Chapter 3 Chapter 0003

•SLOANE•

I gasped when I heard that. I had never thought that there was something like that before, except when you were in a relationship with a sugar daddy.

My fingers tightened around my purse as my thoughts drifted unwillingly toward my sister, the overdue hospital bills sitting untouched on my kitchen counter, and the calls I kept avoiding because I didn't have enough money.

I worked nonstop and still couldn't keep up. I was drowning and didn't know what to do to take care of both my sisters and myself.

There was just too much. And I didn't even have Mike anymore. Not that he had helped much lately anyway.

Georgia didn't even ask about Mike, and I appreciated that. The last time she had seen me in a club, was when Mike cheated the first time.

So, she probably knew what was going on and why I was there. She and I had been best friends for five years.

We met during my first contract as a PR crisis specialist for a famous musician. They were dating and eventually, we became friends.

Georgia leaned closer. "Hey. Don't let tonight push you into something you're not ready for."

I nodded absentmindedly, but my thoughts were already spiraling.

Then my eyes shifted toward Georgia's collar again, and for the first time that night, an idea began forming inside my head.

"I want to be a submissive."

Georgia blinked at me in surprise, then narrowed her eyes. "Sloane," she murmured. "This isn't something you decide because you're heartbroken."

"I know that."

"Do you?"

I looked away from her and down at the crowded floor below us. The music was louder downstairs, vibrating through the railings beneath my hands.

People moved freely through the club like they weren't constantly worried about bills, responsibilities, and surviving another week.

I envied that.

"I just..." I swallowed hard. "I'm tired, Georgia."

Her expression softened immediately.

"I am tired of struggling, of working myself to death and still barely making enough. I am tired of pretending everything's fine when it isn't."

I rubbed my forehead. "I don't even remember the last time I slept without thinking about money. Piper's hospital bills keep piling up, and Mia's college tuition is due soon. Rent is late again." I laughed bitterly. "And somehow I'm supposed to hold everything together like I'm not drowning."

"Sloane..."

"I can't do it anymore."

The confession made my chest tighten painfully.

For months, I had been carrying everything alone, working nonstop, taking extra clients, skipping meals, and lying to my sisters about being okay.

And Mike? Mike had been spending his time screwing another woman while I broke myself trying to survive.

Georgia reached over and squeezed my hand.

"I understand why this sounds appealing," she admitted. "But being a submissive isn't just about getting your bills paid."

"I know."

"You say that now, but a dominant-submissive relationship can get intense. Some dominants are possessive and strict. Some want complete honesty, complete loyalty, complete surrender."

I swallowed.

"You'd have to trust someone completely," she continued. "And not everyone deserves that trust."

I stared at her collar again. "But your dominant takes care of you."

"He does."

"And you're happy."

A small smile appeared on Georgia's face. "I am."

I leaned back against the couch and exhaled. "Then maybe I want that too."

Georgia studied me for a long moment before finally nodding. "Okay," she answered. "If you're serious, I can help you get started."

I looked at her. "Really?"

"Yeah. But there are rules."

My stomach tightened. "What kind of rules?"

"The biggest one." She crossed her arms. "No other men."

I frowned.

Georgia continued, "Most dominants hate sharing. Especially serious ones. If someone wants to invest their time, money, energy, and attention into you, they expect exclusivity."

My mind immediately flashed to Mike. The thought of another man touching me right now already felt exhausting.

"I don't want anyone else," I admitted.

Georgia nodded. "Good. Because if you get involved with a dominant while still entertaining an ex or sleeping around, things can get ugly fast."

"I already told Mike we're done."

"And you mean it?"

Before I could answer, my phone suddenly vibrated inside my purse.

I frowned and pulled it out. It was Billy, my boss. Georgia leaned back while I answered the call.

"Hello?"

"Sloane." Billy's deep voice came through immediately. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

I glanced around the club and almost laughed. "Not really."

"I need you in the office first thing tomorrow morning."

My stomach tightened, and I wondered if I was in trouble for leaving early without informing anyone. "Why? It's my day off tomorrow."

"You have an important client." Billy sighed heavily into the phone. "I can't explain everything now, but there was an incident tonight involving one of the biggest Formula 1 drivers. And his management team specifically requested our agency to handle the situation before it gets worse."

"Why me?"

"Because you're the best crisis specialist I've got."

The compliment would've felt good if I weren't already exhausted.

"I need you sharp tomorrow, Sloane. Eight a.m. Don't be late."

"Okay," I murmured.

"And one more thing."

"Yeah?"

"This client is difficult."

I rolled my eyes. "When are they not?"

Billy chuckled. "See you tomorrow."

The line disconnected, and I stared at my phone for a moment before slipping it back into my purse.

Georgia watched me carefully before speaking. "You still want me to help you?"

I hesitated.

A normal person would've probably said no, gone home, and slept on it. But my life hadn't felt normal in a long time.

"Yes," I murmured.

Georgia tilted her head. "You're sure?"

I nodded.

"Okay," she murmured. "Then we start small."

She stood up from the couch and held out her hand to me.

I took it hesitantly and followed her downstairs again. Georgia guided me toward the bar, and the bartender immediately smiled when he saw her.

"Georgia."

"Hey, Luca." She nodded toward me. "She needs a purple collar."

My brows furrowed. "Purple?"

Luca reached beneath the counter while Georgia answered.

"Different colors mean different things here."

He placed a soft purple collar on the counter and I stared at it. It looked simple compared to Georgia's black leather one. Thin velvet with a silver ring at the center.

"What does purple mean?"

Georgia picked it up before turning toward me. "It means you're available."

My heartbeat quickened. "Available for what exactly?"

"To meet dominants, to explore, and to learn." She held my gaze. "It tells people you're new and looking."

I swallowed hard. This suddenly felt very real.

"Once you step into this world, people will approach you differently."

I stared at the purple velvet. Then, nervously, I lifted my hair away from my neck and put on the collar.