Bunny and the Beast(Divine Creek Ranch 22)(36)

Hunter withdrew his hand without a care for where she landed, which thank goodness was in a pair of strong arms. Unfortunately, the movement sent another spasm through her already painful neck.

“We were just coming to see you, Hazelle,” the Dom ground out in clipped syllables. “Your subs are in the habit of laying hands on a Dom? What kind of place are you running here?”

“A place where they are supposed to feel safe and protected from behavior like what I just witnessed.” Joseph looked down at her, and she saw the apology and regret in his eyes. Glancing to the side, she realized it was Robert who was holding her cradled to his chest, flanked by Samson and Randall. “She has an old neck injury, Hunter. Your rough handling aggravated it.”

“What the hell?” Hunter asked as he stood there staring. “Subs are supposed to be vetted for medical issues before they join the club.”

Bunny held her neck as they placed her carefully on the couch once again, and she took a deep breath, attempting to relax. Tension would just cause another spasm.

“Hunter, Miss Carrigan is my guest.”

“I told him that, Sir,” Mona quietly said. “He did not have a green light from her when he grabbed her up by the hair. As a matter of fact, she turned him down.”

“Then he called Mona a slut,” Bunny said, massaging her neck with her eyes closed. “I know name-calling doesn’t bother all subs, but she didn’t deserve it, the way he said it. She was protecting me.”

Joseph squatted down to look into her eyes. “How do you feel?”

“I need ibuprofen and a heating pad stat, Sir, but I’ll be okay. He mainly scared me. He’s not as nice as the others, and I really did turn him down.”

“I believe you. I knew you had an old injury and probably should’ve kept you with me to avoid this.”

“How could you anticipate some dickweed—whoa, I mean some Dom, totally some Dom—grabbing me by my hair.”

Joseph grinned at her. “I’ll overlook your language this once because I can see the pain in your eyes. Mona, will you and the others escort Bunny to my seat? Her clothing is there, and she may put it back on.”

“Sure, Sir,” Mona said, casting a glance around the audience they’d accumulated.

Joseph turned to the errant Dom. “A word in private with you, Hunter. Now. Randall, I’m leaving you in charge of the club. Samson, would you gather the members of the advisory board who are in attendance tonight and join us in my office?”





Chapter Nine




At the end of the evening, Joseph walked with Bunny down the corridor leading to his suite. He’d had a heating pad fetched for her after the incident with Hunter, which she’d said would help. Bravely, she’d insisted she would be all right, but he’d noticed, every time a movement caused her to cringe, guilt had twisted his gut. Allowing her to explore on her own had seemed the best way for her to learn. Of course he’d trusted that none of the dominant club members would behave so callously.

Of all the Doms in the club, Martin Hunter was not one he’d wanted her tangling with. A recent transplant from another club, whose manager had given him a stellar recommendation, he’d been allowed onto the rosters with little concern. That was about to change, though.

“What did you say to that Dom who grabbed me?” Bunny asked, tentatively biting her lip.

He’d caught sight of Hunter as he approached her, not terribly concerned because the Hazelle House Dominant members knew how to take no as an answer. Few people enjoyed rejection, but even Joseph had been shocked when Hunter had suddenly sunken his fingers into her hair and jerked her from her seat, an action that wouldn’t have happened if he’d kept her at his side.

Even more disturbing, the vulnerable sight she’d made in her lacy bra and panties had set off the territorial beast inside him. He’d wanted to pound on Hunter for causing her harm and berated himself for not being close enough to stop Hunter in time.

“Sir?”

He stopped suddenly, realizing she was a few steps behind him.

Smiling, he returned to her and took her hand in his. “I apologize. My thoughts are distracting me. Hunter has been relieved of his membership.”

“You’d do that?”

“The senior advisory board members were all in attendance this evening. He was ejected by a unanimous vote.”

“Holy cow. Are you mad at me?”

“Mad?” he asked in surprise as they took the first flight of stairs.

“Well, Hazelle House is a business, and I cost you a membership tonight.”

He shook his head. “No, Hunter cost himself the membership. And trust me, losing a member won’t even be noticeable on my spreadsheet. And I’d take a small hit rather than risk him damaging my reputation down the road. You haven’t created a financial burden in any way. I’m just glad you’re all right.”