Nora couldn’t answer. The only ideas she had involved beating the shit out of Lance’s ex-wife and the attorney who dragged Lance’s private fantasies into the courtroom.

“It’s not right,” Nora said. “It’s not fair.”

“It is what it is.” Lance raised his hands. “I haven’t given up. I’m just regrouping before the next fight.”

They finished their coffee and returned to her car.

“So who’s up next?” Lance asked.

“He’s the CFO of some big computer company. Pineapple, Crabapple, something fruity. I can’t remember the name.”

“He’s kinky?”

“No, he’s not actually. Not really. He’s a chronic pain sufferer.”

“And he sees a Dominatrix? That doesn’t make any sense.”

“Submitting to pain causes the body to release endorphins and other natural pain-fighting hormones. I see several guys who medicinal floggings.”

Lance waited outside the door as Nora gave the billionaire businessman the holistic flogging of his dreams. She poured her anger and frustration at the injustice of Lance’s situation out onto her client. She left the client a thousand dollars poorer but that did nothing to help Nora’s mood.

Lance escorted her to the car and they headed back to Connecticut. Usually she spent her weekends playing at Kingsley’s townhouse. The most interesting kinksters of the city passed through his house on a regular basis. They’d drink, they’d talk, they’d play. One time Kingsley and Søren had even gotten into something of a Dominants’ duel as they put their flogging and whipping skills to the test. A little alcohol plus a lot of male ego plus far too many beautiful women watching and applauding had made for one hell of an entertaining evening. But she knew the atmosphere at Kingsley’s would be subdued while everyone waited for news about Mistress Natasha and the man who had attacked her. So much injustice in the world, so much suffering. On days like this Nora almost wished she could have been one of those vanilla types she usually so disdained. A nice husband, a house in the country, maybe some cats and dogs. She could write and go for long walks, maybe do volunteer work. She knew she’d be bored out of her mind after a week with a life like that. But every now and then she did see the appeal of a life lived outside the Underground.

They reached her house and Lance escorted her all the way to the door.

“You want to come in?” she asked. “I won’t jump you. I promise we can just eat dinner and talk.”

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea. I can’t remember the last time I wanted someone as much as I want you. We both might forget to behave ourselves.”

Nora leaned back against her front door.

“There are other jobs, you know, even if you lose this one,” she said.

“This one pays better than anything I could get right now that isn’t a desk job.”

“Money troubles?”

“No. I’m just saving up to buy a really good lawyer and go another round with my ex-wife.”