“Are you sure? I know it must have been hard eating that way.”
“I did okay with it,” she says softly, breaking my stare by looking down again.
I reach for my glass of wine and bring it to her lips. “Drink.”
She does so, allowing me to hold the glass for her. The simple act of providing wine makes me want to provide much more. My protective instincts and the need to pamper and nurture the woman is taking over the need for revenge and punishment. Whether or not I like it, seeing Daphne soft and compliant does the same to me.
I take a second to look around and see some men standing up from the table with their pets leashed at their feet. I’m pretty sure they’re all thinking what I am and want to partake in some fun pet play, but I still want to talk to them about Poseidon and what’s been happening behind our backs on Heathens Hollow before I lose their full attention. Now that I’ve had some time to gather my senses and not feel completely blind-sided because Poseidon has been operating in dealings we’d never agree to, and that Athena wasn’t overreacting when she arrived today, I wanted to make sure I had every detail.
“Gentlemen, before we go off and enjoy this party in our individual ways, I would like us to go out and enjoy a nice cigar under the full moon tonight. It won’t take long, and I think our pets will be fine here without us for a short time.”
I stand up and place Daphne on a fluffy black rug nearby. She takes my cue instantly and sits on the floor as a good pet would. Her white tail contrasted with the black, and all I can do is picture myself fucking her on it, but business first. Picking up the cedar box of cigars, I motion for the rest of the men to join me.
* * *
Daphne
I don’t want Apollo to leave. Maybe it’s because I still felt awkward sitting with the rest of the women who chat among themselves, or maybe it is some other reason, but I don’t want to be left here without him.
As I sit on the rug looking around, I realize that the entire time I ate, I was petted, was caressed, and held, I didn’t think about my current situation. I wasn’t a captive. I didn’t feel a prisoner. I was not scared for my life or afraid of Apollo seeking vengeance.
I didn’t want to run and hide.
What I wanted was more of his touch.
Tears well in my eyes. What the fuck is wrong with me? Why am I feeling this way? Or better yet, why aren’t I trying to escape now that no one is around to make sure I stay in the room? The other women pay no attention to me, and even if they did, they don’t know I am held here against my will. So, if I get up and walk out of this room, they won’t give it a second thought.
So, on shaky legs, I do just that.
“I need to use the restroom,” I say loud enough that if anyone is paying attention to me, they can hear.
One step at a time, I walk toward the bathroom on the ground floor. Once I close the door behind me, I release a deep breath. This is not being the good little bunny. This is not behaving. What would Apollo do when he finds out?
Trying not to picture his face, or think of how a belt will feel spanked on my ass again, I reach behind myself and pull out the bunny tail, rinse it off, and place it on the bathroom counter. It’s the ultimate act of defiance, but I can’t exactly make a run for it with a large butt plug up my ass either. Looking at myself in the mirror, I see the diamond collar and decide to keep it on. I have no doubt it’s worth a fortune and it may come in useful if I need access to more funds while on the run. Not knowing how to remove the chained leash without risk of breaking the diamonds, I decide to leave it and carry it as I run.
Taking another deep breath, I open the bathroom door and hope none of the women will notice I removed the tail, or that I’m heading toward the exit.
Me leaving, will unleash the wrath of the Gods the minute Apollo finds me missing.
Heading toward the door leading to the lobby of the bank, I glance over my shoulder and see that no one is paying attention. I know I’m naked, but it doesn’t matter. I rush toward the exit as fast as I can.
I freeze when the front door opens and heavy footsteps storm my direction.
“What the hell are you doing in the lobby?” Apollo asks, with the other men close behind.
I wonder if my trembling legs will even hold me up. What can I even say? There are no words. No excuse. No way out of this situation.
Apollo glares as he marches past me. The smell of cigar and fury blend. He points to the door. “Back in The Vault, now.”
I don’t hesitate and do exactly as he asks. I can’t play the hero. I tried and failed miserably, and I fear that if I anger him or push Apollo in the slightest, he will demand my sister be brought to him then and there as a punishment for my defiance.
I walk right past Apollo but pause just enough to look into his eyes, silently pleading for mercy.
“Now,” he says between clenched teeth.
I nod and scurry downstairs, praying that my sister won’t pay the price for what I tried to do. I hold my breath and pray that I didn’t just embarrass Apollo. I know that betraying the man is one thing, but embarrassing him and publicly showing disrespect is another.
As I enter the main room of The Vault, the pets are still lounging about and talking, completely unaware of what occurred, or that there is even a privateissuebetween husband and wife.