“Which is exactly why you need to give her access to Safeword LLC. Place her with us.”
“You expect me to risk the reputation of my company? For what, precisely? So that Patricia Lawton can have access to people who would do anything to ensure that their privacy isn’t violated?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying.” Lashe needed her to understand the importance of this. He turned to what he knew was his final weapon. “James, tell her what you and I found out this morning.”
James ran a hand over his shaved head, as if contemplating how to say it. Lashe knew that the man had a way with Kennedy that no one else did, although he got the feeling as if it were more of a brotherly thing.
“While at the club a few months ago, Ms. Lawton apparently saw Senator Warren Shelton in a scene at the club.” James shared a look with Lashe. “You know how Heidi can be. She was being her usual bratty self and pushed Warren too far. He punished her with a cane, although Heidi willingly took her punishment.”
“And now she’s trying to say that he’s an abusive man.”
“Worse.” James loosened his tie. “Lawton has decided to follow him twenty-four-seven until she can capture him on tape, doing something elicit.”
“Kennedy, all three of us know that Shelton would do anything to protect his seat in the Senate.” Lashe waited for his words to really sink in before throwing his last bombshell. “Her life is in danger. Sander and I are representing the interests of the Order on this. Give us time to change her mind.”
“Why through Safeword LLC? Lashe, I’m not some naïve businesswoman who doesn’t know that you have your own agenda. Place your cards on the table, and I might consider it. Otherwise, you’re wasting your time.”
Lashe gritted his teeth. Kennedy Van Camp was like ice. It wasn’t that he thought he could fool her, but sometimes a man didn’t want to reveal his true intentions. It looked like that was exactly what he was going to have to do.
“We had our eye on her at the club for those months that she was working undercover—not that we knew what she was doing. There’s something about her, a hardness that shouldn’t be there. Her eyes seem determined and focused on some type of unforeseen target, yet we know that whenever she reaches it, she’ll have nothing.”
“You can’t save her from something she doesn’t want to be saved from,” Kennedy replied, shaking her head. “You can’t change her mind and—”
“Give us the chance,” Lashe said, trying to keep the desperation out of his tone. There was something downright magnetic about Trish Lawton that he or Sander couldn’t ignore. “I’m not asking you to trick her or mislead her. I’m here requesting that you offer her the chance to experience the lifestyle through controlled means—exactly what you offer every other submissive who puts an application in with your company.”
“And if I meet her and feel she isn’t a submissive?”
“That won’t happen,” Lashe replied, one hundred percent sure of his answer. When James smiled, that was when Lashe knew that Kennedy would agree. “Meet her, talk with her, and tell her the truth. You heard she was investigating Senator Shelton and that you feel that for her to better understand the lifestyle and not ruin a man’s life, she experience it firsthand. James will be there to enforce the contract every step of the way and she can use her safe word should she feel she can’t follow through.”
Kennedy turned around with her mug and stared out over the city. While she contemplated her answer, Lashe turned his attention to James. He nodded his head slightly, giving Lashe confidence that this discussion would turn in his favor. Trish Lawton drew him and Sander to her like no other woman they had ever met. They needed this chance to prove that not only was the lifestyle not about covering up abuse, but that she herself was a submissive.
“Fine,” Kennedy answered, turning around and facing them. The sun glittered off of her auburn strands, which were pulled tightly back in her usual bun. Her porcelain skin and icy blue eyes added to her austere look, causing Lashe to wonder if she ever softened her stance on life. Did she ever let her hair down? “James will set up a meeting and I’ll offer her the chance to research the lifestyle personally. He will be with you almost every step of the way to ensure no information is leaked on any of our applicants or those members of the Order. Obviously, she stays within the realm of your residence. No clubs. No Order functions of any kind.”
“Understood.” Lashe was finally able to breathe and turned to go, when something crossed his mind. “Before I go, how is Claire? Lucas and Damien are heading over to the hospital now.”
“She’s recovering, although they are not sure she’ll regain her sight back.”
Lashe felt sympathy for Claire, not knowing how anyone could handle what she’d gone through. To have her vision taken away on top of losing her Master was undeniably a tragedy. He wasn’t privy to all the details, but he couldn’t imagine the emotional and physical hell she was in right this moment.
“Give her my best, should you see her. I know she and Max were using Safeword LLC to find another Dominant to join them.”
Kennedy nodded her head, giving a solemn smile. James reached out and they shook hands, with a promise for James to keep him apprised of Kennedy’s meeting with Trish. Lashe opened the office door and strolled down the hallway, shaking off the melancholy that the meeting had ended with. He had news to share with Sander. They were about to give their journalist all the research she could handle.
* * * *
Please visit www.safewordllc.com for more information regarding the company, staff, future Dominant/submissive relationships, and updates on your favorite series characters. Remember, release is only obtained after first being restrained…
THE END
WWW.PEYTONELIZABETHAUTHOR.COM
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
To me, reading is an escape from reality. We all have those times when reality becomes too much and we need something to lighten our hearts. Reading has always given me that, but recently, I was lucky enough to meet a man who was able to do that for me in a different way. He’s shown me that reality can be just as much fun as fiction. As a mother, it’s important to me to show my son that life is full of surprises and that we must cherish every day we are given. Here’s to lightening our hearts!
For all titles by Peyton Elizabeth, please visit
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A Princess Submits [Safeword LLC 4] (Siren Publishing Sensations) Page 15