Release Me

Part 6

I settled into an old leather chair and let out a hard sigh. The quiet weight of my world was like a crush on my shoulders. Money I'd earned in the service to the Society was recently frozen due to the fact I'd not technically completed my last contract. While it shouldn't have affected the escrow of the previous years, it was a strong arm move. I could go back in and fight it, or survive out here without a significant amount of capital.

"Looks like I'm starting over," I mumbled to myself, and settled against the back of the seat as Kade walked across the room with Samantha in tow. They settled against one corner of the large truss. Tension filled every part of her body, but I knew he was about to blow her mind. He might enjoy being a submissive, but his talent as a top was incredible.

"You are only starting over if you choose." A familiar male voice said from behind me and I started. Icy fear flushed through my veins, but I worked to keep my expression neutral without taking my gaze from the couple across the room.

"Are you here on their behalf?"

He chuckled and stepped around, taking a seat next to me.

"I've never been good as an errand boy."

"Yet you serve with elegance and grace."

"As do you..."

"Alexandra," I filled in the answer to the silent question.

"Mmm, and southern drawl to go with that spectacular change, though I still think you need more practice if you desire a significant transformation."

"I'm sure an artist such as yourself will always have a critical eye for such details."

"And one of your position should be safely tucked away, learning her place."

I shifted in my seat and turned my head to see a playful expression dancing across his face.

"I found my place, Apprentice Chase."

He chuckled and steepled his fingers.

"Careful, dear. We're not in our world, and even here the walls have ears."

I looked up and stretched my neck.

"Why are you here?"

"That one is easy. I wanted to put on a rather unusual art show, and this seemed to be a good place to try out some of the exhibits. A sort of beta trial to gauge the crowd's reactions, see how the subjects tolerate the situations and refine from there."

"They let you off leash for this particular expedition?" I took a long pull of my drink and glanced around the room.

"My contract owner has a stake in this establishment. She enjoys watching the soft world types play. Every once in a while she spots someone who might be better suited within a different... perspective." He waggled his eyebrows. "And I enjoy helping her break them in if they choose to cross over."

"It can be paradise when the right combinations align." Memories flooded my mind, and I pushed them away as I swallowed against the lump forming in my throat.

"Yet you left." The accusation in his tone was unmistakable.

"I did. There were extraordinary circumstances, and I am paying the consequences for that decision."

"Was it worth it? Because I can't imagine living out here all the time. It's great to visit, and there are more opportunities to get noticed as an artist out here, with the right network, but if this was all there was... I don't think I could do it."

His words were like a punch in the gut. I'd ran out of fear, but I stayed because I didn't know how to return, and out here they couldn't force me to be the Regent.

"I'm figuring it out. Doing some gig work on Hill, and writing novels to feed the soul," I smiled over at him. "I'm sure you understand the need for a creative outlet."

Parker Chase nodded. He watched Samantha and Kade for a long moment before glancing back at me.

"Always have a hobby that makes you money, one that keeps you in shape, and one the pushes your creativity."

"You forgot one that forces you to learn."

He laughed and nodded in agreement.

"Always one to push the edge of sanity."

"If you're not going a million miles an hour, then you're not living at the edge."

"Nor are you enjoying the small moments," he countered. "You know, I always thought you'd be announced as the winner of the Regency pool."

"I was a constant fuck up. There wasn't a lesson where I was at the top of my class, nor one where I was a complete failure, but they need perfection and that is something I am not."

He leaned forward and placed his hand on my knee, and sent a shiver down my spine.

"Look at me." The command in his voice was unmistakable, and no matter how hard I tried to resist, everything in me was conditioned to follow that tone. "We both know you threw every exam and stayed up late into the night to help the others. You can lie to this world all you want, and you can run away from home, but don't lie to me. I was there."

I covered his hand with mine and leaned forward.

"Well, I'm sure whoever they chose was the right person for the job. Do you know when they plan to announce?"

Parker scowled and pulled his hand from mine, leaning back into his chair.

"No, and neither does my contract owner."

A soft shutter raced through me.

"I'm sure they'll be perfect, whoever they chose. Now that I'm out of the Society, it won't be me." I lifted my glass in a quiet salute and drained the last of it. "I just wish I had enough money to make the perfect club."

"You'll never find what you seek out here."

"Sure I will. It's a simple matter of adjustment," I said, rising from my chair, and pulled a business card from the inside edge of my corset. "Since you're out here as an artist, we should keep in touch. Perhaps I can help your budding career in the grey zone. I can't wait to see a Parker Chase original hanging on the walls of a congressperson's office. A nod to their secret desires while presenting as perfectly mundane if you don't look close."

"A situation it seems you're becoming accustom too yourself."

I smiled without replying and moved off to the bar, rolling my shoulders to relieve the accumulating tension.