Page 46 of Master B-1901

Braddock squinted at the plea laced in my outburst. If he gave the order, he was just as guilty as me. My goal was to save him, not condemn him.

“I don’t want to lose you, Allison. I wouldn’t ask you to do that. As much as what you say is probably true, the most damage will come while she’s on trial. Her sins will be exposed before everyone. All trust for her will be gone. People will start to realize.They’ll know.She’ll be finished, even if she doesn’t face death like we want. Living may be more painful for her than any execution she’ll face. She’ll bring shame on her line, and that is the worst thing that could happen to one of us elites.”

“I know nothing of your world. I mean, I know, but I’ve never lived through it to truly understand.”

“Don’t get me wrong. I’d love to turn her inside out, but the more I think of it, the more satisfaction I get from imagining her ruined. The shame… She’d never be able to show her face again. She will be the talk of our circle. Her and her husband’s line will crumble to nothingness. They’ll lose partnerships, sponsorships.The businesses will fail without support, and one by one their cards will fall. There is such pleasure in that thought, slave. Such fucking revenge knowing after she loses everything…then I can have fun with making her pay.Then.”

“Oh.” I looked down, growing quiet. More, my mind tried to battle what was right or wrong.

“Oh? That’s all you have to say? Don’t you think it would be great if she lost everything? Her income. Her fancy houses and cars. She’d be done, and it would be all her fault.”

“But what if they believe when she says she did nothing? What if she sways them with her powers and she gets away with it?”

Braddock paused, pressing his lips together before shaking his head.

“Elec would never allow that. He, more than anyone, knows the risk that comes with her power.”

“And if she influences him again like she did when I walked in?”

A long moment of silence played between us as we stared at each other. A deep sigh left him, and he reached up, wrapping his fingers around the back of my neck. When he eased my lips to his, I closed my eyes, soaking in the way his mouth felt pressed against mine. I really did like my Master. A part of me maybe even genuinely cared for him. I could feel, even if it was…muted at times. I could feel now, and what warmed my chest was a mix of aching and sadness.

“Are you truly tired?”

“Master.”

I could barely get the word out. My loyalty had me wanting to confess this need. I couldn’t understand why it was so powerful or wouldn’t go away. It was building and growing. Bomb. Yes. It was here. It was right there, but it wasn’t about annihilating Braddock. When I did blow up, it was going to be right inMelissa’s face, and after my conversation with my Master, I wasn’t sure I’d be helping him.

“That’s the saddest ‘yes’ I’ve ever heard. Okay, you win, let’s go to bed.”

I didn’t argue. I couldn’t as I stood, walking with him to the room. With every step, I was spinning even more. Thoughts were a blur. I felt sick. Sleep would help. Sleep would make this all go away.

Tick.

Tick.

Tick.

Boom.

I opened my eyes, feeling the sweat drenching my skin. My heart was racing. I turned to the clock, blinking as the numbers came into focus.

How had it only been two hours since me and my Master went to bed? The questions poured in as I sat up, feeling my wet hair stick to my face. I brushed it back, blinking at the overwhelming odd sensation that something suddenly wasn’t right.

Tick.

Tick.

Tick.

I could hear the clock in my head. Time. Ticking. Time.

Turning, my hand eased out feeling…nothing. My heart jumped into my throat as I turned, flipping on the bed-side lamp.

“Master?”

Even as I called out, I was already springing from the bed. The bathroom light was off, and I didn’t bother to check the dark, opened closet as I burst into the living room. I scanned the empty space, turning in a circle as I searched for some sign that maybe I hadn’t failed in the one job I had. In the promise that I would keep my Master safe…inside, away from others.

I ran to the door, swinging it open as I jogged down the hall. There was still a buzz of loud voices coming from the lounging area ahead. The Gardens was alive with a mix of Masters, Mistresses, and slaves. I headed into the slightly crowded space, turning and soaking in everything as I stayed on alert. My muscles were tight as I prepared myself. For what, I wasn’t sure. Everything. Anything. There was no screaming or commotion that threw flags, but I couldn’t shake the twisting that was getting worse inside of me.