front of the staff. In short, Alex is trying to help me get out of my own way by nudging me to delegate. He convinced me to reschedule the decorator until the next evening, and was on hand to assist me with other simple matters around the club.
I can be a bit of a control freak. In my defense, though, Lucius has been a demanding sire. He holds the bar high, expecting nothing less than perfection from those close to him. As a result, I’ve gravitated toward habits that ensure I’m covering my ass—ergo, trying to do everything myself.
Karina slept the rest of the night, freeing Alex to be as available as possible. She was conscious long enough for him to let her know she would be staying the day at the club without us. He also convinced me to feed her a little of my blood to help with her recovery. With this new development of Zoe’s returning stalker, I agreed.
Before he left for his room at Dexter’s casino, I learned Alex ordered sandwiches, snacks, and bottled water from Toxic’s kitchen for her, which he stocked away in the fridge of Karina’s room. At least she won’t starve during her stay.
I came to the club early to check in with Karina and surprisingly found her fast asleep, so now I focus on helping with the opening procedures. I’m not as agitated this evening as I was last night, so when Alex arrives, ready to help, the tension isn’t so high and I actually start enjoying his presence.
The decorator arrives as rescheduled, but after I’ve dismissed Maximus from the office, it isn’t long after I sit down with the decorator that Maximus returns with Alex at his side, a scolding glare in his green eyes. Maximus looks to me for silent approval and, when Alex narrows his gaze, I nod and invite them both to sit in on the conversation. How can I delegate if I don’t give those under my command the information they need to do their jobs? Point taken, Alex.
When the decorator leaves, Maximus turns to me with a spark of excitement in his eyes. “This event is going to be pretty spectacular. I like Selene’s ideas.”
I nod. “I do, too.”
Alex clears his throat and nods to Maximus.
I wrestle with letting go…but Alex is right. “Maximus.” I clench my fists behind my back. “Would you mind working with the decorator to supervise the transformation of the dungeon?” My words come out a lot slower than I intended as I eke out every syllable.
His eyebrows jack toward his hairline. “Absolutely. Are you sure you don’t want to handle it?”
Alex clears his throat again, pursing his lips at Maximus.
“I mean, I’d love to. Thank you.” Maximus smirks.
I push myself a little further. “Would you also do a few more tasks for me?”
Maximus nods. “Of course.”
“Keep an eye on things for a few hours. I’d like to spend a little time with Karina. See if Alex needs anything medical-wise for her wound.”
“I’m glad you said that. You could use a little bit of a break. I’ll be happy to hold the fort down for you. Take your time, and I’ll get the others to be extra diligent.”
I nod, internally grimacing.
Maximus returns the nod and exits the office.
I level a severe gaze at Alex.
“That must have been hard.” He suppresses a grin.
“You have no idea,” I grumble under my breath. My smartphone buzzes in my trouser pocket. It’s a text from Karina.
I grin at the kiss emoji she sent with her message. “Our little cupcake is missing us.”
I lead Alexander down through the club, the coat check room, and into the dungeon to Karina’s room. As we cross the threshold, Alex collides with my back. My feet stop short, as if I’ve stepped into cement, and I clutch the doorknob to steady myself. My cock stands at attention and I stifle the groan struggling to burst from my lips as Alexander presses against my ass. His erection clearly reveals he’s as turned on by the display as I am.
Our lovely submissive cupcake is on her knees, arms boxed behind her back and her forehead to the carpet. Moisture hangs in the air, along with the clean scent of soap and shampoo. Not only did my little pet take a shower to ready herself for us, but she’s dressed with seductive intent. Black lace-topped stockings hug her toned thighs, all the way down to the black Victorian-style ankle boots on her tiny