Page 28 of At Their Mercy: Part I

Where was he?

I took another bite of my burger and looked toward the patio doors. Daddy had been gone for almost an hour, and he’d missed the dinner delivery.

This moment right here was one of my favorites at Mclean, when preparations for an event were winding down and only a few remained for dinner, drinks, and play. In tonight’s case, Owner and me, KC and Noa, Master Kingsley and Tate, and Master Walker and Macklin. But Macklin was on speech restrictions and kneeling on the floor, so I wasn’t sure he counted.

Master Walker said it was best to “gag the boy” the few times he enjoyed himself a big burger, ’cause Macklin was so fussy about his Owner’s diet.

“How about a toast for Colt and Lucas,” KC said, raising his beer. “They’re officially married now and probably have Kit wedged between them on the dance floor.”

I grinned with my mouth full of cheesy, bacony goodness. “That’s gotta lift some Texan eyebrows at the reception.”

River chuckled and raised his beer too. “To Colt and Lucas.”

“To Colt and Lucas,” the rest of us echoed.

“I wonder how their dynamic looks to a vanilla crowd,” Tate mused. “I mean, are they making guesses about, you know, logistics? It’s a seriously significant age difference between Colt and Kit, and Mr. West can’t hide the fusser in him to save his life. Can they even pull off a vanilla front?”

KC’s forehead wrinkled. “They do it every day at work.”

“Fair,” Tate conceded. “But still. When I people-watch, I’m always analyzing what their home situations might be. Gay or straight, if there’s a power dynamic—and throw in an out-and-proud throuple? Come on. Even the vanillas must have thoughts.”

I tilted my head and chewed, wondering if I would’ve had thoughts about the Carters if I hadn’t been kinky. But I supposed I approached people differently from Tate. I liked to observe and take in information, but I wasn’t sure I was usually interested enough to fill in blanks or draw conclusions.

Master threw a couple fries into his mouth. “I’m sure they have thoughts about two men gettin’ married while their third—in their eyes—sits on the sidelines.”

Master Walker nodded. “Anythin’ that deviates from the norm draws attention and questions.”

True.

“My aunt was a little confused when I told them about Owner and Daddy,” I said with a shrug. “I think that’s natural. Doesn’t mean she wasn’t on board, but since it’s not common…”

Tate nodded.

KC nudged Noa. “Cam’s parents have had their fair share of questions about our living situation too.”

“Oh yeah,” Noa laughed. “They don’t know the whole story, though. They think we’re two couples living together.”

KC smiled wryly. “I’m not sure that’s what they think behind closed doors. Cam’s sisters aren’t subtle with the glances they throw between us. They also know that you and Cam are still dating.”

Master Kingsley cleared his throat and unwrapped his second burger. “Meanwhile, we normies have it easy—until someone accidentally calls out for Master across the house in the middle of a birthday party.”

I cracked up, and so did Noa and KC.

“Oh my God, I was so mortified,” Tate groaned. “Dad was like, I didn’t hear a thing, leave me out of it—but Mom demanded to know everything. I had to sit her down and explain things. Like, in a gossip way. She wanted details. And then she admitted that she and Dad occasionally ‘engage in quite dirty role-play.’ I was like, thanks, Mom. Exactly what I wanted to hear.”

Master Kingsley chuckled and shook his head.

“Y’all havin’ a party without me?”

“There you are,” Master Walker said.

I gasped and lit up. “Daddy! Finally. What took you so long?”

He smiled and walked toward our table. “I left the pups with a pair of happy dog sitters.”

Whoa, what? Who?

“Now we don’t have to worry about them till Monday,” he finished and sat down at the head of the table. It was the only spot left.