She belongs to me.

Tommy's silence is vexing, and the monster is so very hungry. When she doesn't respond immediately, Nick grips her hips firmly and tugs her panties down, forcing them past her knees. When he looks up, he sees both Morgan and Kurt staring at him, their faces darkening. "Hmm," Kurt says, frowning. "Are you in the habit of forcing your lady to do things she doesn't want to?"

Aden feels the monster growl, anger rising. "She didn't say no, did you, Tommy?"

Tommy shakes her head no, but she's still very quiet, and Aden is shocked when Morgan suddenly bends down and pulls her panties back up. She slides off Kurt's lap, and picks up her glass and a cigar from the table. "I'll meet you in our special place, darling," she says, casting a sideways glance at Aden, a look someone would give a cockroach, just before stepping on it. As she passes them, she pats Tommy's shoulder comfortingly. "Not your fault at all, sweetie. You're adorable. If you ever want to be with someone who isn't a neanderthal, let us know."

His fists clenching and unclenching, Aden frowns, his mind disturbed under the surface. Kurt has been watching his face, and makes a decision. "Tommy, dear, would you mind terribly stepping outside to the lobby and giving us a second?"

"I'm so sorry," Tommy whimpers, tearing up. "I didn't mean to fuck up."

"YOU didn't, dear," Kurt answers. "I need to talk man-to-man with Nickolas."

She rises and shuffles toward the door, upset and confused. She lets herself out; Aden feels white-hot rage boiling up. "You wanna explain yourself?" he growls at Kurt, still clenching his fists.

"You're Kate's bail-out investor, aren't you?"

"What if I am?"

Kurt sighs. "You obviously have some personal issues to resolve, Nickolas." He shrugs his shoulders. "I'm a big believer that, where BDSM games are concerned, you can tell everything you need to know about a person by seeing how they play. You, unfortunately, are not the kind of person I want owning the Cambridge."

"Fuck you," Aden growls. "Who are you to judge me?"

"One of seven people you have to convince, I'm afraid." Kurt drains his glass, and places it back down on the table. "Please don't resort to ****, Nickolas. I can see it in your face. I run a security firm, and I see a lot of men and women with that face. Get yourself some help. You aren't getting my vote, so don't ask." The man walks across the room and lets himself out, leaving Aden to stew by himself.