Tag nodded. “Yeah. Until she does, it’s going to eat her up inside.”
“She doesn’t want to talk about it.” Every time he tried to gently broach the subject, she shut him down.
“She doesn’t feel safe talking about it. So make her feel safe. Give her what she needs to let it out.” Tag tapped the desk with the folders in his hands. “Sanctum is the sight of many a primal scream, my man. If you need to game plan, I’ll be in my office this afternoon.”
If he could get her to open up, they might have a chance. He sat back and played out the possibilities in his head.
Chapter Sixteen
The mood in the ladies’ locker room at Sanctum was jubilant. It was a stark contrast to the quiet that had fallen over her the minute they’d dropped off Roman in the building next door. She’d been told it was owned by Beck’s therapist, Kai Ferguson, who allowed a couple of conference rooms to be used as kids’ care when Sanctum was open. This evening Kai and his wife Kori had been there to greet them along with two women and a man who were working as caregivers that night. It had been explained to her that Doms and subs who couldn’t afford the cost of a Sanctum membership could still gain access by working one night a week.
Though it didn’t look like work. It looked like holding babies and playing games with kids.
Roman had immediately found Jeremy and the young Taggarts and had barely waved good-bye.
Then had come the nearly silent walk to the club where Beck had dropped her at the ladies’ locker room door and told her he would see her in twenty minutes. She’d walked in and been faced with some kind of party complete with champagne, bouncy music, and someone had brought cupcakes.
What the hell was she doing here? She wasn’t in a party mood.
Charlotte Taggart was sitting in what appeared to be the lounge portion of the large locker room. There were several comfy-looking sofas and a large ottoman covered in a gold tray that held the aforementioned champagne and cupcakes. Charlotte was wearing a silky robe, her hair up in a loose bun and a gorgeous diamond collar around her throat. She flashed a brilliant smile as Kim walked in. “Solo, it’s so good to see you. Welcome to Sanctum. Come in and meet the girls.”
“Thanks.” She kind of wanted to run. The “girls” were all gorgeous women, every one of them happily married for long periods of time. They were all friends who had barbecues and supported each other. They were a family.
She didn’t belong here.
Charlotte quickly introduced her to Avery O’Donnell, Serena Dean-Miles, Grace Taggart, and Erin Taggart. She already knew Eve, who sat to Charlotte’s left. There were other women moving around the locker room chatting, but these six women seemed to be their own club. “Thanks for having me. Do you know where my locker is? Beck told me there would be one for me.”
He’d also told her he’d arranged for her clothes for the evening. She was supposed to wear what he wanted her to wear, do what he wanted her to do, be who he wanted her to be.
Did she want to do that?
Charlotte stopped and Kim could practically see the wheels in her head turning. “Why don’t you sit for a minute and have a glass of champagne with us? Just one though. Club rules and everything. Ariel and River aren’t here yet. We can keep you company. Was Roman okay with the babysitting arrangements? Sorry you had to leave him in another building, but I promise it’s secure. We used to have on site care.”
Erin wrinkled her nose. She was a lovely redhead. “Then a couple of twins got way too nosey for anyone’s good.”
“Hey, TJ helped them get into the air vents,” Charlotte pointed out.
Serena set her glass down. “It was only a matter of time. When the kids got older they were bound to get curious.”
“The boys can be distracted with video games.” Avery O’Donnell wore an emerald green corset that peeked out of her robe. “But the girls are terrible. Daisy is the worst. She looks so sweet but she’s sneaky. The twins call her their secret weapon because Daisy turns on those doe eyes of hers and suddenly her dad lets her get away with anything. She’s going to be a menace, my girl.”
“Carys wants to start dating,” Grace announced. “She’s fifteen. I don’t think she should date until she can drive herself out of a bad date. Sean’s heart seizes every time she mentions it. I’m genuinely worried about him. And anyone Carys tries to date.”
“Start dating?” Serena said, her eyes wide. “Grace, you do know Tris has been paying for her movie tickets for years.”
“And Aidan pays for her snacks. All those times we dropped them off at the theater or the mall? They’re basically dates,” Avery affirmed.
Grace went a little pale. “Dear god, don’t tell Sean.”
“Sorry.” Charlotte turned her way and patted the seat beside her. “Our teens have a whole lot of drama. Tasha’s the only one who doesn’t seem to create tidal waves of angst. It actually worries me.”
Eve shifted to form a conversation group away from the main one. The others were talking about how hard it was to have teens. Eve glanced Charlotte’s way. “You know I think she’s well adjusted.”
“I’m worried she still thinks she’s going to be kicked out if she misbehaves,” Charlotte admitted. “I worry I praise her so much for being helpful that she’s decided it’s the only way to keep her place. But that’s trouble for another day. Solo, I need to tell you something and I don’t know how you’re going to react.”
She could guess what had happened and why they were drinking champagne. The thought made her lips curl up despite her
