acting strange. I’m just not sure why he’d choose you to be her…you know what, never mind.”
Had he just been insulted?
“Actually, it’s good you’re here. Apparently, she was doing okay when Logan was in here monitoring. Not interacting, but watching. But almost as soon as I came in, she shut down. The closer I try to get to her, the more she stiffens up.”
Sympathy filled the other woman’s gaze. “Do you happen to know if there’s any trauma in her past?”
Her voice was soft so it didn’t travel beyond the two of them. He appreciated the care she was showing for Betsy, but he wished she would get out of his way so he could get to her.
“No, I don’t. She hasn’t mentioned any triggers from her past. Can I see her?”
“Yes, of course.”
He stepped into the room, his gaze immediately searching her out. There was more of a crowd in here tonight. Around ten Littles, some with their Tops, some on their own. He saw Angelique’s two Littles off in one corner playing with each other. They shot Betsy worried looks.
She stood in the corner, her back against the wall, her eyes flitting around the room, unable to settle on one thing. Then her gaze moved to Angelique and she completely froze; she grew so tense he actually winced.
Shit.
“There’s something about me that sets her off,” Angelique murmured to him. “As long as I don’t pay her any mind, she seems to be able to cope. But I made the mistake of trying to get close to her and I’d swear she nearly had a panic attack. I got Jasmine to approach her,” Jasmine was one of her subs, “but she couldn’t get her to speak much beyond telling Jasmine that she didn’t wish to leave. I’m not sure how to help her.”
“I’ll talk to her.” He moved slowly around the room towards Betsy. She didn’t react to him, her gaze remained on Angelique. Yeah, there was definitely something about her that set Betsy off.
“Betsy?” he called out quietly as he reached her.
She didn’t react.
“Betsy, look at me.” He made his voice firmer.
Still nothing.
Shit.
As he watched her, he became aware of how rapidly she was breathing. A light sheen of sweat covered her brow and her fingers were pressed together so hard they were turning white.
If he wasn’t mistaken, she was on the cusp of a panic attack.
Fuck.
“Betsy.” He stepped in front of her, forcing her to see him. He didn’t want to touch her. She wasn’t entirely here and he wasn’t sure how she would react to a sudden touch.
“Betsy. Look at me.”
She startled, her gaze moving up to his eyes. She blinked.
“Who am I?”
Her brow wrinkled. “Ink.”
“Where are you, Betsy?”
More rapid breaths. Okay, something simpler.
“What’s your favorite color, brown eyes?”
“Black.”
Okay. That was unusual.
“What’s your favorite food?”
“Mexican.”
Her breathing was starting to ease. Her eyes cleared and some color returned to her cheeks. “Ink? I mean, Sir?”
Actually, he rather liked the sound of his name on her lips.
“That’s right. Do you know where you are, Betsy?” She looked around.
“No, focus on me,” he told her sternly. “Do you know where you are right now?”
“I’m at Fringe. In the Littles’ room.”
“Good girl,” he praised, watching as more tension eased from her shoulders. “Betsy, want to tell me what had you on the verge of a panic attack?”
She opened her mouth and he raised a hand. “Remember what I said about lying to me.”
Her mouth closed then she let out a deep breath. “I just…shoot.”
He took pity on her. “Guessing it has something to do with Mistress Angelique, right?” He moved to the side and pointed out the Domme. She glanced over at them briefly.
Betsy stiffened then forced herself to breathe out. “Y-yes.”
“Did she say or do something to scare or intimidate you?”
“No. It’s not her. I know it’s not her. She just reminds me of someone.”
Someone who had hurt her? Fuck, he hated that he didn’t know.
“Okay, brown eyes. Angelique is a club Domme, she’s also a regular in the Littles’ room. We can’t have you on the verge of a panic attack every time you see her.”
She turned her gaze to his, her eyes were swimming with tears. He laid a hand on her shoulder and she shocked him by moving closer and leaning against him.
“I have to leave?” she whispered
“What? No, brown eyes. No one is kicking you out.”
“But if I keep reacting to her like this…”
“All we have to do is work on you disassociating Mistress Angelique