Page 130 of Masters of Secrets

“Because I can do it myself. Which I can. But you know, it’s just… it’s stupid. It’s a stupid test that’s supposed to tell you if your partner cares enough about you to do something for you that you can easily do yourself, but he’s right. It’s a trick and a trap, and he didn’t know what I was trying to do. I was being dishonest. I was setting him up to fail.” The words poured out of her, leaving her breathing hard. Zach had caught up to them by then, a bottle of water in one hand and a chocolate bar in the other.

“You did not,” Zach said grimly as he opened the bottle and handed it to her, making it clear that he’d had a conversation with Amy before the scene about why she was asking for a hard one. “You made a perfectly reasonable request, and he was a jerk, then he made you feel bad because he knew he looked bad.”

Amy sniffled, keeping her gaze averted from both Connor and Zach.

“I was testing him, though. We’re getting married. I shouldn’t be testing him. It’s childish.”

“Maybe he shouldn’t be failing the tests,” Zach muttered. Taking the bottle from her, he held out the chocolate, which she took—still not looking at him.

Privately, Connor agreed, but he wasn’t sure it was his place to say anything.

“Anyway, I was feeling… well, bad, so I texted Zach to see if he could be here tonight because I needed some release.” Amy spoke loudly, as if she could drown out Zach’s words, even though they were already out there. “I’m grateful he was available.” Even if he does need to keep his opinions to himself.

The words hung unspoken in the air.

“I’m glad I could be here for you.” Since your dipshit fiancé wouldn’t be.

Maybe Connor was just imagining things or projecting. Maybe they weren’t really thinking those things. But even if they weren’t, he was starting to feel uncomfortably like he’d stepped into a couple’s fight, even though Zach and Amy weren’t a real couple.

He cleared his throat.

“Right, well… you’re okay?” he asked Amy.

“Other than being embarrassed that you felt like you had to step in, yes.” She lifted her gaze to his, giving him a sheepish smile. Connor smiled back at her reassuringly, rubbing his hand over her blanket-covered back. It didn’t hurt that the blanket was very soft, so rubbing her back meant he got to rub the soft blanket, too.

“Any time,” he told her seriously. “We’re both just here to make sure you’re okay.”

Her smile shifted, just the slightest bit, going from sheepish to something else. Something a little sad, despite the curve of her lips.

“I’m fine. I learned my lesson about testing Jeremy. He doesn’t respond well to it. But he loves me. He proposed. We’re getting married. That’s the only test he should need to pass.” As she spoke, her tone picked up strength, and even though she wasn’t looking at Zach, it felt as if that’s where her words were really directed. Once again, Connor felt as though he’d stepped into the middle of someone else’s fight.

Zach didn’t respond, just pressed his lips together like he really wanted to say something, but was holding back. Unsure of what to do—whether leaving the two of them alone would really be a good idea—Connor glanced around as a distraction while he tried to think.

It only took a moment for his gaze to be arrested as Mistress Julie was watching him from near the row of spanking benches. She smiled at him when their gazes met, and he felt his heart jump in his chest. She was dressed for an evening at Stronghold in a black PVC corset, black PVC skirt, and boots that laced up to her thighs. Her hair was pulled back in a high ponytail that swished to the side when she tilted her head at him and winked.

“Hey, Connor, I’m good,” Amy said gently, patting his chest where his heart had just done its little bounce. “If you want to go see Mistress Julie.” She grinned at him, a much more sincere smile again now. She was happy for him.

“I still have…” He turned his head, looking for the clock. “Five more minutes of being Dungeon Monitor.”

Damn. Mistress Julie had overheard Will asking him to cover. Had she appeared because she knew his shift would be almost over?

I hope so.

Connor had never considered himself a particularly jealous person, but he didn’t like the idea that she’d come here for anyone but him. Of course, she came here for you, dumbass. You’re together. Or dating. But she’s not dating anyone else.

“Then go monitor the Dungeon for five more minutes. I’ll be okay.” Amy grinned cheekily at him. “Zach’s got me.”

Zach huffed. His expression was like granite when Connor looked at him, but he nodded confirmation.

Truthfully, his duty to Amy was done. He’d checked in on the situation, she was okay, and she was perfectly comfortable being left to Zach’s care. Even if they were going to argue about what kind of treatment she should be getting from her fiancé. As much as Connor wanted to tell her she deserved better than how Jeremy was acting, she’d probably take it better coming from someone who was closer to her.

Probably. Though she and Zach seemed like they were butting heads over it.

Sighing because there wasn’t anything he could do about it, Connor lifted her up and passed her over to Zach. The other man cradled her in his arms much the same way Connor had been before turning and sitting down on the other side of the couch.

As he got up, Connor grabbed the bottle of water and the chocolate and brought it over, placing it on the side table next to the couch arm.

“Thank you, Connor,” Zach said, giving him a nod.