Original subtitles

Spur was the most exclusive Western lingerie house in America.

Every cowgirl I knew wanted its black lace sets, leather-trimmed corsets, or

limited-edition rodeo collection.

I wanted something different. I wanted to design for Black Spur and earn enough

to pay Sadie's $300 surgery bill.

The receptionist sent me across Crossrate to the second-floor design

wing.

Halfway across the ranch, a young mare slipped free from a ranch hand and cut

across my path.

I caught the reins, swung into the saddle, and brought her back under

control before she reached the fence.

You ride?

Since I was six. I handed him the reins and kept moving. I had an interview to

make. I took the wrong turn behind the fitting atelier and opened a dark red

private room tilled with a velvet bed, leather restraints, whips, and products

I definitely had not expected to see at a lingerie interview.

Then Blair Cross walked in. She was the billionaire ranch owner behind every

Black Spire campaign, a former rodeo champion, and the brilliant CEO I had

admired for years.

I nearly fell trying to leave, and she caught me around the waist.

So, you're the new girl?

I didn't expect you to interview me personally.

Name, age, height.

Blair asked my name, age, and height, then measured my waist to us like this

was completely normal.

Arms up. Before I could question it, she pointed to a red leather chair. Take off

your clothes.

What? Is this some special to the Western lingerie designer interview?

When I refused, she cuffed my wrists to the back of the chair, then held up a

pink leather whip.

This is our newest design.

You're the first to experience it.

Wait.

Stop. I didn't agree to any of this.

Miss Cross, the new product tester is here.

If that's the product tester...

Who are you?

I finally understood exactly what what Blair had mistaken me for.

Sorry.

Pervert! If you think I'll let you do whatever you want just to get a job,

you're wrong. Blair wrote me a $10,000 check as compensation, then added

another offer.

There's something special about you.

Become my sub.

I'll pay you $300,000. I tore the check in half and threw the pieces at her. I

want nothing to do with your perverted games. I never want to see you again.

I had barely reached the hallway when the hospital called.

Miss Reed, your sister is getting worse. If you can't pay the $300,000 by next

Monday, there's very little more we can do.

$300,000.

Exactly what Blair had offered.

I went back.

Blair had found the portfolio I dropped and was already studying my sketches of

lace bras, corsets, bodysuits, and western-inspired lingerie with

embroidered seams and leather trim.

I came back because I want to design for Black Spur and pay Sadie's surgery bill.

Then let's talk about your work. She took me through Black Spur's sample

gallery, lace lingerie, structured corsetry, leather-trimmed bodysuits,

silk robes, cowboy beets used in panes, and the after-dark line. Black Spur

doesn't just sell lingerie. We sell desire, passion, and the fantasy of the

West. Your designs don't deliver any of it.

I tried to take my portfolio back. She pulled me against her instead.

Blair reopened my portfolio.

You have talent.

Start as my design assistant. Fix our failed frontier lace sample by tomorrow.

I will.

I see potential.

Sign an agreement.

Become my sub. And I'll teach you everything about desire. Show me the

agreement.

Back in Blair's office, the contract lay beside the frontier lace sample she'd

just assigned me. The design job was mine to earn through my work. The $300

,000 was for the private agreement. You can't design great western lingerie

until you understand wanting and being wanted. If I sign, you'll really pay me

$300,000? A month.

That was enough to cover Sadie's surgery.

I opened the contract.

The title read Dominant Slaves Admit Me Agreement.

The rules covered absolute obedience, punishment by whip, sexual rewards,

restraints, even riding together, more than I wanted to imagine.

Rules come first.

If we both agree, we both follow them.

I signed because the money could save Sadie.

Keeping the design job would depend on whether I could deliver.

Blair tapped the sample catch.

Bring me your revision tomorrow.

I will.

Then she handed me a small black box.

Wear this tomorrow.

Inside was a pink remote-controlled toy.

The next morning, I showed up without it. I still had the revised sketch under

my arm.

Why angle the waist seam? It moves with the body instead of cutting across it.

Are you wearing your homework?

No. It's too much for me.

Bad girl.

You disobeyed me.

On your knees.

She made it clear I could leave and end the deal if I wanted.

I thought of Sadie and stayed.

I want to continue.

I'm just not used to this. Blair struck my open palm once with the whip, then

asked for the toy again. Put it in. Here?

Would you prefer outside? A few minutes later, I followed her into the glass

elevator inside Black Spurnt's main ranch lodge with the toy in place, and

watched her unlock the control app on her phone.

The elevator doors closed, and Blair Cross tapped power on her phone.

My knees snapped together.

What are you doing?

helping you explore your desires, your preferences, and your limits.

If you can't handle it, you can beg. I refused to give her the satisfaction.

This is nothing.

I could do better myself.

Blair smiled and moved the setting higher just as the elevator opened and a

crowd of Black Spick designers, ranch managers, and event staff stepped

inside. Good morning, Miss Cross.

Morning.

She looked perfectly professional while I stood behind everyone, fighting not to

make a sound.

Then she pushed the control to level three.

I grabbed the wall. Blair leaned close enough that only I could hear her. If

you've had enough, ask me to stop. Turn it off, you pervert.

Wrong title. I hated how much she enjoyed this.

Please, help me, Master.

Blair finally switched it off after the other passengers left. I lend against

the elevator wall, furious, embarrassed, and breathless.

I hate you.

I know.

Then she grabbed my waist and kissed me. I should have pushed her away.

Instead, I kissed her back just as hard. Her hand pulled me closer until I forgot

the ranch offices and lingerie studios waiting on the other side of those

doors. The elevator chimed.

We were still kissing when the doors opened.

A redhead woman stood outside with another employee, staring directly at

us.

Well, who knew the ice-cold ranch queen kissed like that?

Blair introduced the redhead as Ciela, Black Spur's head of western lingerie

design and the woman who ran its major ranch events.

She introduced me as her ran its new assistants.

I offered Sienna my hand.

Hi, I'm Avery.

Sienna looked at my hand and did not take it.

If you last more than two weeks, I'll bother remembering your name.

Blair led me into the sample room, where every wall was lined with Black Spur

lingerie, black lace, western cut sets, silk robes, leather-trimmed body suits,

and campaign boots.

The moment Blair stepped away, Sienna found me again.

So you're Bland's new toy?

I'm her assistant.

Right. The kind of assistant who makes out with her boss in the elevator.

She picked up a peacock feather and ran it lightly across my chest.

Girls like you never last. You don't even know what Blair really wants. You

might be the only thing in this room with no sex appeal.

I snapped the feather in half.

Funny. Blair still asked me to sign with her. Maybe you don't know her as well as

you think.

Sienna stepped so close our noses almost touched.

I was Blair's sub longer than anyone.

So everything she's doing with me, she already did with you? Blair doesn't do

girlfriends. People line up to get into her bed, and she's picky about

everything. I was the best match she ever had.

You were so perfect for her, and that's why you're her ex?

Watch yourself, bitch!

I'm here to work. If we're done, I need to change.

I turned back to the lingerie rack and pulled out the boldest black lace and

leather trim set I could find.

No sex appels?

Fine. Then watch me.

A few days later, I saw a sealed invitation on Blurk's desk.

Is that the Frontier Lace Gala?

The biggest Western lingerie competition in the country?

You know it? Of course I did.

Only a handful of Western lingerie houses were invited every year.

Blackspear always had a place.

Can I see it?

Blair slid the invitation inside the edge of the black lace corset beneath

her western blazer. Use your lips.

I stared at her.

I leaned down, caught the card between my teeth, and pulled it free without

looking away from her.

Nicely done.

Can I compete?

Each company gets one designer.

You're not ready.

Then you pick Sienna.

Jealous? I swallowed the disappointment.

She was right. One good sample did not make me ready for the biggest

competition in the country.

Then tell me what I still need to learn.

Then prove you understand desire.

I let my hair down, opened a few buttons on my white western shirt, and showed

her the black lace set I had chosen from the sample room.

Can you see it, Miss Cross?

The view isn't very good from here.

So I stepped closer, let my denim skirt fall, and moved around her desk in my

black cowboy boots until I could hook a finger beneath her chin.

Better?

Blair watched me without blinking.

Sexy isn't about showing skin. The lingerie is perfect. You're wearing it

wrong. She moved behind me and fixed the garner strap herself.

I smiled because I had left it undone on purpose.

Maybe I knew exactly how to wear it. Blair caught my wrist before I could

step away. Careful, Miss Reed. If you're going to play with fire, be ready to

burn.

Blair knew I had left the garter undone for her.

Instead of being annoyed, she pulled me against her.

What do you want to do to me?

Blair picked up a short black leather riding whip and led us against her palm.

You teased me on purpose, then challenged my lesson. That earns a

punishment. If anything is too much, say lace. I stop immediately.

No argument.

No punishment for using it.

She guided me toward the edge of her desk, but waited until I put my hands

down myself.

Last chance, cowgirl.

Do it, master.

The first crack landed across the back of my thigh. The sting made me suck in a

breath. But what unsettled me more was how close she stayed, watching my face

instead of the mark.

Her mouth brushed my ear and her free hand settled at my waist.

Careful. Keep provoking me and you might get exactly what you're asking for.

Blair hooked the riding blip beneath my chin and tilted my face up. The whip

slid slowly down my neck before hooking around my waist and pulling me against

her. Her mouth crashed into mine. I grabbed her collar and kissed her back.

Blair pressed me against the desk. The whip trapped between our bodies as her

lips moved to my neck.

Beside the desk, my phone suddenly rang.

Hospital emergency department flashed across the screen. Sorry, I have to

leave the meeting.

The doctor told me they could no longer perform Sadie's surgery.

I ran to the hospital with Blair behind me. I paid the full $300,000.

What do you mean they can't do it?

Dr. Bennett was in an accident this morning. His right hand was crushed.

Your sister's surgery has to be canceled.

I grabbed his coat.

You can't just let her die!

He explained there were only two surgeons qualified for Sadie's

procedure. Dr. Bennett was injured.

Dr. Lawson was in Canada treating a billionaire's wife and would not be

available for at least a month.

Sadie doesn't have a month. She's 16. She's all I have.

After my parents died during my senior year, I promised my mother I would take

care of her.

I had paid the money, I had signed Blair's contract, I had done everything

I could think of, and none of it was enough.

Blair quietly stepped away and made a call.

Cole, I'm afraid I need to use that favor.

Later, while I stood outside Sadie's room, Blair rested a hand on my

shoulder. Sometimes miracles really do happen.

A doctor suddenly ran down the corridor.

Miss Reed, Dr. Lawson just landed on the roof in the Cross Ranch helicopter.

She's preparing for surgery now.

How? She said a billionaire ranch owner called in a personal favor. The name was

Cross, I think.

I slowly turned to Blair.

That was you, wasn't it?

I told you.

Miracles happen.

I threw my arms around Blair before I could stop myself.

Thank you.

You saved my sister. How can I ever repay you?

I did it so you could give me your full attention.

Your time belongs to me now.

I should have rolled my eyes.

Instead, my heart started pounding.

That night, I went back to the private training room Blair had built out of an

old tack room beneath the Cross Ranch house. You have my full attention.

Train me.

Are you ready?

Yes, Master.

She blindfolded me and guided me inside with one hand at my waist.

I could smell clean saddle leather and the red wine she had opened.

Can I take this off?

No. Follow my instructions.

She touched an ice cube to my arm, then slowly moved it over my collarbone. She

poured a little red wine over the skin below it, traced the cold cube through

the wine, then bent down and lipped the wine away.

When you lose one sense...

The others become sharper.

I could feel the cold, the warmth of her fingers, and then the taste of wine on

her mouth when she kissed me.

I want to see you.

Be patient.

You'll get your reward.

When she kissed me again, I forgot the rule. I reached up and wrapped my arms

around her neck. Blair immediately caught my wrists and pushed my hands

away. Stop.

What did I do?

You don't touch me unless I allow it.

But I want to touch you.

I want you to touch me. This isn't about what you want.

You obey instructions.

Angry? I ripped off the blindfold.

I'm not your slave.

Blair did not argue when I said I was not her slave.

No. You're my sub, and you keep breaking the rules. Bad girls get punished. She

ordered me to bend over the black table.

I obeyed, because punishment was part of the rules we'd already tested in her

office. But this time, the first stroke landed much harder than her careful

warning had.

That really hurts! Stop!

Lace!

Blair stopped immediately, dropped the whip, and came closer to check me. My

mistake. I forgot you're new to this.

Let me see. I was furious.

Don't act like a caring master now.

I've followed the rules, but you haven't.

Do you actually get turned on by watching me hurt?

No.

I'm a dominant, and right now you're being very disobedient. I touched the

front of her leather outfit, trying to change the energy between us.

Maybe I can make you happy another way.

She caught my wrist.

I don't do romance.

Don't expect it from me. So this is just a game to you?

You're confusing the game with feelings.

Love is not part of the contract.

I asked what she wanted anyway.

I want to tear your clothes off, tie you up, and fuck you hard until you cry.

You know I mean it.

If you're not ready, don't provoke me. Then she ordered me to leave. Fine.

You've made yourself clear. I turned toward the door, and the room tilted.

The last thing I felt was Biller Cross catching me before I hit the floor.

I woke in her bed.

You passed out.

The doctor said it was emotional overload.

She set a shopping bag beside me.

Inside was a sapphire blue western cut evening dress, a pearl boro necklace,

and black heeled cowboy boots.

Get dressed.

We're going to Maradi Ranch.

We have work to do tonight.

That night, I wore the sapphire western-cut dress Blair had given me and

drove with her to Nico Morody's private hill country ranch.

Sienna was waiting on the main lodge terrace and immediately questioned why

Blair had brought me.

Inside a converted arena barn was the Midnight Rodeo, a members-only club

filled with real dops and subs, leather tack, ropes, collars, black lace, and

people who clearly understood this world better than I did.

I thought we were here for business.

We are.

Then Nico Moretti arrived.

His company controlled much of the premium lace, silk, performance mesh,

leather trim, and specialty hardware Black Spur depended on.

Nico took my hand and held it too long.

And what do we call this gorgeous creature?

Avery Reed. Nice to meet you, Mr. Moretti.

Is she your sub tonight, Blair?

Actually, Miss Reed is my assistant.

He kissed my hand and looked me over openly.

How about this?

We swap dates.

Let her stay with me tonight, and I'll renew the contract right away.

My stomach dropped.

Mr. Moretti, you sure love joking.

I'm not joking.

She is not part of your BDST arrangement, and I don't let my

employees trade sex for business.

After he left, I asked why she still worked with him.

Blair leaned in close to me. His family controls too much of the premium lace

and specialty trim market.

Until I build another supply line, I'm stuck with him. Stay away from him.

Are you actually worried about me?

I'm a Don.

I'm not a monster.

We almost kissed, but Sienna rushed over before our lips met.

Blair, we have a problem.

The head performer had injured her ankle during rehearsal.

Without the show, Nico might refuse to renew Black Spring's supply contract.

We're miles from town. No replacement can get here in time.

What happens if the deal fails?

Our supply chain collapses.

Production stops.

Five years of work could fall apart.

Sienna looked straight at me.

Actually, there is one candidate.

Me? Absolutely not.

I knew almost nothing about performing as a dominant in front of a room full of

people. The basics were simple and Blair could teach you. Blair Cross's face

hardened. I didn't bring her here for this.

Cancel the show.

You're willing to destroy Black Spurk for her?

I've made my decision.

Wait. If I agree, can you guarantee my safety? You don't have to get involved.

I'm part of Black Spur, too.

I plan to be your head lingerie designer someday.

Keep this ranch alive, boss.

Blair studied me for a long moment.

I'll keep you safe.

I promise.

In the dressing room, I changed into a tight black leather cowgirl outfit over

Black Spur lace, pulled on high-heeled western boots, fastened a red lace

chaker, and picked up a short riding whip. How do I look?

Better than I imagined.

I can't take my eyes off you.

I smiled at our reflection.

So?

You want to be disciplined by me?

Just before I headed for the stage, Sienna appeared with a black boot box

and pushed it into my hands.

Your stage boots.

Try not to embarrass Black Spur.

Sienna opened the show like nothing was wrong.

Ladies and gentlemen, Dobbs, Subs, Cowboys, and Queens, the Midnight Rodeo

is about to begin. Enjoy.

I stepped into the spotlight wearing the black leather cowgirl outfit over black

spur lace, surrounded by three male dancers in leather chaps who dropped

into submissive poses around me. For the first time since meeting Blair, I was

the one holding the whip. I moved across the stage, sat in a tooled leather

throne like a queen, and let one dancer kiss the toe of my black western boot.

The audience cheered.

Nico could not take his eyes off me.

God, I've got to have her.

Blair was staring at me like she had forgotten everyone else existed.

I stood.

placed one boot against a dancer's chest, and raised the whip.

Then the heel of my right western boot snapped.

I lost my balance and fell backward.

Blair reached the stage before I hit the floor and caught me around the waist.

The crowd erupted as we stared at each other under the spotlight.

My ankle was already swelling, so Blair carried me backstage.

Fucking bitch.

In the dressing room, Blair knelt to remove my damaged boot and pressed an

ice pack against the bruise. You kneeling here looks just like the show.

I'm your loyal ranch hand, my queen.

Her hand moved slowly up my leg.

You were absolutely incredible up there.

I kissed her before she could pull away.

She kissed me back and climbed onto my lap.

Then the door opened.

Sienna stood there, staring at us. Blair, Nico wants to see you.

Wait here, I'll be right back.

As Blair left, Sienna looked at me and smiled.

Don't worry, I'll take care of her.

The second Blair disappeared down the hall, I saw Sienna's expression change.

I underestimated you.

What are you doing?

She came behind me with a cloth.

I fought her, but the room blurred and went black.

When I woke, my wrists and ankles were strapped to a black restraint frame in a

private tax cellar beneath the guest lodge.

Nico walked in holding a red bullwhip fitted with sharp metal features.

Why am I here? Let me go!

Don't you see?

Blair sent you as a gift for the renewal.

I refuse to believe him.

No, Blair wouldn't do that.

Don't forget, she's a businesswoman.

With the right price, everything is for sale, including you. I told him I had

already completed the show.

He smiled like that had never been the point.

That was the appetizer. You're the feast.

I watched him raise the whip.

Your pain turns me on.

The double doors crashed open. I looked toward the doorway.

Blair stood there in a black western jacket and boots, both hands around a

handgun aimed directly at Nico.

Drop it.

Blair made Nico drop the whip, then saw the marks on my arms.

You fucking monster.

Nico tried to attack Blair. She threw him to the floor, hit him, then picked

up the same whip he had used on me.

You used this on her?

Stop, or you can forget the contract.

Fuck the contract.

She struck him again, then came straight to me and released the restraints.

Hey, are you okay?

I'm sorry I'm late.

I knew you'd come for me. My legs would not hold me, so she carried me out of

the tax cellar and across the guest lodge.

Later, I sat in a warm bath in one of Moretti Ranch's guest suites, staring at

the marks on my skin.

I'm going to get something for your wounds. Please don't go. Stay with me.

She hesitated.

What happened was disgusting.

Help me wash it off.

Blair finally joined me.

She cleaned the injuries carefully, nothing like the woman who had once

enjoyed making me nervous with a whip.

I took her hand and kissed it.

What are you doing?

That bastard made me realize something.

I want you, Blair.

I always wanted you. I kissed her.

For a second, she did not respond.

You don't want me at all?

I started to pull away. Then she grabbed me and kissed me back.

You have no idea how much I want you.

Are you sure?

Yes. I want you to tie me up. I want you to take me.

Later in the bedroom, I knelt on the bed and held out my wrists.

Blair wrapped black rope around them.

Then looked at me one last time. Ready?

Take me, Blair.

Breaking news. Morelli Textiles and Leather has terminated its exclusive

partnership with Black Spur and will sign with rival brand Silverbell

Intudis. Nearly 95% of Black Spur's premium lace, silk, performance mesh,

and specialty trims currently come from Morelli. My smile disappeared.

Blair needs me.

I dressed and drove back to Cross Ranch.

From outside Blair's design office, I heard Sienna arguing with her.

Production comes to a halt in a week. No lace, no silk, no specialty trims, no

deliveries. Black Spur's name is trashed and the payouts will be insane.

Then we find new suppliers.

Impossible!

We've tried before.

No supplier comes close to Morelli's consistency.

Then Sienna said my name. I talked to Nico.

If you hand Avery over and apologize, he'll reconsider.

I froze outside the door.

You and Nico seem pretty close.

You drugged Avery last night, didn't you?

You almost got her raped.

My hand flew over my mouth.

Sienna did not even deny it. Fine.

I did it. So what?

You were too soft, so I did it for you. For Black Spur. For us.

When this blows over, can we get back together?

I miss you, Master.

You're fired.

Doorway, I heard Sienna explode after Blair fired her. I've stood by you since

day one of Black Spur, and you're throwing me out for some bitch you

barely know? Watch your mouth. You're lucky I haven't sued you.

You're going to regret this.

I regret not firing you sooner.

Do you want me to call security?

A moment later, Sienna stormed out and nearly walked into me. She looked me up

and down with pure hatred before leaving.

I went inside.

I thought you'd be home by now.

That's the downside of sleeping with your colleagues.

We still run into each other outside the bedroom.

She almost smiled.

I took her hands.

I want to help.

I didn't want to worry you, but I could use some help.

For once, there was no command in her voice.

Where do we start? We went through design sketches, lace swatches, silk

samples, performance mesh, Texas leather trims, alternative maramils.

and custom hardware where Blackspar had quietly tested before Morelli cut us

off. Among the sketches was the first Frontier Lace sample Blair had trusted

me to revise.

Blair decided to move the annual Frontier Lace collection launch forward.

Next Monday, we switched the line to the new lace, mesh, linings, and western

trims. The launch was six months away. Do we have enough time?

I've been testing for months.

I kept it quiet, especially from Sienna. She pointed at several unfinished

designs. These aren't ready.

I looked at the piles of work.

Guess we're pulling an all-nighter, Miss Cross.

Looks that way.

Blair looked at the unfinished designs, then at me.

One week.

We relaunch Black Spur, or we lose it.

We worked through the night.

I sorted lace, silk, performance mesh, soft linings, and leather trim while

Blair corrected construction details.

We redrew cups, straps, closures, embroidered western-end seams, and

silver condo de-catches. What about this American lace with the Texas-turned

-leather trim? Better against the skin, but the design still needs something.

I suddenly remembered my first morning at Cross Ranch. The tooled saddle

leather, silver hardware, and the confidence that came with sitting tall

in the saddle. I know what's missing. It needs to feel like a cowgirl, not just

look like one.

We fell asleep against each other on the red sofa, woke up, drank coffee, and

started again.

By the second night, I was too tired to be intimidated by her standards anymore.

You told me my original designs were boring. Be useful and tell me exactly

what's missing.

We finally learned to talk back without panicking.

Maybe I had a good teacher.

I took one of the new white lace sets, with a narrow-tooled leather waist

detail and tiny silver canos into the changing area.

Blair, take a look. She raised her eyes from the sketchbook and stopped

speaking. I walked toward her, adjusting the ivory ribbon and the small silver

concho at my waist.

Better like this? More alluring?

What? You're staring.

She stood and came closer, studying the fit like a designer and looking at me

like something else entirely.

Turn around.

I did.

She adjusted one strap and then stepped back.

That may be it.

The final sample?

The lead piece.

Later that night, Blair clipped my face, kissed me, then lifted me into her arms

and carried me to bed without breaking the kiss. Before dawn, I woke and found

her sitting beside me with a sketchbook on her knees.

She had drawn the white lace and leather western set I had just modeled.

This could be our hero product.

One week later, Black Spur launched the frontier lace collection inside Cross

Ranch's renovated event barn. The room was packed with reporters.

American-made lace, softer performance mesh, and Texas-tin leather trim had

replaced Moretti's materials across the line. And everyone wanted to know

whether we had done it out of revenge.

Miss Cross, some people say the material changes retaliation against Moretti.

What do you say? Creating the perfect intimate experience has always been

Black Spur's goal.

We've been testing better lace, mesh, and western trim for months.

Moretti simply made us launch them sooner.

Another reporter pointed to the campaign image behind us. What inspired the lead

piece?

Blair smiled and looked at me.

Good design comes from good designers.

Everyone, meet Avery Reid.

She created our lead product.

For a second, I forgot to breathe.

Months earlier, she had called my portfolio boring.

Now cameras were turning towards me while she publicly attached my name to

the piece carrying Black Spur through its biggest crisis.

The new collection is about comfort without losing desire.

I wanted the lace to feel geminin, but the leather, silver hardware, and fit to

carry the confidence of a cowgirl.

The questions kept coming.

This time, I did not hide behind Blair.

Afterward, she found me near the side of the stage.

You handled yourself well.

Was that a compliment?

Don't get used to it.

Too late.

I looked across the crowded room and caught a flash of red hair behind one of

the columnums.

Sienna was watching us. The expression on her face had nothing left in it but

hatred.

Sienna met my eyes across the room.

Before she disappeared behind the columnum, she mouthed three words. This

isn't over.

The celebration continued with one more announcement.

Blair brought me back in front of the press.

Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to announce that Aubrey Reid will be

Blackspear's new head of western lingerie design.

The cameras exploded around us. I stood beside Blair, smiling into the flashes.

I had come to Cross Ranch with a portfolio, a dream, and no real industry

experience. Now I had the title I had wanted from the beginning, and Blair had

made me ermine. It wasn't payment for being Blair's sub. She had trusted me

with real work, and I had delivered.

Later, I walked toward my pickup in the Ranch parking area and called her.

I still can't believe you did that. What happened to not lowering your standards?

I didn't. You earned it. I smiled. So do I get a reward?

Wait for me at home.

And behave.

Yes, Master.

I reached for the pickup door.

Cold metal pressed against my temple.

My smile disappeared.

Sienna?

She stood beside me in a black shirt, red hair loose around her face, holding

the gun with both hands.