Initiative (Suncoast Society #31)(49)

“Yeah. I wasn’t real close to him, but I’d chatted with him a couple of times over the years. I know Seth and Leah better than I did Kaden. Why?”

Ed resumed leading the way to his office. “Because after Kaden died, I got a flood of people—our kinky friends—contacting me about updating their wills. Wanting me to deliver messages post-mortem, the way Kaden had asked me to do.”

The attorney rounded his desk and sat. “Frankly, as much as I loved the man, I’m beginning to hate the precedent Kaden set. Not hate that he inspired people to do things, but the burden it lays upon me as the attorney for so many of them to handle stuff like this.”

Ed leaned back in his chair. “Yes, to answer your question that I wouldn’t answer earlier, I knew John and Susan were into BDSM. John told me. He also asked me not to reveal that I knew that to Susan unless she broached the topic with me first.”

“Why?”

“Because the whole reason they weren’t publicly involved with the Suncoast Society was her fear. He was happy with the way things were. How do you think we met? Before he met her, he was coming to the original Suncoast Society munches and the private parties, before Venture was ever opened.”

“And he never told her any of that?”

“He didn’t want to out anyone. He didn’t lie to her, he just didn’t give her details. He also didn’t want her feeling nervous if she happened to accidentally meet anyone who was in the lifestyle in a vanilla setting. Not saying I completely agree with how he handled all of that, but they were happy and married for sixteen years. I’d say he did something right.”

“Yeah.” Grant spotted an envelope lying on top of the folder. “That it?”

“Yeah.” Ed picked it up. “Do you want to be alone when you read it?”

Grant stared at it. “Honestly? No.” He didn’t reach for it. “Do you think I’m up to this?”

“Up to what?”

“To taking care of her the way she deserves?”

“Uh, yeah. I haven’t seen her this happy since before John died. You and Darryl have literally given her her life back. If I didn’t think you two were good for her I would have been sitting down with Kristin and her husband and planning our intervention already. I damn sure never would have let you guys collar her.”

Ed leaned forward, holding the envelope out.

Grant finally leaned in and took it, sitting back. In a legal-sized envelope, it felt like more than one page folded inside. On the front, in a neat, handwritten script was written, To My Wife’s New Partner.

“‘New partner?’”

“He said he wasn’t sure if she’d ever get married again or not.” He shrugged. “John was very practical in many ways. I was to hold this back until she was with someone in a relationship of some permanence, no matter what form that took.”

Grant carefully slipped a finger under the corner of the flap and gently eased it open. It didn’t feel right just ripping it open and destroying the envelope in the process.

Inside lay several sheets of yellow legal paper, covered with handwriting. When he pulled them out, he found they were wrapped around a much smaller envelope.

On the front of that, in John’s handwriting, was the inscription, Give to Ed please.

He snorted.

“What?” Ed asked.

Grant smirked as he handed the smaller envelope over.

“Oh, goddammit.” He sounded more resigned than upset. “I’ll wait to read it until you’re done.” He laid it on top of the folder on his desk.

Smoothing the sheets out in his lap, Grant started reading. John had numbered the pages, making it easy to follow along.



Hey, there.

I don’t know who you are, but if you’re reading this letter, it means that Ed has given it to you because you are now an important part of Susie’s life. I would appreciate it if you’d return the letter to him after you read it. I’m hoping it will never be needed again, but…

If you’re reading this, obviously it means I died before her. Because life is short and unpredictable, I wanted the ability to “talk” to anyone who is an important part of her life. Or, who knows, maybe things won’t work out between you guys. (Believe me, I hope it does, but again, life is uncertain.)

I don’t know to what extent Susie’s confided in you about the kind of relationship she and I have. Well, had. She is, for starters, the absolute love of my life. I would die for her, if necessary, to keep her safe. I cherish her. I adore her with every ounce of my being. I knew she was the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with when I married her.

Apparently, I did.

So what I say next, please keep an open mind about. We have a consensual BDSM relationship. I am her Master, and she is my collared slave.

What do I mean by that? I don’t mean she’s my doormat. She’s anything but a doormat. She is my business partner as well as my life partner, and I couldn’t be prouder of her. I do not abuse her. She enjoys certain kinds of sexual play, and impact play, and outside of the bedroom we have a well-defined set of rules and rituals that she abides by. Maybe this is something you already do with her. Maybe it’s news to you. I can’t know that, obviously.

What I do know is that she feels safe and secure when she knows that bond is in place. She enjoys the structure of it. It can even be as simple as her kneeling before me every morning and every night and reciting our ritual. (If she wants to tell you what that is exactly, that’s her call.)