Broken Submission

The Confrontation

I'm going to break pattern and post two chapters today—mostly because I feel guilty breaking up my scenes so much 😂

"I am so glad you're here. You've had this one tied in all kinds of knots."

Amelia stared up at Tony's face which was soft with sympathy. Two other couples sat on the cluster of couches, while Tony's sub stayed in the spot he had vacated to greet them. She was quiet, eyes downcast.

"Thank you, sir," she murmured, sidling closer to Derek.

"Why don't you guys sit? We'll make room—Matt! Move your woman and give them somewhere to sit."

The one she assumed was Matt grinned and hoisted his sub onto his lap, sliding across the couch next to a man who looked so much like him that they had to be brothers. Derek and Jack led their subs to the empty spaces.

"So I guess you don't know everyone, do you?" Matt asked.

She shook her head. "No sir."

He gestured to the woman on his lap. "Well, this is my sub Brianna, and I'm Matthew, obviously."

Jerking a thumb toward the man beside him, he continued, "That's my brother, Mark, and his sub, Autumn. And I think you're familiar with Jack and Damien, and Tony and Tara?"

She nodded. Derek tugged at her hair gently, reminding her of her place. "Yes sir, I am."

"Well then." He leaned back, looking oddly pleased. An awkward silence fell.

Mark broke the ice. She would guess that he was the sternest of the bunch, with a quiet intensity about him. "Alright girls, get to it."

Amelia's forehead crinkled in confusion. The other subs squirmed.

"Amelia," Autumn started, "we're sorry for those things we said to you." She stopped.

Her head jerked as her dom yanked on her hair, whispering something in her ear. She blanched.

"We—we were trying to do the right thing by Master Derek, but we went about it the wrong way. We got involved in something that we didn't understand—jumped to conclusions, and we're—I'm—so sorry." Her eyes glinted with tears.

Amelia was about to respond when Brianna spoke up. "I am too. It was stupid to think that we understood you guys' relationship, and it was judgemental to assume that we knew you without a single conversation to back it up. And judgement is not something that should ever be involved in our relationships here."

Amelia took a shuddering breath, and Derek squeezed her reassuringly. "Thank you. I really appreciate you both saying that, and—believe it or not—I'm glad Derek has people who watch out for him as fiercely as you did."

Brianna smiled at her, cuddled in Matthew's arms. "I hope we can start over. I'd really love to get to know the woman who stole the most eligible bachelor in this joint."

Amelia returned the gesture. "I'd like that. It's been a while since I've had... friends."

Whispering drew her attention. Tara and Tony seemed to be engaged at an almost inaudible argument. The dom's face was bright red, while Tara's was tear-streaked but stubborn. He noticed their attention.

"Excuse us," he growled with such intensity that all four subs cringed back, eyes on the floor. All except his wife, who just glared at him. He stood, taking her by the arm and dragging her away.

Matthew winced. "I'm not sure who I feel worse for."

Derek shook his head. "Tony. I don't know what's gotten into Tara lately. I don't know if it's the pregnancy or if something else is going on... Either way, I don't see Tony dealing with this much longer before he loses his shit. Then she's really going to get it."