Beg Me: Part Eleven
http://www.interracialerotica.net/erotica/articles/120/1/Beg-Me-Part-Eleven/Page1.html
By Tracy Ames
Published on October 20, 2009
Five hours after the fight, Sydney emerged from the shower. Without skipping a beat, tossed aside her jeans and pullover and donned a slinky black knee-length pencil skirt and silk top and heels and finished packing for their return home. Though her Dom aggravation had dissipated with the ass whipping she’d served on Margret, she found the days events weighed heavy on her mind but none so much that she couldn’t quick set it aside. She had to get back to the city and take control of the situation with rebellious Doms, there was no time for emotions of any kind.
She stood in brushing her thick hair back into her trademarked tight bun and smoothed her hands over her cheeks. Last but not least…she slapped on her leather “Mistress” cuff. The bitch was back.
Mark, Sr. and Helen transported Margret to the hospital while Jane stayed behind with the children and Sydney. There wasn’t anytime to loose, Jane had to talk Sydney into staying for Mark’s sake. He and Sr. were barely on speaking terms and to leave now there may not be a next time to cement their reunion.
“Hi,” Jane entered Sydney’s bedroom and sat on the bed.
“Hi,” Sydney turned briefly then returned to her dressing herself.
“You look nice,” Jane offered hoping to lure Sydney into a conversation. It was not to be had.
“Thank you,”
Jane leaned on one elbow. “So tell me what happened. I understand why the Doms are against your relationship with Mark but why they so angry?”
“They’re not angry. They’re afraid that we’ll turn on them and they’ll loose everything they have worked for.” Sydney checked her watch. “Most of the real work has been taken care of by my assistants. Mark and I have the cleanup work to handle.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means gathering the names of the flame-fanners and talking to them,” Sydney smiled. “Then we have to reassure the Doms that our relationship isn’t a threat.”
And what if you can’t change their minds”
Sydney stopped. The thought of the Doms not accepting their relationship had never crossed her mind. “They don’t have a choice and they should know better then trying to force our hands.”
Jane needed to change the subject before Sydney shut down emotionally. “Like you said; they’re afraid.” She stretched out on the bed, hands clasp over her stomach, looking up at the ceiling. “It’s been a hellish couple of weeks, wouldn’t you say? What with dealing with Mark and all his baggage and all---I suppose stomping Margret to a pulp was the perfect bookend,”
Sydney met Jane’s cynical smirk. “That’s a silly thing to say. Besides kick Margret’s ass, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed myself and now we have to go,”
“Have you spoken to Mark about leaving?”
“No, but he will understand.”
Jane sat up against the headboard. “He will understand, what?”
Sydney threw the last articles of clothing into her bag. She didn’t want to have this discussion because she knew Jane would attempt to persuade her to stay. “Mark knows this is business.”
Jane snorted. “Have you asked him yet? Has he agreed to leave?”
“No, it doesn’t matter. He’s coming back with me,” she became more agitated.
“Surely whatever is going on at home can wait another day. You’re leaving tomorrow as is. Staying one more night wouldn’t do any harm.”
Sydney turned, her face hardened. “I need him!”
Jane planted her feet on the floor and stood firmly in front on Sydney. “Was this trip about you or him, Sydney?”
“It was about him,” Sydney remarked, stunned by determination in Jane’s tone.
“No, it wasn’t. You made it about yourself. You played the saint. You presented yourself as the healer of his wounds but, in truth, you arranged all of this because you felt unworthy of him. Mark is genuine and pure. He feels things deeply. So when he told you that he loved you, you knew that he was serious and you felt unworthy of that love. You could reciprocate he’s feelings because you didn’t know how. You couldn’t do anything for him…but the one thing you could do was reunite him with his family and you’ve done it. Bravo! You should feel worthy,”
Jane’s words stirred in Sydney guts. She was right. Sydney shook her head and walked back to the mirror. “This isn’t about me.”
“Then why are you making it about you? You’re being selfish. Now that you’re the golden child…now that we all love you, you wanna pack up and go without finishing what you’ve started. For once in your life, you need to finish something before moving on. Mark needs absolute closure. He needs to say goodbye to his family and friends. And if you’d stop being pigheaded, you’d admit you needed it as well,”
Sydney stepped towards her.
“Hit me! Go ahead. I have nothing to loose,” Jane’s eyes filled with resolve. “You said you wanted to change. You wanted to be more giving.”
“I do.” Sydney insisted.
“Then don’t leave like this. Stay and say your goodbyes.” Jane standing rooted in her plain clothing and bonnet, prepared for her first blow.
Sydney’s jaw twitched as she walked towards then around Jane…closing the door.
Jane breathed a sigh of relief.
Sydney hugged Jane from behind, resting her cheek on her back. “I would never hit you Janey.” She spoke softly.
“Good because I would have cried like a bitch,” Jane covered Sydney’s arms with hers and they laughed. A few seconds past, Jane felt Sydney’s arms trembling. “Are you alright?”
“You’re right, Jane. I’m too controlling. I don’t deserve him, I never have. I want to deserve him but I don’t know how.”
“You’re afraid of needing someone whom you can’t control. His love makes you feel weak, doesn’t it?”
Sydney nodded; tears streaked her cheeks soaking Jane’s dress. “He is the best person I know and I can not bear the thought of being without him.”
Jane whisk around holding Sydney by her shoulders under heavy brow. “Oh my God, you really love my brother.
Sydney nodded wiping her eyes.
Jane scanned her face. “Do you realize you’ve just expressed more feeling for Mark than you ever have when talking about your work? You have made him a priority.
“I guess I have,” Sydney covered her mouth in shock and laughed. “Now what?”
“That’s for you two to decide,” Jane smiled and dropped her register. “Would you be willing to give up your career to be with him?”
Sydney thought for a moment and then her bright smile lit her face in a peaceful glow. “Yes…yes I would.”
Jane cocked her head to one side, grinning. “You say that confidently because you know he would never allow that to happen.”
“Yep, I know he’ll protect me.”
“So...staying one more day wouldn’t be so bad, would it?”
Sydney didn’t have to answer. It was written on her face. “I love you, Janey. You’re mean to me but I love you.”
Jane’s deep dimples pierced her cheeks. “I wasn’t trying to upset you. I was desperate.”
“You must have been. Besides Mark, no one has ever spoken to me like that. You called me selfish.” Sydney frowned playfully. “It’s almost as if you don’t love me.”
“Sweetie,” Jane caught herself when she realized that Sydney was fishing for compliments. “Sneaky…”
“What?”
“Very sneaky,” she walked to the door. “Call your dogs off. I’ll drive you guys to the airport tomorrow evening,” she turned. “Oh and Sydney, I’m proud of you.”
**UPDATED**
For Your Viewing Pleasure...."Beg Me" Part Eleven
Top Dom/mes, Sydney Cummings, an African-American Goddess and Mark Bryant, a man with a body that was chiseled from a slab of solid hotness, have a score to settle. Who will be the first to beg? With both of their reputations on the line, this is going to be a fight to the very end.
This story is sensual, sexy, and HOT...you've been warned
For Your Viewing Pleasure...."Beg Me" Part Eleven
Top Dom/mes, Sydney Cummings, an African-American Goddess and Mark Bryant, a man with a body that was chiseled from a slab of solid hotness, have a score to settle. Who will be the first to beg? With both of their reputations on the line, this is going to be a fight to the very end.
This story is sensual, sexy, and HOT...you've been warned
Beg Me: Part Eleven
Five hours after the fight, Sydney emerged from the shower. Without skipping a beat, tossed aside her jeans and pullover and donned a slinky black knee-length pencil skirt and silk top and heels and finished packing for their return home. Though her Dom aggravation had dissipated with the ass whipping she’d served on Margret, she found the days events weighed heavy on her mind but none so much that she couldn’t quick set it aside. She had to get back to the city and take control of the situation with rebellious Doms, there was no time for emotions of any kind.
She stood in brushing her thick hair back into her trademarked tight bun and smoothed her hands over her cheeks. Last but not least…she slapped on her leather “Mistress” cuff. The bitch was back.
Mark, Sr. and Helen transported Margret to the hospital while Jane stayed behind with the children and Sydney. There wasn’t anytime to loose, Jane had to talk Sydney into staying for Mark’s sake. He and Sr. were barely on speaking terms and to leave now there may not be a next time to cement their reunion.
“Hi,” Jane entered Sydney’s bedroom and sat on the bed.
“Hi,” Sydney turned briefly then returned to her dressing herself.
“You look nice,” Jane offered hoping to lure Sydney into a conversation. It was not to be had.
“Thank you,”
Jane leaned on one elbow. “So tell me what happened. I understand why the Doms are against your relationship with Mark but why they so angry?”
“They’re not angry. They’re afraid that we’ll turn on them and they’ll loose everything they have worked for.” Sydney checked her watch. “Most of the real work has been taken care of by my assistants. Mark and I have the cleanup work to handle.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means gathering the names of the flame-fanners and talking to them,” Sydney smiled. “Then we have to reassure the Doms that our relationship isn’t a threat.”
And what if you can’t change their minds”
Sydney stopped. The thought of the Doms not accepting their relationship had never crossed her mind. “They don’t have a choice and they should know better then trying to force our hands.”
Jane needed to change the subject before Sydney shut down emotionally. “Like you said; they’re afraid.” She stretched out on the bed, hands clasp over her stomach, looking up at the ceiling. “It’s been a hellish couple of weeks, wouldn’t you say? What with dealing with Mark and all his baggage and all---I suppose stomping Margret to a pulp was the perfect bookend,”
Sydney met Jane’s cynical smirk. “That’s a silly thing to say. Besides kick Margret’s ass, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed myself and now we have to go,”
“Have you spoken to Mark about leaving?”
“No, but he will understand.”
Jane sat up against the headboard. “He will understand, what?”
Sydney threw the last articles of clothing into her bag. She didn’t want to have this discussion because she knew Jane would attempt to persuade her to stay. “Mark knows this is business.”
Jane snorted. “Have you asked him yet? Has he agreed to leave?”
“No, it doesn’t matter. He’s coming back with me,” she became more agitated.
“Surely whatever is going on at home can wait another day. You’re leaving tomorrow as is. Staying one more night wouldn’t do any harm.”
Sydney turned, her face hardened. “I need him!”
Jane planted her feet on the floor and stood firmly in front on Sydney. “Was this trip about you or him, Sydney?”
“It was about him,” Sydney remarked, stunned by determination in Jane’s tone.
“No, it wasn’t. You made it about yourself. You played the saint. You presented yourself as the healer of his wounds but, in truth, you arranged all of this because you felt unworthy of him. Mark is genuine and pure. He feels things deeply. So when he told you that he loved you, you knew that he was serious and you felt unworthy of that love. You could reciprocate he’s feelings because you didn’t know how. You couldn’t do anything for him…but the one thing you could do was reunite him with his family and you’ve done it. Bravo! You should feel worthy,”
Jane’s words stirred in Sydney guts. She was right. Sydney shook her head and walked back to the mirror. “This isn’t about me.”
“Then why are you making it about you? You’re being selfish. Now that you’re the golden child…now that we all love you, you wanna pack up and go without finishing what you’ve started. For once in your life, you need to finish something before moving on. Mark needs absolute closure. He needs to say goodbye to his family and friends. And if you’d stop being pigheaded, you’d admit you needed it as well,”
Sydney stepped towards her.
“Hit me! Go ahead. I have nothing to loose,” Jane’s eyes filled with resolve. “You said you wanted to change. You wanted to be more giving.”
“I do.” Sydney insisted.
“Then don’t leave like this. Stay and say your goodbyes.” Jane standing rooted in her plain clothing and bonnet, prepared for her first blow.
Sydney’s jaw twitched as she walked towards then around Jane…closing the door.
Jane breathed a sigh of relief.
Sydney hugged Jane from behind, resting her cheek on her back. “I would never hit you Janey.” She spoke softly.
“Good because I would have cried like a bitch,” Jane covered Sydney’s arms with hers and they laughed. A few seconds past, Jane felt Sydney’s arms trembling. “Are you alright?”
“You’re right, Jane. I’m too controlling. I don’t deserve him, I never have. I want to deserve him but I don’t know how.”
“You’re afraid of needing someone whom you can’t control. His love makes you feel weak, doesn’t it?”
Sydney nodded; tears streaked her cheeks soaking Jane’s dress. “He is the best person I know and I can not bear the thought of being without him.”
Jane whisk around holding Sydney by her shoulders under heavy brow. “Oh my God, you really love my brother.
Sydney nodded wiping her eyes.
Jane scanned her face. “Do you realize you’ve just expressed more feeling for Mark than you ever have when talking about your work? You have made him a priority.
“I guess I have,” Sydney covered her mouth in shock and laughed. “Now what?”
“That’s for you two to decide,” Jane smiled and dropped her register. “Would you be willing to give up your career to be with him?”
Sydney thought for a moment and then her bright smile lit her face in a peaceful glow. “Yes…yes I would.”
Jane cocked her head to one side, grinning. “You say that confidently because you know he would never allow that to happen.”
“Yep, I know he’ll protect me.”
“So...staying one more day wouldn’t be so bad, would it?”
Sydney didn’t have to answer. It was written on her face. “I love you, Janey. You’re mean to me but I love you.”
Jane’s deep dimples pierced her cheeks. “I wasn’t trying to upset you. I was desperate.”
“You must have been. Besides Mark, no one has ever spoken to me like that. You called me selfish.” Sydney frowned playfully. “It’s almost as if you don’t love me.”
“Sweetie,” Jane caught herself when she realized that Sydney was fishing for compliments. “Sneaky…”
“What?”
“Very sneaky,” she walked to the door. “Call your dogs off. I’ll drive you guys to the airport tomorrow evening,” she turned. “Oh and Sydney, I’m proud of you.”
Beg Me: Part Eleven
He pushed her skirt just above her waist as she lie whimpering and whining, aching to feel him inside of her. Her heart skipped a beat as she felt his hands running along the back of her thighs. The heat of his breath sent her pussy in search of his tongue.
He gripped her ass, spreading her wide, leaving her exposed and vulnerable.
She heard him take in a deep breath and exhale softly, tickling her throbbing slit. His tongue lapped at her in long slow strokes; its tip curling slightly, cradling her clit before continuing its path down to her pulsating lips.
“Mmmm,” she moaned and relaxed into full submission. He tongue grows bolder with each pass
He spreads her wider still. His tongue changes its method, growing bolder with each pass. She can hear his mouth working diligently between her legs. He fingers tracing invisible lines up and down the slit of her pussy.
“I have waited so long to do this to you.” He gently sucked then dipped his tongue and finger inside, playing his all too elusive instrument of pleasure with expert proficiency.”
Her hand pressing palms down. She groaned and moaned and raised her hips, exposing herself to his tender single-minded devotion to her clit. “Oh my God,” escaped her lips.
He spread her thighs and licked slow lazy circles up and down her pussy with precision and abandon. He sucked and sucked.
She moaned and cried. Her orgasm grew, “No, please. I can’t,” she whispered.
He licked and sucked. “You can cum,”
Her pussy tightened. Her legs trembled. Her orgasm was descending rapidly. “Oh…oh…oh!” she panted forcing his head away from her pussy before her orgasm began and curled into the fetal position, hands clutched between her thighs.
He sat on the edge of the bed, frustrated. “Damnit, Natalie,” he said through his teeth. He looked over to see her curled in a trembling ball and regretted his harshness. He stroked her shoulders. “I’m sorry,”
“Charles, we can’t continue to do this. I almost came that time. I shouldn’t be here. Do you know what will happen if I’m caught sleeping with you?”
He plops back onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling, “Of course I know. I lived under the constant threat for over five years,” He closed his eyes and held her in his arms. “Do you realize this is the closest we’ve been in years? I don’t know how much more I can take. I thought I was over you but…these last few days have been difficult.”
She traced her fingers through the baby fine down on his chest. “This hasn’t been easy for either of us. But it is what it is. We knew the rules: You were trained by my Mistress. You are my Master. We can’t have a relationship.” Her mouth tightened. “I knew that it would eventually happen, I had to let you go. Now look at you. You’re second under my Mistress and I am nothing. She doesn’t even know I’m alive.”
“When I’m with you, I’m simply Charles. I’m not Master Charles. It’s never been like that between us,”
She shook her head. “No, it hasn’t but it doesn’t change the fact that I am beneath you. I have always been beneath you. Even as an apprentice you out ranked me. But you saw pass my inferiority and love me anyway.”
Charles held her face. “You know that’s not true. You’re not inferior to anyone. You’re first in command to Sydney Cummings. You could have any Dom you wanted. They would kiss your feet.”
“Of course I know that’s not true. Is that supposed to make me feel better? The one Dom that I want is the very one can’t have.”
Charles fell speechless, helpless to ease her pain. “I will talk to Sydney.”
“No,” she sat up stiff as a board. “I don’t want to make matters worse,”
He straightened himself. “How can matters be any worse? We’re not together.”
“You know damn well she would dismiss me if she found out about us. My Mistress doesn’t chance, Charles. She is the same person she has always been.”
No truer words were ever spoken, Charles thought to himself with a heavy sigh. “Once this business with the Doms is rectified, I’m never going to see you again, am I?”
She gave a polite grin. “I will see you at regional ball next week. Mistress chooses two of us to escort her every year.”
“What makes you think she’ll choose you?”
She leaned forward and kissed his lips. “She always chooses me. I’m her #1.”
“And if she doesn’t?” Charles kissed down the side of her neck.
“If she doesn’t then I’ll never see you again, at least not in this capacity.”
“We can change that,” he kissed.
“Not if you want your career,” Turning her head to one side, she whimpered. “She is my Mistress. I will never leave her. Not even for you.” She stood excusing herself to the bathroom.
Charles snorted, his phone rang. “Hello.”
“Charles, have you been in contact with #1? I called her phone but there was no answer.” Sydney’s voice came across.
Charles shot to attention, grabbed Natalie’s cell phone from the nightstand. There were seventeen missed calls. “Shit!” he thought to himself. He had to think fast.
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, she is here.”
“Please tell her to check her voicemail. I’ve left several messages. We’re not coming tonight. We will be arriving on our scheduled flight tomorrow,” Sydney continued with little cause for worry.
“I will give her the message. Should I notify Lee that there has been a change of plans?”
“No, I want him there before hand.” Sydney heard the front door close. Mark had returned.
“Charles, where’s my robe?” Natalie called to Charles as she reentered the bedroom.
Charles fanned rapidly, pointing to the phone against his ear and then tossed her cell phone to her.
He saw the missed calls. Her eyes widened. “Is that Mistress?” she mouthed.
Charles nodded frantically.
Natalie’s jaw dropped.
“Hello?” Charles heard Sydney in his ear.
“Yes Mistress, I’m here.” He answered, wrinkling his face. “She’s just stepped out of the shower. We were leaving for the airport within the hour.”
Sydney’s spidy-sense tingled yet she was positive Charles and #1 wouldn’t dare go deceive her or knowingly break any codes. “That will be all. We will see you tomorrow night.”
“Yes Mistress. Tomorrow then,” Charles went to hang up.
“And Charles,” Sydney’s voice took an edge. “What’s going with you and #1?”
Charles rests his elbows on his knees and lowered his head. “There is nothing going.”
“Good. Keep it that way. I don’t have to warn you of the consequences”
“No, you don’t”
“Goodnight,” she disconnected.
“Who was that? Mark asked kissing Sydney.
“That was Charles. I told him that we’re going to stay another night.”
Mark stared fixedly on Sydney. “What?!”
Sydney shrugged. “I thought we’d stay another night and say goodbye to everyone. I know you’d like to see Cece before we leave.”
Mark lifted his chin and folded his arms across his chest, smiling. “What have they done to you? When have you ever wanted to blow work aside for me? No, I take that back. When have you ever wanted to blow off work for anyone?”
Sydney hugged his waist and looked up into his cobalt eyes. “This is a new Sydney. I’m changing slowly but surely.”
He stared down at the woman he loved…she was different. Something had changed. She was radiant and he couldn’t take him eyes off of her. “We can stay as long as you like. I’ve taken care of everything. We don’t have any troubles.”
“What do you mean? We have to deal with this at some time,”
“Not any time soon, my love.” Mark said flatly.
He gripped her ass, spreading her wide, leaving her exposed and vulnerable.
She heard him take in a deep breath and exhale softly, tickling her throbbing slit. His tongue lapped at her in long slow strokes; its tip curling slightly, cradling her clit before continuing its path down to her pulsating lips.
“Mmmm,” she moaned and relaxed into full submission. He tongue grows bolder with each pass
He spreads her wider still. His tongue changes its method, growing bolder with each pass. She can hear his mouth working diligently between her legs. He fingers tracing invisible lines up and down the slit of her pussy.
“I have waited so long to do this to you.” He gently sucked then dipped his tongue and finger inside, playing his all too elusive instrument of pleasure with expert proficiency.”
Her hand pressing palms down. She groaned and moaned and raised her hips, exposing herself to his tender single-minded devotion to her clit. “Oh my God,” escaped her lips.
He spread her thighs and licked slow lazy circles up and down her pussy with precision and abandon. He sucked and sucked.
She moaned and cried. Her orgasm grew, “No, please. I can’t,” she whispered.
He licked and sucked. “You can cum,”
Her pussy tightened. Her legs trembled. Her orgasm was descending rapidly. “Oh…oh…oh!” she panted forcing his head away from her pussy before her orgasm began and curled into the fetal position, hands clutched between her thighs.
He sat on the edge of the bed, frustrated. “Damnit, Natalie,” he said through his teeth. He looked over to see her curled in a trembling ball and regretted his harshness. He stroked her shoulders. “I’m sorry,”
“Charles, we can’t continue to do this. I almost came that time. I shouldn’t be here. Do you know what will happen if I’m caught sleeping with you?”
He plops back onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling, “Of course I know. I lived under the constant threat for over five years,” He closed his eyes and held her in his arms. “Do you realize this is the closest we’ve been in years? I don’t know how much more I can take. I thought I was over you but…these last few days have been difficult.”
She traced her fingers through the baby fine down on his chest. “This hasn’t been easy for either of us. But it is what it is. We knew the rules: You were trained by my Mistress. You are my Master. We can’t have a relationship.” Her mouth tightened. “I knew that it would eventually happen, I had to let you go. Now look at you. You’re second under my Mistress and I am nothing. She doesn’t even know I’m alive.”
“When I’m with you, I’m simply Charles. I’m not Master Charles. It’s never been like that between us,”
She shook her head. “No, it hasn’t but it doesn’t change the fact that I am beneath you. I have always been beneath you. Even as an apprentice you out ranked me. But you saw pass my inferiority and love me anyway.”
Charles held her face. “You know that’s not true. You’re not inferior to anyone. You’re first in command to Sydney Cummings. You could have any Dom you wanted. They would kiss your feet.”
“Of course I know that’s not true. Is that supposed to make me feel better? The one Dom that I want is the very one can’t have.”
Charles fell speechless, helpless to ease her pain. “I will talk to Sydney.”
“No,” she sat up stiff as a board. “I don’t want to make matters worse,”
He straightened himself. “How can matters be any worse? We’re not together.”
“You know damn well she would dismiss me if she found out about us. My Mistress doesn’t chance, Charles. She is the same person she has always been.”
No truer words were ever spoken, Charles thought to himself with a heavy sigh. “Once this business with the Doms is rectified, I’m never going to see you again, am I?”
She gave a polite grin. “I will see you at regional ball next week. Mistress chooses two of us to escort her every year.”
“What makes you think she’ll choose you?”
She leaned forward and kissed his lips. “She always chooses me. I’m her #1.”
“And if she doesn’t?” Charles kissed down the side of her neck.
“If she doesn’t then I’ll never see you again, at least not in this capacity.”
“We can change that,” he kissed.
“Not if you want your career,” Turning her head to one side, she whimpered. “She is my Mistress. I will never leave her. Not even for you.” She stood excusing herself to the bathroom.
Charles snorted, his phone rang. “Hello.”
“Charles, have you been in contact with #1? I called her phone but there was no answer.” Sydney’s voice came across.
Charles shot to attention, grabbed Natalie’s cell phone from the nightstand. There were seventeen missed calls. “Shit!” he thought to himself. He had to think fast.
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, she is here.”
“Please tell her to check her voicemail. I’ve left several messages. We’re not coming tonight. We will be arriving on our scheduled flight tomorrow,” Sydney continued with little cause for worry.
“I will give her the message. Should I notify Lee that there has been a change of plans?”
“No, I want him there before hand.” Sydney heard the front door close. Mark had returned.
“Charles, where’s my robe?” Natalie called to Charles as she reentered the bedroom.
Charles fanned rapidly, pointing to the phone against his ear and then tossed her cell phone to her.
He saw the missed calls. Her eyes widened. “Is that Mistress?” she mouthed.
Charles nodded frantically.
Natalie’s jaw dropped.
“Hello?” Charles heard Sydney in his ear.
“Yes Mistress, I’m here.” He answered, wrinkling his face. “She’s just stepped out of the shower. We were leaving for the airport within the hour.”
Sydney’s spidy-sense tingled yet she was positive Charles and #1 wouldn’t dare go deceive her or knowingly break any codes. “That will be all. We will see you tomorrow night.”
“Yes Mistress. Tomorrow then,” Charles went to hang up.
“And Charles,” Sydney’s voice took an edge. “What’s going with you and #1?”
Charles rests his elbows on his knees and lowered his head. “There is nothing going.”
“Good. Keep it that way. I don’t have to warn you of the consequences”
“No, you don’t”
“Goodnight,” she disconnected.
“Who was that? Mark asked kissing Sydney.
“That was Charles. I told him that we’re going to stay another night.”
Mark stared fixedly on Sydney. “What?!”
Sydney shrugged. “I thought we’d stay another night and say goodbye to everyone. I know you’d like to see Cece before we leave.”
Mark lifted his chin and folded his arms across his chest, smiling. “What have they done to you? When have you ever wanted to blow work aside for me? No, I take that back. When have you ever wanted to blow off work for anyone?”
Sydney hugged his waist and looked up into his cobalt eyes. “This is a new Sydney. I’m changing slowly but surely.”
He stared down at the woman he loved…she was different. Something had changed. She was radiant and he couldn’t take him eyes off of her. “We can stay as long as you like. I’ve taken care of everything. We don’t have any troubles.”
“What do you mean? We have to deal with this at some time,”
“Not any time soon, my love.” Mark said flatly.
Beg Me: Part Eleven
“You’re smoking,” She made a small scoffing noise and moved around him, leaving him in her wake. “We’re leaving as scheduled.”
Mark turned on heel to follow but before he could utter another word his phone rang, his face hardened. “Hello,”
“Are you alone?” Greta asked in a low but clear voice.
“I can be. What’s up?” He closed and locked the door. “What do you have for me?”
“I…um…I don’t know how to…um,” she stammered nervously.
His voice was low but his face remained impassive. “Give it me straight. How bad is it?”
“Its bad news from Mistress Sydney’s camp,” Greta let out a long, labored sigh. “We have trouble on our hands. I…I don’t know what to do.”
“What kind of trouble are we talking about?” His voice sounded clipped. “Is it something she needs to be told about immediately or can it wait?”
“One of her assistants has shown up on the list. You know which one I’m talking about,”
“Yeah, I know which one,” He exhaled and stared at the floor, taking a minute to collect his thoughts. “Tell Gracie to follow her and bug her phones. I’ll tell Sydney what’s happened tomorrow—let her enjoy the rest of her time here,”
For the first time, Greta’s heart went out to Sydney. “Sir, I’m sorry. I know how much Mistress values loyalty. She won’t take this lightly,”
“No, she won’t,” Mark touched the tip of his sore nose with the back of his hand. “Thank you for all your work. You’ve had to put up with a lot since I’ve been gone and I want to let you know, I appreciate your long hours. I’m pleased. You may go home.”
“How did you know I was still in the office?” she said briskly.
“Are you kidding me?” Mark snickered. “I know you too well. You may go. Goodnight.” He hung up and his expression changed to glum. How would he open the conversation? She had so few people that she trust and now there was one less. Besides the anger, he feared she would shut everyone out, again. And all of his work would have been in vain. Let her have one more night of peace, he told himself.
“Mark,” Helen called.
“Yeah!” he answered over the sudden chatter of voices.
“Everyone is here to say their goodbyes,”
Mark made his way to the living room. Reggie, Victoria, Daniel and Cece greeted him to hugs. “Hey I thought you guys were coming over tomorrow?”
We figured you’d be too busy so we stopped in.” Reggie remarked.
Mark looked around the room. “Where’s Jill?”
“She’s home with the kids. School night, you know.” Daniel answered.
“Ah, well give her my best,” Mark hugged him again. “You have our numbers and you’re welcomed any time.”
Victoria punched Mark’s arm. “What about us?”
Mark clinched his bicep. “You’re all welcomed. Just don’t hit me.”
“Please don’t hurt him,” Sydney begged, tucking into Mark’s side. “I need this man.”
At that, Jane came from the kitchen and Helen and Sr.’s ears peeked from their positions on the sofa.
“You ‘need’ him,” Sr. asked and studied her reaction.
Sydney looked up at Mark without apprehension. “I need him.”
“Ooooohhhh!! Can we be expecting a wedding invitation?” Victoria asked wide-eyed.
Mark gazed at Sydney. He couldn’t take his eyes off of the innocence staring back at him. She glowed. He wanted to say yes however he choose the less direct approach, “We will see,”
“Yeah,” Sydney nodded her head in agreement. “We will see,”
“If there’s going to be a wedding then I’m calling “maid-of-honor” Cece beamed.
Victoria slapped the palm of her hand against her chest. “I got “matron-of-honor”
“No way!” Jane protested. “That’s my spot. I’ve earned it.”
“I’m your “best man” Reggie and Daniel raced to answer.
“I’ll let you two sort that out,” Mark held Sydney close.
“There’s nothing to sort out,” Daniel insisted. “Who was here every morning helping you milk cows?”
“Both of you,” Everyone answered.
“Whatever, who was here first?” Reggie came back.
“Are we really going to talk about this again?” Cece glanced around the room, beginning to tire of the subject. “Come on Sydney. Let’s give the gladiators room to bash each others heads in.” She took Sydney’s arm, opened the front door and stepped into the night air. They each took a seat in one of the many high-back rocking chairs and leaned back with a little sigh of pleasure. The air was still and peaceful. The only sounds to be heard were the crickets and laughter from inside the house.
Sydney took a deep breath. “I’m gonna miss Iowa.”
“Iowa is gonna miss you,” Cece said brightly, settling herself down on the chair.
Sydney grinned. “You know what I mean,” A comfortable silence fell between them. “I’m sorry about Kenneth. I know how much you loved him and I can’t imagine what you’re are going through,”
Cece turned to her. “Yes you can. Imagine everything in your relationship with Mark as it is right now. Imagine planning your future right down to the fine details,”
Sydney leaned her head back and closed her eyes.
“Imagine falling asleep in his arms every night and waking up in that same position. Imagine knowing his every move before he takes it. Imagine his touch, his kiss and his smell,” she stopped. “Now imagine him gone.”
Sydney eyes opened slowly, goose bump prickled her arms and she felt detected from Mark though he were feet away. Cece’s misery was palpable. “I’m so sorry, Cece.”
“Thank you, Sydney but please don’t feel sorry for me. It was such a painful thing to go through but Kenneth and I had many years together. I’m thankful for the time I had with him. Right before he left, our life was perfect and that comforts me. I knew he loved me. But only months before then, I wouldn’t have known. He made his peace with all of us as if he knew he wasn’t coming back.”
“How will you manage without him?” Sydney asked. “What can I do?
Cece grinned. “I don’t need anything, just your friendship. But there is one thing I’d like you to think about.”
“What’s that?”
“Marrying Mark. He’s in love with you.”
Sydney gave a light chuckle. “I’m in love with him but don’t you think it’s a bit soon to be talking about marriage?”
“Maybe, but oftentimes an objective outsider will notice more in a relationship than its participants,” Cece paused and turned to Sydney. “Can I give you my opinion?”
“Please,”
“I think you and Mark were meant be. There’s something in the way you look at one another; it’s undeniable. When I look at you, I see what Kenneth and I could have been. You don’t wanna let that kind of love go,” she shook her head slowly, studying Sydney. “You are so intelligent and domineering, I fear you’ll never find another man who is strong enough to appreciate your formidable personality.”
“You’re right. There isn’t another man I’d rather spend my days with,” Sydney curled her legs into the chair and voiced with surprise. “You know, he has never tried to change me. Seriously, Mark has never ‘made’ me do anything. Before coming here, I couldn’t perform the smallest chore. But now I can wash dishes and fold clothes without cringing.” She grinned proudly.
Cece frowned at Sydney’s overexcited conquest of minor domestic chores. “What’s next? You gonna change a diaper?” Her tone bled sarcasm.
“Hey, I’m a freaking pro. I’ve changed Elisa plenty of times! It may have taken me a few trying to get it right but I learned.”
Cece eyes narrowed and laughed. “Mark is going to end up raising your children.”
“Probably,” Sydney conceded. Probably!, she thought. Where had that word come from?
“We’re leaving,” Reggie said coming onto the porch followed by Victoria, Daniel and Mark. “Sydney, it was great to meet you,”
Sydney stood and hugged them all. “I’m sure we’ll be seeing you shortly. Remember, you’re always welcomed.”
Cece rose, collected her belongs from inside and rejoined the group. Mark hugged her tightly. “If you need anything please call me.”
“Mark, quit trying to take care of me. I’m an adult, I’m fine.” Cece playfully pushed him away.
“Cece, you’re fighting a losing battle,” said Sydney.
“I don’t know about the rest of you but I have to get out of here. Mark and Sydney, I’ll see you later.” Daniel hugged Sydney once more, followed by Reggie and Victoria and they took their leave.
Cece turned to Mark. “You’ll let me know if they find Kenneth’s body, won’t you?”
“I’ll let you know when they find him,” Mark proclaimed confidently.
Cece tried to speak but couldn’t force the words past the lump in her throat. She nodded and left.
Mark pulled Sydney to his side. “I’m worry about her,”
“She needs time. I’d be the same way if I lost you,” she stroked his arm down to his fingertips and went into the house.
I have to tell her tonight, rang in Mark’s head as he stood looking out into the dense darkness. He returned to the house where Sydney stood bouncing Elisa while Jane gathered her keys. “Where’s mom and dad?”
“They went bed,” Jane kissed his cheek.
“We’re keeping Elisa tonight and you get to sleep with me,” Sydney bounced.
“As long as Elisa sleeps between you two,” Jane laid out the stipulations.
Mark sighed and rolled his eyes. “I feel like a damn child.”
“To them you are. Get married and you won’t have to worry about it,” Jane smiled and headed for the door. “You flight leaves shortly after four o’clock so I’ll pick you up around two o’clock. Ted will go with you in the morning to drop off your rental if you need him.”
“No thanks, dad and I are taking it back. We’ll see you tomorrow,” Mark closed and locked the door behind Jane. He turned to Sydney. “Well Miss, let’s go to bed.”
Mark turned on heel to follow but before he could utter another word his phone rang, his face hardened. “Hello,”
“Are you alone?” Greta asked in a low but clear voice.
“I can be. What’s up?” He closed and locked the door. “What do you have for me?”
“I…um…I don’t know how to…um,” she stammered nervously.
His voice was low but his face remained impassive. “Give it me straight. How bad is it?”
“Its bad news from Mistress Sydney’s camp,” Greta let out a long, labored sigh. “We have trouble on our hands. I…I don’t know what to do.”
“What kind of trouble are we talking about?” His voice sounded clipped. “Is it something she needs to be told about immediately or can it wait?”
“One of her assistants has shown up on the list. You know which one I’m talking about,”
“Yeah, I know which one,” He exhaled and stared at the floor, taking a minute to collect his thoughts. “Tell Gracie to follow her and bug her phones. I’ll tell Sydney what’s happened tomorrow—let her enjoy the rest of her time here,”
For the first time, Greta’s heart went out to Sydney. “Sir, I’m sorry. I know how much Mistress values loyalty. She won’t take this lightly,”
“No, she won’t,” Mark touched the tip of his sore nose with the back of his hand. “Thank you for all your work. You’ve had to put up with a lot since I’ve been gone and I want to let you know, I appreciate your long hours. I’m pleased. You may go home.”
“How did you know I was still in the office?” she said briskly.
“Are you kidding me?” Mark snickered. “I know you too well. You may go. Goodnight.” He hung up and his expression changed to glum. How would he open the conversation? She had so few people that she trust and now there was one less. Besides the anger, he feared she would shut everyone out, again. And all of his work would have been in vain. Let her have one more night of peace, he told himself.
“Mark,” Helen called.
“Yeah!” he answered over the sudden chatter of voices.
“Everyone is here to say their goodbyes,”
Mark made his way to the living room. Reggie, Victoria, Daniel and Cece greeted him to hugs. “Hey I thought you guys were coming over tomorrow?”
We figured you’d be too busy so we stopped in.” Reggie remarked.
Mark looked around the room. “Where’s Jill?”
“She’s home with the kids. School night, you know.” Daniel answered.
“Ah, well give her my best,” Mark hugged him again. “You have our numbers and you’re welcomed any time.”
Victoria punched Mark’s arm. “What about us?”
Mark clinched his bicep. “You’re all welcomed. Just don’t hit me.”
“Please don’t hurt him,” Sydney begged, tucking into Mark’s side. “I need this man.”
At that, Jane came from the kitchen and Helen and Sr.’s ears peeked from their positions on the sofa.
“You ‘need’ him,” Sr. asked and studied her reaction.
Sydney looked up at Mark without apprehension. “I need him.”
“Ooooohhhh!! Can we be expecting a wedding invitation?” Victoria asked wide-eyed.
Mark gazed at Sydney. He couldn’t take his eyes off of the innocence staring back at him. She glowed. He wanted to say yes however he choose the less direct approach, “We will see,”
“Yeah,” Sydney nodded her head in agreement. “We will see,”
“If there’s going to be a wedding then I’m calling “maid-of-honor” Cece beamed.
Victoria slapped the palm of her hand against her chest. “I got “matron-of-honor”
“No way!” Jane protested. “That’s my spot. I’ve earned it.”
“I’m your “best man” Reggie and Daniel raced to answer.
“I’ll let you two sort that out,” Mark held Sydney close.
“There’s nothing to sort out,” Daniel insisted. “Who was here every morning helping you milk cows?”
“Both of you,” Everyone answered.
“Whatever, who was here first?” Reggie came back.
“Are we really going to talk about this again?” Cece glanced around the room, beginning to tire of the subject. “Come on Sydney. Let’s give the gladiators room to bash each others heads in.” She took Sydney’s arm, opened the front door and stepped into the night air. They each took a seat in one of the many high-back rocking chairs and leaned back with a little sigh of pleasure. The air was still and peaceful. The only sounds to be heard were the crickets and laughter from inside the house.
Sydney took a deep breath. “I’m gonna miss Iowa.”
“Iowa is gonna miss you,” Cece said brightly, settling herself down on the chair.
Sydney grinned. “You know what I mean,” A comfortable silence fell between them. “I’m sorry about Kenneth. I know how much you loved him and I can’t imagine what you’re are going through,”
Cece turned to her. “Yes you can. Imagine everything in your relationship with Mark as it is right now. Imagine planning your future right down to the fine details,”
Sydney leaned her head back and closed her eyes.
“Imagine falling asleep in his arms every night and waking up in that same position. Imagine knowing his every move before he takes it. Imagine his touch, his kiss and his smell,” she stopped. “Now imagine him gone.”
Sydney eyes opened slowly, goose bump prickled her arms and she felt detected from Mark though he were feet away. Cece’s misery was palpable. “I’m so sorry, Cece.”
“Thank you, Sydney but please don’t feel sorry for me. It was such a painful thing to go through but Kenneth and I had many years together. I’m thankful for the time I had with him. Right before he left, our life was perfect and that comforts me. I knew he loved me. But only months before then, I wouldn’t have known. He made his peace with all of us as if he knew he wasn’t coming back.”
“How will you manage without him?” Sydney asked. “What can I do?
Cece grinned. “I don’t need anything, just your friendship. But there is one thing I’d like you to think about.”
“What’s that?”
“Marrying Mark. He’s in love with you.”
Sydney gave a light chuckle. “I’m in love with him but don’t you think it’s a bit soon to be talking about marriage?”
“Maybe, but oftentimes an objective outsider will notice more in a relationship than its participants,” Cece paused and turned to Sydney. “Can I give you my opinion?”
“Please,”
“I think you and Mark were meant be. There’s something in the way you look at one another; it’s undeniable. When I look at you, I see what Kenneth and I could have been. You don’t wanna let that kind of love go,” she shook her head slowly, studying Sydney. “You are so intelligent and domineering, I fear you’ll never find another man who is strong enough to appreciate your formidable personality.”
“You’re right. There isn’t another man I’d rather spend my days with,” Sydney curled her legs into the chair and voiced with surprise. “You know, he has never tried to change me. Seriously, Mark has never ‘made’ me do anything. Before coming here, I couldn’t perform the smallest chore. But now I can wash dishes and fold clothes without cringing.” She grinned proudly.
Cece frowned at Sydney’s overexcited conquest of minor domestic chores. “What’s next? You gonna change a diaper?” Her tone bled sarcasm.
“Hey, I’m a freaking pro. I’ve changed Elisa plenty of times! It may have taken me a few trying to get it right but I learned.”
Cece eyes narrowed and laughed. “Mark is going to end up raising your children.”
“Probably,” Sydney conceded. Probably!, she thought. Where had that word come from?
“We’re leaving,” Reggie said coming onto the porch followed by Victoria, Daniel and Mark. “Sydney, it was great to meet you,”
Sydney stood and hugged them all. “I’m sure we’ll be seeing you shortly. Remember, you’re always welcomed.”
Cece rose, collected her belongs from inside and rejoined the group. Mark hugged her tightly. “If you need anything please call me.”
“Mark, quit trying to take care of me. I’m an adult, I’m fine.” Cece playfully pushed him away.
“Cece, you’re fighting a losing battle,” said Sydney.
“I don’t know about the rest of you but I have to get out of here. Mark and Sydney, I’ll see you later.” Daniel hugged Sydney once more, followed by Reggie and Victoria and they took their leave.
Cece turned to Mark. “You’ll let me know if they find Kenneth’s body, won’t you?”
“I’ll let you know when they find him,” Mark proclaimed confidently.
Cece tried to speak but couldn’t force the words past the lump in her throat. She nodded and left.
Mark pulled Sydney to his side. “I’m worry about her,”
“She needs time. I’d be the same way if I lost you,” she stroked his arm down to his fingertips and went into the house.
I have to tell her tonight, rang in Mark’s head as he stood looking out into the dense darkness. He returned to the house where Sydney stood bouncing Elisa while Jane gathered her keys. “Where’s mom and dad?”
“They went bed,” Jane kissed his cheek.
“We’re keeping Elisa tonight and you get to sleep with me,” Sydney bounced.
“As long as Elisa sleeps between you two,” Jane laid out the stipulations.
Mark sighed and rolled his eyes. “I feel like a damn child.”
“To them you are. Get married and you won’t have to worry about it,” Jane smiled and headed for the door. “You flight leaves shortly after four o’clock so I’ll pick you up around two o’clock. Ted will go with you in the morning to drop off your rental if you need him.”
“No thanks, dad and I are taking it back. We’ll see you tomorrow,” Mark closed and locked the door behind Jane. He turned to Sydney. “Well Miss, let’s go to bed.”
Beg Me: Part Eleven
Mark lay watching Elisa sound asleep, lightly playing with her tiny fingertips and wispy blonde hair; a family trait that had eluded him altogether. For a fleeting moment he wondered how his and Sydney’s daughter would look. Obviously brown in complexion, he imagined, with Sydney’s hypnotic doe-eyes and mischievous twinkle, his height and contoured nose, and her pouty mouth. Mark wiped those thoughts out of his head just as quickly as they’d come. He had his directive straight from the woman herself. There would never be even the slightest possibility of children. Any flicker of hope had been dashed by her calloused words.
How I am going to begin? Mark thought aloud. He was prepared for her angry however he wasn’t prepared for her hurt. She had absolute trust in her assistants. Unbeknown to her, they had become a part of her; an appendage that once severed would still be felt. For one of them to betray her would likely cause her to question everyone’s loyalty. Even his.
Sydney came into the bedroom twisting her hair into a bun.
“Leave it down,” Mark asked quietly.
“I thought you were asleep,” Sydney said, climbing into bed. She turned on one side, cocooning Elisa between them.
Gently he stroked along her jaw line, trying desperately to formulate his words yet found it increasingly more difficult to deliver the blow, for this he felt a sliver guilty.
“Are you okay?”
He nodded. There was no easy way to tell her.
Mark stroked her arm. “Have you ever heard of a controlled burn?”
“I’ma need you to start speaking English.”
“A controlled burn are fires that conducted during the cooler months to reduce vegetation buildup and decrease the likelihood of serious more destructive fires from occurring. These fires are overseen by fire control authorities to ensure everything goes as planned. They delineate the intended time and place the fires begin using firebreaks; cleared areas to contain the fires so they won’t get out of control.”
Sydney looked blankly at Mark, praying he’d continue because she didn’t have the foggiest idea what he was talking about.
He stared straight into her eyes and sighed. “It was me. I leaked the news of our relationship to the Doms.”
Sydney heart dropped. “What?” she muttered, clearing finding it difficult to take it all in.
“I leaked the news. I used my network of Doms and Dominas to trigger conversation to seemingly random Doms and I have been orchestrating the entire operation since the very beginning. It has been well maintained and supervised.”
Sydney was at a lost. “You withheld information from me. I…I thought we were in this together.” She gestured between them.
“I’m sorry but I couldn’t tell you,”
“What do you mean you couldn’t tell me?” Her voice filled with confusion.
“I couldn’t tell you because I needed your muscle,”
“My muscle?” she interrupted. “These are my guys. They’re my responsibility.”
Mark shrugged in submission. “You’re right. They are your responsibility however if this news would have broken while we were away from home, then the situation would have been catastrophic and then where would they have did? I was looking out for everyone’s best interest. But I need your muscle.”
“You could have asked me for it, then I would have prepared Charles and Lee for the backlash.”
Elisa stirred and Mark rose from the bed. Sydney followed him to the small settee across the room.
“This is exactly why I couldn’t tell you. Do you see how you react? You have to be in control. You have to be in the middle of the action.”
“That’s where I should be especially when my guys are being thrown to the wolves.” She said in muted frustration.
“Your guys were never in any danger. My people were watching over them from a distance,” Mark smiled and cupped her face. “You would have launched a full blown attack.”
Yes!”
Mark shook his head. “That’s not good for business and it would have played right into the Doms fears. We would have appeared to be daring them to rise up. Your method was reactionary. Mine was proactive; kill the problem by flushing out anyone who posed a real threat and deal with them accordingly.”
Sydney slowly begin to see his point. “So you used my guys to “deal with them accordingly”. Do my guys know it was you?”
“No, but they reacted the way I’d hoped; in our absence, they organized themselves and have all but cleared our path. As far as outsiders are concerned, your men acted alone. My Doms had nothing to do with enforcing our prerogative. My hands are clean, we flushed out the flame fanners, and all of the power players were talked around and now we have their unwavering support.”
His actions made sense. She never would have seen it coming. He’d gotten one over on her. “ How did my team pull it off.”
“One Charles received word of the rumor, he contacted your assistants who in turn exiled Greta thinking she was the leak, as we expected. Once she was off their radar, she was free to concentrate on rumor control and supplying feedback to my guys in the field, thereby assuring all the correct Doms were of the list. Your girls called on Charles who in turn brought Lee to the table.”
“Wait, back up. What list?”
“Based on field information supplied by my team, Charles and your girl compiled a list of Doms that appeared to be stirring up trouble. Lee handled the less easy to convince Doms while Charles and your girls worked the diplomatic side….leaving my guys the ability concentrate on rumor control at the lower levels.”
“You’re so sneaky”. Sydney touched his hand resting on her cheek.
“Thank you,”
“My gang protected me,” Sydney realized. “They pulled it off for me.”
“Yes they did and a lot faster than I’d given them credit for,”
From the look in his eyes she knew there was more to this story. “What is it?”
This was the part of the conversation he wished not to have. He released her face and sat back on the settee, angling to face her. “I’m sorry to have to tell you but one of your assistances names made the list.”
Sydney hoof a breath as though she’d been hit in the stomach. “What? That can’t be right. My girls would never turn…”
Mark placed a hand on her leg. “Sydney, it’s true. If you need proof, I can have Greta send it to you.
“No,” Her voice dropped to barely a whisper. “If our intelligence is correct then I need no further proof. Are Charles and Lee aware of her involvement?”
“I can’t imagine so. Greta only just found out.”
“Which one betrayed me?”
Mark's stomach turned in knots. “Number 3,”
Sydney closed her eyes, pinched her lips. “Figures, I’ve been watching her for months. I’m glad she has disgraced herself. She’s finished. I have my other girls,” she laughed. “What do I need with four assistances anyway? I can’t fold my own clothes now.”
“What with you and folding clothes?”
“It’s like Christmas every time the dryer stops—I’ve never had to do it for myself.”
“So you’re not upset?” Mark asked.
Sydney smile and shook her head. “I was preparing to let her go.”
“You’re not upset with for keeping this plot from you?” He asked with caution.
“No. I pride myself on acting according to logic not emotion but had I been included, my emotions would have gotten the better of me. From both a business and personal aspect, your decision to exclude me was the right thing to do. I would have done no different. Thank you.”
“You’re my responsibility. It’s my duty to protect your interest.”
“I have never doubted you. The day I told you about my parents, you said if you don’t want me to leave then I should stop pushing you away. I knew then that you wouldn’t abandon me unless I sabotaged our relationship,” Her chin quivered slightly. “I won’t go down that lonely road anymore.”
Mark caught a sharp breath, his eyes skirted the room. “Do you feel that?”
Sydney sat perfectly still and followed his gaze around the room “Dad?”
Mark stood. No, it’s not him. I know how he feels; this isn’t him.”
How I am going to begin? Mark thought aloud. He was prepared for her angry however he wasn’t prepared for her hurt. She had absolute trust in her assistants. Unbeknown to her, they had become a part of her; an appendage that once severed would still be felt. For one of them to betray her would likely cause her to question everyone’s loyalty. Even his.
Sydney came into the bedroom twisting her hair into a bun.
“Leave it down,” Mark asked quietly.
“I thought you were asleep,” Sydney said, climbing into bed. She turned on one side, cocooning Elisa between them.
Gently he stroked along her jaw line, trying desperately to formulate his words yet found it increasingly more difficult to deliver the blow, for this he felt a sliver guilty.
“Are you okay?”
He nodded. There was no easy way to tell her.
Mark stroked her arm. “Have you ever heard of a controlled burn?”
“I’ma need you to start speaking English.”
“A controlled burn are fires that conducted during the cooler months to reduce vegetation buildup and decrease the likelihood of serious more destructive fires from occurring. These fires are overseen by fire control authorities to ensure everything goes as planned. They delineate the intended time and place the fires begin using firebreaks; cleared areas to contain the fires so they won’t get out of control.”
Sydney looked blankly at Mark, praying he’d continue because she didn’t have the foggiest idea what he was talking about.
He stared straight into her eyes and sighed. “It was me. I leaked the news of our relationship to the Doms.”
Sydney heart dropped. “What?” she muttered, clearing finding it difficult to take it all in.
“I leaked the news. I used my network of Doms and Dominas to trigger conversation to seemingly random Doms and I have been orchestrating the entire operation since the very beginning. It has been well maintained and supervised.”
Sydney was at a lost. “You withheld information from me. I…I thought we were in this together.” She gestured between them.
“I’m sorry but I couldn’t tell you,”
“What do you mean you couldn’t tell me?” Her voice filled with confusion.
“I couldn’t tell you because I needed your muscle,”
“My muscle?” she interrupted. “These are my guys. They’re my responsibility.”
Mark shrugged in submission. “You’re right. They are your responsibility however if this news would have broken while we were away from home, then the situation would have been catastrophic and then where would they have did? I was looking out for everyone’s best interest. But I need your muscle.”
“You could have asked me for it, then I would have prepared Charles and Lee for the backlash.”
Elisa stirred and Mark rose from the bed. Sydney followed him to the small settee across the room.
“This is exactly why I couldn’t tell you. Do you see how you react? You have to be in control. You have to be in the middle of the action.”
“That’s where I should be especially when my guys are being thrown to the wolves.” She said in muted frustration.
“Your guys were never in any danger. My people were watching over them from a distance,” Mark smiled and cupped her face. “You would have launched a full blown attack.”
Yes!”
Mark shook his head. “That’s not good for business and it would have played right into the Doms fears. We would have appeared to be daring them to rise up. Your method was reactionary. Mine was proactive; kill the problem by flushing out anyone who posed a real threat and deal with them accordingly.”
Sydney slowly begin to see his point. “So you used my guys to “deal with them accordingly”. Do my guys know it was you?”
“No, but they reacted the way I’d hoped; in our absence, they organized themselves and have all but cleared our path. As far as outsiders are concerned, your men acted alone. My Doms had nothing to do with enforcing our prerogative. My hands are clean, we flushed out the flame fanners, and all of the power players were talked around and now we have their unwavering support.”
His actions made sense. She never would have seen it coming. He’d gotten one over on her. “ How did my team pull it off.”
“One Charles received word of the rumor, he contacted your assistants who in turn exiled Greta thinking she was the leak, as we expected. Once she was off their radar, she was free to concentrate on rumor control and supplying feedback to my guys in the field, thereby assuring all the correct Doms were of the list. Your girls called on Charles who in turn brought Lee to the table.”
“Wait, back up. What list?”
“Based on field information supplied by my team, Charles and your girl compiled a list of Doms that appeared to be stirring up trouble. Lee handled the less easy to convince Doms while Charles and your girls worked the diplomatic side….leaving my guys the ability concentrate on rumor control at the lower levels.”
“You’re so sneaky”. Sydney touched his hand resting on her cheek.
“Thank you,”
“My gang protected me,” Sydney realized. “They pulled it off for me.”
“Yes they did and a lot faster than I’d given them credit for,”
From the look in his eyes she knew there was more to this story. “What is it?”
This was the part of the conversation he wished not to have. He released her face and sat back on the settee, angling to face her. “I’m sorry to have to tell you but one of your assistances names made the list.”
Sydney hoof a breath as though she’d been hit in the stomach. “What? That can’t be right. My girls would never turn…”
Mark placed a hand on her leg. “Sydney, it’s true. If you need proof, I can have Greta send it to you.
“No,” Her voice dropped to barely a whisper. “If our intelligence is correct then I need no further proof. Are Charles and Lee aware of her involvement?”
“I can’t imagine so. Greta only just found out.”
“Which one betrayed me?”
Mark's stomach turned in knots. “Number 3,”
Sydney closed her eyes, pinched her lips. “Figures, I’ve been watching her for months. I’m glad she has disgraced herself. She’s finished. I have my other girls,” she laughed. “What do I need with four assistances anyway? I can’t fold my own clothes now.”
“What with you and folding clothes?”
“It’s like Christmas every time the dryer stops—I’ve never had to do it for myself.”
“So you’re not upset?” Mark asked.
Sydney smile and shook her head. “I was preparing to let her go.”
“You’re not upset with for keeping this plot from you?” He asked with caution.
“No. I pride myself on acting according to logic not emotion but had I been included, my emotions would have gotten the better of me. From both a business and personal aspect, your decision to exclude me was the right thing to do. I would have done no different. Thank you.”
“You’re my responsibility. It’s my duty to protect your interest.”
“I have never doubted you. The day I told you about my parents, you said if you don’t want me to leave then I should stop pushing you away. I knew then that you wouldn’t abandon me unless I sabotaged our relationship,” Her chin quivered slightly. “I won’t go down that lonely road anymore.”
Mark caught a sharp breath, his eyes skirted the room. “Do you feel that?”
Sydney sat perfectly still and followed his gaze around the room “Dad?”
Mark stood. No, it’s not him. I know how he feels; this isn’t him.”