“I’ll make any necessary changes to the sale documents before forwarding them to Vienna for her signature. Eden may be working for you, but you’d do well to remember, I’m representing the seller. I want to make it clear where my loyalty lies.” She’d drawn a line in the sand and emotionally distanced herself from Franklin. She could feel his frustration, but she wasn’t ready to reopen the link between them. When they first began seeing each other, Asia made her boundaries clear. She wouldn’t tolerate deception or being made to feel as though she was a lesser partner—Franklin had just done both.
Stuffing the paperwork into her leather briefcase before locking it closed, Asia turned to Franklin. Facing him with the expression that earned her the ice princess nickname, Asia gave him a tight smile she knew didn’t reach her eyes.
“If you’ll excuse me, I need to make a few phone calls. I’ll make certain Israel knows what I’m planning.”
“Cara.” Franklin’s use of the endearment grated on her last nerve. He’d practically growled the word in what felt ominously close to a warning, but she wasn’t taking the bait.
“It was nice to meet you, Celeste. I’d like to hear more about your association with my mother, but it seems as though it will need to be at a later date.” Picking up the briefcase her brother Austin affectionately referred to as a piece of luggage, Asia walked from the room with her head held high. The heavy wooden door opened as she approached. She wasn’t surprised to see her brother and Cam standing in the hall. Her brother would have sensed her frustration, no matter the distance separating them, but surprisingly, it was Cam who approached her.
“How long will it take you to pack, sweetness? Israel has already made you a reservation. If you hurry, we’ll have time for dinner before you need to check-in.” Asia nodded before taking the stairs two at a time. She knew better than to stop—one sympathetic look from her brother was all it would take to melt the ice she’d built around her heart. Rapidly approaching the meltdown point where anger released a torrent of tears, Asia pushed everything but the task at hand from her mind. The only thing that could ramp up her anger at this point would be crying.
Slipping into the master suite, Asia leaned back against the door, whispering, “The Adler ice princess doesn’t cry,” as a single tear slid down her cheek. Wiping it away, she pulled her bag from the closet, tossing in only the essentials. She would ask Israel to ship the rest to her. Latching the small carryon, Asia stepped into the hall, coming face to face with Cam.
“Let’s take the back stairs. Israel is keeping Franklin busy, but there’s no reason to push our luck. Drama is exhausting, and you’ve already been pushed too far today.” He spoke with the quiet command she’d come to expect from him. It was comforting to be back in familiar territory. She knew how to behave with Master Cam because he was always the same, his consistency one of the reasons he was widely respected by Doms and submissives in equal measure.
An hour later, she sat across from him, the glass of wine in her hand shaking with enough force, Cameron Barnes pried it gently from her fingers, setting it on the table in front of her. She knew the man wasn’t a magical in the usual sense, but he was gifted just the same. The way he could read body language was legendary in the kink world.
“Tell me what you’re thinking, Asia. You’re all over the place.” When she didn’t answer immediately, he shook his head. “If you were mine, your delay would have already earned you a paddling, but I think that might be what it takes to get you out of your head.” She must have looked as surprised as she felt because his easy laughter floated around her. “You are safe with me, sweetness—unless you pull something like this in my club, then you are fair game. Now, tell me what you were thinking.”
“I was thinking about how you are gifted in your own way. Your ability to read the body language of those around you is remarkable. Perhaps if I’d learned to read people as accurately as you, I wouldn’t be sitting here, feeling like the world’s biggest fool.” To his credit, Cam didn’t give her false assurances her self-assessment was off the mark, he simply studied her closely.
“Do you believe Franklin was leaving you out in an effort to exclude you? Has he ever given you any indication he considers you incompetent?”
“While trial law isn’t my preference, it isn’t out of my skill set, Cam.” She let the corners of her mouth turn up in mild amusement—did he really believe she would fall for such a sophomoric attempt to manipulate her?
“Noted. Now, answer my questions, please.”
“I think he is being ridiculously overprotective, and his lack of faith in my ability to make rational and informed decisions is telling.”
“What does it tell you, Asia? Be specific.” She knew what he was doing, forcing her to examine her own rationale. He was hoping she’d see the holes in her argument and give his friend another chance.
“You could at least use a fourth-quarter psychology lesson—you know, make me feel as though you were working for my sudden revelation.” His reaction was so sudden, the booming laughter startled her.
“You and my wife are cut from the same cloth. God in heaven, I love brilliant women, you are always a challenge.” When he’d finally stopped laughing, Cam shook his head. “You and I both know Franklin was out of line. He should have told you several of the world’s top wizards are meeting at the estate to pool their ideas and brainstorm solutions. To be honest, I’m glad you’re heading home. Your presence would be a huge distraction, something neither of my friends need.”
For long seconds Asia couldn’t breathe. How had she been so focused on her own anger she’d forgotten her brother was going to be involved in whatever Franklin had been planning? I have to go back and get my brother. I promised mom and dad I’d watch out for everyone.
No, Asia. Go home. I’m sorry he hurt you, but I’m fucking thrilled you’re going to be safe. Cordesi is going out of his mind. Let him sweat a little, then forgive him. Everybody fucks up, big sister.
Franklin shamelessly listened in on Israel’s telepathic conversation with Asia. He’d underestimated her, in so many ways. He’d assumed it would take her years to learn how to block him—hell, it had only taken her a few months. Before now, the only time he’d been sure her shields were completely shattered was during a scene. Now, it seemed he’d found another way to hear her speak candidly.
How had his life gone to hell in less than an hour? Just when he believed he was finally on track to formally claim Asia Adler as his own, she walked out of his life without looking back. Turning his attention to his grandmother, Franklin crossed his arms over his chest and waited. Her negligent shrug was infuriating.
“What did you say to her?” He was barely holding his frustration in check. Franklin loved his grandmother, but her tendency to meddle in his personal life needed to end—now!
“Don’t blame this train wreck on me, Frankie. You know exactly who is responsible. Hell, I don’t blame her for being angry. Asia Adler isn’t one of the little club bimbos you have been known to date. She has a brain and damn well knows how to use it. The two of you are perfect for each other, and I’m going to enjoy watching you grovel. You’ll value Asia more if you have to work for her.”