Andrew was standing there, his face so full of concern, she almost burst into tears just looking at him. He was in his club clothes, leather pants and a leather jacket over what was probably a bare chest, and she knew just from looking at him that Patrick must have told them all she’d canceled her membership. Next to him, white-blonde hair in a high ponytail, Kate had her hands tucked into a bright blue pea coat, the same concerned expression on her face. Ellie didn’t get a chance to see what Sharon was wearing or what her expression was, because the other woman practically tackled Ellie in a hug.

“Don’t you ever stop answering your phone again!” Sharon’s voice was high and anxious, although not nearly as anxious as Ellie felt when she saw who else had come.

Steely grey eyes pinned her in place. Olivia’s tight fitting leather pants, corset, and half jacket did nothing to soften the aura of menace emanating from her. She was the epitome of in-charge Domme on a mission, and Ellie quailed under that hard gaze.

“Let’s go inside,” Andrew said, putting his hand on Sharon’s back so she’d let go of Ellie long enough for Ellie to allow them past.

She retreated back into the apartment, sighing in exasperation as an orange blur zipped down the hall to hide in her bedroom. Sure, the only other person in the world he wasn’t shy with was Michael. That was... just great. It would have been nice to have a cat to hold. Something to put in between her and the others. Like a safety blanket.

Kate, Andrew, and Sharon sat down on her couch, while Olivia took the comfy armchair, looking an awful lot like a queen taking the throne. Ellie eyed the Domme warily. She was well known around the club, both as a mother hen and someone who doled out tough love.

“So are you here to tell me the hard truths?” she asked, using her defensiveness to go on the offensive. Olivia’s unblinking stare was unnerving her more than anything else could.

“Oh no,” Olivia said, her voice low and smooth. She gestured at the three on the couch. “You get them first. Unless you’re uncooperative. Then you get me.”

Ellie shuddered. Olivia smiled. It wasn’t a comforting smile. Then she sat back, looking over at Andrew as if passing the reins.

“Don’t look so scared, Ell, we’re just here to check on you and make sure you’re okay,” Andrew said as Ellie sank down into her other armchair on wobbly knees. “We would have been by earlier, but we were trying to give you space, and since you weren’t picking up your phone, we figured that’s what you needed.”