He kept smiling his wicked smile as he answered, Both, baby. No whips, no paddles, no crops. You want me to branch out, well go shopping.

I blinked.

Shopping?

Shopping.

Oh my.

Knight kept explaining. Strap, the edges are smooth. Youll feel the sting, Anya, but no marks. And just to ease that curiosity, you f**k up a little, you get my hand. More, you get the strap. Huge, you get the cane.

I tried not to squirm on my stool and failed but congratulated myself anyway because it was just a little squirm.

Knight, however, didnt miss it and I knew this when his arm came out, his hand hooked around the back of my neck and he pulled me to him twisting me and leaning in until our faces were close.

You know, but Ill tell you anyway, Im f**kin thrilled you liked takin that so much, babe. But that shit doesnt happen unless you earn it. You wanna experiment, after pancakes, Ill get inspired. But I tan your ass when you jack up and only then. You like it, you earn it. And Ill tell you this too even though I already told you, you want that game, Ill be f**kin thrilled to play it with you. But thats how it is. We got our safe word, were good to play the game whenever you want. And if you dont get this, Im controlling, thats what this is about. But baby, you enter that game, thats your way to control me. You with me?

Controlling Knight.

I liked that.

I nodded.

Dont be nervous or shy about this shit, Anya. Ill take you as far as you wanna go as long as Im comfortable with it. You do not sit on anything youre uncomfortable with either. I go too far, you say the safe word. You do not hesitate and Ill stand down immediately. No repercussions, baby, and I wont be disappointed. I promise. We have only what we got right now, Im way good. And it goes the other way, you like something and want more, you also tell me. And Ill give it to you. Yeah?

I nodded.

His eyes held mine.

Then he asked gently, Now, while Im eatin pancakes, am I looking for inspiration?

I nodded again.

He grinned again, slow, lazy and wicked.

My legs started trembling.

Eat, he whispered then he let me go.

I pulled in a steadying breath and turned my attention to my pancakes.

I got two bites in before my purse sitting close to Knights place setting rang. He reached out, dragged it across the countertop to him, dug in and pulled out the phone.

He looked at the display, looked at me and offered it to me, muttering, Sandrine.

I took it from him, swallowed, took the call and put the phone to my ear.

Hey, honey.

Anya?

At her trembling, terrified voice, my back shot straight before I froze.

Sandrine, where are you? Whats the matter? I asked and I felt Knight come alert beside me.

Oh God Anya, she whispered, the words broken then she burst into tears.

My eyes shot to Knight who was studying me, face blank, eyes watchful and working but I spoke into the phone.

Sandrine, honey, talk to me. Whats going on? Where ?

Then my phone wasnt at my ear. It was in Knights hand at his.

Sandrine. This is Knight. Pull it together. Two minutes. Are you in trouble? Pause while I stared at him, eyes glued to his impassive face. Right. You know where you are? Another pause while I started shivering. Knight looked to me, lifted his other hand, snapped his fingers once then pointed to his phone. He still there? Knight asked as I jumped off the stool and rushed toward his phone.

Oh God.

Oh God.

This needs to be straight, Sandrine, so give it to me straight. He force you to do it or did you just do it?

Oh God!

Oh God!

I grabbed Knights phone and raced back to him.

Good, Sandrine. Straight is good. Hang tight. You remember the guy who gave you the ride last weekend? I held his phone out to him, he took it and I stood close, listening hard. Good. Either him or me will be there soon. Were both coming. Well deal with the guy and well get you out of there. Hang tight. Dont do anything stupid. Avoid this guy while youre waiting if you can. Are you with me? Another pause then, Good. You gonna hang tight? He waited. I waited. Then, Good, Sandrine. Someones coming. Im letting you go now. Okay? Pause then, Be there soon.

He beeped my phone off and handed it to me but immediately started beeping buttons on his.

I know youre freaked, babe, but I gotta get Kurt in play, he muttered.

Okay, I whispered.

I could even hear the fear in my voice so I knew why his eyes sliced to me. I also knew why his hand lifted and curled, firm, warm and tight around the side of my neck as he lifted his phone to his ear.

Kurt? Yeah, Knight. Got a situation. Need you in play. He gave an address and a succinct rundown of the situation that gave me nothing then, Ill either be there when you get there or Ill meet you there. Dont wait to go in. Shes expecting one or both of us. Youre there first, get her out and get her here. Whoevers out last deals with the guy. Guess? Piss-ant but be smart. Yeah? He was silent then, Later.

He hit a button and looked at me.

I pulled in breath.

Knight gave it to me.

Its not as bad as you think but its f**ked. She went out last night, got shitfaced, hooked up. From his address, dudes got money. She went home with him. He offered her something that was mood-enhancing, she was not enthusiastic but she was determined so she took it. He gave her too much. Trip was bad. She doesnt remember much. Shes still f**ked up, probably high, definitely drunk. But shes not enough of both not to realize shes freaked. He isnt letting her leave. Dont know why, could just be shes tripping bad and drunk and hes concerned so hes not letting her go, could be hes an ass**le. But Ill find out and deal with it. One or both of you and Vivica got access to her place?

Both, I whispered.

Activate Vivica. Clothes, underwear, whatever the f**k bitches need. Get her ass there to get it and here for when I get Sandrine back. I dont know what she took so I dont know what we got on our hands. It could still get bumpy. You got that?