Make Me, Sir

waiting on people.” She moved away, gracefully and amazingly fast. Gabi would have had to chase after her like a hound on the hunt.

Gabi watched as Celine, the perfect submissive, handed Marcus his drink and knelt at his feet.

That’s my place.

Marcus said something, and Celine laid her face against his knee.

When Gabi let out the breath she’d held, it felt as if her ribs had collapsed into jagged bones. That completely answered any questions she’d had about…anything. He had someone already, and even if he didn’t, Gabi sure wasn’t the type of sub or woman he wanted. He’d made it clear right from the beginning he wouldn’t tolerate brats. Why had she thought he’d changed his mind?

She glanced at her drink. Bubbles rose in the dark liquid to burst and disappear. Time is up, Cinderella sub. The fairy tale had ended, and she needed to go home. What a shame she’d screwed up the story and her future held no Prince Charming. Heart aching, she headed for the exit.

Before she reached the door, she heard, “Gabrielle.” Not Marcus, with the extra lilt he gave to the end of her name, but Z’s deep voice. She turned.

His brows pulled together. “Were you leaving without saying good-bye?”

She swallowed past the lump in her throat. “It seemed easier.”

“Easier isn’t always best,” he said softly.

“No. But it is this time.” Her gaze slid back to Marcus. His blonde submissive had wrapped her arms around his legs. One clinging vine, made-to-order. “Please tell everyone I appreciated their help.”

And saying that reminded her of what was really important. Why was she giving in to these stupid, petty emotions when Kim might be fighting for her life? “I wish we’d caught the guy.”

His gray eyes turned the color of gunmetal. “We won’t stop trying to find them, Gabrielle.”

“I know.” She managed a half smile. “Well. Thanks.”

He silently opened his arms.

She went into his embrace without a second thought, and he held her firmly as she fought tears. Once she had herself under control, she pulled back, and he let her go. Lifting her chin with a finger, he stroked away a tear. “Be safe, little one.”

She fled.

* * *

Well, that answered that, Jessica thought, as Z strode across the room after the damn trainee.

And then Gabrielle walked into his arms like…like she’d already spent a lot of time there. Every hope inside Jessica shriveled up and died. Only Jessica hugged him like that.

He hadn’t wanted me here tonight. She might not be a psychologist and mind reader, but she could tell when he was displeased. Z had let her come only because of Nolan’s plans, but she sure as hell didn’t feel wanted.

Now she knew why-she’d been replaced. The certainty slid into her so insidiously she didn’t notice until pain swamped her senses. Until she couldn’t breathe. Around her the Masters talked, comparing notes on their most disastrous scenes. No one paid attention when she slid back and rose. She needed to get out of here before Z returned-if he did.

Jessica detoured to one side of the room and headed for the exit.

Near the front, she glanced around. Z was on the other side of the bar, his back to her. Even though nothing ever erased his military-straight posture, she saw weariness in his stride. She hesitated. Could she be wrong?

Doubtful.

As she passed the office door, she slowed. Z stored the membership records on the computer, and since she did the accounting, she could pull up any information she wanted. Like a trainee’s address.

Maybe she’d go and chat awhile with the sub. Z might not be willing to talk, but she’d bet Gabrielle would have no such compunctions. Jessica’s fingers were numb as she punched in the code and entered the office. She’d find out how long Z had been seeing her, and maybe then she’d know what to do.

* * *

In her apartment parking lot, Gabi slid out of her car, inhaling the clean, crisp air. The storm had passed, and now palm fronds and debris skittered across the concrete in the light breeze. She shivered as the cool air hit her bare shoulders and legs. Not exactly dressed for the weather, was she? She gave a bitter laugh.

She hadn’t stopped to change or even put on her shoes, just emptied everything from her locker and left. Lingering meant Marcus might notice her absence. Then again, he’d seemed pretty occupied when his real sub had brought his drink. She gave a cynical laugh; he probably wouldn’t think of her until closing time.

She stopped and closed her eyes. No, that wasn’t fair. She’d known few men as responsible as Marcus. He’d eventually have searched for her…and then rounded up a kindly dom for her to play with like he had last night. So she’d saved him all sorts of work by leaving early.

As she bent over to reach for her purse and clothing on the passenger seat, she heard, “Nice ass.”

Dickhead. Could the evening get any better? She turned, trapped between the open car door and his body, regretting her lack of clothing. Clenching her hand around her car keys, she said, “You’re blowing your cover.”

“Case is over. Thompson caught the kidnapper.”

Hope spiraled up inside Gabi, wiping out every other emotion. Kim. They can save Kim. “Where? When? Did he go after one of the decoys? How did you find out?” Why didn’t someone call me?

Rhodes’s expression turned sour. “Thompson made the bust at the St. Pete club. He was waiting outside for the decoy and heard noises from the alley and went to check it out. The unsub had attacked a woman who’d come out the back door.” Rhodes shook his head. “Why she was stupid enough to leave the club through the alley…”

“But he’s caught? Did anyone get hurt?”

“The woman got knocked out when Thompson charged into them, but the paramedics are there.”

“Wow. I guess my part is over then.” She felt off-balance, as if she was still running even after the race ended.

“Dammit. I wanted the collar.” His gaze turned to her. “You should have tried harder.”

“I did my best.” Gabi sighed, understanding his sour grapes. After all the work, that was it. Time to go back and try to pick up her life again. A sadder life now she’d seen its emptiness. No deep laughter, no hot sex, no warm snuggles. She rubbed her arms as if that would stave off the cold.

The movement drew Rhodes’s attention to her lack of clothing, her bare shoulders and legs, the cleavage made by the corset. His expression changed. “You might have done better if you hadn’t gotten such a kick out of everything.” His gaze slid over her body like a spray of filth. “But since we’re both here together, why don’t we keep enjoying ourselves.” He jerked his chin toward her apartment. “I can show you as good a time as that asshole trainer did.”

“In your dreams.” Substitute him for Marcus? Oh God, I want my Marcus. Her throat tightened until she was afraid she’d burst into tears, so she snapped at him instead. “You are such a sleazeball, Rhodes-walking, talking proof of why siblings shouldn’t marry.”

It took him a second, and then anger distorted his face into something ugly.

That was stupid, Gabi. Exhausted, she leaned against the car. Just leave, dammit. “Go home, Rhodes. I don’t want to have to report you.” She fully planned to note his behavior in her account anyway, although it probably wouldn’t do any good.

His color darkened. “You report away. You know, Renard, if I document how much you enjoyed your assignment, you won’t have a job to go back to.”

Sickness spread through her; she’d known this might happen. But to have her entire life and hopes destroyed in one evening… “You’re a real bastard, aren’t you?” she said slowly.

“Oh, I’m sure we can work something out.” Leaning on the side of the car, he put his hand on her. On her