They looked at each other significantly like they were silently fighting about who was going to talk. Rami finally said, “We’re not here for one of your normal sessions. I’m Mr. Chase’s attorney and we’d like to talk about an…unconventional session.”

Clients always thought what they were suggesting was unique, but when you’d been in this business as long as I had, nothing shocked you anymore. I wanted them to get to the damn point.

“I assure you this is a judgment-free zone. As long as what you’re proposing falls within the rules on that sheet, I’m sure we can find a way to bring your fantasy to life.”

Rami was in the process of taking a drink of water and choked on it. He managed to sputter, “We’ll need you to sign an NDA before we can discuss it.”

“Our standard NDA should apply here and that’s already taken care of.”

Rami looked at me pleadingly. “Nonetheless, we need something more specific. It was signed off by Lady Victoria this afternoon. She said it wouldn’t be an issue.”

Of course she did. Our owner would’ve seen the client name and been willing to do anything to add him to our roster. Exasperating woman.

I sat on the chair on the other side of him, carefully tucking one ankle behind the other as he slid an iPad across the coffee table to me. I verified Victoria’s signature was there and signed beneath hers without looking at the rest of the nondisclosure agreement. I was too tired to care, and if Victoria approved it, I could trust there wouldn’t be anything wonky. I would never violate a client’s privacy anyway, so it didn’t matter.

Rami nodded his thanks and opened a second document for me. I started to read, but was too aware of Alex Chase staring at me while I tried to make sense of what they wanted.

I scanned it quickly, fighting a yawn. “It’s late. Why don’t you give me the elevator pitch version?”

Rami said, “Apologies for the late hour. We thought it safest to avoid the press as Mr. Chase is quite famous but insisted upon joining me for the meeting.”

It was clear from the gentle chastisement in his tone that there was friendship between them.

“I wasn’t letting you come to a dungeon without me…” Alex Chase said.

As though it was a visit to a theme park.

Rami didn’t acknowledge him. “Mr. Chase is an actor and has been cast as Lucas Steel.”

I forced myself not to react, but it was a struggle since he’d just named a character from one of my favorite books.

Squealing with excitement at the very mention of the film adaptation would be undignified. The character was dark and twisted, but as the series unfolds, it becomes clear he’s doing bad things to protect his people. Okay, mostly to protect his people. He’s still a little morally ambiguous, but who doesn’t love a complicated, villainous hero who’s willing to become a monster to keep the woman he loves safe?