Free Club Helix: The Power Games by Brynley Bush

that’s how my life would be. I believed him.” She pauses, her eyes downcast as she idly plays with the stem of her wineglass. “But after my father died, I realized it was all a lie. There’s no such thing as magic, and there’s certainly nothing blessed about my life,” she adds ruefully. “Now it just reminds me of everything I’ve lost.”
    I reach across the table and take her hand in mine. “Thank you for trusting me enough to tell me that,” I say, rubbing my thumb gently across her knuckles.
    She pulls her hand away, but her eyes are soft as she says simply, “Thank you for trying to earn my trust.”
    It doesn’t escape my notice that she thanked me for trying to earn her trust, implying I haven’t actually earned it. I frown. “If you want to stay in this competition, you’re going to have to trust me with everything, Ava. We could win the whole thing, but you’re going to have to loosen that control you cling to so tightly.”
    A spark of hope flares in her eyes. “You really think we could win?”
    I nod. “Definitely. But it means you’re going to have to give me full control and obey me without hesitation, even if you don’t want to or if what I’m asking you to do makes you uncomfortable. You have to trust that I won’t push you further than what you’re capable of. And you’re going to have to open up to me so I can know your limits. I can mold you into the perfect submissive, but you have to agree to my terms.”
    She considers what I’ve said in that careful way of hers, and I don’t realize I’m holding my breath until she nods. “Okay,” she agrees tremulously. “I agree to your terms. I’ll do whatever you say.”
    “God, Ava,” I groan, rubbing my hand over my face. What is this woman with her sweet vulnerability and soulful green eyes doing to me? I want to take her in my arms and comfort her as much as I want to force her to her knees, fuck her, and bend her to my will.
    “Tell me one more thing,” I say, taking her hand in mine. This time she doesn’t pull away. “Tell me what you’re so afraid of.”
    “I’m afraid of getting hurt,” she says quietly, and I can tell the effort it took her to tell me that simple truth.
    “I will hurt you. I can promise you that,” I say softly. “But you’ll want me to. In fact, you’ll beg me for it.”
    * * * *
    When we get back to the Helix, it’s a few minutes before eight, so Ava and I go straight to the bar and slide into a table in the back of the room just as the meeting starts.
    “Welcome to the Power Games, and congratulations,” Logan says. “Look around you.” He pauses dramatically as the men and women cast furtive glances at one another. “One couple in this room will become the face of the Helix—the Helix Dom and sub.”
    He was born for this shit, and he’s in his element as he goes over the rules, reminding his spellbound audience that there will be no contact with anyone outside the Helix for the duration of the competition, although Doms and subs are allowed to leave the hotel together for preapproved outings. “But only if you’re accompanied by a camera crew.” He fixes me with a disapproving stare.
    He adds that there will sometimes be additional guests invited to the group events for ambience and authenticity, as there were at the auction, and then he moves on to the topic of the photo shoot tomorrow, which creates a murmur of excitement. After advising the Doms that they will receive information regarding the first group challenge tomorrow evening, he dismisses us.
    Emmett intercepts Ava and me just outside the door, his blonde sub trailing behind him.
    “Ava! Where have you been all day? Are you okay?” His voice is laced with worry.
    I step between him and Ava.
    “Ava is not your concern,” I say tersely.
    “Like hell she isn’t,” he growls. “Ava?” He looks questioningly at her, awaiting her answer.
    She opens her mouth to say something, but I stop her with a stern look.