Not at first.

Texas’ eyes shifted from the hotel owner to Brianna. Perhaps she deserved the benefit of the doubt. Everyone was entitled to a mistake every once in a while-- even servants.

“I do not think I am going to shame my servant like that. Her pubic hair was the sole dignity that I let her keep,” Texas explained. “However, I will offer you one last attempt at restitution. I will pay you three times the room rate for the duration of my stay.”

“That is acceptable,” the owner said.

“No,” Brianna said, shaking her head. “I’ll do it, master.”

Texas did a double take in her direction. She had clearly protested the idea only a few moments ago. Now, when he brought up the idea of paying extra, she was folding like a paper airplane. Something wasn’t right.

“Brianna, what is going on?” Texas asked.

“Nothing. I just changed my mind is all. I am okay with shaving it off and keeping it off. In fact, I never want to be allowed to grow pubic hair again,” Brianna told him.

Texas shrugged his shoulders. He’d get to the bottom of this in due time but in the meantime, everyone had just heard her agree to shaving her pubic hair so he couldn’t refuse it any longer.

“Okay. We’ll go up to the room and she’ll shave. Then we are completely even,” Texas said with a sigh.

“Good. Then this whole matter is settled,” the owner said.

“Finally. Now, if the bellboy will bring my bags to my room, I have plans in a few hours,” Texas said, unable to hide his irritation.

A few moments later, Texas and Brianna followed the bellboy up the stairs to their room. Once inside, the bellboy gave him the key and Texas gave him a tip for his trouble. When the door shut, Texas turned around and stared at Brianna, waiting for an explanation.

“Texas… I’m sorry,” Brianna said.

“You had better be willing to give me a lot more than ‘I’m sorry’. What did I tell you to do if someone started groping you?” Texas asked.

“Yell for you and let you handle it,” Brianna said.

“So, I don’t understand. What have I done to make you distrust me? Have I ever treated you wrongly? Have I ever **** myself on you? Have I whipped you in any other way than a spanking? Why do you not trust me?” Texas demanded.

“I know why you have been taking extra jobs, Texas. I know about the situation your sister is in. I know that she is being **** to be a servant until she can pay off her debt. I didn’t want you to spend any more money than necessary,” Brianna admitted.

Texas frowned. He hadn’t spoken of this over the phone nor to anyone in person. In fact, the only way she could have found out about this was if she had gone through his mail. While the federal laws were no longer in play to make this a crime, it was an invasion of his privacy.

“Brianna, did you read my letters?” Texas asked.

“I did…” Brianna admitted.

“You know that was my private belongings. I’m going to have to punish you. Fortunately for you, the spanking will have to wait. Go shave and when you are done, you will do one hour of window time,” Texas told her.

Brianna cringed but nodded her head and went towards the bathroom. Texas pinched the bridge of his nose and shook his head. Window time wasn’t the worst punishment he could dole out but it was effective for her. When he gave her a task to fulfil, she let her mind focus on the task and not on her nudity or people’s reactions to it. Window time was different. Her punishment was to stand in front of the window and make eye contact with anyone who might see her. For some reason, this was an especially embarrassing activity.

Going through his bags, Texas pulled out the two folders on Jeremy Miller and Mary Blots. He wanted to make sure that he didn’t miss a single thing before going after them tonight. He might only get one shot at it so he’d have to cover all of his bases.