She screeched against the ball gag, her words unintelligible. Anger radiated from her, and Bunny inched back against Joseph’s leg, well out of her range.
Hector sighed. “No, my poor girl. Joseph will revoke your temporary club membership, and you will not be rewarded with pain. You will go without, at least as far as Hazelle House is concerned. Joseph, I believe that was her real intention in coming to your club. Our club Doms here were concerned about her bringing serious injury upon herself. She told me she was doing better. I knew she had to go out of town on business, but I didn’t know she would be paying your club a visit. Juno will be heartbroken over this, Jillian. I am disappointed.”
That seemed to get a reaction from Jillian, as she stilled and then looked at Hector’s face and finally dropped her gaze and nodded.
Joseph looked around the group and said, “And people wonder why I detest difficult subs.”
Bunny scoffed and turned the phone screen to her. “For the record, Master Hector, I have been an angel. Just sayin’.”
“Right,” Hector countered and then chuckled. “Well, this has put a real damper on my evening. I think I’m going to have a drink and then see if my wife is still feeding the baby or back in bed asleep. Jillian?”
Jillian looked up once again and blinked through her tears. She made an assenting sound. Her hands weren’t cuffed, and neither were her legs. None of the men restrained her with their hands any longer. But the ball gag stayed where it was, probably providing her a measure of comfort through its control of her speech.
“I can’t make you take care of yourself. I can’t make you seek help. I don’t want to cut you off from Juno and the club. Love, when you’re on an even keel, you’re a good submissive and a delight for any sadist, but your heart and your head aren’t in a healthy place right now. Please don’t seek what you need among strangers. Come home as soon as you can, and we will work something out, so that acting out to get what you need isn’t necessary.”
Samson watched her face for signs of distress or leashed anger, but she sat still, her legs sprawled out to the side and gradually moved to take on her former kneeling position.
Watching silently as she gathered herself, Hector said, “Make your apologies to Joseph and Samson’s guests. You’ve made a poor representation to Samson’s brother of what BDSM is all about.” Joseph removed the gag, and Jillian coughed and licked her lips.
“But I thought he was a Dom. He should know…” She looked at Ivan, and he shook his head.
“I’m a chef, ma’am, and I am excellent with a knife.”
His use of the proper female address seemed like a lash against her, an unpleasant one, and finally her cheeks filled with color. “I made an assumption. I’m sorry.” With the apology tendered, she added, “You’re really a chef?”
Cassie finally found her voice and said, “Yes, and get your eyes off of him. He’s mine, too.”
Jillian bit her lip as she turned to Cassie, and Samson braced for more ugliness, but Jillian said, “I apologize for speaking so rudely to you. I understand this is my last visit here, and I own that, but I’m embarrassed my behavior is a reflection on Master Hector and Juno. This isn’t their fault. I took all of this too far. I concluded my business in San Antonio today, Sir. I’ll collect my things and leave now.”
Hector seemed relieved, and it was obvious he cared about Jillian. “Get some sleep, Jillian. When you get your flight information, please text it to me and I’ll have someone at the airport here to pick you up when your flight arrives.”
“Yes, Sir. I’m sorry, Sir.”
“We’ll talk when you get home.”
Joseph excused himself from their group and walked her out. The club gradually filled with the more typical sounds of play sessions, and Samson looked around the group at all their shocked faces and waved to a waitress, who came and took drink orders. He gently squeezed Cassie, who was trembling. “Baby? You all right?”
She turned in his embrace and put her arms around his shoulders. Against his neck, she whispered, “I’m so embarrassed. I’ve never ever lost my cool like that. I can’t stop shaking.”
He chuckled and patted her hip. “Then I guess you were overdue. You’re feeling the adrenaline overload. Try to let it roll through you without fighting it. Jillian provoked you with the intention of getting a reaction.”
“Which makes this more embarrassing because I gave in to the urge just as she intended.” She turned to face the rest of their friends. “I’m sorry for losing it.”