“Cade, bid’s to you,” someone said, and he looked up to find the other players at the table waiting expectantly.

He looked down at his hand. Garbage. He tossed in his cards and stood. “I’m out.”

He walked to the bar James had set up on the other side of the pool table and poured himself a soda, then glanced around the room. The three men he’d wanted to talk to tonight were all here, and had all agreed to hang back after the gathering was over to talk. He just had to get through the next few hours of socializing first, so he carried his drink back to the poker table for the next hand.

Three hours later, the last guest had been shown the door, and it was just Cade, Jack, Nick and James left in the basement. They gathered around the abandoned poker table, all eyes expectantly on Cade.

“First, thanks for being here,” he began. “I know this is a big ask, and that you’re all willing to consider it means a lot.”

“Honored to be asked,” Jack said, his hand wrapped around a lowball glass.

Nick nodded. “Same.”

“Three for three,” James put in. “Knowing you have that kind of trust in me as a Dom is a helluva compliment.”

“It’s well deserved,” Cade replied, and it was. Each of the three men in front of him were, in his mind, the best of the best. Good, thoughtful, caring Doms who could help him bring Olivia’s fantasy to life while helping to keep her safe.

“I’ve talked it over with Amanda,” James went on seriously, and Cade knew what his answer was. “I’m sorry, but the CNC…I can’t do it.”

“Fair enough,” Cade said agreeably. He didn’t fault his friend for turning him down. It was a big ask, and James had to do what was right for him.

“I had a talk with Rebecca,” Nick said, and Cade held his breath. Out of all the men present, Cade was the closest to Nick, and the one he wanted on board the most for this scene. “She wants me to clarify a few things, and she has some conditions, but as long as those are met, she’s cool with it. I’m in.”

Cade’s breath left in a whoosh, and he felt almost giddy with relief. “Thank you.”

“I’m in, too,” Jack put in, tapping his finger against the glass he held. “Will three be enough?”

Cade nodded. “Three will work just fine. James, how do you feel about being involved in a hands-off capacity?”

“I could probably do hands off,” James mused. “What do you have in mind?”

Cade leaned forward and explained, in great detail, his plan for the abduction, torture, and gang rape of his girlfriend.

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven