“We don’t role play here, Trixie. We’ve tried it and it doesn’t work for them and it doesn’t work for me. We live the life. Unfortunately, what I didn’t think about is how my choices might affect my daughter. You have a decision to make. You can make those choices now while you’re on your getaway and deal with them accordingly when you return home.
“Whatever you decide, I think you should discuss your feelings with your fellas because they’ll want to be part of this process.”
“You’re right.”
“I know. I usually am.”
“I love you, Vicky.”
“Love you, too, baby girl.” A beat later, she quickly said, “So tell me. Is Mitch staying this time?”
“I wouldn’t be with him if I didn’t think he was back for good.”
“Did Brock return from wherever he wandered off to?” Vicky asked.
“No, why?”
“He sounded worried about you. I’ll keep you on the phone until I hear his deep, guttural voice hollering for his submissive one.”
Trixie laughed. “Oh, Vicky, you know how Brock is. He’s overly protective to a fault.”
“Cherish him,” Vicky said. “It’s nice to know you’re loved and wanted. Besides, Brock isn’t happy unless your thong is crammed up his ass which means he probably isn’t propositioned on a regular basis.”
“Nice visual,” Trixie muttered. “You may be on to something, Vicky.”
“Oh, doll, I could tell you all sorts of nifty tricks. I don’t use dryer sheets anymore. I like static cling.” She laughed. “Ask Patrick. When he goes to conferences, he often finds a pair of panties stuck to the seat of his slacks. It’s just a nice gesture to remind him. Only one woman owns his ass.”
“And here I thought your relationship worked the other way around.”
“Shh,” Vicky whispered. “That’s the beauty in Domination and submission. Domestic slaves and subs have a lot more control than they ever willingly admit. It would ruin things for all of us if anyone let our secret out.”
“I love it when you speak with such a conspiratorial tone.”
“Okay now, back to Brock. Who or what is on his radar now? Let me guess. Another man in his bed made him paranoid?”
“More like another freak working at Cow Camp.”
“I’m not laughing, Trixie,” Vicky said. “When you were abducted, it was as if the world stopped. We were all terrified the outcome with Stephen Pratchert would end badly.”
“This guy working here isn’t another Pratchert. He’s just a pervert.”
“What’d he do?”
“It’s not important,” Trixie replied, unwilling to discuss the actions she’d witnessed earlier.
“Use your head, Trixie. If Brock tells you he doesn’t want you around someone you’ve already labeled as a pervert, it’s safe to assume this guy is probably someone you want to avoid.”
“Brock is overacting. He doesn’t want me near him because the guy was in prison with Mitch. You know how Brock is. He doesn’t like anyone who has a record.”
“Is Mitch in that same category?”
“He was pretty rough on Mitch but he’s coming around,” Trixie replied.
“Mitch doesn’t exactly have the best reputation for aligning himself with upstanding citizens.”
“I know, but this Cash fellow is harmless.”
“Trixie, wait. Did you say Cash?”
“I know, right?” Trixie took a sip of her soda. “Maybe that’s why Brock doesn’t like him. His name makes him sound like a gangster or—”
“Trixie! What is Cash’s last name?” Vicky sounded completely frantic.
“He isn’t from back home. I doubt you know him.”
“His name, Trixie. What is his name?” There was a lot of background noise then. It sounded as if Vicky were opening and shutting doors. “Joshua! Patrick! Aspen! Get in here! Hurry!” A second later, she was back on the line. “Trixie. What is his last name?”
Trixie flopped down on the sofa and curled her legs behind her. “I can’t remember. White something. I just don’t re—”
“Whitehead?”
“That’s it,” Trixie replied. “Cash Whitehead.”
“Oh my God, Trixie. You have to go someplace safe until Brock comes back for you.”
“Why? What’s going on?”
“Just do it!” Vicky screamed.
“Vicky?” A swift kick of fear struck her in the gut. She suddenly felt as if history had already started to repeat itself.
“Honey, listen to me! Cash Whitehead was close friends with Stephen Pratchert. When Stephen was killed, Cash Whitehead went public about some of the things Stephen had told him about you and your mother.”