Trembling slightly with nerves, I headed upstairs and into our bedroom. It felt strange being back here, the linen sheets of our bed still rumpled on one side where Leo had obviously lain alone. I felt a sudden pang of guilt. I’d been stringing him along with my promises of trying again. It wasn’t fair.

I threw open the wardrobe and rummaged through, trying to find the coat I needed. Just as I found it, I heard a noise behind me. I turned to find Leo, standing in the doorway, a towel round his waist.

‘What is this?’ He looked more puzzled than angry. ‘I was in the bath.’

‘I…I thought you were out,’ I said, dropping my hand from the coat. ‘I just came to collect a few things.’

‘Collect…?’ His voice trailed off and his eyes widened in horror. He shook his head. ‘No, Grace. This wasn’t what we agreed.’

‘I just need my coat.’ I turned to the wardrobe and took the coat from its hanger.

‘Your coat?’ He shook his head again. ‘What for? It’s the middle of summer.’

I didn’t speak.

‘Well?’ He advanced upon me. ‘What do you need your coat for?’

‘I’m…going out.’ I pushed past him and headed back towards the stairs.

‘Where?’ He grabbed my arm and turned me to face him. ‘Who with? Another man?’

‘It’s none of your business.’ I pulled my arm away from him and turned to go.

‘It’s another man, isn’t it?’ He followed me down the stairs. ‘You said we could try again.’

‘I said maybe.’

I headed towards the front door, but he snatched at my arm again, turning me to face him.

‘You bitch!’ He lifted his hand and struck me across the face. ‘You fucking tramp! I’ve been sitting in here every night, doing nothing but going training, and you’ve been screwing around behind my back.’

‘It’s not behind anyone’s back,’ I said, shielding my face with my free hand. ‘I told you, we’re through.’

He grabbed my hand and pushed me against the wall. ‘You whore,’ he spat. ‘You said we could try again.’

He drew back his fist and punched me, full in the face. My head hit the wall as his knuckles connected with my eye and I reeled backwards, grabbing at his towel as I did so.

He looked down at himself, noticing his nakedness, and it seemed to bring him back to reality. He looked up at me, blinking, as I pushed him away and tore past him to the door.

‘You don’t deserve me,’ he shouted after me, as I threw it open. ‘You’d better collect the rest of your stuff, before I throw it out.’

I could hear him, coming out behind me and was relieved to see the lift was there. I got in and turned to face him, waiting for the doors to close. ‘I will,’ I said.

‘See that you do,’ he said. ‘I’m at training tomorrow morning. If it’s still here when I get back, I’m chucking it.’

I only nodded, as the doors finally closed.

    Forty Five

Her

Stephens came to pick me up later that evening. I’d tried my best to cover up the bruising around my eye, but I couldn’t hide the swelling. I was relieved when Stephens arrived with another matte black and beribboned box. Inside was a similar outfit to the last one, but this time black. A note inside, in Nat’s fierce handwriting, said:

Hope you don’t mind the colour – it’s more suitable for someone about to lose their Dominion virginity.

See you soon,

           N

To be honest, I’d hardly noticed the colour. I was too relieved to find the mask inside. I slipped it on and tied up the laces at the back. With it on, my injuries were hidden, and I breathed a sigh of relief. I dreaded to think what Nat might do, if he saw the extent of the bruising.

Stephens was already waiting outside, when Liv arrived home from work. I’d taken the mask off, but I had on my long, black coat and I hoped she wouldn’t ask me why I was wearing it on such a warm evening. I didn’t need to worry – she was too distracted by the state of my eye. As soon as she saw it, she drew in her breath sharply.

‘Ouch, Grace. I take it Leo paid you a visit?’

‘I went over to his,’ I said. ‘So, I suppose, I was asking for it.’

At this, she snorted. ‘Of course you were. For fuck’s sake, give it up with this victim attitude, will you? He’s a dick. End of. You need to report him.’

‘Okay.’ I said, trying to think of a way to change the subject. ‘Uh…how’s Max?’

‘I’ve barely seen him.’ Liv looked despondent. ‘He hardly came out of his office for the rest of the day. And there I was, hoping he’d ask me to cover for you again.’

I absorbed this information, feeling pretty despondent myself. There’d been something in his eye, when I’d mentioned Liv to him. I’d been sure it was a flicker of interest, but maybe not.

‘Give him a chance,’ I said, giving her a quick hug. ‘You know what he’s like.’

‘I guess so. Enjoy yourself, with Mr Filth Monger.’

I nodded, butterflies dancing in my chest, and headed out to the Bentley and my public disgrace.

    Forty Six

Her

I put my mask back on in the car and sat there, wondering what the night would hold. By the time we drove into Knightsbridge, I was shaking with nerves. Stephens pulled up around the back of the Dominion hotel, where Nat was standing, waiting for me. He opened the car door for me and held out his hand. I got out and he kissed me. It was only the lightest of kisses but it was enough to set the butterflies inside me dancing. God, I was so in love with him. He put his arm around me and walked me in, through a set of black double doors.

‘Are you sure about this?’ he murmured, as he slipped my coat from around my shoulders.

I nodded. ‘I’m sure.’ I wasn’t, though. I was already self-conscious, knowing my ass cheeks were on show, and I had no idea how I was going to cope with everyone watching Nat doing whatever he had planned for me.

‘Okay,’ he said. He seemed preoccupied and clearly hadn’t noticed the doubt in my voice. He handed my coat to one of the doormen, then steered me through the club to the bar.

‘Is it going to liven up?’ I looked around at the sparse groups of clubbers. At the far end of the dance floor, stood the stage – the St Andrew’s cross positioned in the centre of it.

‘Most definitely.’ He handed me a glass of champagne. ‘It’s early yet.’

I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing, or not.

Whether it was or not, Nat was right. As the night progressed, more and more people arrived, until the dance floor was thick with clubbers, most of whom were showing at least as much bared flesh as me.

We’d been chatting so much, I’d almost forgotten why I was there and, when I heard someone talking over a tannoy, I paid it no heed.

‘I think that was meant for you,’ murmured Nat into my ear. ‘They said they had a Dominion virgin that needed breaking in.’

I flushed. Could I really do this? I remembered the night at the Castle, when I’d realised I’d set myself up purely to please Nat. Was I doing the same again?

Nat led me towards the stage, as everyone around us applauded. It reminded me of the fantasy I’d had about being disgraced on the stage at Jackaroo’s and, immediately, the thought of it sent a rush of excitement to my clit.

‘And this is one lucky little slut,’ came the voice over the tannoy. As I looked up at the stage, I finally saw the person speaking. It was the older guy – Alex – that had been in the playroom at the Castle. The one who’d told me to strip…the one who Nat had gone off to talk to last time we were here. ‘Her owner is none other than our host and the owner of Dominion, Master Nat himself.’

Everyone applauded even louder and Nat jumped up onto the stage, before holding his hand out to pull me up. Once up there, I turned to look behind me. It reminded me of the time I’d stood on the stage at Jackaroo’s, looking out across the faces staring back at me. I’d saved that moment for my fantasies but now, here, my fantasy – or a form of it, at least – was about to come true.