Page 32 of High Reward

He rounds the couch and drops to Grace’s level, tucking a finger under her chin. “I’m furious, butterfly. But not at you.” He flashes her a smile, and she relaxes.

“Don’t take it out on Harper,” she whispers.

Victor’s laugh is sinister, and I’m almost chilled from the sound of it.

“Butterfly, Harper is lucky she’s still breathing.”

Grace

Fuck.WhatdidHarperdo that has Victor so pissed off?

I look at Lili, silently asking her if she has any answers, but she shakes her head. “I don’t know either, sweetheart. So, play my little game with me and try not to think about it.”

She shifts her foot beneath me, and I return to riding her shoe until I’m on the edge again.

“Pinch your nipples,” Lili orders. “Nice and hard or I’ll have to hunt down a pair of nipple clamps. If I do that, you’ll crawl naked behind me, and when we do find them, you’ll crawl back, only I’ll use the clamps like a leash and pull you back here by your nipples. Understood?”

“Yes, Goddess,” I whisper, grateful for the distraction of playing with Lili.

But my brain isn’t cooperating. Every movement behind the loveseat has me focusing on Victor’s office door, jerking me away from the arousal and edging game Lili is playing with me. After a few minutes of arguing with myself, I finally whisper, “Red.”

Lili’s gaze snaps to mine, and she pulls her foot from between my legs and pats the couch next to her. “Up here, lover.”

I hesitate. It’s meant to replace Victor’s chair, and I’m wearing his pin…or my dress is. Subs wearing a club pin aren’t allowed to sit on the furniture reserved for the club owners.

Lili senses it, and points to Victor’s chair behind us. “It’s safe. And if anyone tries to give you grief, I’ll have your back.”

I crawl onto the couch and snuggle close to Lili. “I’m sorry, Goddess.”

She frowns. “Sorry for what?”

“For ruining our playtime?”

I’m pulled into her lap then, and she grips my cheeks, forcing my forehead to hers. “Why do you think you ruined it? Did you have a reason for using your safeword?”

I nod and try to keep my tears at bay. “I was too overwhelmed with anxious thoughts to focus on playing, and it was on the verge of sparking panic.”

“So, the answer to my question is yes. You followed the rules, you took care of yourself, and you obeyed me until you couldn’t anymore. And even when you couldn’t, you followed proper procedure. You ruined nothing, and I need to hear you say you understand that.”

I blink back tears and nod. “Yes, Goddess. I understand I didn’t ruin anything. Thank you.”

The door to Victor’s office opens, and he storms out, gripping Harper’s arm. She stays perfectly quiet, but I see fear in her eyes. I wonder where Victor is taking her. But I can’t leave Lili’s side tonight unless it’s to help Memphis and Rylee.

As if I conjured him, Memphis approaches us, and I move to kneel on the floor again, but he stops me. “I need you to get dressed, Grace. Victor wants you with him.”

“What about me?” Lili asks, standing and retrieving my dress for me.

“He asked that you wait here or visit with Bellamy in her office.”

“I want Lili to join us,” I say.

Memphis holds up his hands. “I’m just the messenger here. It’s up to you if you want to risk his wrath by not following directions.”

I pull the dress on and sigh. “Thank you, Sir. I’m ready.”

Lili turns me around and kisses me tenderly. “I’ll be fine, lover. There is a lot of excitement to see here tonight. And if I get bored with this, I’ll find Bellamy.”

I follow Memphis to the front of the club. We wind up in the back room of the sandwich shop where Victor is pacing back and forth, and Harper is slouched on a chair with one hand handcuffed to the leg of the chair.