Chapter 22
He wasn’t one to take favours but as he slid into the limo sent by Xander, he was grateful for those deep friendships that he’d built over the years.
Zee leaned his head back against the leather seat thinking, wondering if this was the right move. But he wouldn’t leave Ella alone.
She hadn’t screamed, she hadn’t begged, she’d just quietly asked for space and he couldn’t begrudge her the that. He wanted her happy and healthy and if she wanted to move or stay in her friend’s guestroom, he’d accommodate.
Hell, if she wanted him to burn the house down to the ground he’d light the match.
Even though he wanted to handcuff her to his wrist and never let her go.
Zee could have ordered her home with him and forced her to be somewhere that caused her nightmares after she clearly told him she needed space.And if he had done that, he wouldn’t have been the kind of Master he prided himself on being.Not the kind of Dom who should own a BDSM Club.
He loved Club Bandit.
That should have been enough for him.
Zee knew he fucked up and was going to do everything he could to make it right.
Because he wasn’t there to protect Ella.
He was busy chasing another dream when she needed him.
He failed her.
That was on him, and he’d do everything in his power to make it up to her.
Protecting her was his job as her Master.
And where had he been when she was dragged from their garden?
With the team and not with his wife who meant more to him than anything.
He wouldn’t blame Ella if she never forgave him.
One step at a time. Fix what you can tonight.
His phone felt heavy in his palm as he dialed his boss.
“Zee, I was just going to call you. I can’t believe Nico would do something like that. He seemed totally fine at the awards ceremony.”
“Yeah. Guess you never really know people.” Zee swallowed, forcing the words out. “Listen, I appreciate the opportunity you gave me—“
“Zee, don’t do this. I know you’ve been through hell, but the team’s responding to you. We need you.”
“I’m not quitting,” Zee said, sharper than intended.
He pressed his hand flat against his thigh, grounding himself.
“But you remember when I was supposed to be part-time? I need a new contract. Scale me back, bring Roger in to take the lead. I’ll support, but I can’t keep up this pace. Not anymore.”
Silence stretched so long Zee thought the call had dropped.
“You’re serious.”
“Yeah. I know I said a year but circumstances have changed. I want to go back to consulting from afar, not every day. I’m on my way right now to clean out my office.”
“I should be glad you aren’t quitting on us completely. I’ll meet you at your office.”
“Thanks for understanding.”
“See you soon.”
He pulled up a florist’s website on his phone, his fingers tapping quickly, ordering the biggest bouquet of carnations they had.
Once the order was confirmed, he quickly found a bed-and-breakfast near Nora’s, checking the details and confirming his reservation.
That was as much space as he was comfortable giving her.
As the limo rolled onto the university grounds, he made one more call.
“Zee, how are things?” Ares Montague asked.
“I need a landscaping crew. Last time we were over, Ella admired your jungle of greenery. Can you put me in touch with the best?”
“I’ll get you their name.”
“I need them at my place tonight,” Zee pressed. “The back has to be leveled, redone. If I don’t, Ella won’t set foot in the garden again. And I don’t blame her.”
There was a pause and Zee bit the inside of his cheek, wondering who the hell he was to order Ares to do anything.
“I’ll get a crew out there,” Ares said. “Anything else they need to know?”
Zee hesitated. His chest burned. “A fence. Around the back property. Should’ve done it years ago.”
Ella told him that she liked the wild openness of their back lot and he was proud to indulge her but that openness had given Nico the chance to drag her away and he was determined to close that security weakness, like River had suggested.
“Any word on River?”
Ares coughed and Zee’s stomach rolled.
“I know he needed surgery and that’s all. Carter hasn’t checked in for awhile.”
“He needed surgery but Carter hasn’t been in communication.”
His jaw ached as he ground his molars, rage rippling through him hot and consuming.
He clenched his fist until his knuckles cracked, forcing himself to breathe before he shattered his phone.
“I’ve never felt so useless.”
“Yeah, I get that. Zee, you know a fence wouldn’t have made a difference.”
Zee’s throat tightened. “I know. Thanks, Ares.”
“We’re happy to help. Call if you need anything else.”
When they hung up, Zee made the next call, his stomach a buzz of nerves.
“Maddie. Annie. I need to talk about Mom.”
Maddie’s face filled the screen, chin tipped up in that stubborn way that mirrored her mother’s.
“Good. We want to talk about her too. Did she tell you about the music job?”
“What job?”
“Dad.” Maddie’s said, exasperation in her tone. “It’s perfect for her. You should tell her to take it.”
“It’s almost closing and I think Mom is perfect for it. She’s always supported us. I know she doesn’t want to perform but she loves helping people and this music mentor position would be so good for her.”
“I agree. Tell me more. His voice cracked but he didn’t care. He couldn’t explain the well of tears in his eyes and had to shift forward to focus on what the girls were saying.
By the time he arrived at his office, Zee had formed a plan.
One that would show Ella what she meant to him.
The next time he came home, she’d be by his side.