Chapter 69 - 69 (1/2)

”Is it an actual collar?”

”Sometimes, but more often enough since Masters hate them being taken off, we save the leather collars for here or at home. Usually, it's more just a symbolic piece of jewelry, like a necklace,” he explained.

”So, when you decollar someone, it's like breaking that contract and you two go your separate ways. For a sub, this can be a very hard thing to handle especially if they don't have someone else to lean on afterward.”

I felt a ping of sympathy for Nina suddenly. Her Master was going to just send her packing and she had no one to help her get through it. I brushed it away as she probably would have had someone there if she had not been such a complete and utter bitch. I erased all thoughts of her out of my head and snuggled closer to Reed, all that mattered now was Reed was here and he was free.

”I'd like to do that with you, Mia,” he said quietly in my ear.

”What do you mean?” I said frightened.

Did he want to break our contract? Was he planning on leaving me after all we had been through together?

”I want to collar you leaving no doubt in everyone's head that you are mine,” Reed explained.

He stood up and pulled me across the room. I followed him out of instinct since my mind had stalled on his words. He led me to a staging area with a St. Andrews cross in the background and a microphone in the front. I felt butterflies creep into my stomach as my mind began to whirl with the possibilities of what could happen. As soon as Reed stepped up onto the stage, I could see all the activity in this place stop. He left me back by the steps up to the stage as he approached the microphone.

”Thank you all for this welcome home party,” Reed said in a greeting.

The crowd cheered and whistled obviously he was well-loved here. My eyes flew to his face, and I felt my jaw hit the ground when I realized this had been planned. Reed just smiled a mischievous smile and sent a wink my way.

”Nothing this evening went as planned but I hope the same results come out of it,” he said as he continued to address the crowd that snickered right along with him.

Reed reached back for me, and I slipped my hand in his without hesitation allowing him to pull me forward. My gut tightened as I looked out among the crowd and searched it for Lizzie, wanting desperately to see a familiar face. I saw her in the far back with Jordan and Jack and I noticed a look of utter panic on her face as she fingered her choker obsessively. If it wasn't for Reed's arm around me, I would have jumped off the stage and ran to her. Reed must have sensed my dilemma because he tightened his arm around me. My eyes returned to his and he just shook his head, warning me to leave it alone, and then addressed the crowd again.