NOTE FROM RIOTTORI: THIS IS A SHORT CHAPTER BECAUSE I REALLY NEED FEED-BACK. PLEASE REVIEW AS QUICKLY AS YOU CAN. THANKS.

Christian:

My guy phones me a little before 12. Miss Thomas is approaching Grey Publishing. I grab my cell, shout to Helen that I have to go out and run to the elevator, precious seconds ticking away as I wait. I get in, get my car keys out of my pocket, ready to go and run out of the elevator towards my car. I roar off towards Grey Publishing and my wife...

My stomach lurches when I pull out of the parking and see the line of traffic preventing me from getting to my Ana. I lean on the horn, impatient. Come on, come on. Move it! We inch forward, slowly, frustratingly slowly. I feel my blood pressure rising, matching my elevated heart rate. I honk my horn again. I can't stand this, I have to get moving. The traffic starts to clear and we're speeding up, we're moving, I'm closing the gap between me and my wife. I'm coming, I shout as I race forward, slicing the air in front of me with my car...

My cell rings as I careen through the space between us. I see her name flash up, a beacon of hope. I answer it, say her name, try to take in what she's saying. She wants a meeting with Michael. She wants a divorce. I falter. Has she been taken in by Alice, the way that I was? Does she believe her lies? I throw out a prayer that this is all part of a plan Ana has constructed. I take a breath, grant Ana permission. Tell her I'll set up a meeting, tell her I'm busy. I end the call and rush to my wife, praying, praying...

I pull into an empty spot and park at an angle, open the door, pound the path to the entrance, I yank on the handle of the glass door and stumble through. People look up as I run but I leave them in my wake. I reach the elevator and slam the button to call it to me. I pace as I wait for the elevator to obey, pace and pray, pace and pray...

The elevator pings its arrival. I get in, punch the button to close the doors. Come on, come on. I will the elevator to go quicker, to bring me to Ana's floor. And I'm there, I run out, race to Ana's office, see people leaving their seats at the commotion. Someone is calling my name, questions are thrown from all sides. I grab the knob and fling open the door to my wife's office.

Ana:

"First rule of business. You must always read before you sign." I start to laugh.

Alice is watching me, looking like a cornered cat. "What..what do you mean?"

I sit down and lean back in my office chair, my eyes never leaving her. I watch her gulp and I relish the effect that I am having on her.

"I can be cruel, Alice. I can be so cruel. Do you really want me to be?" Her eyes flick from side to side and I watch her smooth neck take another gulp, swallow down her worry. I almost feel sorry for her. Almost.

"Who do you think you are?" It's been the question on the tip of my tongue for days, the question I have been asking myself for weeks. I smile that I have found the answer. This is who I am, the embodiment of the voice.

She blinks, unsure how to answer. "What did I sign?" Her voice comes out as a whisper.

"You wanted to be a Sub?" My question teases her, causes her face to whiten even more. "You got your wish. You're mine!"