“Lucas had business in Chicago. He was there with Julian’s partner, Finn. I believe he was doing some business for Barnes-Fleetwood. There’s a chain of gourmet groceries Jack’s negotiating with now that he’s been able to up his production.”

Aidan knew all about the deal. He was the reason Barnes-Fleetwood was growing. He’d added his herd to theirs and was now toeing the company line on organic cattle ranching. Aidan’s brother Bo had been against it, but he hadn’t been left the family ranch. “What happened to Lexi?”

“Apparently a good portion of Napa Valley, and then she chose to spend the evening with Jose Cuervo.”

Fuck. She was a terrible lightweight when it came to liquor. The elevator door opened, and Leo led him through the doors to Julian’s penthouse. Aidan could hear Julian’s low growl.

“That’s ten for you, little one. That is gossip, and I don’t care that she’s your friend. I don’t allow gossip, and you know it.” Julian was sitting at an elegant table growling into his cell phone.

Jack Barnes sat beside him, thoughtfully sipping a cup of coffee. The breakfast in front of him looked untouched. Jack gestured that Leo and Aidan should join them.

Julian continued his apparently contentious conversation. “Excuse me. What did you say to me? For your information, Danielle, the stick up my ass has served me well over the years. I will not be removing it, but I might have something to shove up yours when you return from class.”

Leo smiled as a well-dressed servant placed a plate of bacon and eggs and pancakes in front of him. “Sounds like Dani’s in trouble.”

“All of our women are in trouble today,” Jack said, frustration evident in his tone. “Dani called Finn. That’s why Lucas showed up this morning when he was supposed to be in Chicago. Julian considers it gossiping. I believe Dani is arguing that she was talking to one of her husbands about a dear friend.”

“Danielle, you know the rules of this club,” Julian was saying into the phone. “A very bratty ‘I’m sorry’ isn’t going to do it. And while we’re at it, Finn is due some punishment, too. He passed on your little snippet of information to Lucas, and Lucas nearly disrupted my plan.”

Aidan felt his heart start to race as he had a sudden suspicion why he had been called in. Was it really time? He felt like he’d been waiting for years.

“I love you, too, little one. And I am going to deeply enjoy spanking that gorgeous ass of yours tonight.” Julian’s normally placid face broke into a grin. “I’m glad you’re looking forward to it. Make sure our Finn knows he’s in trouble, too. Goodbye, Danielle.” He set the cell down and turned to Leo. “Make sure I have two whipping chairs in the dungeon tonight. My subs require a bit of public punishment.”

“Julian, I’m glad you have something to look forward to. Could we move on? This is serious.” Jack leaned forward and stared at Leo. “Is he ready?”

Fuck yeah, he was ready. Aidan wanted to shout it from the rooftops, but that might prove to Jack that he wasn’t ready. He sat calmly and tried to give off an air of confidence. He was confident. He was ready. He’d been ready for eighteen months in his heart. His body finally had the discipline to catch up. He’d been studying under Leo for the past six months. He’d worked with several submissives, and each one had claimed he was an excellent Dom. He was ready to move on to someone he genuinely cared about.

Leo paused in his wolfing down of breakfast. “He’s absolutely one of the best students I’ve ever taught. I would trust him with my own sub.”

Jack’s eyes rolled. He looked so much like Lucas at times like this, it made Aidan’s heart hurt a little. “You don’t have a permanent sub. And this is my stepdaughter we’re talking about. I have to make sure. My wife is already going to have my head for this. She doesn’t exactly like you, Aidan.”

“I understand, sir.” Abigail Barnes was a bridge he would have to cross when he got to her. If she didn’t shoot him first. “I promise you that I will do whatever it takes to win Lexi’s mom over.”

At one point, she’d been an ally. Abby Barnes had been thrilled when he’d asked Lexi to marry him. She and Lexi had planned that wedding, their heads together as they looked at the bridal books. He’d been on a plane to South Carolina the day he was supposed to get married. His honeymoon had been spent at Fort Jackson getting his ass handed to him when he should have been in Hawaii with Lexi and Lucas. He should have married Lexi and worked Lucas into his life, but he’d been too scared.

His mind didn’t even cringe now at the thought of Lucas. At the time, he’d been so bound by convention that the night he’d spent with the two of them had seemed like a direct line to Perdition. Now he’d seen hell, and damn it, he wanted heaven.

Jack Barnes looked like he had known a bit of both, too. “Just watch your balls, son. I’m afraid my wife won’t hesitate to cut them off.”

Julian smiled, a bright, open smile Aidan wasn’t used to seeing on the Dom’s face. “She took Samuel’s, after all.”

Jack shook his head. “You were easier to deal with when you didn’t have a sense of humor.”

“Well, Jackson, you are being a bit gloom and doom about this whole thing. I, for one, am glad Alexis gave me the perfect opportunity to fix her. She and Lucas have been in limbo for far too long. Now she can face Aidan and move on—with him or without him. It’s up to Aidan, but I’m doing it for Alexis and Lucas. Never forget that.” Julian turned to Aidan, and his previous happy expression was suddenly dark and dangerous. It reminded Aidan of his reputation as a man who didn’t mind doing the dirty work. “If you hurt them again, I assure you, no one will find the body.”

Aidan believed him. He’d learned a few things about Julian Lodge, and he didn’t want to fuck with the man. “I am in this for the right reasons. And I have no intention of allowing either one of them to move on without me. We’re going to be together. I’m going to make this work.”

Julian nodded and turned his attention back to his eggs. “See that you do, then. Lexi has an appointment with Leo this afternoon. If he clears her for play, you can begin tonight. The punishment is public, you understand?”

And just like that, his cock got hard. Fuck, he would have to watch that. The thought of Lexi bound and waiting for his discipline was an image that tightened every muscle in his body. “And Lucas?”

Julian studied him for a moment. “Lucas isn’t being punished.”

Now Jack’s green eyes pinned him as well. “I thought you had pushed past your problems with bisexuality.”

Aidan felt like someone was shining a bright light in his face and interrogating him.

“He’s fine,” Leo assured them. “Trust me, we’ve worked through this in session. He’s good to go.”

Leo’s sessions usually involved getting Aidan to talk while they worked out. Aidan had found himself pouring his heart out to the man before realizing it was a “session.” Aidan had rapidly realized that Leo was an odd psychotherapist, but an effective one. “I’m comfortable with it, Jack.”

“He is.” Leo smirked. “He’s all about the butt sex now.”

And he was a sarcastic one. Aidan turned to stare at him in what he hoped was an intimidating fashion. Julian and Jack were already there.

Leo just shrugged and grinned. “Hey, it’s totally masculine. It’s cowboy butt sex.”

Julian snorted, but Jack just rolled his eyes. “Didn’t you fire that asshole?”

Julian sighed and sat back. “More than once.” Julian went back to being the jovial host. “Excellent. If you’re ready, then we can proceed. You may punish Alexis after I get through with my naughty little slaves. Oh, and add some extra licks for her language last night. Is there a reason all the women in my life are concerned with sticks being up my ass?”

Jack broke into a long laugh. “I can think of a couple, old friend.”

“I suppose you can, Jackson.” Julian looked at Jack. “It’s going to be okay. Have I ever let you down?”

Jack sobered quickly. “No. Not once. It’s not you I’m worried about.”

The big cowboy finally picked up his fork, and Julian began talking about innocuous things. Aidan sat back and promised himself he was done with letting the people he loved down. He’d lost Lexi and Lucas. He’d lost his music career. He’d damn near lost his life. He stared down at his left hand. It didn’t work the way it used to. He couldn’t handle a guitar anymore, but he could wield a paddle and a whip. He could work his ranch and bring in money. He could give Lucas and Lexi what they needed.

It was time to take his life back.

* * *

Lexi relaxed back in the comfy chair Leo kept in his office. Despite being The Club’s resident leather clad Dom, his office was a little oasis of Zen. He kept bamboo plants around the space, and it was painted in soothing, muted colors. There was a fountain on the wall that made the whole thing look like a waterfall. Everything about the office said calm, cool, sane.

Yep, Leo was a shrink.

And she had to convince him she wasn’t crazy.

“I’m not crazy, you know,” Lexi said, hating the silence.

Leo, on the other hand, seemed perfectly willing to let it go on forever. She felt stupid the moment the words left her mouth. Yeah, that was the way to work it. He’d never heard those words before.

“I know, Lexi.” Leo sat back in the chair across from her, negligently planting one leg over the other. He was dressed casually, and his hair was still wet as though he’d just come from a shower. He was ridiculously handsome, with long dark hair that reached his shoulders and piercing blue eyes. He had a military bearing that no amount of letting his hair grow out could cover. He reminded her of…nope, she wasn’t going to go there.