“Well, I’m the first to admit I’ve never actually run a club, but I’ve worked a lot in restaurants, and I definitely know how to manage people,” Michael said. “It would need to be similar but different from Stronghold. Put it in a more central location in the city but with a discreet entrance. If people want more privacy and security, they’re going to have to pay more for it, so might as well go ahead and make it upscale in every way - food, drinks, decor.” He could feel his enthusiasm growing as he started to really warm up to the idea. “Make it kind of like a classy speakeasy - you can’t get in unless you’re in the know.”

“I like it,” Lexie said, before Patrick could reply, her bright blue eyes shining. “Not that I don’t love Stronghold, what you’re describing sounds like a snobby version, but in a good way.”

“Why food?” Patrick asked. “That’s a lot more work.”

“Yeah, but it also makes it more than a kink club, and if the new target clientele is people with money to spend, they’ll like the extras. It could be like a speakeasy, restaurant on one level, then the rest of the club on the others. Or behind a door. The restaurant takes the place of the lobby, and that way people can hang out before or after. Food could still be served at the bar in the club area, but it wouldn’t be the focus there. Hell, make it into a hotel... have some rooms where people can spend the weekend if they reserve the rooms, fully immerse themselves into the BDSM experience.”

Interest was alight in Patrick’s eyes, tempered just a bit by caution. “That doesn’t sound anything like what I was originally thinking, but I really like it. Keep talking.”

“Okay, well while you guys do that, I’m going to go talk a walk over to the bar,” Jake said, picking up his near-empty beer glass. “There’s a seriously hot blonde over there who could definitely use my company.” Lexie made a faux-gagging noise as her brother walked away, but the others just chuckled before turning back into the conversation, just as interested as Patrick and Michael at brainstorming ideas.

It didn’t take long before the entire group was squeezed in around their table, suggesting ideas for what a new Stronghold club might look like while Lexie scribbled frantically on the back of a paper coaster.

2

“How can I have so many clothes and nothing to wear?” Ellie muttered under her breath. She shot a glare at Watson who was sitting on her bed. “And, of course, someone had to shred the exact corset I was planning on wearing.”

Completely unperturbed by her annoyed tone, Watson lifted his leg in the air and proceeded to lick his nonexistent balls. She made a face at him.

“So helpful.”