An Unlocked Mind (Secrets #2)(112)

“I don’t know what to say,” Rob whispered.

“In front of our friends and family, will you state that you’ll be mine?”

Rob’s eyes were huge. “Are you kidding?” He leaped to his feet and threw his arms around Vic. “Yes, yes, yes, Sir. I will.”

Vic wondered if it was possible for his heart to burst from pride. He fastened the chain around Rob’s neck, and instantly Rob touched the heart, his manner reverent. Alex beckoned to the group of people he’d brought with him, who all surged toward Rob. As Alex introduced them, and said that this was Rob, his brother, Rob’s cheeks pinked.

Vic could see how overwhelmed Rob was, and he kept a constant hand somewhere on Rob to remind him he was there, which proved difficult when he was on the receiving end of a good many hugs. When the congratulations had finished, Rob’s gaze met Vic’s, and the love Vic saw in Rob’s eyes humbled him.

Vic leaned over and kissed him. “Now you’re truly mine.”

Rob beamed at him. “Like I wasn’t before.”

“Congratulations, Rob” came a voice from off to the left.

“Ellis!” Rob cried. “How are you feeling?”

Ellis smiled as he approached them, his cane in hand and Wayne at his side. “A little sore, but I’m okay.”

Rob’s gaze flickered down. “Oh, is something wrong with your leg?”

Wayne chuckled. “He’s sore in other places.”

Rob cocked his head, and then his eyes went wide. “Oh.”

“Yeah, thanks for that, Wayne,” Ellis muttered.

Wayne snickered. “You love it.”

This time it was Ellis’s turn to have flushed cheeks.

“Let’s go to the bar,” Vic said. “I want to show you off to everyone.”

Rob held out a hand. “Let’s go, then.”

Vic shook his head. In spite of all the training, Rob still managed to blatantly ignore protocol. Will he ever change? Vic hoped to hell not.

“Rob?” Jarod appeared beside Rob, a grin on his face. “Eli and I have something for you. Sir, would you and Rob accompany me, please?”

Rob gave Vic a look. “Do you know what this is about?”

Vic grinned. “Not a clue.”

Ellis handed Rob a towel, which he wrapped around his waist, and they followed him to the lift. When it opened on the third floor, all of them stepped out and Jarod led them to a door. He turned and handed Rob the key.

Rob peered at it, frowning. “What—?”

“Open the door” came a voice from inside.

Rob put the key in the lock and gave it a twist. He pushed the door open and gasped.

Eli stood in the middle of a large room. “Welcome to the sub’s safe space.”

There were overstuffed couches surrounding a coffee table to one side, and on the other side of the room was a large screen television that had a game unit hooked up to it. A refrigerator with a glass front displayed juices and bottled waters. And bright lights flashed from a dart machine that stood in the farthest corner of the room.

“I don’t understand,” Rob said softly.

“Eli and I talked about it. Many of our submissives are younger men. We thought this might be the kind of space that would appeal to them. And to you.”

“It’s amazing. I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything,” Jarod assured him. “I—we—know how important it is to have a place to escape to from time to time. Of course, the subs will need permission from their Doms before they can come up here.”

Rob couldn’t believe they’d done this. He glanced over toward the dart machine. “Let me guess, you know about how much Ellis likes darts.”

Eli chuckled. “Jarod went to Wayne and asked for his input. He knows how Ellis loves his darts and asked if we’d consider putting one in so he could play. Of course, we did. And, Rob? If you think of something else that you’d like to see here, let us know. We’re not going to promise anything, but we can definitely discuss it.”

Jarod put a hand on Rob’s arm. “Do you think this would work for you and your friends to meet in?”

Rob frowned. “You mean, us to meet in. I wasn’t kidding when I invited you, Jarod. I mean, I’ll understand if you’d prefer not to, but—”

“Yes, I’d love to,” Jarod said. “I wasn’t sure.”

Rob stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Jarod’s shoulders. “I know you have friends in Manchester, but maybe you could have friends here too.” Rob grinned. “Besides, I bet you’d wipe the floor with us at Mario Kart.”

Jarod laughed. “Yes, I would like to be your friend.” He waggled his brows. “And I happen to be very good at video games.”

Eli groaned. “Don’t I know it.” Both Jarod and Rob chuckled. “Seriously, though, this is a Dom-free zone.”

Rob gave Vic a gleeful glance. “Did you hear that?”

Vic sighed and addressed Eli. “Just what he needed. More excuse to be a brat. I blame you.”

Eli smiled. “I wouldn’t worry too much. There are cameras for safety reasons.” He pointed toward the ceiling. “So we’re not leaving them entirely to their own devices.”