Luckily, Blake had taken a more positive path than the one he’d originally thought he would. Mathew had given him the support and praise he needed to change his life for the better — no easy feat, under the circumstances.
Mathew also knew all of Blake’s dark secrets, and he was still someone Blake could not only count on, but trust fully, too.
“It’s good to see you, my friend,” Blake said.
“It’s been a long time,” Rafe told Mathew.
“Too long,” Mathew replied.
“Join us for a drink,” Blake said. “We’re celebrating a new business venture.” He knew Rafe wouldn’t mind.
Mathew threw him a smile. “I have a few minutes. Why don’t you tell me about it?”
The three men walked into the bar and proceeded to the back, where Blake had a table on standby at this same time every day in case he needed to conduct business away from the offices. A waitress quietly set down menus and disappeared.
Once the topic of business was out of the way, the conversation turned back to Blake’s lack of a love life. That didn’t make him a happy camper, especially since the last people on earth he’d want to discuss this with were teaming up on him.
“We all need to take time to have our itches scratched,” Mathew said with a knowing look. “Have you heard of Relinquish Control?”
“What in the hell is that?” Blake asked with disdain.
“It’s a place where you can get your needs met — discreetly,” Mathew replied.
Rafe looked skeptical. “I haven’t heard of it, and I’m not sure I want to.”
“That’s because you’re a very happily married man who doesn’t need a specialty escort service. It’s only a couple of years old now, but there hasn’t been a single complaint from any of the clients.”
“I’ve never had trouble getting my needs met, and anyway…,” Blake said just before the waitress dropped off their appetizers and new drinks.
“Yeah, but sometimes a man is just too damn busy. Relinquish might still be fairly new, but it’s run by a very good friend of mine, and I promise you, you won’t regret checking it out.”
“Sorry, but there’s no way in hell I’m going to a place like that.”
“Well, here’s their card in case you change your mind.”
Mathew held out a nondescript white business card, and for some odd reason, Blake not only accepted it, but also found himself slipping it into his pocket. He told himself it was so he wouldn’t offend a good friend and colleague. But as soon as he got home, he’d chuck the card into the trash. That was for damn sure.
“Why would you need to use an escort service, Mathew?” Blake asked.
“After my last divorce I decided I wouldn’t marry again. And yes, Rafe, I understand that some people have great marriages, but I’ve been married four times now, and all I got out of each of those marriages was a lighter bank account and some gray hairs — hell, not even a T-shirt. A monumental waste in time and money. My great friend McKenzie Beaumont opened the place, and it’s perfect for people who need ‘companionship’ but don’t want anything to do with love.”
“Blake, ignore this crap,” Rafe said. “We’ve both been assholes for long enough.”
“Believe me, I’m not interested.” Blake picked up his drink and took a long swallow.
Mathew wasn’t a bit annoyed at their reaction. “Fine. Fine. But I know you, Blake. You’ll think about it.”
The subject changed, and no further mention was made of needs being met. Still, though the night finished on a good note, Blake found himself feeling restless by the time he arrived home.
For some odd reason, he pulled the card out of his pocket and placed it on his desk rather than into the wastebasket. There was no chance in hell he’d call. No need. No interest, even. But out of respect for Mathew, he kept the card. It would soon get lost in the shuffle.
Two weeks later, Blake found himself staring at the simple black writing on the stark white card. He wanted to punch his respected friend in the face for even suggesting an escort service. It just wasn’t his thing. And yet, somehow, some perverse impulse led him to pick up his phone and dial before he knew what he was doing.
It wasn’t that he couldn’t get a date. That was never the problem! This was about having his needs met, his need for control, his need — he had to admit it — for corruption. Relinquish Control’s website promised through veiled hints that a man could get any kind of woman he needed.
And right now Blake needed a woman to dominate.
Chapter Two
“I’m sorry, Ms. Weston, but you haven’t shown the courts anything we’ve asked for.”
Jewell felt her legs wobble as she stood before the judge in her thrift-store suit, trying to tune out the sound of her little brother sobbing while his child advocate held him back.
“I understand that I don’t have a full-time job yet,” Jewel said, unable to keep from glancing nervously at little Justin, “but I was working part time until last week, and the temp agency promised more work, so within two months I’m certain I’ll have enough saved to put down a deposit on an apartment. I already spoke to the manager of a complex over on West Street, and he guaranteed me a place.”
“And where would you and your brother stay until then?” the judge asked in a level voice.
“I’m staying at a shelter.” She knew she couldn’t lie if she had any chance of getting her brother back. When Justin was little, their father had run off with another woman, and then, only four short months ago, he’d lost his mother. At the tender age of ten! In addition to all that, he’d been ripped from his childhood home right afterward and thrust into the unpredictable world of foster care..
“I am truly sorry, Ms. Weston. I want to reunite you with your brother. I even think the two of you need each other,” Judge Malone said. “Which is why I won’t close this case, and why I won’t release him for adoption.”
Jewell felt a spark of hope begin to well up inside.
But the judge spoke again, and his next words weren’t quite as encouraging. “However, if your circumstances haven’t changed by your next hearing, which comes in two months, I will be left with no other choice but to provide a more stable environment for your brother. He’s been through enough, and the longer he’s in the system, the less likely it is that he will return to you. He deserves to have a home, one where he can find comfort in routine, safety, and stability.”