Rule Changer (Rules of Engagement)

by Sienna Snow

  Over the past few days, my anxiety about the unknown from Christof left a burning in the pit of my stomach. I kept going over the conversation we’d had for any clues to how he’d expect me to “repay his losses,” and the only clue I could think of was that it was related to Dad’s embezzlement.

  I had to remember to get Max to pull any case files we had on the trial that had been set to start three days after our father’s death.

  “It’s not like you don’t have security around you.”

  Arya’s comment snapped me out of my thoughts.

  “It’s different than if Thomas was leading the effort. Do you remember what happened after Christof threatened Milla? He had security for the security. I should have listened to you and talked to him about this whole mess.”

  Arya rolled her eyes and then gave me the “I told you so” smirk. “Well talking to him will have to wait for later.”

  “That still doesn’t solve my worry.”

  “Carm, there are two guards, hand selected by Thomas, shadowing you all the time. On top of that, we’ll have Milla’s and my detail added to the mix.”

  “Ari, I already went out on Wednesday. I’ve met my quota for the week. You’re more than welcome to veg with me at home.”

  “Get your ass up, or I’m going to sic Milla on you, and you know how she gets about our girls’ nights.”

  I exhaled and pushed back from my desk. “Look, even if I wanted to go out, I gave the nanny the next few days off, and I won’t leave Leo and Simon with anyone I don’t trust.”

  “We’ve got it covered,” Milla announced as she strolled in and plopped down on the sofa at the far end of the room. “Lex and Max are going to watch all the kids.”

  I hesitated. “Are you sure they can handle four mobile boys and a three-month-old princess?”

  “Who cares? We had them the other weekend when both guys were out of town, and we managed. Plus it isn’t like they won’t call Natalie to take charge if anything goes wrong.”

  I nodded. “That does make a difference.” Natalie could handle anything.

  “Come on. You need this.”

  I glared at her. “How would you know?”

  Arya and Milla shared a look.

  Ahh. Oh, something happened.

  “Well, you see. We had a meeting with Thomas and…um.”

  “Arya, seriously. It takes you like five years to tell a story,” Milla admonished. “Thomas came to see us about the dance club we’re opening, and while we were talking, you came up. He told us you two are making arrangements for the boys.”

  I raised a brow while crossing my arms. “And?”

  Milla smiled, trying her most innocent face. “He said you guys have to finish the business you started last week.”

  “Did he go into details about what business it was?”

  If Thomas said anything, I was going to gut him, private security, military, crazy man or not. Hell, the girls would gut me for not telling them, especially when we’d conferenced yesterday to discuss the details of financing another project.

  “No he didn’t go into detail, but I can assume it has to do with the announcement Thomas made at Travis’s party and the just-fucked, disheveled look you had while leaving his house on Wednesday.” Milla’s face grew stern. “Holding out on us, were you?”

  My eyes nearly bugged out of my head. “Were you there? Why didn’t you tell me you were going?”

  “Don’t try to change the subject.” Arya cocked her head to the side and pointed to the chair across from her.

  I shrugged my hands in retreat and joined the girls in the seating area.

  “Spill it, Dane,” Milla ordered.

  “There isn’t anything to spill. Travis tricked me into being there, and then Thomas showed up and made his announcement about being the boys’ father…and…” I rubbed my temples.

  “And?” Milla asked in her best impersonation of a Domme tone.

  Sighing, I answered. “We ended up fucking each other’s brains out, then arguing before I left.”

  “At least you finally scratched the itch,” Arya interjected. “What was the argument about?”

  “What else? His family, the boys, our relationship.” I pulled my knees onto the seat and buried my face against them. “There’s no hope for us, Ari. No matter how much my heart wants to trust him, he won’t ever put me first. The second I told him what Diego said, he told me he didn’t believe me. It’s better this way.”

  “Are you saying that to make yourself feel better, or do you believe it?” Milla said as she crouched in front of me and took my hands.

  I looked at her. “I have to believe it, Mil. I don’t have it in me to deal with disappointment again.”

  “Carm, I know you don’t want to hear this, but Thomas is hurting, too.” Arya sat down next to Milla. “I’ve known him longer than all of you, and he clings to his grandfather because everyone else rejected him as a child.”

  “I know his history, Arya.”

  Thomas’s mother was a New England debutante who fell in love with Thomas’s father while on vacation in California. His mother’s family disowned her when they found out she was pregnant and married to a lowly Mexican farmer. They never knew or wanted to know that the farmer was a horse rancher who owned most of two counties in Northern California, or that he had three vineyards that produced award-winning wines. By the time Thomas’s mother’s family wanted to reconcile, both of Thomas’s parents were killed in a plane crash, leaving Thomas to be raised by his grandfather and aunts.

  “Then you understand his attachment to Diego. When we were alone, he asked me if I knew what Diego said.”

  “What did you tell him?” I fidgeted in my seat.

  “I told him exactly what he said to you, including the part you left out about you being a high-class whore.”

  My cheeks reddened. “Yep, that’s what I am. With all the submissives I’ve played with at the clubs, who would believe I’ve only been with two men in my life?” I shrugged my shoulders. “But hey, I’m the daughter of a thief. Like father like daughter. My dad seduces Thomas’s aunt and ruins her life, and I seduce Thomas and ruin his life.”

  “Goddammit, Carmen, lay off the dramatics.”

  I jumped at Arya’s reprimand.

  “He’s hurting. The man he loves with all his heart betrayed him and kept him from being part of his boys’ lives. Give Thomas a break.”

  “I thought you were on my side.”

  Arya sighed and shook her head. “I am on your side. You’re my sister, and I won’t have you talking about yourself like that. You’re better than that. Where’s the take-no-shit Carmen gone? You need to find her stat.”

  Oh God. Arya was right. I couldn’t do this anymore. Wallowing in my pain wasn’t going to help Thomas or me navigate the future.

  “I’m sorry, Ari.”

  “I know you don’t mean it. What both Thomas and Diego did to you is shitty, but it’s time to think about your boys’ futures. And that involves Diego and the California ranch.”

  “Do you think I should go to California?” I asked the girls. “Here I feel safe, and there I won’t have anyone.”

  “Yes, you will,” Arya countered. “Aunt El is only forty minutes from the ranch. Call her, and she’ll be by your side within an hour.”

  Leo and Simon had a right to know all of their family. If it meant taking a few hits while I was there, I’d have to do it.

  A tear slipped down my cheek, and I wrapped one arm around each of the girls. “Did I tell you that I love you both?”

  “Not today. Now get up and put on the fire-engine-red dress I snagged from Caitlin’s new collection. It will compliment that killer supermodel body of yours. Plus, I’m in the mood to dance on a few tables.”

  “Um, Mil. I thought those days were over,” I said as I stood and walked toward the door.

  She gave me a devious grin. “What Lex doesn’t know, won’t hurt him.”

  * * *

  We arrive
d at Columella, on Manhattan’s Lower East Side at exactly eleven that night. I tried to pretend I didn’t know that Thomas owned the dance club, but the cat was out of the bag, so to speak, when Milla mentioned having her family architect look at the blueprints so they got the Italian vibe correct. Arya and Milla were partners with Thomas in over twenty different clubs around the world, each with a unique flair. Columella’s being Italian villa meets French Riviera.

  The one good thing was that I knew I wouldn’t run into Thomas tonight. He was in California. When we briefly spoke earlier in the day about meeting the boys, he mentioned he had to finish some ranch work before catching a late-night flight to New York. With the way we’d left things at the party, the last thing I needed was to run into him while dancing the night away.

  “Stop brooding,” Arya ordered as we approached the bouncer and he lifted the rope to let us pass. “We’re going to have fun tonight, whether you want to or not.”

  I shook my head. “Well, if you’re that determined for me to have a good time, who am I to argue?”

  “That’s the spirit.” Milla threaded one arm through mine and the other through Arya’s.

  We walked into the club, and I was struck by how beautiful the interior was. Three levels of dance space surrounded us. The main floor where we stood housed a famous DJ and dancers. The other two held lounge areas and different themed music, something to appeal to all tastes.

  “Wow. This place is insane,” I said as we continued toward the bar.

  “I know, right? When Thomas brought the idea to us, I was hesitant at first, but now that it’s finished I’m so glad we took the jump.” Arya cringed and put a hand on me. “Sorry, Carm. I promised myself I wouldn’t bring up his name again, and here I go.”

  “Don’t worry about it. Thomas is part of my life, whether I want him in it or not. Now let’s get some drinks.”

  We approached the bar, and right before I opened my mouth to order, Milla pulled me into a back room that had a private bar and seating area.

  “This is where we get our liquid sustenance. I called ahead to have our cocktails ready when we arrived.” Milla inclined her head to the bartender, who approached us with a tray.

  I raised my glass. “Here’s to friends who own clubs and have private VIP areas.”

  “Here’s to friends who own fetish clubs and give us naughty girls an outlet for our kinky desires,” Milla countered with a smirk.

  We all laughed and downed our drinks. After a few more concoctions from the mixologist, I was relaxed and in the mood to dance.

  “Come on, girls. I’m going out into the main area to let off some steam. Who’s joining me?”

  “Let’s finish our drinks, and then we’ll meet you in a few minutes,” Arya said, but the sleepy look on her face told me she’d be in the same spot when I returned.

  “Girl, you need to learn to hold your liquor better.” Milla nudged Arya’s arm

  Arya responded by flipping her off.

  I laughed and worked my way onto the main dance floor. I stopped to observe the sexy DJ mixing the track and couldn’t help but smile at all the girls trying to get his attention. Too bad the ladies didn’t know his girlfriend was a Domme who enjoyed watching her man squirm under all the female attention. I glanced to the second level toward his Dominant. We inclined our heads in respect to each other, and I looked back to the dance floor.

  “Mistress, may I have the privilege of a dance?”

  I turned to the voice. Before me, stood a gorgeous, six-foot-five, well-built Latin man whom I remembered from the club. He was exactly what most Dommes liked in submissives: the look of a Dominant but with a natural desire to submit.

  “Hello, Elonso.”

  He waited and glanced down. “Would you please do me the honor?”

  Maybe he’ll be the perfect distraction to my man issues.

  “It would be my pleasure.”

  I allowed him to guide me onto the floor and we started dancing. He had amazing moves and made me thankful that Milla insisted I take dance lessons during graduate school. Her words were, “Bella, you’re too stiff. How are you going to attract those Latin men you like so much if you can’t move?”

  “May I ask you a question, Mistress?” Elonso spoke as he twirled me.

  “Of course.”

  “Why didn’t you take any of us for a scene until the other day?”

  I answered on a dip, “I have too many things going on in my life right now, and I’m not into casual scenes. The night with Sam was a first in over five years.”

  “I’m very happy you’re performing again.” Elonso grinned at me. “Keep me on the list for when you decide to enter the dungeon again. Sam can’t be the only one who gets the privilege.”

  I couldn’t help but return his smile. He was charming and easy to be around.

  He lifted me to standing, and I gripped his muscled arms.

  “I’ll make sure you’re the first one I contact if I decide to play again.” I lifted my hair off my back and allowed the air-conditioned air to cool my neck.

  We danced for a few more minutes, laughing and talking, then moved to the high-top tables to rest. I ordered a water from the server, when all of a sudden, I knew we weren’t alone.

  Thomas.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Cousin, it’s good to see you.” Elonso turned me to the side and hugged him. “Mistress, let me introduce you to one of my favorite family members. He owns the club.”

  Thomas stared at me, and a smile tugged his lips. “We know each other well. So well that we have two sons together.”

  There he went again with his one-line zingers.

  “Excuse me. Say that again.”

  The shock on Elonso’s face told me he hadn’t heard of Thomas’s big reveal at Travis’s party. He looked back and forth between Thomas and me as if he was trying to figure something out.

  “But, Mistress, I thought…you’re both Dominants… how…Do you belong to Thomas? Is that why you haven’t taken a submissive?”

  Before I could answer, Thomas did. “You have it wrong, Eli.” He tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear. “I’m the one who belongs to her.”

  Goose bumps prickled my skin, and my heartbeat accelerated.

  Oh God, why would he say he was my submissive when it wasn’t true? Why was he doing this?

  “But, Thomas, that doesn’t make sense. Both of you are known for your skills as Dominants. I’ve never heard of a Dom and a Domme together.” A chuckle escaped Elonso’s mouth. “I can’t wait to see how this turns out.”

  “There’s nothing to see. I am who I am. I will always be a Dom, but with her, it’s negotiable.”

  Elonso tilted his head and gave us a skeptical frown, then nodded. “I hope you both know what you’re doing.”

  “We do,” Thomas countered.

  Elonso ignored him and took my hand. “Mistress, I’m sorry if I overstepped tonight.”

  I leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. “No, you gave me exactly what I needed. A fun night of dancing and laughter. Be good. I’ll see you at the club.”

  Thomas growled but remained quiet, and Elonso’s eyes flashed at him. For a submissive, he was all testosterone right now. As I watched the standoff between the cousins, I noticed their family resemblance.

  No wonder you’re drawn to him.

  After a few moments, Elonso smiled at me, then turned and moved into the crowd on the dance floor.

  “That must have been some dance. He was practically drooling at your feet.”

  I noticed the underlying tone of jealousy in his voice, and it both scared and excited me. I never knew I held that kind of power over him.

  He walked forward until he had me trapped against the table with a hand on either side of my waist.

  My throat dried up, and I licked my lips as a slow, steady throb ignited inside my core. The Dom in him wanted my submission, but the Domme in me wouldn’t yield.

  I jutted my chin toward him and stared int
o his eyes. “Why did you give him the idea we’re together? You aren’t my submissive. You don’t have it in you to be one.”

  I still hadn’t figured out what we called what happened between us. Thomas was the only man I had ever allowed to take over, but I also knew I was the only woman ever allowed to top him.

  No, that was a lie. I never truly topped him.

  “I want you to trust me, to see that what others think doesn’t matter to me. The only thing that is important is what you believe.” He grazed the side of my neck with his five-o’clock shadow.

  I tilted my head without thought and bit my tongue to keep from moaning. I gripped the table behind me to keep my balance and not jump him in the middle of the club.

  He leaned in again and lightly nuzzled the juncture of my pulse. “I wanted him to know that what we have together doesn’t shame me or affect my manhood.”

  I want to believe you, but how do I know you’re telling me the truth?

  I placed my hand on his. “What happens when your grandfather finds out? Don’t you think it’ll get back to him? He isn’t going to take it well, knowing his prized eldest grandson enjoys the domination of a woman.”

  Thomas pulled me toward him, wrapping his arm around my waist, and then slid his hand up my back. “I spent the last few days thinking about nothing but us. I’m going to prove to you that I won’t let anyone come between us.” He grazed my lips with his. “Not my family.” Kiss. “Or our society.” Kiss. “And definitely not our pasts.” He sealed our mouths, deepening the embrace.

  His taste exploded on my senses, and I clutched his shoulders. This man turned all coherent thoughts to mush. We explored each other, not caring who was around us. By the time we pulled apart, I was barely able to stand and his erection pushed against my pelvis.

  He leaned his head against mine and steadied his breath.

  “Thomas, I can’t think when you overwhelm me like this. You caught me off guard. I have to think.”

  He tightened his hold on me. “I’m beginning to realize that it’s better if you don’t think.”