CHAPTER ONE-PART 2


    “No, I won’t deny that.” Taking a deep breath, she plunged into the sordid tale. “Sabrina told me about a


    year ago that she was a submissive. I tried to make her see reason, but she was convinced she was


    happy bowing and scraping to someone.”


    “Perhaps she was.”


    Trying to hide her distaste, she shrugged. “Maybe. It seemed fairly harmless, as long as it was still a


    fantasy. I knew she had a membership to some prison club.”


    “Dungeon,” he corrected with just a trace of augh.


    “Whatever. A few months ago, she told me she’d met a wonderful man and had epted him as her


    Master.” She grimaced. “I was worried about her, but I couldn’t convince her to slow down. Six weeks


    ago, she told me she had entered into a contract to be his ve.” Sable shuddered. “very. What the


    hell is wrong with her?”


    He wore a serious expression. “Some submissives enjoy having someone assumeplete


    responsibility for their needs. It makes them feel free.”


    “Hmm.” It seemed wiser not to show more of her opinion on the subject. “It was crazy. She gave away


    her possessions, sold her apartment and car, and stopped taking modeling and acting jobs.” Sable


    frowned, remembering how buoyant her sister had been as she’d dismantled her entire life. “She even


    left her dog with me. Sable loves Sparkles more than anything in the world, except maybe me. Sobbing


    her heart out, she actually left her.”


    “I suppose it had to be done, and she’d decided to entrust herself to her Master’s care.” Julian


    shrugged. “What do you want from me? Are you looking for a psychological exnation, or more


    information on the finer workings of top and bottom rtionships?”


    “No, thanks. I have the Inte, you know.” She took another deep breath, trying to control her


    irritation. “Look, part of the contract included Sabrina being able to contact anyone she chose. She was


    supposed to retain her own cell phone and email address and be able to freelymunicate.” At his


    nod, she continued. “I heard from her the day after she arrived, but not since then. Her phone number


    is disconnected, and she hasn’t answered her emails.”


    Julian frowned. “Do you know if the contract allowed the Master to suspend her privileges as


    punishment?”


    Sable shrugged. “I have no idea, but I thought about that. It seemed reasonable to assume someone


    like that would punish a grown woman for following her own mind, but surely it wouldn’tst six weeks?


    I’m afraid she’s gotten in over her head with someone who isn’t holding up their side of the bargain.”


    Julian looked troubled. “I won’t lie to you, Ms. Collins. There are Dominants who disregard the ve


    contract in an attempt to truly enve their partner.”


    “Partner?” She snorted. “Sabrina isn’t a partner. She’s being exploited, and the idiot agreed to it.”


    His lips thinned. “I’m sure it’s moreplicated than that.”


    “Whatever.” She waved a hand. “I really don’t care about the dynamics. What I care about is finding my


    sister. You’re the only person I know who is into this stuff, so I thought you might be able to give me an


    idea where to look.”


    Julian shrugged. “I might. If I can help, I will. Do you know the Master’s name?”


    Sable shook her head. “She only called him Master.”


    “Do you have any idea where she went?”


    “I know it was somewhere in the mountains. Her flightnded in Denver, and I know she called me


    about six hours after shended, so I assume it’s somewhere in Colorado? Sabrina told me it was an


    exclusivemunity, and she was excited to join it. She said she wouldn’t have to live in fear of others’


    judgments.” Sable shifted with difort, sure her sister had included her in that group.


    Julian’s eyes lightened a bit. “I might be able to help. I’ve heard of a fewmunities around the


    country, where Doms and subs live openly, or at least with less need to hide. I’ve never been to one,


    but I can try to track down some information.”


    Sable had to suppress the urge to cry. She was not a weak woman, constantly in tears, but the stress


    was catching up with her. “Thank you. I’d appreciate that.”


    “How can I reach you?”


    This text is ? N?velDrama/.Org.


    “Here.” She withdrew a business card. “Call my cell number. I’m staying at The Fairmont.”


    Julian took the card, slipping it into the pocket of his ck cords. It waspletely inappropriate to


    appreciate the snug fit of his pants in the circumstances. “I’ll make some calls and be in touch as soon


    as I can. I’ll also let you know if I can’t get any information.”


    “Thanks.” A small surge of hope made it possible to stand erect and leave the shop when what she


    really wanted to do was just copse in a heap and sleep for twenty-four hours or so. By the time she


    reached her hotel, theck of sleep over the past week caught up with her, and she crashed into her


    bed in one of the bungalows.