Independence: #4 Hayley Read Free Page A

agree. Otherwise grouping like that isn’t fair to the sub. They don’t know each other well enough to benefit working with a sub.” Colin kissed Angel quickly and stepped to the side, long legs crossing to where the three men stood talking.
    Gabe watched as one of the men turned on his partner with more than a little anger, but he also knew Colin could handle himself. Especially since he was also the legal representative for the club. Gabe placed a reassuring hand on Angel’s shoulder when she stiffened.
    “He’ll be alright, Angel.” Gabe promised her soothingly. Their last month and a half together hadn’t exactly been smooth and Colin had been hurt in the process.
    “That’s better,” Dianna agreed, the sound of the timer going off sent her back to the stage. She stepped up to the woman standing immobile and held her hand out to her and her voice soft. Both wrists were immediately placed in Dianna’s palm. She looked out at the audience and counted down aloud to zero before nodding to Evan.
    He went to Jack and Dane, his voice low. He received a pair of crimson leather cuffs and carried them to Dianna.
    “Congratulations, gentlemen. Your bid will help the children’s unit and hopefully, provide the three of you with an enjoyable, eventful weekend.” Dianna led the silent sub to the stairs, her voice low as she verbally guided her to floor level. While she walked to the waiting winners, people appeared and began dismantling the temporary stage.
    “Problem resolved?” Gabe asked when Colin rejoined them, the disgruntled trio going off in different directions.
    “Of course. Once I informed them that the management made the rules. That our auction sub was not a pass-around girl and that the fact that they had never been known to work together, disqualified them from bidding as a unit.” Colin eased Angel back into his arms, his chin resting on her head. “They tried lying. I told them give me the dates and I’d have computer logs verified.”
    “Circulate their names,” Gabe said quietly. “Keep an eye on them. I’ll have Claudia check their membership and see how long they’ve been members. They might need a refresher about honesty.”
    “Thank you,” Bailey peered up at him with a mischievous smile. “Sir.”
    Gabe shook his head, his palm sliding down her back and onto the exposed ass with a firm slap that made her jump. Just enough.
    “Excuse us, gentlemen, mistress,” Gabe applied a suitably grim expression. “I think I’ve been sorely lacking in my reward for the win my sub just accomplished. I’m incredibly proud of her. Enjoy…and congratulations on your win.”
    Dianna looked at first one man and then the other before nodding.
    “Jack…Dane…Hayley. Congratulations.”
    Jack didn’t touch the set of cuffs they’d had made a few years ago when they realized how much their experience was enhanced when they played together. Neither of them was gay or even bi, but the act of sharing a woman, and especially a sub, had heightened their senses like never before. He walked very slowly around the woman wearing the coral mask.
    Dane held out his hand when Dianna handed him a key to one of the private rooms on the third floor. He looked over the woman’s shoulder at Jack before placing his closed hand beneath her chin and tipping it up.
    One part of him groaned; another part of him throbbed and the third part of him made him shake his head at the fire deep in eyes almost the same color as her hair. A deep, golden honey color with hints of red at the edges.
    “Mistress Dianna offered her training to you?” He asked, holding her gaze without a hint of emotion on his face. When she nodded, he shook his head in response. “Always verbal.”
    “Yes, she did,” came the low, flowing answer.
    “Then I’m more than a little certain Mistress Dianna and Bailey explained the protocols for addressing your Dom, whether it be for a night, a weekend or a lifetime.” Jack leaned in from behind