“Maybe one day you’ll write down everything she told you rather than slipping into a coma with a smile whenever we ask you things that remind you of Mom.”
“Maybe I will, Hales,” Coco said. “That’s always been the plan.”
“You’d better start writing soon,” Liam said. “If we’re out of the gun business, we’ll have to find some form of legitimate income.”
“And you expect me to keep you boys up?”
“I’m not too proud,” Hales said, leaning back and clasping his hands behind his head.
“We have plenty to do here,” Brandon said, shooting Kurt a sideways glance. “Who knows, maybe after a couple of weeks off, we’ll be ready to start whipping this place into shape.”
“Sounds like a lot of work, but I’m up for it,” Kurt said.
“I’d rather earn a real man’s honest wage than an easy dollar,” Liam said.
“Easy money comes with strings attached,” Coco said.
“Says the woman with a hundred million dollars,” Dante said, probably believing she had that much to her name given the fact her father had cheated the mob.
“Something else comes with strings attached,” Brandon said, going to a nearby drawer and pulling out a wide oblong jewelry box.
Liam and Kurt rose from their seats at the table. Brandon handed over the box. “Open it.”
She glanced at the others now stretching their necks to see over Kurt’s and Liam’s tall forms and broad backs.
Coco flipped the lid up and gasped. It wasn’t at all what she’d expected.
“The locks have our initials on the back,” Liam said, as if she wouldn’t examine each and every link and the three locks hanging from the center.
“It’s stunning.”
“Like the woman who’ll wear it,” Liam said.
“Strings attached or nothing at all,” Brandon said, removing the choker from the box.
“But you guys aren’t—” She stopped midsentence, realizing she would hurt feelings if she didn’t keep her mouth shut here. Unlike so many of her submissive friends, she wasn’t opposed to inexperienced Doms. In fact, she was excited by the possibilities.
“We’re out of the gun business,” Kurt said. “We’ll have a lot of time on our hands.”
“And I’m already a member of Paddles and Picnics. Seems only right that I would have the opportunity to play with my submissive in a proper setting,” Liam said.
“Don’t tell them they aren’t Doms. Remember, I’ve watched them with you. They can learn.” Brandon leaned closer to her ear and with his hot breath at her lobe, he added, “And I’ll teach them what you like.”
“This is what you want?” she asked, still fingering the locks on the choker.
“You’re what I want,” Kurt said.
“Always,” Liam assured her.
Brandon’s eyes held that old familiar fire and proverbial knowledge she’d always appreciated. “But you should know there will be hours upon hours of play sessions.”
“I’m up for it.” She was wet thinking about it.
Liam glanced down. “You’re not the only one.”
“Something tells me one Dom has a lot of work to do where self-control is concerned,” Zak said, grabbing his jacket from a nearby chair.
Everyone laughed. Hales and Mason shook their heads.