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*** Rex's POV***

"This makes sense. Hear me out." I hold my hands up in sad surrender. Karis is so full of life until her demons make their presence known. I almost expect the story that tumbles from my boss's mouth.

"Sweetie, maybe not now. He's in no head space for deep thoughts." My husband runs his hand softly down my arm trying to rein me in. That hasn't been achieved ever. Today is not the day.

Vance stares off behind me as if he sees things that both haunt and enchant him. The helpless glint in his eyes is surreal. It's not easy watching an Alpha falling to his knees.

"She told you she was broken. I know you heard her. You're a good listener, Vance. You had to know the truth in her statement. I just don't think any of us realized how broken our sweet girl really is. She probably didn't realize it herself." I start off gently. This won't be easy. I'm not exactly a dominant. Hell, I'm pure submissive. I can't fathom how hard it would be to accept humanity in perfection.

"She was getting better. I was helping her." Vance turns his attention towards me. The fire in his eyes warns me. I couldn't give any fucks for that fire. He doesn't scare me. That's Finn's job.

"That might be the issue." Finn steps in where I did not think he would. It is not often that we see eye to eye. You know, opposites attract and all that.

"It is my nature to help. Nurturing is my fucking thing. I can't find a step where I veered away from the beaten path. I have done this before. I know what I am doing." Vance nearly snarls in our direction as his tone completely contradicts his words of confidence. The vulnerability in his voice actually worries me deeply.

"What do you call her? Hmm, China Doll. The implication suggests rarity, fragility and most of all something so precious that you must keep it safe. But, even the most treasured of collectibles are at risk for breaking. She's isn't whole. That is something you can't fix. Karis has to do it. Vance, boss, I am just saying; she isn't there yet. So, either you have patience or you will have to let her go." The words sting as they float over my tongue. They leave an acidic bile in my mouth. We all love Karis. I just hope Vance can find a way to persevere until she is in a better place.

"I know." This isn't exactly what I expected. The double edged sword that is his admission doesn't exactly clarify his choice. With a sigh, I resign myself to the argument. I can't make him choose her. Love is just messy. It really is. However, I just happen to know that it is so fucking worth it. Even if the risk is great, the possibility of the reward makes it so worth the ride.

"What can we do? How do we help?" Finn looks to our best friend with eyes that are saturated in sympathy. It is one of the many reasons that I love my husband. He genuinely cares.

"I don't know. I miss her already. That is enough to tell me that I am not willing to walk away. I just don't know if she wants me to stay." Vance steps behind the bar, fumbling with the glass that he plucks from the shelf. Watching in curiosity, I laugh when he sweeps his eyes across me and Finn. Taking two more glasses, he pours three glasses of bourbon over the ice he carefully drops into the glasses.

Sliding the drinks towards us, Vance gives a shaky smile. It's not often that his confidence is shaken. Karis really must not understand the effect she has over this man. If she allows it, he would make her a permanent fixture in his life. Knowing my friend, Karis would never be broken again.

"Is it wrong that I want to beat the mother fucker? I just have such an irrational hatred towards her ex-husband. The way he spoke to her, speaks to her, it is as if he gets pleasure in watching the scars form wherever he chooses to inflict them. She just falls prey every single time. Honestly, it irks the living shit out of me that she allows it." Vance sips from the glass before staring through it.

"You're not wrong. Just don't act on it. That probably won't go over well with Karis. Although she may not be in love with him, she obviously has love loved him hard. That is an obstacle all by itself. Causing permanent injury won't put you in her good graces." I chuckle at the thought of watching the man squirm. Vance would easily take him down a notch. While Christopher easily manipulates Karis, that man is not an Alpha. He is a beta at best. That is giving him way too much credit if you ask me.

"Believe me, Karis has unknowingly saved Christopher's ass. If he continues to try to destroy her, I may not be able to refrain from helping him reevaluate his life choices." Vance doesn't smirk. No smile plays on his lips. The cold chill that rushes through me causes me to hope that Christopher has a change of heart. I wouldn't push Vance no more than I would push my husband. They aren't exactly gentle giants when it comes to protecting those they hold close to their hearts.

"So, do we have a plan?" I prop my chin in my hands while leaning down on my elbows. Plans are good. A well structured, strategic attack is what we need.

"Nothing." Vance drops his eyes to his glass. He rolls the smooth cylinder between his palms as he stares into the golden liquid.

"Wow." I breathe out. My eyes roll on cue. This is the man that runs a successful BDSM club where he is the Master Dominant. Am I missing something?

"What?" Finn glares at me. This is my husband. He knows that sarcasm is my thing. I smile sweetly. If I'm not careful, Finn will have to punish me. I'm not against it. My smile widens.

"Oh, nothing. It's not like Vance is expected to take the bull by the horns or anything. I mean, he isn't a leader. We don't automatically assume he has a plan. I'm just thinking out loud." Huffing out a breath, I turn around, leaning against the bar top while looking out over the club floor. My insides bubble with excitement for the trouble I am stirring up.

"Be careful." His lips touch the shell of my ear. A tiny shiver of pleasure vibrates through my limbs. I love pushing his buttons.

"Yes, Sir." My whisper is negated by the smirk I give to my husband. He stares at me poignantly. At this point, I just want to press my luck. His close proximity makes my brain receptors go haywire. I don't why he thinks I can behave. It's not in my nature.

My foot slides up his ankle as he tries to focus on the issue at hand. I have my own issues, obviously. If Vance wants to continue acting helpless, I can't be of any value. I might as well get fucked hard by my sexy man. That way this isn't a total loss.

"I think I have to give her space." Vance drains the last of his liquor. His hand slides down his face as he sighs. For whatever reason, it really irks me. Maybe it is because he never shows defeat. Maybe it is because I expect better from him. Either way, I am disappointed.

"Sounds great boss. Let her go. I'm sure that's what she needs, space. Abandon her like she is already scarred into believing is her lot in her life. No, you're right. Really. Just let her go and prove to her that she isn't worthy of a man fighting for her. God knows, that's the advice you gave Finn, right? You didn't encourage him to fight for me. You didn't spend countless hours helping your boy get the man of his dreams. Yeah, just give up. That should be fun. Said no one, fucking ever." My hand slams down on the bar top in front of my best friend and boss. Who is this fucking guy and what did he do with my idol?

"Rex Finnley." Finn practically growls at me. I don't bother acknowledging his irritation. I said what I said.

"Oh, sorry. Did I touch a fucking nerve? Good." Now my back is up. It's my job to say the painful words that are needed to make shit happen. That's what friends do. We take the reins when fear and stupidity reside. Those aren't characteristics of our boss. He needs to shake it off. He needs to man the fuck up.

"You are in hot water." Finn warns me for his final time. I know that tone. I just realized that I am willing to face his wrath to drive my point home. Fuck it.

"What's new?" I cut my eyes over to Finn before focusing on Vance. "Man up. Fuck dude. Karis is worth it. You will regret this if you don't ." That is all I have left as I move away from our pity party. I no longer wish to attend this shit. I would rather clean the club.

"You're right." Vance grabs my attention. Turning slowly, I give him a rueful smile. There he is. I can almost feel the anticipation bubbling into my nervous system.

"She needs me. Whether she wants me or not, she needs me. I am not willing to let go of the best thing I have found. Christopher can kick fucking rocks. That man had his opportunity. It's my turn now." Vance stands up. With every bit of his dominance on display, Vance straightens to his extremely sexy and intimidating height.

I try not to drool. I am in enough trouble already. My thought is accentuated by the tight hold my husband has on my pants loop. No doubt, I'm going to be so fucking sore tomorrow. I can't wait.

Turning on my delicious man, I draw Finn's attention to me with a hand sliding down his torso. The glare that he held earlier is still prominent. I know I'm not supposed to speak like that to Vance. It's a huge breach in our hierarchy. I just know that I had to do something.

"Thanks. Both of you, I needed that. I am going to my office to finish up some paperwork. I will get with you guys later on tonight." Vance leaves without saying much else. The defeated stance had been replaced with determination.

Walking away from Finn, I hurry behind the bar. I still have a few more things to take care of. The faster that is finished, the sooner I can take my punishment. Honestly, my husband looks for any reason to dominate me. I just so happen to love that part of him. I may or may not look for reasons to provoke it.

Finn studiously ignores me while I set up the bar for tonite. He cuts his eyes at me frequently, asserting to me that he hasn't forgotten the events earlier. To make everything more fun, I accidentally spill a glass of water down my white shirt. Lifting the corner, I wipe my face with my shirt.

Watching Finn watch me makes my dick harden. Finn licks his lips as he chuckles. He knows I do everything purposefully. Hopefully, he will spank me harder.

"You done?" Finn stares at me questioningly.

"Yes, Sir." I keep my voice quieter than necessary. It always helps to fein regret for my actions.

"Playroom, now. Undress, bend over the bed. I will be there when I feel like it." Daddy snaps his fingers, sending tingles to my cock.

With a spring in my step, I pull my shirt off and drop it to the ground. With my chest on display, I prance past my bear of a man. His breath hitches cheek I scrape my nails over his clothed back as I pass. That should do it.

I head towards our room to prepare for a few good hours of my husband teaching me my place, writhing beneath him.