want to play, but, Finn, I haven’t changed my mind about…anything more.”
“I understand, pet.” He pulled the scrunchie out of her hair and the strands fell to touch her shoulders. He combed his fingers through, then tugged, tilting her head back. “What day?”
“Saturday. I’ll be there Saturday.”
Chapter Eleven
Arriving at the Shadowlands shortly before opening, Zachary stopped in the entry to evaluate the guard behind the desk.
Dressed in a dark red, button-up shirt and black jeans, he had short dark hair with a mustache and trimmed beard scruff. Intelligence and determination gleamed in his brown eyes.
Very good.
“Welcome to the Shadowlands.” The guard smiled. “I’m new so I don’t recognize everyone yet. Are you a member?”
Behind Zachary, Finlay entered, obviously catching the question. He laughed. “In a manner of speaking, he is. He owns the place. “Master Z, this is Fyodor Koslov, who goes by Koslov. He’ll be here most weekends.”
The guard rose. “Sir.”
Zachary reached across the desk. “It’s good to meet you, Koslov.”
As they shook hands, Zachary noted the firm grip. The locations of calluses on the hand implied martial arts…and guitar. The posture suggested military.
As Finlay stayed to talk to the guard, Zachary headed into the club, pleased with not only the guard, but the manager, as well.
The Colonel was an excellent judge of character.
When Jessica arrived a couple of hours later, he took her on a walk through the club. Zachary had already made the rounds once, talked with the members, and assessed the changes in the atmosphere. It’d been difficult to rein in his temper at the damage done to the Shadowlands community.
But Jessica soothed his ire as only she could do. Was there anyone more beautiful than his wonderfully pregnant submissive?
“What did Nolan’s babysitter say about adding Sophia to her charges tonight?” Zachary asked. Their new home was not far from Beth and Nolan’s, so Jessica had dropped Sophia off there and caught a ride with them.
“Like Beth said, she loves children and was disappointed Sophia was sound asleep. I warned her Grant and Connor would probably sneak out of bed to try to play with our girl.”
Nolan and Beth’s boys adored Sophia.
“They’ll be delighted when you give them a new baby to dote on.” Smiling, Zachary put his hand on Jessica’s rotund belly, enjoying the return kick from their unborn child. This time, he hadn’t coerced the obstetrician to learn its gender.
Jessica patted his hand. “Another month to go.”
“Jessica, you’re back. Finally!” The squeal of joy came from a submissive with green-streaked brunette hair. Previously a trainee, Tabitha had dropped out after discovering she didn’t enjoy a high level of submission.
After a glance at Zachary for permission, Tabitha gave Jessica a warm hug. “Look how pregnant you are!”
Behind the submissive, a lanky Dom in shiny black leather shifted impatiently.
Releasing Jessica, Tabitha motioned to the Dom. “Master Z, this is Dogget who joined about a month ago. Dogget, Master Z owns the Shadowlands.”
Dogget’s expression closed.
“How are you, Dogget?” When Zachary shook his hand, the man’s resentment was quite apparent. He was likely a friend of Scott Hicks.
His animosity would undoubtedly increase if his membership fee was one of Hicks’ unauthorized discounts. The reduced dues and free memberships were for people providing services. No service, no discount.
Well, he’d let Finlay handle the problem children. The Colonel was well up to the task.
At eleven, Ghost heard a soft chime of three notes over the intercom system—the Shadowlands’ heads-up to gather for announcements. Of course, Z had already prepped everyone with an advance email.
Scenes ended, and members congregated on one side of the bar.
“People.” In his usual black silk shirt and black pants, Z stood by the bar. “As you can see, Jessica and I are back from Europe. Finally. If you hadn’t heard, my mother broke her leg while in France. Jessica and I went over to care for her—and then she contracted pneumonia, so our stay was longer than anticipated.”
“Poor Jessica,” someone behind Ghost muttered and added, “I’ve met Madeline Grayson. She’s scarier than Master Sam.”
Z continued, “I wasn’t able to keep up with what was happening here in the Shadowlands. I want to thank you for your patience—and promise we’ll try to get things back to normal.”
The pleased murmur was punctuated by a few disgruntled snorts.
Off to one side, a man grumbled, “What the fuck is he talking about? Shit’s been good.”
“To that end”—Z’s voice grew louder—“I have asked Ghost to take over as manager, effective immediately.”
Rather than the stunned silence Ghost had anticipated, a hell of