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I lean forward, making sure that I have her full attention.“This is your one warning.Don’t ever lie to me again, Ava, or I promise you won’t be able to sit down for a week.”
She pales at that, her slender throat swallowing hard before she picks up her glass and takes a sip of wine.Then that shuttered look that I’m starting to recognize slides into place.
I decide not to press the issue for now.
“Why don’t you like to be called Avalon?”I ask.The more determined she is not to tell me, the more determined I am to find out.
I study her face closely as she takes another sip of wine, wondering if she’s going to give me an honest answer to this question.I can see the indecision flit across her face as she considers whether to answer me at all, but then she sighs, and I know I’ve won this small victory.
“My parents named me Avalon after the mythical island in the legend of Arthur.My father used to tell me he chose the name because it was a magical place that was happy and blessed, and that’s how my life would be.I believed him.”She pauses, her eyes downcast as she idly plays with the stem of her wine glass.“But after my father died, I realized it was all a lie.There’s no such thing as magic, and there’s certainly nothing blessed about my life.Now it just reminds me of what I’ve lost.”
I reach across the table and take her hand in mine.“Thank you for trusting me enough to tell me that,” I say, rubbing my thumb gently across her knuckles.
She pulls her hand away, but her eyes soften as she says, “Thank you for trying to earn my trust.”
It doesn’t escape my notice that she thanked me fortryingto earn her trust, implying I haven’t actually earned it.I frown.“If you want to stay in this competition, you’re going to have to trust me with everything, Ava.We could win the whole thing, but you’re going to have to loosen that control you cling to so tightly.”
A spark of hope flares in her eyes.“You really think we could win?”
I nod.“Definitely.But it means you’re going to have to give me full control and obey me without hesitation, even if you don’t want to or if what I’m asking you to do makes you uncomfortable.You have to trust that I won’t push you further than what you’re capable of.And you’re going to have to open up to me so I can know your limits.I can mold you into the perfect submissive, but you have to agree to my terms.”
I don’t realize I’m holding my breath as she considers what I’ve said in that careful way of hers until she nods.“Okay,” she agrees tremulously.“I agree to your terms.I’ll do whatever you say.”
“God, Ava,” I groan, rubbing my hand over my face.What is this woman with her sweet vulnerability and soulful green eyes doing to me?I want to take her in my arms and comfort her as much as I want to force her to her knees, fuck her, and bend her to my will.
“Tell me one more thing,” I say, taking her hand in mine.This time she doesn’t pull away.“Tell me what you’re so afraid of.”
“I’m afraid of getting hurt.”Her voice is quiet, and I can tell the effort it took her to tell me that simple truth.
“I will hurt you, I can promise you that,” I say softly.“But you’ll want me to.In fact, you’ll beg me for it.”
* * *
When we get back to the Helix, it’s a few minutes before eight, so Ava and I go straight to the bar and slide into a table in the back of the room just as the meeting starts.
“Welcome toThe Power Games, and congratulations,” Logan says.“Look around you.”He pauses dramatically as the men and women cast furtive glances at each other.“One couple in this room will become the face of the Helix—the Helix Dom and sub.”
He was born for this shit, and he’s in his element as he goes over the rules, reminding his spellbound audience that there will be no contact with anyone outside the Helix for the duration of the competition, although Doms and subs are allowed to leave the hotel together for pre-approved outings.“Butonlyif you’re accompanied by a camera crew.”He fixes me with a disapproving stare.
He adds that there will sometimes be additional guests invited to the group events for ambiance and authenticity, as there was at the auction, and then he moves on to the topic of the photo shoot tomorrow, which creates a murmur of excitement.After advising the Doms that they will receive information regarding the first group challenge tomorrow evening, he dismisses us.
Ava and I are barely out the door when we’re intercepted by Emmett, his blonde sub trailing behind him.
“Ava!Where have you been all day?Are you okay?”His voice is laced with concern.
I step between him and Ava.
“Ava is not your concern,” I say.
“Like hell she isn’t,” he growls.“Ava?”He looks questioningly at her, awaiting her answer.
She opens her mouth to say something, but I stop her with a stern look.“You do not have permission to speak,” I order her.Her mouth snaps closed.Good.She’s taking our discussion at the restaurant seriously.If we’re going to work as a Dom and sub, she’s got to trust me and rely on me for her every need, and that’s not going to happen as long as she keeps thinking of Emmett as her hero and savior.Plus, Emmett’s apparent belief that he’s the only one who can take care of her is quite frankly starting to piss me off.
I turn to him.“In case you don’t remember, I bought her at the auction, not you, and she’s mine until we get voted off the show.I will take care of her as I see fit, but I certainly don’t have to answer to you.She knows her safe word should she choose to use it.In the meantime, I suggest you focus on training your own sub,” I add, nodding toward the blonde, who is looking at Ava with icy hatred.
Emmett’s hands ball into fists at his side and for a minute, I think he’s actually going to throw a punch at me.But then he looks at Ava, and although she doesn’t say a word, something passes between them.He nods almost imperceptibly before taking a deep breath.
“Hurt her and I’ll rip your balls off and shove them down your throat,” he says calmly before stalking toward the elevators without a backward glance at his sub, who flashes one more baleful look at Ava before scampering after him.
