“I can restock the kitchen down here if you want, but you don’t have to stay here. Your room is still your room. Nothing’s changed.”

Everything’s changed.

* * *

Well past dark that evening, the doorbell rang. The Christmas decorations had been taken down the preceding week, so there was nowhere for Faith to hide except a nearby parlor. A woman’s voice filled the entryway.

“Good evening, Demetri.”

“Ah, Esmeralda. Mr. Raspallo is expecting you. You know the way, of course.”

“Of course.” Her voice was smooth honey with a bite of bitter chilled wind. Her words were clipped and precise—nothing like the other women who’d come before. None of them would have dared to clip a word. For the others, each word had been a modest question, practically an ascetic’s prayer. This was the person they prayed to.

When Demetri went to the formal dining room to polish silver, Faith slipped through the entryway and stole to the back of the house where the dark hallways led to the dungeon.

Leo had ordered her never to eavesdrop on him again, and maybe this woman wasn’t here for that. Maybe it was some kind of business thing. Leo did run a business. It was easy to forget he actually worked in that office of his and wasn’t off being mysterious and unavailable for the sake of intrigue.

She crept to her normal hiding spot, determined to pay attention so she could escape in time if things went quiet for too long.

“What’s this really about, Leo?” the woman asked.

“I’m paying you not to ask questions.”

“And I don’t need your money,” she replied more honey than bitter for the moment. “Are you sure you aren’t a masochist? Perhaps a switch? A lot of men have some submissive tendencies. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. It doesn’t make you less of a man. Running such a successful business and practice with so many people to keep happy is stressful. It’s okay to surrender sometimes.”

“It’s not about that. Business is great. I told you, I’m not a sub, nor a masochist. I get no pleasure out of this.”

“Well, you’ve learned everything I have to teach you, so what are you punishing yourself for?”

Silence filled the space below. It stretched long enough that Faith worried she’d made a sound. She was poised to make her escape when he spoke.

“Are you going to do it or not?”

“This is the last time, Leo. If you call me again, I’ll expect a full explanation of why my services are required by a man who doesn’t get off on being whipped.”

“Make sure the ropes are tight so I can’t get out, and don’t hold back. Don’t stop until your arm gives out.”

“That’s the last order you’ll be delivering tonight, Mr. Raspallo. Undress. We wouldn’t want to ruin your fine clothes.” The bite was back.

Faith couldn’t imagine Leo ever allowing a woman to tie him up, to render him so utterly helpless and defenseless. He was all powerful, holding her life in his hands, capable of doing anything. The contrast was too stark.