Beneath the Scars (Masters of the Shadowlands #13)(106)

Thinking of the Shadowlands, she felt her heart start to ache. Holt was a member, and he was free now. He might—of course, he would—choose someone else to play with.

The stab of pain was so strong she almost folded. How could she bear it?

“Josie?” Zuri took her hand. “What’s wrong?”

Zuri was Holt’s friend. Mustn’t put her in the middle. Josie pulled in a slow breath. “Nothing. It—”

“Oh, that’s bull. Is Carson all right? Where is he, anyway?”

Josie glanced at the clock. “He went to a friend’s to do homework. He’s fine. It’s just—”

Zuri set her hands on her hips. “I recognize that look. You’ve got man troubles, don’t you?”

Josie huffed. “You’re as perceptive as—” Holt. Don’t go there, Josie. “Did you learn psychology from your Doms?”

“In a way.” Zuri leaned against the counter. “I like making them happy, even before they ask for something, so I watch them, their expressions, everything. I guess I’ve gotten pretty good at it.”

“I’ll say.”

“Did you and Holt break up?”

“Oh, Zuri.” Josie sank into a chair. “It’s such a mess. I’m so angry with him, and I miss him so much. If it was just the two of us, maybe we could work it out, only Carson’s involved, and…I don’t know what to do.”

“And I thought two Doms were trouble. Adding a child into a squabble?” Zuri wrinkled her brow. “You need someone with kid experience. Let’s go to your place and dig out some wine. I need to make a couple of calls.”

*

A while later, Josie watched the scenery as Zuri whipped her small car through an open farm gate and up a long drive to a white, two-story farmhouse.

“Here we are,” Zuri announced and parked the car beside the house.

Linda’s ranch was lovely. The circular drive enclosed a pretty fountain and garden. Farther out were orange groves, the trees heavy with fruit. Barns sat off to one side, and horses grazed in white-fenced pastures. She caught a glimpse of a small pond with ducks on the grassy bank.

A woof-woof-woof came from a dog dashing toward them, followed by a man.

Josie froze. Wasn’t that Master Sam? She turned a narrow gaze on Uzuri. “This isn’t Linda’s place, is it?”

“Well, technically, it’s Master Sam’s. But Linda lives with him, and she said to come here.”

Master Sam looked even meaner in the full light of day. Lean rancher’s muscles, weathered face, silvery hair, and pale, pale blue eyes that could freeze a person with one look.

Forcing herself to look away from him, Josie bent to greet the dog. It had reddish short hair, a stocky body, and cute ears that drooped at the tip. “Hey, guy.”

After a glance back at his master to ascertain if she was a serial puppy killer, the dog wagged his tail, and she got a friendly sniff.

“Girls.” Sam’s rough voice could probably be used to sandpaper hardwood. “Go on up. Linda’s inside.”

“Yes, Sir,” Uzuri said. “Come on, Josie.”

Josie nodded politely to Sam and followed close after her friend.

Linda was coming out as they crossed the wide front porch. “Josie, Zuri.” They each received a warm hug. “Gabi’s already here and inside.”

Gabi and Linda. Zuri hadn’t said why she’d chosen them, and Josie felt at a loss. Really, if she was going to keep working at the Shadowlands, she needed to learn more about the members. She could start with the Masters and their women. Masters who liked whips should probably be at the top of the list.

But if Holt hated her, she might not be at the club long enough to bother. The hollow feeling in her chest increased.

Inside the house, the big living room was decorated in warm browns and creams with a faded Oriental carpet on the dark flooring. A small fire in the stone fireplace crackled pleasantly.

“Hey, you two.” Gabi handed out hugs and settled back into a chair. “I’m a glass of wine ahead of you, so you’ll have to catch up.”

The coffee table held a bottle of wine and glasses, along with a cheese and cracker platter.

“This is lovely.” Josie took the chair beside Gabi. “Thank you, Linda.”

“You’re welcome, honey.” Settling on the couch beside Zuri, Linda started talking about the weather.

A while later, when the second bottle of wine had been opened, Zuri decided everyone was warmed up. She told the others that Josie was having Dom problems all made worse by her son. She talked a bit about Carson. Linda and Gabi already knew Holt lived next door.

“Tell the rest, Josie,” Zuri said.

Sharing was…hard, but if Josie wanted advice, she needed to explain. She told them how Everett had rejected Carson, about Holt’s arson accusations, and how her son said he hated Holt. And how she’d told Holt their relationship was over.

When she finished, there was silence.

Josie shook her head. “I know there’s nothing you can do, but just sharing everything actually helped.” She hesitated. “Speaking of sharing, you won’t…” She glanced out the window toward the barn where Sam had gone.

Gabi smiled. “It’s tough to keep things from our men, but Shadowkitten business is kept private. We need to be able to talk freely with our friends; it’s part of being a woman. The Masters might not indulge in heart-to-hearts, but they understand we do.”