it, though.

She still remembered when she’d be at play parties with Master Richard and see other subs interacting but wouldn’t be allowed to join them. Of course, they might not have liked her. Master Richard had always told her that he was protecting her from their jealousy. She had still been envious, seeing them talking and laughing together. Wanting to be a part of their world.

Now she was and was going to be grateful for it and not risk losing it.

“Master Asad is pretty hot, too,” Noelle continued, looking meaningfully at Morgan. This time, she knew what that look meant. Noelle kept offering to take Morgan’s place as Master Asad’s fake date since she’d told her friends that Lexie had asked her if she’d be interested.

“He is.”

If Noelle had a thing for him, she would have turned Lexie down, but it seemed Noelle just wanted any of Master Law’s friends. Morgan didn’t understand why. There were plenty of other Doms willing to scene with her, and it only made sense that his closest friends wouldn’t. Not while there was still an issue between her and Iris, and there definitely was.

“I’m supposed to talk to him tonight about being his wedding date. Well, I guess Lexie and Master Patrick will be doing most of the talking, but they wanted to tell him tonight.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to take your place? You don’t have to do this if you’re not ready. It can be hard faking a relationship for someone’s family.” Noelle’s expression had changed to earnestness.

“You’ve faked a relationship for someone’s family before?” Carolyn asked. Her attention had wandered while Noelle and Morgan had been talking, but it snapped back with laser focus.

“Well, not exactly… but I’m a good actress.”

“I want to do it.” Morgan glanced over her shoulder to where Master Brian was talking to some submissives. As always when they were in the club, he seemed completely attuned to her. His gaze lifted to meet hers. He tilted his head, raising his eyebrows. When she’d asked him, he’d told her that meant he was wondering if she needed him. She smiled and shook her head, turning back to her friends before her smile faded.

“I need to show Brian and the other Doms that I’m okay on my own. I don’t need them hovering over me all the time.”

It was starting to make her wonder if she really was okay. She was starting to feel stifled. Not in the same way her parents had made her feel, exactly, but… it was bringing up some old emotions. Mistress Julie thought it was a good idea, and since she was a Domme, as well as being Morgan’s therapist, she put a lot of weight on Mistress Julie’s opinion.

“Just know that I’m here for you if you change your mind.” Noelle reached out and took Morgan’s hand, giving it a brief squeeze before letting it drop.

Morgan smiled at her. Despite her faults, Noelle could be very generous and sweet. She could probably use a few sessions with Mistress Julie to help her get over her insecurities around Iris, but Morgan wasn’t brave enough to make that suggestion, either. Besides, if Mistress Julie didn’t want to treat her because she was friends with Master Law, that would only make things with Noelle even worse.

“Oooh, here comes Master Patrick,” Amy said, and immediately all of them sat up. The man had that effect.

A lot of the Doms did, though Morgan had noticed that she and Amy were more likely to have that reaction, whereas Carolyn and Noelle rarely jumped to attention. Marissa fell somewhere in between. But everyone was on their best behavior for Master Patrick, and not just because he owned the club. He just had the kind of presence that demanded attention—and respect.

“Hello, ladies.” He smiled, white teeth flashing against dark skin, his gaze glancing over all of them before settling on Morgan. “Morgan, do you have a minute?”

“Yes, Master Patrick.” She stood, resisting the urge to put her arms behind her back in the position she’d been taught to use when on her feet before a Dom. That wasn’t necessary here, and it would make both Master Patrick and Lexie uncomfortable.

“Great, come with me, please.”

She looked over at the table where Master Asad had been talking to his friends, but he wasn’t there anymore, and she realized Master Patrick was leading her to his office. Apparently, he didn’t want to have the discussion with an audience, which made sense.

The gossip at Stronghold and Marquis ran rampant most days.