Page 44 of Revenge & Truth

“Don’t lie to me when I ask that question, not when it’s just the two of us,” I warned. “If things are ever going to work between us with the dynamic you want, you can’t brush off my questions. You asked me to be your Mistress, to own you. If you truly want that, then this is nonnegotiable. I can’t do what’s best for either of us if I don’t have a clear picture of where your head is at.”

Braxton looked at me with an expression I’d never seen anyone give me before. It was as if whatever I had just said to him took a weight off his shoulders and reassured him all at once. He dropped to his knees and wrapped his arms around my waist, hugging me tight as a shuddering breath left his body.

Instantly, I was on alert, looking around the room as if something besides me had just upset him. I combed my fingers through his hair, trying to offer comfort where I could. “Braxton, what’s wrong? Did I say something to upset you? Are you mad about me going on a date with Jace? I thought this is what you wanted… all of us to be together.”

“That’s exactly what I want, and you just gave it to me,” Braxton said, his voice muffled since his face was pressed against my stomach.

Grabbing his hair, I pulled until he looked up at me, eyes glassy with unshed tears, but the joy that reflected at me calmed me a little. He wasn’t upset. Braxton simply didn’t know how to handle his emotions right now and needed someone else to be in charge.

“Tell me, why are you so relieved, pet?” I asked, but my tone made it clear I wasn’t really asking.

“When you dominated me in front of the others, I didn’t know what it meant. I knew what I hoped it meant, but without being able to ask you directly, it’s just whirling around like crazy in the back of my mind,” he answered.

I combed back the hair that had fallen into his face as I viewed what I’d done earlier through his eyes. “I’m sorry I made you question my motives and used your obedience to make you feel insecure. That was wrong of me. A Mistress must be confident in her commands and directions, supporting her submissive’s physical and mental needs. I didn’t do any of that today, and it left you in a trap you didn’t know how to escape from.”

Using both hands, I cupped Braxton’s face and drew him up until he stood once more. “My precious pet deserves better than that from me. Will you forgive me?”

Braxton put his hands over mine and smiled. “My Queen, you give me the highest honor with your apology, which I accept wholeheartedly.”

“Thank you, Braxton,” I whispered, pulling him to me for a kiss.

He kissed me back, turning one simple gesture into a few drawn-out moments I wasn’t mad about. Braxton was one hell of a kisser, no matter what kind of kiss it was, and this one was full of emotion.

“Can I ask you a question as someone who’s new to this role and world?” I asked, taking half a step back to further add that I was stepping out of my role.

“Of course, you are always welcome to ask me questions. Although I’ll be honest, I don’t know all the answers, but I do know people I can talk to if it’s something we need to figure out,” Braxton assured me.

I rubbed a hand along my arm feeling nervous about asking this question. It wasn’t even that serious, but I felt like an idiot for even asking. “I know you told me Jace uses the term ‘pup’ for you when you’re together. As I was trying to learn more about what you were asking me for, I did some research on how people come up with a nickname for their submissive. Jace was right to call you pup because you’re like an excitable puppy that needs some discipline and rules. For me, it felt right to call you ‘pet.’ Mostly because you are absolutely like a puppy, but you also want me to care for and own you. I guess my question is, are you okay with me calling you that?”

Braxton let out a huff of laughter with a smile tugging at his lips. “Where the hell did you find time in all this chaos to look up shit like that?”

“Does it matter? I just did… now answer my question,” I countered, crossing my arms and tapping my foot.

“If ‘pet’ is the name you chose based on our specific relationship, then yes, I’m a hundred percent fine with you calling me that. Had you told me you picked it because it was the number one pick some forum voted for, I’d pass,” Braxton shared. “Astin, what you call me isn’t important. The emotions behind that name mean everything to me, so pet is absolutely perfect. Hell, when we have a threesome with Jace because we both know that’s going to happen, call me puppy if you want.”

“That’s his name for you,” I argued.

He shook his head. “No, pup is. That man has never once called me puppy, but I think it might be a good bridge between my dynamics with you both.”

“Then pet when it’s us, and puppy if I share,” I agreed, smirking at him. “Care to help me pick out a dress, just you being Braxton? You know our boyfriend better, so your insight would be welcome.”

“Hell yes, I want to pick out the dress you’re going to wear. I can’t wait to watch the man drool all over himself when he sees you,” Braxton boasted, dragging me off to my closet.

fifteen

Hands in my pockets, I waited for Astin near the front door, rocking back and forth on my heels. I’ve gone out with countless men and women in my life, but Astin was different. The thought of taking her out wasn’t what had me on edge, I was fucking ready to get the chance for us to have some one-on-one time. It was the weight of her damn bodyguard’s gaze that had my skin itching.

Boykov had always been a man I respected and felt was underutilized on the Boss’ security team. Then when I heard he asked to be placed with Astin, I was surprised but appreciated knowing he’d watch her back, no matter what. I’m fairly certain Ryker and I are the only ones who know his story. Boykov wasn’t a man who put his life on the line for just anyone, so if he picked her, he was all in. Now that I was on the receiving end of his protectiveness, I felt for those who were in my position because it wasn’t a fun place to be.

“If you have something to say, then say it,” I said, glancing at the giant.

Boykov looked at me, his face expressionless. Most bodyguards wore sunglasses to hide any emotions about where they were looking. This guy didn’t need that crutch, though. He was a stone-cold killer and genuinely cared for Astin, making him even more dangerous.

“I know you, Jace,” he stated. “You like to play games and push people to the edge to see how they react. Hell, you’ve even gone so far as to have men and women alike fall in love with you when you have no intention of returning the feelings. I want you to know that I’ve kept my thoughts to myself because you look at her differently. However, if I believe you’re just playing her, I will end whatever it is that’s going on between you, Braxton, and Astin.”

Turning to face him, I cocked my head in interest. “You would end it, just like that?” I asked, snapping my fingers.

“Yes,” Boykov confirmed. “Just like that.”