back hallway indicated her cleaning crew was still at work. “Were you waiting for me?”
“Yes.” She smiled. “I’m so glad you’ve taken over the management.”
The sentiment from Cullen’s submissive was a fine compliment. “Thank you. With everyone’s help, we should be able to bring the club back to what we all love. Is there anything I can do to make things easier for your cleaning crew to get back up to speed?”
One of the first calls he’d made was to re-hire Andrea’s cleaning service.
“We’re good. I need to talk to you about something else.” Her smile disappeared. “When Wrecker came on as manager, he and his friends were using the Shadowlands as their personal dungeon during the nights it was closed. I warned him that equipment was being broken and the rooms left dirty. The next morning, he ended our contract and hired a different cleaning service.”
Having seen Cullen’s face in the Masters’ meeting, Ghost couldn’t resist. “I’m surprised your Master didn’t get involved.”
She averted her gaze. “I…um…didn’t tell him?”
Guilty submissives were so adorable. Already knowing the answer, he set his hand on her shoulder. “Please, tell me he knows now.”
“Sí, he does. I told him Saturday night.” She flushed. “I just didn’t want mi Señor upset over something he couldn’t fix, but he didn’t agree.”
“No Dom would.” Ghost tried to hold his laugh in and failed.
Her glare made him laugh even harder.
She took up a paper from the bar and slapped it into his hand. “This is a list of missing items and broken equipment, damaged flooring and carpets, and plumbing problems. Most of the locations are the private rooms on the second floor.”
Her list was a spreadsheet. Date, location, problem, when reported and to whom, follow-up dates. The damages she’d reported to Wrecker back in January hadn’t been fixed. And she’d added a hell of a lot of new problems today.
Wrecker had truly abused the management position.
“Give me a second, please.” Ghost pulled out his phone and added a note to call a plumber as well as Z’s repair guy. Some repairs he could handle himself; others required more expertise. “I’ll get these taken care of. Thanks for the detailed list; it makes things easier. I’ll give a copy to Z if you haven’t already.”
She shook her head. “I didn’t want to add to his worries.”
“You’re thoughtful, but now he’s back, he needs to know.” Ghost smiled at her. “He looks good, Andrea. I’m sure he was stressed, stuck in Europe with an injured and ill mother. But he was also away from his practice and basically forced to rest.”
“I’m glad he’s caught up on sleep—since they’ll have a new baby all too soon.” The worry in her expression gave way to a grin. “Jessica is whining about resembling a watermelon.”
A snort escaped him. Z’s submissive was adorable…and very short.
“Since we need you to survive and be the manager, I won’t tell her you laughed.” Andrea grinned.
“Thank you,” he said, quite sincerely.
As she returned to work, he headed for the private rooms upstairs to do his own inventory. Halfway up, his cell rang.
A check of the display showed “Drake.” Excellent. It’d been a while since he’d spoken to the owner of Chains, a Seattle BDSM club. “Drake, how are you?”
“I’m doing well, thank you.” The smooth, deep voice still held a touch of a French accent. “Congratulations on your added responsibilities. Zachary picked wisely. And I’m pleased he managed to get you back into the lifestyle.”
Ghost snorted. “His rep as a shrink is well-earned—as are his manipulative talents. How’d you hear about the management position?”
“Max and I talk, now and then.”
“Ah. He’s a good Dom, although he and Alastair chose a challenging submissive. Zuri keeps them on their toes.” Ghost grinned.
Last month, Max had angered her, and she’d squirted blue food coloring into his showerhead, thinking he’d have time for it to fade in the two days he was off. Unfortunately, the detective got called in for a homicide.
Gave new meaning to the phrase: the boys in blue.
“Sassy subs are the best kind.” Drake hesitated. “Speaking of submissives…”
There was only one submissive Drake might hesitate to speak of. Uneasiness lodged in Ghost’s chest. It’d been over two years.
Had she followed through on her threats? “Go on.”
Drake, being a perceptive Dominant, probably heard Ghost’s worry. “Non, non, I have been clumsy. I simply wanted you to know Faylee is healthy and happy.”
The young woman was all right.
Ghost shook his head to regain his balance. “Thank you. It’s good to