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“All because some snot-nosed, privileged jerk decided to out my pen name.” Hunter shakes his head. “Damn all of you. I’ve given this university the better part of my adult life. I studied here. Got all my degrees here. I taught here. I published here, giving you the status you wanted with my award-winning articles in academic journals. And this is how you treat me? My private life is private, damn it.”
“Of course it is,” Linda says.
“The issue,” the dean begins, “is how to deal with the fallout.”
“Just tell the truth,” I say to Hunter, keeping my voice low.
The dean lifts her brow. “What truth is that?”
Fuck. She heard me? I look around. Every eye is trained on me. Why isn’t Hunter standing up for himself? Pressure settles in my gut. Pressure to answer, and if I don’t…Hunter will lose his job.
I gulp, knowing I may well be shooting myself in the foot. “It’s a club. A BDSM club in the city, and I can assure you that nothing illegal or immoral goes on there because I’ve been there. I’ve been there with Hunter.”
Chapter Fifty
Hunter
“How could you?” I demand once we’re back at Frankie’s place.
I stayed silent all the way back to her apartment, because first, I needed to think clearly. Second, enough of my laundry has been aired to the public, and I didn’t want to include our cabbie in that ever-increasing number. Third, I’m so damned angry that if I said anything I may have blown up.
“I’m sorry, Hunter. I didn’t think they heard me, and I couldn’t lie. I’m so sorry. But you’re not fired.”
“So what? You violated your NDA and mine. You know how I value my privacy.”
“They won’t say anything. They promised.”
“That’s not the fucking point.” I rake my fingers through my hair as my pulse pounds.
Frankie looks so beautiful in her work clothes. Those fucking platform pumps. Those luscious red lips.
But no.
It’s over.
She and I are over.
“The club isn’t anything to be ashamed of. Nothing illegal happens there, and what the hell is immoral, anyway? To each his own, as long as there’s consent.”
“I’m not ashamed, Frankie. But it’s private. It’s private to me, to you, to the other members.”
“Hunter, I—”
“Shut up!” I roar. “Just shut the fuck up. You betrayed me. You knew I wouldn’t want you to mention the club. You knew, Frankie, and you did it anyway. What did I have to do? Order you not to mention the club? Consider yourself ordered.”
She nods, parts her lips, her blue eyes on fire. “I only follow your orders in bed, Hunter. Can’t you see I did this for you? For us? For our future?”
“We no longer have a future.” I turn, stomp out, and slam her door behind me.
Chapter Fifty-One
Frankie
I don’t bother going after him. Nothing will help until he calms down. I call him, knowing he won’t pick up. He doesn’t, and I leave a voicemail.
“Hunter, I love you. Everything I did was out of love for you. To protect you. I hated what those people were saying about you, and I hated that the asshole who started it all is only getting a slap on the wrist. I did betray your trust. I admit that. I made a grave mistake. I thought I was helping you. That’s what you do for people you love. You help them. You protect them. Even if it means hurting them sometimes. And”—I gulp back a sob—“even if it means losing them. But I hope I haven’t lost you, Hunter, because I love you. I love you so much. Please call me.”
But I don’t expect him to call me.
And he doesn’t.
…
A month later…
“Congratulations, Frankie!”
I look up from my computer. Lisa is standing there with a huge smile on her face.
“For what?”
“Your article was nominated for a Best Buzz award!”
My eyes pop open. “How? It just came out two days ago.”
“I secretly submitted it a week ago,” she says. “I have an in with the committee, and they let me submit it early. I was so impressed by it, and I knew they would be, too. I was right! In my opinion, you’re a shoo-in.”
The Best Buzz award… It’s a coveted honor, but they usually look at serious investigative reporting from publications like ours. Not something frivolous like sex clubs. Then again, it’s all about the “buzz,” as they say.
“Wow.” I stand up and give her a quick hug. “Thank you for submitting it, Lisa.”
“You’re welcome. It’s so good. I think I may have you do more articles that go into more detail. One that focuses on submissives, and then one on Dominants. If only you could get into one of those clubs…”
“I’m afraid that’s impossible,” I say.
“I know, and I understand why. But the article is outstanding and so informative.”
“Thanks,” I say.
“The award will be given out at a gala in a couple of months. As soon as I have the date, I’ll let you know. You’ll definitely want it on your calendar.”
