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“What?” Alastair felt like he’d been punched in the stomach.
“I lied, Master Derek. To you. I started that fight with Maribel on the lawn. I instigated everything and lied to get her in trouble. That’s grounds for expulsion, right?”
Alastair and Dr. Weston exchanged confused looks.
“Dora, that doesn’t make any sense.” Alastair furrowed his brow. “Everything that happened on that tape aligned with what you originally said happened.”
“I originally lied, okay?” She wouldn’t look at him. “And I should be kicked off the Ranch.”
Master Derek leaned back in his chair. When Alastair started to speak, he held up his hand. “Let’s assume that what you’re saying is true and you started it and are to blame. When you told me Maribel started it, I gave her probation and a second chance. So why shouldn’t you get the same thing?”
“Because I don’t deserve it. And you need to apologize to Maribel, okay?” Her tone was urgent, almost pleading. “Like, today. Just call her and apologize.”
Master Derek crossed his arms. This time when he spoke, his tone changed to one of complete dominance. “Okay, young lady. Now, you’re going to tell us all why you’re really here and what’s going on. Understand?”
Alastair had never seen Derek use a tone like that. He was impressed. As for Dora, she was clearly unnerved. When she spoke again, her voice was small. “Just… please.”
“Dora, you’re testing my patience.” The head of Rawhide Ranch was clearly not buying this.
Dr. Weston moved a chair to the front of the desk. “Sit down, Dora. You’re shaking.”
Miserably, she complied.
Master Derek stood and left the office. When he returned, Sadie was with him. She knelt by the chair. “Dora, what’s wrong? Please talk to us. We care about you.”
Dora began to cry. “I care about all of you, too. That’s why I have to leave!”
Alastair walked over and took her hands. “Remember your promise? Please be honest with Daddy. Trust that I won’t let anything hurt you.”
“It’s not me I’m worried about.”
“Tell us?” Sadie squeezed her hand.
Dora began to talk, and Alastair struggled to keep his anger in check as Dora recounted her conversation with Maribel, and her fears about what trouble her new boyfriend could make for the Ranch.
As she talked, Sadie nodded at Derek, who discreetly opened his laptop and began to type.
“Can’t you see that’s why I need to leave?” Dora concluded plaintively. “What if this man makes trouble for the Ranch? Some of those people can be really mean. What if they try to hurt someone?” She looked at Alastair. “I couldn’t handle it if something happened to you.”
“That’s some Little you’ve got there, Alastair.” Derek smiled. “And I’m going to make sure the two of you stay together here at the Ranch.”
“How?” Dora asked.
“It’s not my policy to delve into the personal lives of our guests. The Ranch is a judgment-free zone. Unless, of course, we feel like someone is a potential problem and what you’ve told me about Steve raised enough red flags to warrant a check. I don’t know how well Maribel knows this man promising to be her Daddy. For instance, she probably doesn’t know he has a wife, or that his father heads an organization with ties to several churches.
“I don’t expect the people who walk through the door here to be perfect. I don’t doubt that we have total hypocrites among us. None of us are perfect. But what I won’t tolerate is a hypocrite who pretends to be perfect and sticks his nose where it doesn’t belong. My hunch is that Maribel has gotten ahead of her skis. Steve may indeed have a problem with trans people, but a man in his position is likely to weigh the consequences of poking a man who not only controls the largest sapphire mine in the state, but who also has security footage of him playing at a bondage club.”
Dora sniffled. “You’re really not worried?”
“No,” Derek said. “As for your request, young lady, the answer is no. You will not be excused from Rawhide Ranch. Unless, of course, you want to break Alastair’s heart by going. If there’s ever a lovestruck man, it’s the one standing beside you.”
Alastair took hold of Dora’s hand and pulled her to standing. “He’s right. All I’ve gone through is meaningless without the woman I love.” He pushed a strand of tear-stained hair from her face. “Stay?”
He opened his arms and nearly cried with relief when she stepped into his embrace. “It’s going to be okay,” he said. “You’ll see. Daddy’s got you. Everything is going to be all right.”
Chapter 16
“I can’t decide whether you deserve a good girl spanking or a bad girl spanking.”
