Bri had to work to hide her grin at the shocked look on Lukus's face at being given an order by his submissive. He was about to argue back, but then realized the mothers in the next room might not appreciate him scolding his wife for overstepping her bounds. He reluctantly put the bottle down as Markus jabbed back with a grin. "What was it you were saying there, Lukus?"
Lukus pinned Tiffany with his best dominant glare. "We'll talk about this more when we get home."
Tiffany's smile was radiant. "I'd expect nothing else."
Aiden and Josh had arrived in the middle of the scene. Aiden hugged his sister before turning to his future brother-in-law. "I think you were right. Tiffany isn't changing all that much after all. Still as sassy as ever, I see."
The cop's barb brought a smile to Lukus's face as he answered. "And I'd have it no other way."
Derek had been watching the scene play out while he poured his own whiskey. He grinned as he looked at the amber liquid, rubbing it in to his fellow Doms. "Looks like I'm the only one who still wears the pants in his family."
He was just about to down the drink when Rachel snuggled up to her husband, silently reaching out for the glass and stealing it away from him with a giggle. She didn't say a word. She didn't have to. Her mischievous grin made Derek laugh out loud.
Derek scanned the room, ensuring the mothers were still in the kitchen before addressing his wife. "I'd have thought that spanking you got this morning would have you on your best behavior, young lady. Maybe I should trade out that small butt plug you're wearing for a bigger size to remind you to behave." He brought his hand down on his wife's ass with a hard swat to help make his point.
Lukus had made his way to Tiffany, taking her in his arms. Brianna was so happy to see her best friend so in love. "That's my trick too, isn't it, Tiff? Do I need to go out to the glove compartment and get your plugs to make you behave?"
Aiden released an exaggerated sigh. "Ewww. I'm still here, you know. I'd rather not hear about my sister being plugged if you don't mind."
As their guests shared good-natured ribbing, Markus pulled Brianna down into his lap. She was careful not to jostle his injury as she hugged him. She was so grateful to have him home safe and sound.
Hannah and Dylan arrived a few minutes later. Brianna hadn't spent much time with the couple, but she could tell they'd grown closer since the last time she'd seen them. Bri made it a point to go to them, feeling the need to give a proper hug to the woman who had sacrificed so much to help them take down Jake Davenport.
The women clung to each other for a brief moment, each understanding the precarious connection they shared as intimate victims of a madman. Brianna finally leaned back to look into the younger woman’s shining eyes. “I’m so glad you’re here, Hannah, so I could thank you in person for all you sacrificed to help us take down Jake.”
“Thanks Brianna, but in the little bit of time I spent with him, I know you were the one he was most desperate to hurt. I’m just so glad we all made it out safely.”
“Me too. Come, join us as we celebrate Markus coming home from the hospital.”
Brianna ushered the newest couple in as she went back to retake her place in her husband’s lap. Once everyone was seated around the great room, Derek brought up the topic they'd all been skirting around.
"So, can we finally get things back to normal around here tomorrow? I'm pretty sure we have a shitload of work backlogged at Titan, and I talked to Ethan yesterday and there are several members of the Pit trying to get a petition going to demand a refund for their fees this month since the club's been closed so much."
Lukus looked serious. "They don't have to start a damn petition. I was already planning on giving all members a discount next month to make up for it. The problem is, even if we reopen, I still don't have anyone to do the damn shows, and I don't know how much longer we can go without hiring more office staff."
Bri watched his face light up before he turned to Dylan and Hannah who were sitting on the nearby couch, snuggling.
"So, Hannah. You're an accountant. You looking for a job?" Lukus asked.
Brianna didn't miss her conflicted grimace as she glanced at Dylan with uncertainty. "Well, I'm not really sure. I mean..."
It was Dylan who answered for her. "Thanks for the offer, Lukus, but she can't take the job. She's going back to California. That's where she belongs. It's her home, and her best friend Mia is going to still need her help."
Brianna wanted to deck Dylan. It was clear to every person in the room that Hannah was fighting back tears. It seemed like Dylan was trying to dump her, forcing her to move halfway across the country from him.
Hannah tried to push up and out of Dylan's lap, but he held her tight. When her tears spilled over and down her cheeks, he brushed them away gently, his smile not matching the seriousness of the moment.
Dylan didn't take his eyes off Hannah as he spoke. "And thanks for the job, Lukus, but I'm resigning. My place is in California, too. With Hannah and Connor."
Hannah's tears turned to sobs as she hugged Dylan hard, peppering his face with sweet kisses.
Brianna's mom yelled out from the kitchen. "Lunch is ready. Everyone come and get it!"
The room was animated with good-natured conversations as the couples started to move towards the kitchen. Brianna smiled as she looked at the people she cared so much about. Her heart
