“You’re leaving with Patsy and Hecate. Pack your shit and meet me at the dock in an hour. Go wherever you wish but disappear while you still have no association with me. You are free to roam the world, and you have all the money you will ever need. I appreciate what you’ve tried to do for me, but this is my problem, not yours. If you stay any longer, it’s reasonable to assume that you will face the same danger as me. That means all your hard work to remain anonymous will be for naught.”
“We don’t want to leave; we want to stay. If Patsy and Hecate are abandoning you, there is no reason to push us away. We can’t let this happen to you again, and our fates are now and always have been tied to yours. We know you’re angry and we know we have caused this rift between you and the other two. But that isn’t a reason for us to go. We’re not leaving you.”
“It’s for your own safety.”
“You’re angry with us. We get that. But we’re going to ignore ‘angry talk’ just like we do ‘drunk talk.’ Time will pass, and then you’ll be glad we’re here. Maybe not right away. We heard your argument with Hecate, and we’re truly remorseful about the way we acted. We had no idea what we were doing. If we thought it would do any good, we’d talk to them. But I don’t apologize for believing that Patsy is excess baggage, and we don’t need her.”
“Hecate blessed her with knowledge. It cannot be replaced.”
“You have it right?”
“I do.”
“Good, then she was only ever a spare. We have the Mainframe. We can learn the rest and hire out what we don’t know.”
Adam thought for a moment then smiled, signaling that Beata’s argument had persuaded him.
“You’re right, as usual, Beata the Magnificent. This situation isn’t dire; I don’t need them. We can work more efficiently as a tight team together with the Mainframe anyway. Forgive me. Mind fart.”
“No need from our side. We screwed up too, and we are sorry for that. We really are. I just didn’t understand what we were doing. But it’s going to be alright.”
Adam said, “This could be very dangerous for you. You can get outed, and it may be perilous.”
“Not if they don’t find us. But, keep in mind, if Hecate leaves the Island and Patsy goes it alone, and if Patsy later gets caught, she knows exactly where we are thanks to your Immortal. And, they’ve connected her to you already.”
“Good point. I better get Patsy some personal security for the near future and make sure she is watched, like in San Diego.”
“And if she won’t accept a security detail?”
“If Hecate goes home, then she will either have to come back here, willingly or not. Or …”
“Or what?”
“She’s going to have an accident. We can’t let her run around like an idiot and give us up. But I’ll speak to them first and try to reason with them. I’m not hopeful; they’re like junior high girls now — girlfriends sharing secrets. Hecate will have to stay and watch Patsy. She knows what I’ll do once she leaves and we break our bonds. She won’t be allowed back. I’ll see to that personally.”
***
Hecate and Patsy were already waiting at the dock. Patsy was nearly in tears but putting up a brave face. She wanted to lash out at Adam, hurt him, but not leave him. She had taken it too far, and worse, she knew it. Typical self-destructive behavior acted out in the extreme when angry. Hecate was thinking the same thing. She loved Adam but hated his behavior at times. She overstated what his sisters thought and felt. They all wanted to return to his side, as they had so many times before. But their Lord told them they were to sit this one out.
More troubling to Hecate was that there were no visitors, no foundlings, and no mates. Hecate lied; she wasn’t sure why. Like Patsy, she still loved her guy and just failed to understand the duality that seemed to be him. The things he did, or permitted to be done that were thoughtless, even cruel at times, were beyond her comprehension. Like Patsy, she wanted to push him to the edge and make him see the error of his ways; but she too had bluffed and failed.
Adam would have told them both, had they been honest with him, that he was just as imperfect too. Take your pick. But he wasn’t about to be changed by them just to please them. He would not have asked it of them; why should they ask it of him? In his mind, Adam was aware he had failings, many at times. But he was honest that, for him to change negative behaviors, he had to be aware of them. He readily admitted he was dense, and needed to be struck with a blunt instrument on occasion, but Adam felt that his women often wanted him to read their minds. Did they think if he knew what he was doing was bad behavior, he would do it anyway? Just for fun? Really?
Hecate’s words cut him deepest. She had known him in his first lifetime and for all the subsequent lifetimes in between. Why this and why this now? She, of all his women over the centuries, knew what a jerk he could be. But life as an Immortal, how good was that? No emotion, no sex, no intimacy. No children and no capacity for love.
He wanted nothing to do with the legions vast of Immortals. He wanted only his women, his Immortals. That was it. But they had abandoned him too. If Hecate said it, it had to be true. He had apparently worn thin with his ladies. He would now and forever be alone.
He couldn’t bear the thought of such a life for eternity. He would discuss this with his Lord.
***
Hecate and Patsy met Adam on his way down to the dock.
“We wanted to talk to you before we leave. We were rash. We think perhaps it would be better if we stay, in the house you said you’d build for us, and see if we can work out our differences. I may have overstated our family situation, and Patsy doesn’t think it is safe to be on her own. She thinks it was a mistake to threaten you and we both feel terrible. We don’t want to go unless it is your wish.”
“I don’t want either of you to leave; it’s not at all what I want. But we cannot have sniping back and forth. The ladies have admitted they were wrong about both of you, but still feel like they were threatened a little too much. Guns and implosions are no way to carry on. I wish none of this had happened, and that we could all just start over.”
Patsy said, “I will if they will, but I still think it’s best, for now, for Hecate and me to be in our own home. Hecate can split night duty between you and us, if she wants, or spend her nights just with you. She’s your wife, after all.”
“Why don’t we do this. You come stay in the residence, but in the apartment downstairs in the lab space. There’s a corridor that connects the space below with the residence above. I’ll go collect the women, a lot of booze and weed; then we’ll go for a “peace” cruise. Maybe get naked if we want.”
Patsy said, “You know how shy I am about that.”
“You’re all women except me, and I’ve seen all of you naked. The weather is warm; the breeze is refreshing and, if you want, you can do whatever. And you and Hecate can get cozy as much as you want. We can all get in the mood to make up with each other. I’ll get the ladies. Deal?”
Hecate and Patsy looked at each other.
“OK, deal. But I get some of the good stuff with you,” said Patsy.
“Weed or the other?”
“Both.”
“There might be spies. Or an audience.”
“I’ll have to learn to deal with it.”
***
There was naked, there was bad behavior, there was reconciliation, and there was some work. Patsy turned out to be far less of a shy prude; all the women and Hecate assured her that she owned a bangin’ body and should show it off more. Patsy drank a little too much, smoked a little too much and made out with everyone. Hecate went in her mind and helped out, and the two found time for each other, with Hecate in physical form. Patsy decided to regret her lust later; this night she would experiment then claim inebriation in the morning.
At breakfast the next morning, she did not feel regret; she felt horny. Everything in her life was changing and fast. Why not let
go a little, relax and experience some things that had previously been self-imposed limits? She was allowed to change her mind.
And she did.
***
The afternoon was reserved for work, discussion, and work assignments. Adam wanted to understand how to integrate Hecate, the nerds, Patsy, Adam, and the Mainframe into one cohesive project. Each had an idea of how that could work; most ideas were similar. Adam wanted to make sure that they were on the same page and that each could work independently and as a team. He would settle disagreements as tyrant-in-chief, but only if Hecate let him. Otherwise, she was tyrant-in-chief.
This basic approach was agreeable to all; Patsy moved into the residence as soon as the yacht docked. Patsy was invited to sleep in whichever room she wished with any of the residents, or be alone in her own room, with or without Hecate. Both that night and afterward, she shared a room with one or more of her sisters or Adam.
Life returned to a new normal.
***
“What is the project and what are our assignments?”
“We decide that today,” said Adam.
They were in the Study, arranged in no particular order. JoJo and Eene snuggled next to Patsy, who didn’t seem to mind the gentle stroking she was getting from each. Hands were exploring over clothes, underclothes and while unbuttoning and unfastening clothes. Patsy acted as though nothing was going on, and all swore they were listening and paying attention. Adam thought that was probably true, just not to anything he was saying. Perhaps his attempt at reconciliation had worked better than he had intended.
“I’ll talk now, you can all listen, and we’ll decide on strategy after dinner. Assignments tomorrow.”
“Or the day after,” said JoJo.
“Or the day after that,” said Beata.
Alana said, “I think we should take a couple of days off for teambuilding, then do the hard work afterward.”
Adam was firm. “No. Team building after eight at night every night, breakfast at seven in the morning and working sessions morning and afternoon for the next week. Then we get started on the work, and any slackers will be off the Island fast. As far as I’m concerned everyone here is expendable except my wife and me. We cannot be distracted all day every day, and we need to get to work. And I’m getting hard watching the threesome on the couch.”
“That’s OK,” said Eene. “We like to watch you do your guy thing. Alana and I will help if you want. Cia wants to play with Hecate. All good.”
“Don’t think you can play me, you can’t. I will indulge you for now, but very soon, you will do everything I say. Are we clear?”
“Teambuilding afterward?”
“When your work is done as I said. Not before.”
***
They did get a lot of quality work done in the week that followed; teambuilding was liberally indulged by Adam who suddenly turned taskmaster, the very unfriendly and demanding kind. The women did not mind his slave driver approach to the integration of the team; they knew when good work was done, and if done ahead of schedule, they could play. Since the incentive was what they desired, far more than money, they produced and didn’t complain. And they were a little more than turned on by this new facet of Adam’s personality in spite of despising what it stood for if actualized in real life. Adam was utterly unaware of this new turn on and was oblivious to the sudden new attention the ladies, all of them, paid to him. Unexpectedly, threesomes were the norm with new erotic themes Adam had never before considered, much less ever requested.
Neither the ladies nor even Hecate, understood this strangely sexually exciting obsession with being dominated and controlled. Hecate herself participated in the roleplay and found that giving in to Adam’s demands to do one thing or another heightened her sexual satisfaction. Her orgasms were suddenly explosive.
It was fascinating to her, as it had been to all of Adam’s Immortal wives, that although they were technically indentured to him, and bound to please him and do whatever he ordered them to do, he never once did. In fact, they generally ignored whatever he said and did as they pleased. Adam was fine with that; he wasn’t by nature a controlling male. He was an asshole and jerk but felt no apparent need to make women do things just because he said so. Neither Adam nor his women thought much about it. But this game, being wholly voluntary and not real, was incredibly different. They enjoyed it. Roleplay. Not every day, or for very long periods, but it was exciting; they didn’t mind playing whatever role he thought of. After a while, Adam had to think about ever more intricate plots and designs for an evening of submissive roles for willing players.
The women discussed these urges and associated events among themselves. Why would capable, brilliant women in highly skilled jobs want to play this game? For that matter, why would any woman? Adam had no idea; neither did the ladies. It just was. Shouldn’t the opposite be what they desired? Control the men, turn the tables and be in control?
Adam suspected that it was just something built into some, not others, and being control freaks was likely not gender-linked. Many women around the world were aggressively controlling and would act on it, sexually, in business, sports and otherwise. Most people might not feel the need in one part of their lives while feeling it acutely in another.
It was odd for the women, especially Hecate for whom control by a mortal was not tasteful at all. But this game was different. She liked it more and more each passing day and with each new encounter. The nerds and Patsy didn’t even consider that it was Adam at work or even what he made them do. It was a feeling. A feeling they just realized they enjoyed when they wanted it.
Like an addict, they wanted more. Adam admitted to Hecate that he enjoyed it too.
They would continue the experiment in the bedroom and the boardroom, but not otherwise. But, one morning they just told him he was now in charge, and they would do exactly as they were instructed. Time was short, the plan was his, and they were there to help him realize his vision of safety.
“Give us enough rope to do the work and the latitude to do what we do best with no micro-management. But we like the experiment; it’s a whole new experience that integrates our project, our work life, and our sex life. We don’t have to concern ourselves with what to do or worry about hurt feelings or disagreements anymore; you do.”
Adam said, “Not sure this will work out the way you think. I’m not the caveman type, you know. I like collaboration.”
“We’ll collaborate just fine. But you have to accept your role too. If you do and we do, we should virtually eliminate any conflict for now; that nasty business a little while back will not be possible. I say we try it. Now, what do you want us to do first?”
“We talk, we discuss then we decide.”
“That doesn’t sound very domineering. I was expecting more sizzle,” said Alana.
Adam smiled, “When I want your opinion, I’ll ask for it. Now get your asses into the Study and take the seats I assign. Don’t move unless I tell you to, and don’t speak unless spoken to. Am I clear?”
They all nodded.
“Am I clear!”
Each replied with a different version of ‘yes sir’ or ‘yes Adam.’ But they all moved to the Study with alacrity. When he joined them, he pointed each to a seat.
Inwardly he had to smile; this was fun. It wouldn’t last very long; the ladies would sample domination, and one by one go back to being the control freaks they were. Maybe then, he would be dommed.
“I will have your full attention now. Rewards will be considered for good work and obedience. You get nothing for free, and everything you get is a reward. Any deviation or insubordination will be punished. I will pick one of you each day as my Captain, and both the miscreant and the Captain will feel punishment for any misbehavior. Captains have full authority to punish, so I will see positive results or you will all feel my ire … and more. Now sit.”
Adam looked around.
“Today, my first Captain will be
Patsy, because I think you are the weakest link. You will enforce my rules or suffer the consequences. Failure to maintain order will result in everyone getting punished, not just the offender. Pretty soon, your soldiers will weary of your lack of will. I suggest you maintain control and assert your authority.”
Alana started to speak. Patsy shouted her down, grabbed her by the hair and told her to sit or the next infraction would hurt a lot worse.”
“Good start.” Said Adam. “Sit with me in the loveseat. We shall begin.”
Chapter 17
Beata asked, “What’s different? I mean work and the other.” Alana and JoJo couldn’t give a great explanation except that what they did now wasn’t technically much different than anything they did before, just that Adam had them do things in his fashion and his order. The sex was great; Patsy said she was relieved of any lingering doubts in her mind about what she was expected to do; there was no indecision. She said she felt calmer as if she was no longer ashamed of her own lust; Adam was relaxed too and responsive incrementally to her needs. She was more able to relax and enjoy.
Adam wasn’t rough, abusive or demeaning in any way; he had never been that way before the new regime either. It was the same old Adam. But he was more decisive, intuitive and stopped asking for permission for things he knew each of his girls enjoyed anyway. His manner was more disciplined and controlling, but he still allowed the girls to take control when he let them and knew they wanted to. But it was still “ladies first” and, in the end, it wasn’t what they did that changed as much as how and when they did it. That was Adam’s way.
Work flowed faster, and Adam controlled how all the components were to be done, in what order and when. It was like building a house, thought Eene. Everyone did small pieces that fit a part of the construction plans every day. The house was more finely tuned, had fewer errors and everyone could see what role they played and why keeping to his plan was essential.
They had to admit it was weird and they had no idea why it seemed to work. The women cast their egos aside and let one massive ego orchestrate the symphony of pieces that had to fit. And, fit they did. They originally had reasons to doubt what Adam asked of them; but Adam insisted that teamwork, preparation, and careful planning early on would yield massive dividends later on.
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