Page 103 of End Game

Cami looks around the room. “So we’re all metamours?”

“Not exactly,” Ronan says. “Only when we’re connected through someone we’re both involved with but partners aren’t with each other.”

She points at Griffin. “So basically, you’re all metamours with Griffin?”

“Yes.”

“But not with each other?”

I shake my head. “Not just metamours.”

Dex grins.

Griffin sighs. “Maybe we really do need a chart.”

“I’ve been saying this,” Dex agrees.

Ronan ignores him. “And this is where the other hierarchy comes in.”

The room quiets again.

“Dominant and submissive hierarchy,” Cami says.

“Yes.”

Griffin leans back. “And this one I’m not in.”

“Correct,” Ronan says. “But you’re not outside it either.”

Griffin’s brow furrows.

Ronan closes the notebook.

Thank God.

“The hierarchy we discussed before was me, Micah, Dex, Cami. It describes how authority flows when we’ve agreed we’re in a power-exchange context, not outside of it.”

Cami looks at him. “Meaning you don’t get to order me around because you’re at the top.”

“Correct.”

Dex sighs dramatically. “Tragic.”

“You, specifically, should be grateful,” Ronan warns.

“I think you’re underestimating me, Dungeon Daddy.”

Ronan ignores him and looks at Griffin as he continues. “If we’re sitting here watching television, I don’t outrank anyone.”

“Thank fuck,” Griffin says.

“If we’re in a scene where we’ve agreed I’m leading, then I do.”

Griffin nods.

“But if it’s not an actual scene where that has been agreed upon, then I don’t hold that authority.” He pauses. “And if you’re not fully participating in that power exchange, I have no authority over you.”

“Also good,” Griffin replies.