Diana's POV

After Ava's visit with her brother we decided to go look for a dress for the event. She was getting better at visiting her brother who was in a coma. It still tore her apart but she was doing better. She hasn't spoken to Jennifer but I've kept in contact with her as much as I've been legally allowed.

Nobody is really sure what sparked the behavior. It's not normal and it left Ava's family unsure to press charges. They're waiting for Zachary to wake up, if he wakes up.

Ava threw her focus into other things. Her last week of school was next week and she was heavily preparing for the final. Lucas proposed a deal of opening up a club together and while she circles around the idea I don't think either of them are ready for that.

I watched as she tried on several dresses, some she didn't look at herself in for more than 10 seconds before taking it off. "You pick," she said and I shook my head.

"This is your task little one," I reminded her and she pouted. "Can we go to the shop we got my other dress from? Please Mistress?" she asked giving me puppy eyes and looking up at me.

"Yes... but it has nothing to do with that adorable face," I said and we left. It didn't take long before she found a dress.

It was simple yet she wore the dress. The dress didn't wear her and she felt comfortable in it. Her eyes lit up with confidence and a fierce attitude and that's exactly what she needed. This was her debut into my community, my world. "Where is this big event anyway," she asked and I smirked. She took the dress off and put her clothes back on.

"I have a hotel by the boardwalk that many members take interest in due to its ... extravagant nature," I smiled and she narrowed her eyes at me. "You're definitely up to something," she said and I chuckled, "Or into something." I shoved my hand into her pants and she gripped my arm.

Her face went red and her eyes widened. Her mouth opened and I quickly covered it. "Make one sound I'll take this outside the dressing room. I'll remind you who I am right in the middle of the store. Now is that what you want?" I asked and she shook her head violently as my fingers worked her. It didn't take her long..

I kissed her roughly as she came and her body sank against the wall. I removed my fingers, tasting her as she blushed even more, if possible.

I paid for the dress and we went to one last store. It held no name or decorations at all. It was almost discreet having an alley way entrance and going down steps into a basement underneath a 'mom and pop' shop.

"Diana! Haven't seen you here in ages! What brings you?" Laura spoke. "Ah, Laura .. how's Mark and the baby?" She bit her lip and shook her head. "Call me?" I offered and she nodded. Ava's eyes were wide like a kid in a toy store and my own excitement mirrored such.

"See anything you like?" I asked and she didn't hear me until moments later. "I'm not sure at half the stuff I'm looking at," she said and I chuckled. "A majority I already have in my dungeon. New things are always being made. There is one particular machine called the oktapod which is Albanian for octopus. It's a tub that ... well you'll see when it's released won't you?" Her eyes widened and jaw dropped at the promise and I nodded leading her to the back of the store.

As we walked up to the back counter I heard Ava mumble, "No."

I turned to see she had stopped and her face screamed nothing but anger. Her eyes glared at the wall of collars. "No? You no longer have that option. It's actually my duty as a mistress to furnish you with a symbolic token of ownership. You will wear this symbol at all times, except when I tell you otherwise. Do I make myself clear?" She didn't budge and I sighed unraveling the beads from my wrist.

Sometimes she needs a little help. I stroked them slowly and she tried to snap out of it but she couldn't. After some threats and her asking me to stop , she took her place next to me in submission. "Mark!" I called and he stubbornly stepped out the back room to the counter. "I've come to pick up my order," I said with a smile and he reached below him and pulled out a small box.

"On the house," he mumbled and I smiled wide. "Are you sure? I'd hate to take food out of the baby's mouth?" I smiled and he growled at me shoving the box aggressively towards me. "Now now Mark... distribute that aggressiveness evenly amongst your subs... the ones that aren't pregnant of course," I shot and he grumbled away into the back room.

I swung the beads back and forth, playing with them , messing with Ava's head. We got in the car and a little into the the drive she put her window down. "So , I'm going to catch the next red light. You're going to attempt to grab the box from the back seat and throw it at the window the second the light switches to green," I said and her mouth open closed at a loss for words. "How did-"

"You paid way too much attention to the patterns of the red lights since we got in the car, then you checked the backseat twice to see exactly where the box was, then opened your window while side glancing at me," I said grabbing the box and putting it in my lap.

I stopped at the red light and turned to her. She looked at me and then the box. Her hand flinched for the box and I pulled the beads right between each of my wrists and she fell asleep. She should've known better.

We got in the house and I brought her into my bedroom placing the collar on her gently. It latched like belt buckle on the right. A gold trim and in thin gold silk cloth "Ava Elizabeth" was embellished in the front.

I smiled at Mark's handy work. It truly is one of a kind. That reminds that I have to look into Lauren's contract. I really don't feel like going to Feu Bleu. Everything for the party has been finalized. It's in two days.

I was snapped out of my thoughts by knocking downstairs. I answered and there stood Lucas. "You got a minute?" he asked and I studied him. He seemed in a panicked rush.

I let him in and he pulled me to my study. "What's wrong Lucas?" I asked. "It's about Jennifer. I went to go visit Zach-"

I raised an eyebrow and he sighed. "You're in a contract aren't you?" I asked and he rolled his eyes. "He's still a friend," he said half heartedly.

"You cheated on me with him. You cheated on him with Jennifer. Jennifer cheated on you with him. He's a friend? I must be a fool," I said and he shrugged me off. "None of that is important. Zachary got stabbed and nobody knows why," he said and I nodded.

"But I do," he said. "Lucas spit it out," I pushed irritated by his dramatic act. "Zachary went in the apartment to help Ava get some of her things. He got there before she did and walked in on her and Derek Wynter. Derek threatened him and Zachary went to walk out but Derek stabbed him and wrapped Jennifer's hand around the knife. Jennifer was going to leave him to bleed out but Ava walked in ... had to be a while before Ava walked in because Ava and Derek never crossed paths," he finished.

My jaw dropped. I couldn't believe it. "I know right Jennifer and Derek in cahoots," he said sitting down. "Never say that again. What's the relationship between Derek and Jennifer?" I asked and Lucas shrugged. "Not sure ... Whatever it is Zachary said Derek really pushed about nobody finding out ... obviously. Where's Ava?" he asked.

"Asleep. Are you still my assistant over at Feu Bleu?" I asked and he chuckled, "I don't remember you firing me."

"Great. I need you to call Robby and Twain. I want them at the event in two days in my head team of security. Tell them to look their best. Also ... it's best nobody knows Zachary is up. Was he discharged?" Lucas shook his head and looked away from me. "What is it?" I asked and he sighed heavily, "He's in and out of consciousness. To be honest I don't even think he knew he was talking to me. Ava's mother had security placed at the hospital room for him," he informed and I nodded.

"Ava will never hear of this discussion," I said and he raised his eyebrows at me.

"That's like her bestfriend and her big brother. Her favorite sibling. Only sibling that share the same parents. Do you reall-" I turned my desk chair now facing him and he saw the breads wrapped around my wrist. "I see ... alright. I'll be on my way. Are you stopping by Feu Bleu tonight?" he asked and I shook my head.

"I'm not but you are. I need you to fax me the contract of Hampton, Laura. It's a red folder. Behind that is a red folder labeled Mark. Fax me that folder as well," I said and he nodded and walked out.

I glanced at my computer and then at my phone. After some minor tapping I received a text back from my ex-husband.

"I'll be there and my plus one will by submissive Rachel."