Elena laughed, but it wasn’t the warm, genuine one I’d gotten used to. “The older dommes do quite well for themselves. You’d be surprised how many men prefer an older woman when they get to be honest about their desires. Women come into their power as they age.”

Elena had subtly gestured towards my mom when she said the last word and I could see my mom bristling.

Shockingly, it was Ryan who broke the tension for us by blurting, “Zane got his dick pierced.”

We all whipped around to look at Zane who glared daggers at our youngest sibling.

My mother snapped, “Language, Ryan!”

Zane growled, “How the fuck did you know that?”

“The blonde you had over last night was loud and wouldn’t shut up about it.”

My mother’s fork clattered to the table, and when she spoke again, it was in a tone I hadn’t heard for years. “Ryan James Chase, this is not appropriate dinner conversation. And Zane, why would you do something like that to yourself?”

Zane shrugged.

Mom said, “My honorary son, Rami, is the only one behaving the way I raised you boys to act.”

Elena grinned. “That Rami, always above reproach. Did you ever find your phone under that desk?”

I’d never seen Rami blush before, but his cheeks were definitely bright red. Exemplary trolling from Elena as always.

“I did.”

Ryan said, “I’ve got homework to do. Are we done with obligatory family dinner time?” Not waiting for an answer, he got up from the table and took his plate.

We cleaned up the dishes and hung out for a few more hours without any further fireworks. There was definite tension between my mother and Elena, but it eased as the evening went on and Elena continued to be her articulate, charming self.

When they’d all finally left, we retreated to the bedroom.

“Thank the goddess they’re staying with Zane.” Elena laughed, pulling my clothes off. “P.S. How did you turn out so wholesome and Zane...didn't?”

“The corrupting influence of rock and roll, obviously. What do you mean, though? The piercing?”

She laughed mischievously.“My superpower told me more than I want to know about your little brother. Let’s just say Zane is a very bad boy who could make Lucas Steel blush. And no, it has nothing to do with the piercing."

“Gross. I'm docking you an orgasm for even mentioning it. Now what do I owe you for that disaster?” I groaned and flopped down on the bed.

She gave a throaty chuckle. “You owe me as many orgasms as it takes for me to stop picturing your brother’s pierced dick or hearing your mother’s reference to ‘wrinkly old dominatrixes’ in my head.”

I groaned again and threw a hand over my eyes like I could block it out. I peered through my fingers. “That’s a tall order. We may need to extend our contract for it to even be possible.”

She froze. It was only a split second, but enough for me to see the shift in her posture.