Unleashed (8 page)

Chapter
Five

Even after an excellent night’s sl
eep, the worries overcome me. I’m so out of my league. I can feel myself falling for not only Ezra, but Cortez, too. I’m so fucking stupid.

But nothing compares to the note resting on my desk. I huff in a lungful of air
and try to think of an option, a solution, or a way to dig myself out of this situation. I keep drawing a blank, no matter how hard I think. I’m giving myself a migraine.

“We need to talk,” Monica says as she barges into my office. I guess a closed door is now an
open invitation to enter.

“About wha
t?” My voice shows my annoyance, and it’s only tinged with a small amount of terror. But now is not the time to think about that, Katya.

“I said some stuff I shouldn’t have before
you left,” Monica hesitantly says as she takes a seat in front of my desk.

“Oh, really?”
I arch an eyebrow in her direction.

“I realize that narki
ng on you would gain me nothing.” She holds my gaze, and not only do I know she’s being truthful, but she feels badly about it. Her manning up makes me respect her more.

“Monica
, let’s put our shit on the table, shall we? What exactly is your issue with me? Whether I’m here or not, you still wouldn’t have this job. You’re excellent at your own position, and we don’t have anyone else that is qualified to do it. But it’s not the job is it?” I have a theory about Monica, and even Kristal, but I just haven’t voiced it yet. I’m too scared to admit that I’ve fallen victim to the same ploy they did.

“No- it was about Cort
ez. But I’m over that,” Monica sincerely says, as her eyes earnestly peer up at me.

“Huh? Why Cortez?” My face scrunches in confusion
, all an act. I had a feeling all roads led back to Cortez Abernathy and his insatiable sex drive. I just need Monica to admit it to me.

“Cortez
didn’t leave me because of his wife. I was never his girlfriend, either.” Monica sighs loudly and presses on. “I was Master Cortez’s submissive. A couple months ago, he let us all go.”

“What do you mean-
let us all go
?” I ignore what the us implies. How may subs does one man need anyway? I just can’t rationalize the man who held me all night with the one that fucks shit-loads of women on a regular basis.

“
Cortez had a few subs, but none of them he claimed. I thought he was going to become my Master. I figured it was a coincidence that you showed up a few weeks later until I saw you at Restraint.” She angrily glares at me, shooting pure animosity in my direction.

“The way he looked at you.” She shakes her head. “Anyway, that’s why I’ve
treated you like shit.”

“
Monica, Cortez is not my Master, and he never will be. I promise you.” I reach over and clutch her hand.

“Do you have a Master?”
Monica asks me, and I nod yes. “Master Ez.” I nod yes again. She just watches me in awe.

“
But I don’t need a Master, Monica. I’m a Switch. I’m mostly dominant, but I wanted someone strong enough to dominate me. I’m sure you can relate. Are you in love with Cort or something?” I just can’t see how Monica could be. Cortez is hard one to deal with, let alone love. I know how to take him because he’s just like me, but others won’t be able to understand him.

“No
, I have a hard time finding a Dom, because no one will top me. They say I’m too strong, and should just admit that I am a Domme.” Monica pulls her fingers through her hair, clearly out of frustration. “I am what I am, dammit!” She shouts.

“I understand that, Monica
, I really do. Maybe you and I could call a truce and work together-” My door opens, and in bounds an eleven-year-old hopped-up on sugar. “I am going to kill Cortez,” I hiss under my breath.

“Oops…
sorry, I didn’t know you were having a meeting.” Ava looks embarrassed, her pale skin pinking.

“What have
you been up to, baby girl?” Ava is covered in chocolate, eyes glazed over, and panting like she’s been running through the halls. No shock since it was Cortez’s hour to entertain her. I turn to introduce Monica to my daughter, and find Monica’s mouth hanging open, looking like she’s seen a ghost.

“Monica
, this is my daughter, Ava.” I use my hand to present my daughter.

“Jesus. Fuck,” Monica
whispers under her breath. “She looks just like her.” Monica gazes at me in awe, like I just committed an impossible feat.

“
Cort taught me how to hack the security locks,” Ava proudly says, ignoring Monica’s strange behavior.

“Ah,
yeah, he is really good at that,” I absently say, remembering how he broke my code on the chess set treasure box. “What else have you two been up to?”

“He showed me how to hack all the email accounts
, too, and the securities feeds.” My eyes pop out at that. “He thought it would be good for when I get to school.”

“Yeah
… and I doubt he means web design class.” I’m going to kill him. “Ava, go clean up in the bathroom, and then find Cortez. Tell him I need to speak with him,” I briskly say.

“You’re not going to yell at him
, are you?” She whines at my audacity to scold her new playmate. “We were just having fun.” Ava worries her bottom lip, and I can’t help but smile.

“No, I need to see him for something else
entirely. It’s alright, I promise,” I placate her. “Don’t leave your Dad’s side until I get home tonight. And no more sweets, have a sandwich or something.”

“Okay,” Ava
says with a defiant edge. I can’t wait to see what Ezra will do with that attitude. I laugh at the thought. She bounds for the door, and I loudly clear my throat to gain her attention.

“Ma…” she whines. “I’m too old for that.”

“Get your sticky ass over here,” I playfully snap. I point at my cheek, patiently waiting. Ava drags her feet over to me, and quickly kisses my cheek- so fast I doubt her lips make contact. I sigh. She’s a little lady now, no longer my baby girl. A little lady covered in chocolate. I smile.

“Just a minute,
Monica, I have to make sure Ava follows through with my orders.” I needn’t have bothered to warn Monica, since she’s frozen in shock. I pick up the phone and dial Ezra. It’s the first time I’ve ever called him.

“Katya,”
warmly spills from the other end of the line, his smoky voice filling my ear.

“Is Cort
with you?” I quickly ask, needing to make this a short call. The longer I’m around Ezra. The worse I have it for him. Not good, not good at all.

“Yes,” he
uncertainly says, not knowing what I’m leading up to.

“I’
m going to kick his ass. You’ll see when tropical storm Ava arrives. Anyway, I need you to keep her close until I get home tonight. I have some errands to attend to.”

“What did he do this time?” Ezra exhaustedly sighs into the phone.

“Nothing major, just taught our daughter how to hack everything in the building and hopped her up on sugar. I need to see him. But don’t worry, I’m not going to rip him a new asshole. We have some stuff we have to do today.”

“Good. You have an appointment with Dexter at seven
this evening. Bring Cortez with you, please. I will feel better knowing that he is with you.”

“Okay,” I say. A muffled giggle flows through the phone and I roll my eyes.
“She’s your problem, now. You can thank your partner for it.” I laugh as I hang up. I swear I heard Ezra growling.

“Sorry, this is new
, and we’re on a learning curve. I-” my statement is cut short by the petrified look on Monica’s face. “What’s wrong, now,” I sigh out, and I slump into my chair.

“I’m sorry, Katya, I didn
’t know.” She looks horrified.

“What?” I watch her expression
, trying to gain access to her emotions.

“
I won’t lie to you. I know Master Ez is Ezra. I saw your bracelet the first time you wore it,” she tips her chin at my wrist. “I’ve known all along that Ezra is your Master. I’ve said things to you to discourage you from being with him. I was angry about losing my Dom, and I didn’t want you to have one, either. I was jealous. I know that wherever Ezra goes, Cortez follows.”

“What does this have to do with anything, Monica?” I ask in confusion.

“Ezra is Ava’s father. I need to apologize for my behavior. You obviously had rights to them a long time before I came into the picture.” Monica wipes away a tear, and it confuses me.

“How do you know Ava
is Ezra’s daughter?” My eyebrows meet my hairline as I stare at Monica.

“When you meet her
, you’ll see. Wow,” she laughs out. “It’s amazing.”

“Who?”
I all but growl.

“You’ll see
, soon enough.” Monica walks over to me, and puts her hand out for a shake. I take it, not entirely sure what this is all about. I realize she is offering me a truce, but what I don’t trust is the why of it.

“No need fo
r a truce. I won’t be a problem ever again. Let’s start over, Kat,” Monica genuinely says.

“Why won’t you be a problem
?” I ask as I finish our handshake.

“Hmm…
let me guess. I will lose my job if I mess with you. I’ll lose my membership to Restraint. Those two things are what keeps me sane. But most of all, we are a lot alike. I just don’t feel like fighting for no reason. There are other things to be angry about instead. I also realize that if I could get over myself, the jealousy, you and I could actually connect. Maybe even be friends someday, who knows. But the alternative isn’t worth it. So I’m playing nice.”

“I’m good with this as long as you aren’t actually
playing
nice, Monica. I need you to actually be nice,” I warn. I’m sick of the fakery and lies. I want real, even if it’s mean.

Monica
drops my hand and looks at the floor. I’m not sure what’s going on in her head. She seems broken, and it causes the ache in my chest to throb in response. I stand to comfort her, but Cortez’s entrance distracts us both.

“You cal
led for my services, Kitten.” Cort nods to Monica, and then kisses me on the cheek. He makes a sour face and wipes his mouth off.

“I see the lil mon
ster got to your face first.” Cort puckers up his lips and cringes.

I burst out laughing. “Ha! Your own mistakes bite you in the ass. Don’t feed chil
dren excessive amounts of sugar,” I warn.

“Ava
tricked me into it. We had a bet and I lost. I should have known better. You spawned a very diabolical child and she has that evil giggle to prove it.” His grin turns to a scowl when he realizes what he said.

“Hey, it doesn’t chang
e anything. It’s the truth. Ava will never meet him.” I rub Cort’s back in comfort.

“I shouldn’t have called Ava
a lil monster, or called her evil.” Cort looks despondent.

“Ava is what she is, and
we are what we are. It’s a version of his giggle isn’t it?” I’d always assumed as much.

“Yeah, it is. His was more cackle, though. It’s
very disturbing.” Cort shudders underneath my hand.

“I kind o
f like the nickname lil monster. It fits Ava well.” I smile to soften our conversation. Monica is looking at us like we sprouted a second head.

“How are ya doing, Monica?” Cortez looks softly at her.

“Good, better. I should probably go. Maybe we can have coffee or something soon, Kat. Really,” she sincerely adds on.

“Actually, I think I would like that
,” I say with some surprise. “Maybe invite Queen, too.” Monica smiles at me and it’s the first real smile I’ve ever seen on her face. It brightens her and makes her very pretty.

“Is Monica
possessed,” Cortez says after he closes the door behind her.

“Nah- I think we
just had a girlfriend moment,” I say in shock.

I punch Cortez
in the shoulder and swipe his feet out from under him. He lands on the sofa in a heap. He sputters as he tries to right himself.

“What the fuck, Kat?” He straighten
s his suit jacket and glares at me.

“That is for teaching Ava very, very bad things. But
it was mostly for making several women hate my guts and I didn’t know why.” I give Cort a hand up off the couch. “So Monica and Kristal, they are interesting choices. They are nothing alike, except for periods of extreme bitchiness.” Cort just shrugs at me- bastard!

“Do I need to worry about
more women hating me on sight? I’d like to know why some women are giving me a bitch-glare or treating me like shit.”

“You should probably be worried,” Cort
seriously says, and then gives me his patented shit-eating grin.

“Is my of
fice monitored,” I whisper in Cort’s ear as I pretend to give him a hug. I wrap my arms around his waist and bury my face in his neck. His arms automatically embrace me back.