Linda frowned, but nodded. “All right. We’ll see you later.”
“Sure.” Holding her head high, she headed toward the other side of the room.
“There you go.” Ghost seated the pretty redhead in the unclaimed submissive sitting area near the bar.
“Thank you, Colonel,” she whispered, eyes downcast.
He smothered his laugh. “Much better. Now, remember what I told you.”
Not waiting for her response, he strolled away. The beautiful woman wouldn’t have trouble finding a play partner, although he doubted a serious Dom would be interested.
Most Dominants wouldn’t mind a submissive asking for a scene…although the stricter Doms might take offense.
But when she knelt and begged after he’d refused, she’d gone too far. Rather than getting a play partner, she’d earned herself a lecture on manners.
Perhaps, someday, she’d discover a Dom didn’t want someone who was completely self-centered.
Shaking his head, he headed through the room. He’d spotted Valerie sitting with Linda, but she wasn’t there now.
Well, it was too early to take time off for a scene anyway. He’d watch for her, though.
He slowed to watch some wax play, pleased to see the Top was using a drop cloth and had a small fire extinguisher at hand. The young man stretched out on the table shuddered nicely with each drop of wax. Someone was having a good time.
As Ghost strolled past some younger members, they fell abruptly silent. A glance showed they were carefully not looking at him.
Discussing the new manager, perhaps?
Amused, he continued on. But by the time he reached the back of the room, he’d run into several other instances of the same behavior—and his amusement was gone.
Shades of déjà vu. This felt like Seattle after his reputation had been dragged through the dirt.
Mood darkening, he checked out the back rooms.
In the medical room, a gay submissive wiggled vigorously as he received an enema.
The fucking machine room was popular. Galen and Vance were holding Sally between them. The submissive was sweat-drenched and exhausted.
The pet play members had taken over orgy central, and somehow there was a baby dragon in there, nipping at a kitten’s paws.
The dungeon was busy, including someone getting thoroughly hammered on the sex swing.
He received more side-eye looks, and his gut tightened.
As he walked back through the main room, he could hear whispers. Stares felt like hot prickles on his back.
Time to find out what was going on.
At the bar, he spotted the two veterinarians, Jake and Saxon. Jake’s submissive, Rainie, was arguing with them, her hands waving in the air. At any other time, Ghost would have smiled to see her. She had a personality as vivid as her colorful flower tatts and streaked hair.
He thought twice about breaking into an argument, but then she saw him and flushed. Right. Guess who was the subject of their conversation?
Catching the Doms’ attention, he said, “Fill me in, please.”
Jake hesitated.
“He’s right, bro. He should know what’s being said, and we need the truth.” Expression grim, Saxon rubbed the back of his neck. “What I’m hearing is you left Seattle because you screwed up a scene and ignored a submissive’s hard limits. She had a meltdown, didn’t get aftercare from you, tried to commit suicide—and ended up in a mental hospital. Apparently, everyone, including her, blames you.”
Felt like he was getting shot right in the gut. Again. First, a punch through the skin, then the shock, and finally the explosion of pain.
This same bullshit had swept through Chains two years ago. He braced his feet and sought his balance. “I see.”
Jake’s eyes narrowed. “You don’t appear surprised. How much of that is true?”
“Some of it, actually, but—”
A scream from a nearby scene interrupted him. A bottom had gone hysterical. The screams continued, bringing back far too many memories of Faylee. The Top desperately tried to free the woman, and a flailing arm knocked him on his ass.
Hell. “Excuse me.” Ghost hurried over to assist. The dungeon monitor, Sam, approached from the other side.
A while later, with the woman released and wrapped around her Top for calming, Ghost rounded up Peggy to clean the scene area.
“Of course, Sir. I’ll get right on it.” She beamed at him.
Such a sweetheart. After Z terminated the lazy young women Wrecker had hired, Ghost had been delighted when Peggy agreed to return.
“Thank you, Peggy.”
All right. The disaster averted, now what to do about his own? He headed for the bar to give Jake and Saxon their answers.
A bright red skirt caught his attention, and he paused.
Valerie. And she was beautiful in that outfit. He’d hoped to