Master A-0002

A s much as I loved my wife, I shouldn't have loved hurting her so much— seeing her hurt because of me . I did. I was never more in heaven than seeing Georgie covered in my marks. How had I forgotten the love I had for this? How had having her at my feet not been a higher priority years ago? All those memories had been pillaring moments for me. Memories I held to with every ounce of cherishment I could have.

I shook Percy's hand, giving him a nod of appreciation for helping me with Georgie. Amanda had already said goodbye with her silent wave to us, but it wasn't them I cared for. Even without looking at Doris, I followed her every move. Her every sigh. Her every glance our way. I had to. Winning her over was everything. Without her on our side, we'd never fit into the circle like we needed. She'd destroy us. Decimate any chance we stood to gain respect and recognition.

As she whispered and met our slave's lips, I watched her turn and approach us. She barely gave me a glance, lowering to crouch to Georgie, who had one of her arms wrapped around my shin like I was her anchor.

"Back straight." The Mistress paused. "Good. Chin up." Georgie robotically obeyed, looking up at Doris in a daze. Her eyes were red-rimmed and slightly swollen. They were so heavy that Georgie's blinking was delayed. "You did so good. You're a leader. I'm proud of you, Georgetta."

Tears pooled in Georgie's eyes and her bottom lip trembled. "Thank you, Madam."

The Mistress gave a large smile. "Embrace the old ways, my dear. Embrace them. Call me when he releases you or allows you a moment to discuss outside proposals. I've been thinking, and I may have an offer for you that would benefit us all."

"I would love to hear it."

Georgie's voice was raw, and Doris grabbed her hand, bringing it up to kiss against her knuckles. The action had me relaxing the smallest amount as she stood and came to stop in front of me.

"I applaud you. It has been quite some time since someone in our circle has impressed me. What you're doing is to be honored. If any of the couples these days had any sense, they'd be following in your footsteps. I have a lunch date with some friends of mine next Friday." She stopped, glancing to Georgie but coming back to me. "May I hint at what I witnessed without overexposing the events?" Before I could speak, her hand lifted. "All in good taste, I promise. You see," her voice lowered, even though the only ones in the rooms were slaves. "I've gotten wind that a few positions will be opening in the next few years in some very prestigious locations. They Uppers are looking for new blood. Trusted and true blood. Nothing overly dangerous…more…of a placement position. An ear that hears all—reports all. You know that's your wife. Maybe even you ." Again, Doris glanced down. "You both have put in your time. Your heads are on right, and you deserve good things. I would like to offer up your names."

My heart was slamming hard in my chest. I kept expressions from my face as I glanced down at Georgie's suddenly wide eyes. My hand came out, and I met Doris' shake, nodding.

"We'd both appreciate any word you can put in for us. You said years?"

"Yes. The time isn't upon us yet, but it will be. For some positions, maybe sooner rather than later."

"I would be ready whenever I am needed. As you heard, my wife only has one position. She has duties, and it's time she fulfills them. As soon as she does, she'll be ready. Not a moment before. I apologize, but this is very important to us. To all of us ."

A smile tugged at Doris' lips. "I do hope it is what I think it is. I would also love to speak more on that when the time comes. Grandbabies, and all."

Georgie's fist gripped my pants, and I softened my face, nodding to Doris. I would be honored to speak over that as well, when the time comes. It was a pleasure having you over."

"The pleasure is mine." Doris nodded to Georgie, then to me, heading for the door. I didn't let my breath out completely until the door shut behind her and her slave.

"Jack?"

A laugh left me as I shook my head, collapsing to the chair next to Georgie.

"Jack, did I hear that right?"

"She wants to tie our lines together. Doris Pennington wants dibs on our heir."

My head shook in shock and Georgie rose to her knees, sobbing as she lowered to wrap her arms around my waist. It wasn't like my wife to cry, but I knew she was still in shock from the caning I'd given her. And God had I. She'd be bruised for weeks. She'd be lucky to be able to sit down at all.

"An ear…?" I breathed out the words, seeing Georgie lift her head. "What does she mean? Like a spy? Like a Jane?"

"Deeper than that. I think…I'm not sure. I need to talk to Elec," she mumbled. "I?—"

" I need to talk to Elec ," I repeated.

"Jack, please."

Her lip was back to trembling.

"Don't ‘please' me. I didn't just do this for show to cover our asses with Doris. I'm not going back on what I said. You're done with the outside world until we get your mind right. You're going to focus on our heir, and you're not leaving my side until there's one growing happy and healthy in your belly."

Georgie melted into my lap, laying her head back down as I grabbed my phone from the end table. I glanced up, taking in the slave who was quietly sitting on the sofa.

"Go to the closet and grab my wife a robe."

The slave stood, heading for the room. I hit Elec's number, listening as it rang.

Once.

Twice.

"Jack."

My lips pressed together at his tone. "Yeah, it's me. Doris Pennington just left one of our parties. You wouldn't happen to be able to talk, would you?"

"At your place?"

"Yeah. Georgie…I don't want her up, walking around."

He paused. "Give me a few minutes. I'll be right there."

I hung up, glancing up as the slave returned, holding out the robe. I took it, stroking down Georgie's hair.

"Up, love. Come on. Let's get you dressed. Elec will be here shortly."

"I'm so tired."

"I know. Come on. Don't you want to know if Doris said anything to your slave?"

Georgie blinked, her eyes flying open as her head lifted. She turned, taking in the man who was standing feet away. As she lifted and put her arms in the sleeves I held up, she continually searched his face.

"She told you something. Something…I can tell. You're looking at me like—" Her voice had an angry twinge. "Like I'm pitiful. Like I'm weak."

"No," he said, shaking his head. "Not weak. Actually, quite the opposite. You're strong. Stronger than I could have thought."

The anger vanished, and once again tears were visible, but she kept them in as she stood, tying the robe. She went to crawl on my lap when my hand shot up. A pout was automatic, and she kept it on as she whimpered, lowering back to the floor.

"I want to know everything she said. Did she mention Elaine? Did she mention my mother?"

"Elaine?" The slave's head went back and forth. "Not her, but she did mention your mother's name. I think. She said Gabriella."

"That's my mom. What did she say?"

"Just that…" He scanned her face. "She said your mother was really hard on you. That she gave you…suicide missions. That all of them knew it and were scared for you. But that you did them. That you were in the hospital, but they couldn't keep you because you were determined to show everyone you were just as good as your mom."

Georgie silently wiped tears as her shoulders shook. All I could do was hold onto my wife's shoulder as a fire lit in my chest. Fucking suicide missions?

"I can't remember word-for-word, but she says you pretty much deserved to be there. That with this," he said, gesturing down to her, "that this tradition-thing could make you great. She was so excited about it. She said after the right training, she could see you taking over for your mother. That if you did, they'd all follow you."

"What?" Georgie slowly rose to her knees to face him. "Wait. She said they'd follow me? Wait. Start over. Recap. My mind…"

The crow nodded. "She said she has great respect for you, and that your mother was jealous of you. Very jealous and," he shrugged. "The way she put it was that your mom was pretty much hoping you'd die out there on those missions. She specifically said suicide missions. Mistress, I really feel like she was positive your mom wanted you dead. Doris, that woman, she said your mom couldn't stand your competition. I'm sorry you had to go through that. But Doris supports you. She wants you to lead. She's hoping you do. After the baby, anyway. Sorry, I had to spill that information. She was on to me. But it worked. You having a child seemed really important to her. But I don't think that's what you wanted to know." He stopped, meeting my eyes, but quickly looking down at the rage I knew I couldn't hide. "Your mother, she seems scary. To try to kill her own daughter. To try to kill you…"

"Kill. Yes." Georgie's head shook as she tried to grasp his words. "She said suicide missions and that my mom was hoping I died…She wanted me dead. Suicide missions. I knew my mother… I knew ." She sniffled. "Die. Lead. Me? Lead? You're sure she said she wanted me to lead? She didn't mention Elaine?"

"Mistress, I'm not sure who Elaine is, but she didn't seem to care about her. She was putting you in a leading position. No one else."

I placed my hand back on Georgie's shoulder, lowering her to the floor.

"Let's not worry about Elaine right now. Or about leading. In time. Doris does want to put our names in with the uppers. Let's focus on that. That's the most important thing. Georgie, you were right." Georgetta's round eyes blinked the tears free as she met my angry stare. "You suspected your mother wanted you hurt or dead, and you were right."

"I told you."

"And I believed you to an extent, but this is bigger than that. Think, Georgetta. We knew, but if what she says is right, they all knew . At least a large number of them. If we move into power, if we get in with the uppers and make a name for ourselves, the time will come . Opportunities will present themselves, and then it'll be done. She'll be done."

Fingers dug in, clenching to my pants as she pulled herself higher onto me.

"You promise? Tell me you promise ."

"I said I'd never let anyone hurt you. Doris' admission only goes to prove our suspicions. We give it time. All we have is time, love, but mark my words, justice will be served. Let's move into our places first. We'll have our heir, and for appearances-sake, we will be the model couple in our circle. Everyone will love us. They will respect us. Then, when no one suspects anything… we will strike ."