and truly blocked. Braun knew she wouldn’t dare cross into barns two and three, not when scenes were in full swing. She was still far too uneasy with even the tame flogging and fucking scenes which occurred in here.
Over by the stage, Connie lifted her hand to signal she was ready. The Mistress had donned herself in a form-fitting red satin bustier and matching leggings. She wore a pair of tame two-inch heels in the same rich red for the occasion, claiming she could chase down a frightened subbie in them, no problem.
Loki lurked near the hallway leading to barn two and Braun’s office, with orders to block it off only if Bodie went that way. It would be a lot easier if he could smuggle her straight into his office to hash this mess out, but the way his life was going at present, easier wasn’t on his cards.
Jasper strolled up to Braun, fresh from a scene by the look of him, and accepted the glass of water Liam slid down to the bar. He sipped, casually surveying the busy Saturday night crowd. A few scenes had ended, and a range of satisfied individuals lounged around, talking with friends, while latecomers searched for play partners or their other halves.
“Are you damned sure this is how you want to deal with this, my friend?”
Braun shook his head slowly. “Not how I want to deal with it, no. But she’s not coping well, and neither am I. I’m not playing the avoidance game anymore, J. One way or another, this gets sorted tonight.”
“Okay then. I have to say, I’m a bit pissed you’re using me as your sheepdog, Braun. I like the lass, I’m not keen on scaring the shit out of her.”
Guilt gnawed at his guts. “I know, sorry. I need her to stop thinking and run. If she has a chance to think, she’ll see the trap and head for her bolt hole. With you, she shuts off and reacts.”
Jasper grunted, then rolled his shoulders as the lights on stage spotlighted the woman in question and music thudded from the speakers.
A remix of Fall Out Boy’s Sugar, We’re Goin’ Down, Braun noted. How apt.
“Guess that’s my cue,” the sadist said, setting his glass down. He rolled up his sleeves to expose his thick forearms and the tattoos of War and Pestilence in full color on either arm. Famine and Death rode his biceps in a glorious set of sleeves. “When you have her to heel, I want some time with her in exchange for this favor, Braun. She and I need to come to an understanding where she doesn’t piss herself whenever she’s near me.”
Braun nodded. “If I can catch her and tame her, she’s all yours for an hour.”
“Okay then, Operation Subbie Rescue is officially a go. Everyone’s in place?” At Braun’s affirmative, Jasper tapped a finger to his forehead and strolled into the throng of people, cutting through them without making a stir.
Bodie would never see him coming.
Braun observed her carefully. None of the crowd would notice how she faltered here and there, missing a beat occasionally. She was fatigued—he could see it in the flow of her limbs, the slight missteps. Whatever was causing her unhappiness, he would get to the bottom of it tonight.
If it was him...well, sometimes letting the bird out of the cage was the only solution. All he could hope for was that she would come back to him one day when she felt able.
Jasper ascended the stage steps like a ghost, disappearing behind the curtain without Bodie catching the barest glimpse.
Beneath the stage, Connie eased back into the shadows, ready to offer a friendly face if Bodie panicked.
The song ended, Bodie bent over backwards in a grand flourish, much to the appreciation of the club. Applause and whistles erupted; the members had grown to love her performances as much as she loved dancing for them.
It took too long for her to get to her feet.
She staggered to a standing position, breathing hard.
Jasper stalked out onto the stage like a wolf.
It physically hurt Braun’s heart to see Bodie freeze on the spot when she realized she wasn’t alone on the stage. It damn near ripped the fucking thing out when she lost every ounce of color and took a hasty step back as Jasper lifted his hands where she could watch them, his mouth moving as he spoke to her.
Shaking her head slowly, her eyes darted around, seeking an escape route that