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After shoving her personal belongings into her bag, she handed it over to the elf at the coat check.
Barely resisting the urge to pull down on the back of her shorts, she made her way to the reception area.
In the time she’d been gone, a long table had been erected and decorated with a tiny tree.
“I think we’re ready.” Trinity exhaled. She ran through the usual information. “Scene names are on the left. Legal names are next to them. Everyone must sign in themselves, even owned slaves. If you have problems, just let me know.”
Maddie nodded. “Will do.” Trinity was adept at managing the most delicate D/s situations.
“We have a few guests on the list tonight, and Mistress Aviana has already received and approved their preliminary paperwork. We just have to go over the rules with them, and their sponsor needs to sign the paperwork.”
Usually Mistress Aviana oversaw that herself. She liked to vet everyone who walked into her dungeon. She didn’t tolerate nonsense or drama, and ruthlessly got rid of anyone who caused it. Prior episodes had made her a great judge of character. But because she was busy preparing for her grand entrance at midnight, tonight’s procedure had been tweaked.
“First-timers are required to stop by her throne after the parade.”
If they were smart, they’d pay her the proper homage.
“Be sure to look at thenotessection. Vests and armbands for our dungeon monitors are stacked beneath the table.”
Maddie bent to confirm the location of the box. Then she nodded.
“Aviana’s court royalty will need to be gathered upstairs no later than 11:45; earlier is better. They’ll receive their vestments then.”
Just how extravagant is this party going to be? “Court royalty?”
“Along with Santa and his helper.” Trinity grinned. “The invitations made it clear that check-in will shut down at 11:30, because I’m in the parade, and I want the helpers to enjoy the event. We’ll reopen an hour or so later.”
“Anything else I need to know?”
“Private rooms are closed until 12:30, but they can be booked on the app. And this may seem obvious, but people can’t get a new membership tonight. One last thing. Everyone is supposed to bring a wrapped present for Santa’s bag. Gifts can be dropped off at the coat check.”
A bell sounded, and Trinity glanced at the monitor on the table, displaying the front-door camera feed. “Master Mason and Hannah.” She clicked a button to release the lock. “They’re royalty.”
Which made sense. At a fundraiser, Master Mason had bid an astronomical amount of money to win Hannah in a slave auction. Mistress Aviana wanted to keep him happy.
The next hour passed in a blur of frenzied activity. Then a group of six people arrived at once, including Evan Frost who was playing Santa.
Frost was filling in for another Dominant who had unexpectedly backed out, and she couldn’t think of a worse choice. With his attitude,Frostwasn’t just his name. It described his attitude. Maybe selecting him for the role was Mistress Aviana’s idea of a holiday joke.
Another member of the royal court walked in, and Trinity helped her. Then a lone man strode up the stairs, boots echoing off the wood in a loud and purposeful cadence. The bottom dropped out of Maddie’s heart.
Zander Henderson. The grinch himself. As usual, his grayish eyes were glacial—forbidding—and his face was set in rigid lines, as cold as the December Rocky Mountains.
This was a great time to take a break.
She glanced toward Trinity—who looked up and gave an apologetic half-shrug as she mouthed a quick, “Sorry.”
Which left Maddie to check-in the overwhelming Dominant. Knowing she was expected to be polite, she pasted on a smile so fake it could win her an award. “Merry Christmas!”
He dropped his duffel bag on the hardwood floor, and it landed with a hardthunk. “Are you always so miserable at hiding your emotions?”
“I beg your pardon?” This close, the man was overwhelming. He stood a notch over six feet tall, with impossibly broad shoulders. His forest-green T-shirt hugged him tightly, leaving little to the imagination. And his slacks… Mercy. The tailoring was exquisite, conforming to his powerful thighs and trim waist.
Despite her best intentions, her mouth watered.
He leaned in a little closer and seared her with the full impact of his undivided attention. With his laser-like stare, he cut through her defenses. Her smile faded, and a chill raced through her.
“You were hoping Trinity would check me in so you could escape.”
