pulled in a long breath, then smiled at Natalia. “Well, they handled the creepers quite efficiently, didn’t they?”
Natalia stared at her.
“Easy, honey.” Valerie put an arm around the young woman and could feel her shake. “It’s over. I don’t think those guys will be allowed back in. Let’s go sit somewhere.”
As she guided Natalia toward the quieter area in the back, two women hurried up.
Valerie recognized the strawberry blonde with blue and green streaks in her hair as the submissive Linda had pointed out. Gabi, the one who liked to sass her Dom.
Carrying a tray with drinks, the other was slender and black-haired with startlingly blue eyes.
Wait, she’d been at Ghost’s housewarming. She’d been with the very muscular Hispanic Master. And had the sweetest big dog. Ari.
Wasn’t it embarrassing to remember pet names better than people names?
“Hey, you two.” Gabi took Natalia’s hand. “Josie sent me and Kim over as comfort crew. Let’s find a spot to recover.”
So, Kim was the black-haired one. She led the way toward the quieter back of the room where tall containers of plants created a secluded sitting area.
Gabi plunked down in a chair.
Since Natalia had a death grip on her hand, Valerie seated them both on a couch.
“Valerie, in case you don’t remember everyone from the housewarming, I’m Kim and she’s Gabi.” Kim handed out drinks. “Josie said you’d probably prefer non-alcoholic.”
“She’s an amazing bartender, isn’t she?” Valerie took a sip of the orange and cranberry juice mix. The soda water had added a refreshing fizz.
“Me, I’m ready for alcohol most definitely.” Natalia took several hefty gulps before letting go of Valerie. “I’m such a clinging vine. Thank you for the rescue.”
“You stood up for yourself; you were simply outnumbered.” Valerie patted her hand. “And we were both outweighed. It’s good Ghost showed up.”
“They’re all watching for this kind of bullshit. I bet Ghost is delighted he has the authority to deal with it now.” Gabi grinned. Adorable baby bat tattoos on her upper arms went well with her slinky black top and shorts. “He sure has an effective punch. Did you see the way Piers went down?”
Kim shook her head. “For a nice social worker, you sure have a brutal side. I like how quietly he and Saxon escorted the creeps out.”
Valerie shook her head. “I don’t think I’d argue with either Ghost or the huge blond.”
Gabi laughed. “Saxon’s mama must have known he’d grow up to resemble a Viking warrior.”
Natalia nodded, then pulled in a breath and gave Kim a somewhat wavery smile. “So how was Cuba? Master Raoul was designing some fancy bridge in Havana, right?”
“It’s so beautiful there.” Kim’s eyes turned dreamy. “Only I got carried away and spent so much money on souvenirs that Master started cursing…in Spanish, which is a really bad sign.”
Her happy expression showed she hadn’t fallen into too much trouble.
“I want to be a tourist,” Gabi whined. “How’d I end up with a lawyer who only travels to the courthouse and back?”
“Neener-neener, my Master’s better than yours,” Kim sing-songed. Her smug expression spoke of long friendship. After snickering at Gabi’s muttered, “Is not,” she turned to Natalia. “When I left, you were with Mistress Olivia, but she would never let you wander around alone. Are you…”
When Natalia’s eyes filled with tears, Kim faltered.
“She broke up with me,” Natalia whispered.
Gabi frowned. “That’s what I heard, but I’m still surprised. From the outside, you two looked really good together.” The question of what had happened hung in the air.
When Natalia slumped, Valerie wrapped an arm around her. The young woman couldn’t be more than a few years older than her daughter.
“I don’t know why Olivia… I thought we were happy, that she was happy.” Natalia’s breathing hitched, and a tear spilled over. “I don’t know what I did.”
Oh, now that didn’t sound right.
Gabi rose and brought back tissues from one of the service stands located throughout the club.
Natalia wiped her face and pulled in another breath. “Everything was fine, and then one day, she came home, and I had supper ready since it was my day, and she stared at me, all cold and hard, and told me to pack my stuff and get out. It was over, and she was done. While I was asking her why, begging her to tell me what was wrong, she walked out. I waited and waited, but she didn’t come back, so I moved my stuff out. She doesn’t even talk to me now.”