## CHAPTER 1 — EIGHT DAYS?! Kiro stopped halfway through stealing one of Ace’s fries. It was not an unusual crime. Ace had made the mistake of leaving the plate within reach while leaning back against Mai on the safehouse couch, which, according to Kiro’s personal interpretation of Night City law, constituted abandonment. Ace disagreed. Violently. Usually. Today, however, neither of them noticed. Because Reyes had just said something. Kiro slowly lowered the stolen fry. “What?” Reyes looked up from her coffee. Across the room, Brenda stopped working on whatever small mechanical component she had been turning between her fingers. Iris, sitting beside her, went very still. Mai’s arm tightened around Ace’s waist. Not protectively. Preparatively. Ace felt it. “You heard me,” Reyes said. “I did.” Kiro placed the fry carefully back on Ace’s plate. That was when Ace knew something serious was about to happen. Kiro never returned stolen food. “I’m giving you the opportunity,” Kiro said, very calmly, “to say it again.” Reyes frowned. “I had a corpo companion job.” Kiro stared at her. Ace bit the inside of her cheek. Mai did not bother. Her smile appeared immediately. “For how long?” Reyes took another drink of coffee. “Eight days.” Kiro blinked. “Eight.” “Yes.” “Days.” “That is generally how those jobs are measured.” Ace made a tiny choking sound. Mai’s hand moved from Ace’s waist to her stomach and held her firmly in place. Ace glanced up. Mai looked down at her. The look said very clearly: _Do not interfere._ Ace had absolutely no intention of interfering. This was already magnificent. Kiro leaned forward. “You were an escort for eight fucking days?” “Companion.” “Oh, thank God.” Reyes’s eyes narrowed. “Completely different,” Kiro continued. “That changes everything. You were a _companion_ for eight fucking days.” “Yes.” “And you didn’t tell me.” Reyes paused. That pause was her first mistake. Kiro saw it. Everyone saw it. Reyes apparently saw it too, because she closed her eyes briefly. “I may have forgotten.” Silence. Ace turned her face into Mai’s chest. Mai’s body shook once. Brenda made a noise that sounded suspiciously like a cough. Iris covered her mouth. Kiro stared at Reyes with the expression of a woman who had just discovered a previously unknown category of betrayal. “You forgot.” “Apparently.” “You forgot to tell me that you spent eight days working as a corpo escort.” “Companion.” “Stop helping.” “I’m correcting the terminology.” “You are making this so much worse.” Reyes sighed. “Kiro.” “Don’t fucking _Kiro_ me.” That did it. Ace folded. The laugh escaped into Mai’s shirt, muffled but unmistakable. Reyes looked toward the couch. “Ace.” Ace raised one hand without lifting her face. “I’m not involved.” “You’re laughing.” “I can do both.” Mai kissed the top of Ace’s head. “She can.” “Thank you,” Ace said into her shirt. “You’re welcome.” Reyes looked toward Brenda. Brenda immediately raised both hands. “Oh, no. Absolutely not. You’re on your own.” Iris nodded gravely. “You should have told her.” “Why?” Kiro made a strangled noise. Reyes turned back toward her. That had been mistake number two. “Why?” Kiro repeated. “Yes.” “Why?” “I wasn’t aware I was required to report my work schedule to you.” “You’re not!” “Then—” “That is not the fucking point!” Reyes stared at her. Kiro threw both hands into the air. “Nobody is asking for permission! Nobody is asking for a fucking itinerary! I don’t need to know when you go buy groceries. I don’t need a message every time you shoot somebody. I don’t even need to know every time you get laid.” Reyes lifted one eyebrow. Kiro pointed at her. “Do not make that face.” “I didn’t say anything.” “You were about to.” “I genuinely wasn’t.” “That’s worse.” Ace surfaced just enough to breathe. Mai looked down at her. “Alive?” “Barely.” “Good.” Ace settled back against her. Kiro was pacing now. That was new. Reyes watched her make one complete circuit around the coffee table. “You disappeared into a corpo companion job for eight days.” “I didn’t disappear.” “Eight days.” “I was reachable.” “Eight days.” “You saw me before I left.” “Yes! And apparently I failed to ask the very important question, ‘Hey, Reyes, are you planning to spend the next eight days professionally accompanying some corpo?’” Reyes considered that. “In fairness, that would have been an oddly specific question.” Kiro stopped. Mai made a sound somewhere between a laugh and a gasp. Ace slapped a hand over her own mouth. Brenda simply bent forward until her forehead rested against Iris’s shoulder. Iris stroked her hair. Reyes looked around the room. “What?” Kiro pointed at her again. “That.” “What?” “That thing you’re doing.” “I’m answering you.” “No. You’re standing there being _reasonable_ while I’m trying to explain why you’re an asshole.” Reyes took another sip of coffee. “I’m sitting.” Kiro stared. Reyes looked down at the chair. Then back at Kiro. Kiro closed her eyes. “Mai.” “Yes?” “Can I kill her?” “No.” “Why not?” “We like her.” Ace lifted her head. “Also blood on the floor.” “Thank you, Ace.” “You’re welcome.” Reyes’s mouth twitched. Kiro saw that too. “Oh, you think this is funny now?” “A little.” “Eight days.” “There it is again.” “Because there were eight of them!” Reyes finally laughed. It was small, but it destroyed what remained of Kiro’s restraint. “You absolute bitch.” “Yes.” “You really forgot?” That changed the room by half a degree. Not much. Just enough. Reyes looked at Kiro properly. “Yes. Honestly.” Kiro studied her. There was no evasion there. No deliberate secrecy. No careful compartmentalization. No decision that Kiro didn’t deserve to know. Reyes had simply gone to work. For eight days. As a corpo companion. And somewhere between accepting the job, doing the job and returning from the job, she had apparently never encountered the thought: _I should tell Kiro about this._ Kiro looked personally wounded by the sheer stupidity of it. “That might actually be worse.” “I gathered.” “You didn’t hide it.” “No.” “You didn’t decide it was private.” “No.” “You just…” Kiro gestured helplessly. “Forgot.” “Yes.” Kiro dropped onto the couch opposite her. “Fuck you.” Reyes smiled. “Fair.” Kiro leaned back and stared at the ceiling. “I tell you things.” “You do.” “I told you about the woman in Kabuki who tried to pay me to hack her ex’s coffee machine.” “That was funny.” “It was important.” “She wanted it to dispense broth.” “Exactly.” Reyes nodded. “That was worth telling me.” “But eight days as a corpo escort wasn’t worth telling me.” “Companion.” Kiro slowly lowered her gaze from the ceiling. Reyes held up one hand. “Sorry.” “You should be.” Ace reached cautiously toward her fries. Kiro’s hand shot out without looking and stole one. Ace gasped. “There she is.” Kiro ate it. “You lost sympathy privileges when you laughed.” “I never had sympathy privileges.” “Correct.” Mai kissed Ace’s temple. “You still have mine.” Ace smiled. “See?” “Unfortunately,” Kiro said. Brenda had finally recovered enough to sit upright. “So.” Reyes looked at her. Brenda smiled. It was not a kind smile. “Was it fun?” “Oh, fuck off.” The room exploded. Even Iris lost it. Reyes covered her face with one hand while Brenda laughed into Iris’s shoulder again, Mai openly shook beneath Ace, and Ace nearly dropped the plate trying to keep it away from Kiro. “Eight days,” Kiro managed between laughs. “You had eight days to remember me.” “I was working.” “That is not helping!” “I know.” “Then stop!” Reyes was laughing now too. That saved her. Mostly. Eventually the room settled into the loose, comfortable wreckage of people who had known one another too long to maintain dignity indefinitely. Kiro ended up with three of Ace’s fries. Ace noticed all three. Retaliation would come later. Reyes finished her coffee. Brenda returned to her little mechanical component. Iris remained tucked against her. Mai’s arm stayed around Ace. Normal life reassembled itself. Reyes’s holo pinged. She glanced down. A message. **Panam.** Nothing remarkable in that. Panam messaged people. Panam messaged Reyes. Panam had certainly messaged Reyes during the courier run weeks ago. Kiro noticed the tiny change in Reyes’s expression anyway. Because of course she did. “Oh, no.” Reyes looked up. “What?” “Who is that?” “Nobody.” Kiro sat upright. “Bullshit.” “It’s Panam.” Kiro paused. That answer had apparently been too ordinary. “Oh.” Reyes looked back at the message. Kiro narrowed her eyes. “Why did you smile?” “I didn’t.” “You did.” “I absolutely did not.” Ace, traitorously, looked over. “You did a little.” Reyes turned toward her. “You’re supposed to be protecting your fries.” Ace looked down. There were only two left. “Kiro!” Kiro was already chewing. Mai caught Ace around the waist before she could launch herself across the table. “MY FRIES!” “Should’ve paid attention!” “You fucking thief!” “Eight days, Ace!” “That doesn’t even make sense!” “It doesn’t have to!” Reyes looked down at her holo again while the safehouse dissolved around her. Panam’s message was nothing dramatic. Just a picture. Coffee. Truck dashboard. A stretch of Badlands road beyond the windshield. Underneath it: **This coffee is shit.** Reyes smiled. This time nobody noticed. Her thumbs moved. **Then stop buying shit coffee.** The reply came almost immediately. **Helpful.** Reyes: **I try.** A few seconds. Then: **Miss you.** The noise of the safehouse continued around her. Ace was still accusing Kiro of crimes against food. Mai was still preventing homicide. Brenda had taken Kiro’s side for reasons known only to Brenda. Iris was trying and failing to restore civilization. Reyes looked at the message. Two weeks. Almost. Eight of those days had belonged to the corpo job Kiro had apparently been entitled to a full documentary about. Every single one of them had also contained Panam. A message in the morning. Something during the day. Something stupid at night. Sometimes three words. Sometimes an hour. Never nothing. Reyes typed. **Miss you too.** She looked at it for a moment. Then added: **Next weekend. You busy?** The answer arrived before Kiro managed to steal Ace’s final fry. **Depends.** Reyes smiled. **Would you like to be Madame again?** This time the pause was longer. Five seconds. Ten. Then: **Yes.** Reyes stared at the single word. No hesitation. No complaint. No _I hate that fucking name._ Just: **Yes.** Her smile widened. She typed: **That was quick.** Three dots appeared. **Don't start.** Reyes laughed softly. Across the room, Kiro froze with Ace’s last fry halfway to her mouth. Her eyes narrowed. Reyes looked up. “No.” “I didn’t say anything.” “You were going to.” Kiro slowly ate the fry. “After the last ten minutes, I feel I deserve to know everything.” “You absolutely do not.” Ace stared at her empty plate. “I hate all of you.” Mai kissed her. “No, you don’t.” Ace sighed. “No.” Reyes looked back at Panam’s message. **Yes.** Simple. Immediate. Certain. She typed one final reply. **Good.** Then, after a moment: **I missed my owner.** She sent it. Far outside Night City, somewhere on a Badlands road, Panam did not answer for nearly a full minute. Then Reyes’s holo pinged. **Next weekend, pet.** Reyes leaned back in her chair. And smiled. --- ## CHAPTER 2 — AGAIN Panam opened the apartment door and forgot the first thing she had planned to say. Birgitta stood in the hallway. That was all. No dramatic entrance. No clever line. No customer smile. Just Birgitta, one hand resting on the strap of a small overnight bag, copper-grey hair framing her face, those impossibly light brown eyes fixed on Panam. For almost two weeks, Panam had seen her through messages. Tiny pieces of days sent back and forth whenever one of them had a moment. It had been enough to keep the distance from becoming absence. It had not been enough for this. Birgitta smiled. “Hi.” Panam stepped forward. The overnight bag hit the floor. Birgitta barely had time to laugh before Panam wrapped both arms around her and pulled her close. “Oh.” “Shut up.” “I didn't say anything.” “You were going to.” Birgitta's arms slid around Panam. “No.” “Bullshit.” “Maybe.” Panam held her tighter. Birgitta stopped teasing. For several seconds neither woman moved. No owner. No pet. No Madame. No collar. Just two women standing half in the hallway because they had missed each other more than either had managed to fit into a message. Birgitta pressed her face against Panam's shoulder. “I missed you.” Panam's answer came quietly. “Yeah.” Birgitta waited. Panam sighed. “I missed you too.” “There it is.” “Don't ruin it.” “I wouldn't dream of it.” “You absolutely would.” Birgitta lifted her head. Panam kissed her. The first kiss was almost too quick. The second wasn't. Birgitta's hands settled against Panam's waist as Panam pulled her fully into the apartment, nudged the door shut with one boot, and kissed her again. When they finally separated, Birgitta was smiling. Panam looked at her. “What?” “Nothing.” “That is never nothing.” “You're happy to see me.” “I just said I missed you.” “Yes, but this is better evidence.” Panam stared at her for a moment. Then she reached past Birgitta, picked up the abandoned overnight bag, and shoved it into her hands. “Inside.” Birgitta's smile changed. Only slightly. But Panam saw it. “Yes.” Panam closed the door behind them. The apartment looked almost exactly as Birgitta remembered it. A jacket over the back of a chair. A mug on the counter. A datapad left where Panam had apparently decided a table was too conventional. Nothing arranged for effect. Nothing prepared to make the evening into a ceremony. And on the small table beside the couch— Birgitta stopped. The collar. The leash. Exactly where Panam had left them. Not displayed. Not hidden. Waiting. Panam followed her gaze. For the first time since opening the door, she seemed almost uncertain. Birgitta looked at her. Panam looked back. “You still want this?” There was no hesitation. “Yes.” Panam nodded once. “Come here.” Birgitta set down the bag. She crossed the room. Panam picked up the collar. Birgitta turned without being asked. That made Panam pause. Only for a second. Then she stepped closer. Birgitta lifted her hair away from her neck. The collar settled around it with familiar weight. Panam fastened it. Her fingers remained there afterward. Warm against the back of Birgitta's neck. Neither spoke. The tiny click had changed nothing fundamental. And somehow it had changed the entire room. Panam's hand slid around to the front of the collar. She hooked two fingers beneath it and gently turned Birgitta toward her. Birgitta came willingly. Panam looked into her eyes. “My pet.” There it was. Birgitta felt the words settle somewhere deeper than the collar. Her smile softened. “My owner.” Panam kissed her forehead. Then she reached for the leash. The clip closed against the collar ring. Birgitta looked down at it. Then back up. Panam held the other end. Two weeks vanished. Not erased. They had happened. They mattered. But the distance inside them was simply gone. Panam gave the leash the smallest pull. “Come.” Birgitta followed. No hesitation. Panam walked toward the couch. “Sit.” Birgitta sat. Panam remained standing. Birgitta looked up at her. And smiled. Panam's eyebrows narrowed. “What?” “Nothing.” “You keep doing that.” “Doing what?” “Looking pleased with yourself.” “I am pleased with myself.” “I noticed.” Birgitta crossed one leg over the other. Panam looked at it. Then at her. “Comfortable?” “Very.” “Good.” Panam walked toward the kitchen. Birgitta started to rise. “Stay.” She stopped. Then sat back. “Yes, owner.” Panam made it three steps. She stopped. Birgitta watched the back of her neck turn slightly red. “Oh, that's adorable.” Panam turned around. “What?” “You still react to it.” “I do not.” “You absolutely do.” “Stay.” Birgitta grinned. “Yes, owner.” Panam pointed at her. “That.” “What?” “You know what.” “I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.” “Bullshit.” Birgitta leaned back into the couch. Panam stared at her for another second before disappearing into the kitchen. Birgitta heard cupboards. The refrigerator. A glass placed on the counter. Then Panam returned carrying water. She handed it over. “Drink.” Birgitta took the glass. And drank. Panam sat beside her. The leash remained in her hand. Birgitta finished half the water before lowering the glass. “You know,” she said, “most people start with hello.” “I did.” “Then you attacked me in the hallway.” “You survived.” “Barely.” Panam snorted. Birgitta leaned against her. Panam's free arm came around her automatically. For a while, nothing happened. That was part of what Birgitta had missed. Not the commands. Not even the collar. This. Panam's apartment. Panam's arm around her. The leash hanging loose between Panam's hand and Birgitta's collar because there was nowhere Birgitta wanted to go. Birgitta looked down at Panam's hand. “You kept them here.” Panam followed her gaze to the leash. “Yeah.” “For two weeks.” “That's generally how leaving things somewhere works.” Birgitta smiled. Panam immediately noticed. “What?” “Nothing.” “Again.” “I like that you left them here.” “Where else would I put them?” “I don't know.” “Then why are you asking?” “Because I like hearing you answer.” Panam gave her a suspicious look. Birgitta leaned closer. “You missed this.” Panam's fingers tightened slightly around the leash. “I missed you.” “That wasn't the question.” “I know.” Birgitta waited. Panam looked toward the far wall as if it might offer assistance. It did not. Finally she looked back. “Yeah.” Birgitta's smile softened. “Me too.” Panam tugged lightly on the leash. Birgitta moved closer without resistance until their thighs touched. “You've been thinking about this weekend,” Birgitta said. “No.” “Liar.” Another tiny tug. Birgitta laughed. “That isn't an argument.” “It worked.” “It distracted me.” “Same thing.” “No.” Panam gave her another small tug. Birgitta moved even closer. “See?” “You're impossible.” “My pet is complaining.” Birgitta froze. Panam felt it. Very slowly, she looked down. Birgitta was staring at her. “What?” “You said it casually.” “Said what?” “Your pet.” Panam's expression shifted as she realized. “Oh.” Birgitta smiled. Panam narrowed her eyes. “Don't.” “I didn't say anything.” “You're about to.” “No.” “Bullshit.” Birgitta kissed her. That solved the problem. For a while. Later, Panam made food. Birgitta was allowed to help exactly once before Panam decided she was in the way and sent her back to the couch. Birgitta obeyed with such exaggerated grace that Panam threatened to make her eat on the floor. Birgitta's immediate: “Yes, owner.” made Panam reconsider the threat. Birgitta saw the reconsideration happen. “Oh, no.” “What?” “You can't take it back now.” “I absolutely can.” “You threatened your pet.” “I said I might make you eat on the floor.” “And your pet accepted.” Panam stared at her. Birgitta smiled brightly. “Your move.” For one dangerous second, Panam looked as though she might actually do it. Birgitta's smile widened. Panam pointed toward the table. “Chair.” Birgitta sighed theatrically. “Yes, owner.” “Disappointed?” “Devastated.” “Eat.” Dinner happened at the table. The leash remained attached. Sometimes Panam held it. Sometimes it lay loose beside Birgitta's chair. Neither woman treated that as contradictory. They talked about ordinary things. A shipment Panam had delivered. A restaurant Birgitta wanted to try. A particularly stupid traffic jam. Someone Panam had nearly punched. Someone Birgitta thought Panam probably should have punched. Nothing important. Everything important. At some point Panam reached across the table and pushed Birgitta's glass closer to her without interrupting the conversation. Birgitta drank from it without comment. Neither noticed the small exchange until afterward. Then Birgitta smiled. Panam saw that too. “What now?” “You.” “What about me?” “Nothing.” Panam sighed. “I preferred you when you were gone.” “No, you didn't.” “No.” The answer came too quickly. Birgitta's expression softened. Panam looked annoyed with herself. “Don't.” Birgitta reached across the table and took her hand. “I didn't say anything.” “You were going to.” “Maybe.” Panam squeezed her fingers. Afterward, Birgitta washed the dishes despite Panam telling her she didn't have to. Panam stood behind her, one hand resting against her hip. “You're bad at being ordered around.” Birgitta glanced back. “You didn't order me not to wash them.” Panam considered. “Fair.” “And pets can be useful.” Panam's eyes narrowed. “You're enjoying this way too much.” “Yes.” “At least you're honest.” “Always.” “Bullshit.” “Frequently.” “Better.” Birgitta dried the last plate and put it away. She reached for the towel. Panam took it from her. “Done.” Birgitta turned. Panam had the leash in her other hand. There was no hesitation this time. “Come.” Birgitta followed. Panam didn't head for the bedroom immediately. Instead she stopped beside the couch. “Sit.” Birgitta sat. Panam remained standing in front of her. For a moment, Birgitta thought Panam was about to say something. Instead Panam looked at her. Not Birgitta's clothes. Not the collar. Not the leash. Her. Then: “You tired?” “A little.” “Hungry?” “Not anymore.” “Anything hurt?” “No.” “Anything you need?” Birgitta's answer took longer. Panam waited. “This.” Panam's expression softened. “This what?” Birgitta lifted one hand and touched the leash between them. “Not having to decide every little thing for a while.” Panam nodded slowly. Birgitta continued. “Not because I can't.” “I know.” “Because I don't want to.” “I know.” “And because I trust you to notice when I should.” Panam's gaze sharpened slightly. There it was. The part that mattered. The thing beneath the collar and the commands and the words they both liked more than either had expected. Responsibility. Panam crouched in front of her. “You know this doesn't mean you stop telling me what you want.” “I know.” “And it doesn't mean I get to stop paying attention.” “I know.” “If I get something wrong—” “I tell you.” Panam nodded. “Good.” Birgitta smiled. “You've thought about this.” Panam's eyes narrowed. “Careful.” “You have.” “I said careful.” Birgitta leaned forward. “My owner has been thinking about how to take care of her pet.” Panam stared at her. Birgitta's smile became impossibly pleased. “That's adorable.” Panam stood. “Oh, fuck you.” Birgitta laughed. Panam tugged the leash. “Come.” Birgitta rose immediately. “Yes, owner.” This time Panam didn't react to the word. Or perhaps she did. Just differently. She led Birgitta toward the bedroom. At the doorway, Panam stopped. Birgitta stopped with her. Panam turned. There was humor in her face. Warmth too. And underneath both, that same steadiness. The thing Birgitta had missed almost as much as Panam herself. Panam touched the collar. Nothing needed rebuilding. No new ceremony. No new beginning. They had already built this. They had simply spent two weeks apart. Panam drew her closer by the leash. Birgitta went willingly. Their foreheads touched. “My pet.” Birgitta closed her eyes. “My owner.” Panam kissed her. And this time, neither of them had anywhere else to be. --- ## CHAPTER 3 — MADAME RETURNS The first person to call Panam _Madame_ did it before they were even properly inside Lizzie's. Panam stopped walking. Birgitta stopped because the leash told her Panam had stopped, then turned to see why. A woman leaning near the entrance lifted her drink in greeting. “Madame.” Panam stared at her. “My name is Panam.” The woman smiled. “I know.” “That wasn't a correction.” “It sounded like one.” “It was.” “Good to see you again, Madame.” Panam opened her mouth. Birgitta touched her lips together very carefully. Panam turned. “Don't.” Birgitta widened her eyes. “I didn't say anything.” “You're laughing.” “Internally.” “Stop.” “I'll try.” “You won't.” “No.” Panam resumed walking. Birgitta followed, the leash hanging loosely between them. Three steps. “Madame!” Panam stopped again. Birgitta closed her eyes. This was going to be a wonderful evening. A familiar joytoy waved from across the room. Panam pointed at herself. “Panam.” The joytoy nodded enthusiastically. “Right. Madame Panam.” “Fuck.” Birgitta lost the battle. Her laugh escaped. Panam turned on her. “You.” “Yes, owner?” That was worse. Panam's glare sharpened. Birgitta smiled sweetly. “You asked me to stop laughing.” “I didn't ask you to replace it with that.” “With what?” Panam stared. Birgitta waited. Panam gave the leash a short pull. “Come.” “Yes, owner.” Panam muttered something in Aldecaldo that Birgitta strongly suspected was not affectionate. They made it to the bar. Suzie Q had already seen them. Of course she had. Suzie saw everything that mattered inside Lizzie's, and quite a lot that didn't. She looked first at Birgitta. Then at the collar. Then at the leash. Then at Panam holding the other end. Her eyebrows rose. “Well.” Panam leaned against the bar. “Don't.” “I haven't said anything.” “Everybody keeps saying that tonight.” Birgitta took the stool beside Panam. Suzie looked at her. “Good to see you again.” “You too.” “Thirty-two?” Birgitta nodded. “Thirty-two.” Panam glanced between them. “That easy?” Suzie shrugged. “It's a number.” “People usually argue about numbers.” “People usually argue when they think arguing will change them.” Birgitta smiled. Suzie pointed at her. “Exactly.” Then she looked at Panam. “And you?” “What about me?” “Same arrangement?” Panam looked at Birgitta. Birgitta looked back. The answer belonged to both of them, but for different reasons. Birgitta chose whether she wanted to work. Panam carried what came after that choice. “Yes,” Panam said. Suzie nodded once. No spectacle. No interrogation. Just information received. “Fine.” Panam narrowed her eyes. “That's it?” “What were you expecting?” “I don't know.” “A certificate?” Birgitta laughed. Panam sighed. “I hate this place.” “No, you don't,” Suzie said. “No.” Suzie leaned forward slightly. “Want me to send anyone interested through you?” Panam's answer came immediately. “Yes.” Birgitta's smile appeared. Panam saw it. “What?” “Nothing.” “You're doing it again.” “Doing what?” “That smile.” “I like that you knew the answer.” Panam looked away. Suzie looked between them. Something in her expression changed. Only slightly. The first time, Panam had looked like someone improvising a strange arrangement because it worked. Tonight she didn't. Tonight she had answered before Suzie finished asking. Suzie glanced at the leash again. Then at Panam. “Huh.” Panam caught it. “What?” “Nothing.” “Bullshit.” Suzie smiled. “Welcome back.” Before Panam could decide whether that had been an answer, Suzie moved down the bar. Birgitta rested one elbow against the counter. “So.” “No.” “You don't know what I was going to say.” “Yes, I do.” “Madame—” “Birgitta.” The warning in Panam's voice was magnificent. Birgitta smiled. “Yes, owner?” Panam stared at her. For several seconds. Then: “Drink.” Birgitta picked up the water Suzie had left in front of her. “Yes, owner.” She drank. Panam watched. And somewhere behind Panam, somebody laughed. Not mockingly. Knowingly. Panam turned. Nobody admitted responsibility. “Fuck all of you.” That got more laughter. Birgitta put down the glass. “I think they missed you.” “They don't know me.” “They know Madame.” “There is no Madame.” A voice from somewhere to their left called: “Sure, Madame.” Panam closed her eyes. Birgitta covered her mouth. “You laugh and I'm leaving.” Birgitta's shoulders shook. “I'm serious.” That made it worse. Panam waited. Eventually Birgitta recovered enough to breathe. “I'm sorry.” “No, you're not.” “No.” “Thought so.” The first serious approach came ten minutes later. A woman in an expensive coat stopped a respectful distance away. Her eyes went to Birgitta first. Then Panam. “Working?” Birgitta looked at her. Took her time. The woman was attractive. Calm. No grabbing. No assumption. Birgitta smiled. “Yes.” The woman relaxed slightly and took a step closer. “How much?” “Thirty-two thousand.” No hesitation. “All right.” Her attention returned to Birgitta. “One hour?” Birgitta looked at Panam. The woman followed her gaze. Panam straightened. Something shifted. Tiny. Immediate. Birgitta had already made the first decision. She wanted her. Everything else belonged to Panam. “One hour,” Panam said. The woman nodded. “Can I extend if we're having fun?” “No.” Birgitta's eyebrows rose. The client glanced at her. Then back at Panam. “No?” “Not tonight.” “Why?” “Because I said one hour.” The woman considered that. Then nodded. “Fair.” Panam held out her hand. “Payment first.” The transfer happened. Panam checked it. Then looked at Birgitta. “Come here.” Birgitta stepped closer. Panam unclipped the leash. The absence of its weight was immediate. Not unpleasant. Just noticeable. Panam gathered the leash into one hand. “One hour.” Birgitta smiled. “Yes, owner.” The client's eyebrows rose. Panam ignored them. Birgitta leaned in and kissed Panam. Not long. Not performative. Just theirs. Then she turned to the woman. “Shall we?” The woman smiled. “Absolutely.” Panam watched them disappear toward the private rooms. Then looked down at the leash in her hand. Suzie appeared in front of her. Panam frowned. “Do you fucking teleport?” “Only when it's funny.” Panam looked back toward the corridor. Suzie followed her gaze. “She chose.” “I know.” “You said yes.” “I know.” “You limited the booking.” “I know.” “You took payment.” “I was standing here.” Suzie nodded. “Just checking.” Panam looked at her. “Checking what?” Suzie picked up an empty glass. “Whether you knew what you were doing.” “And?” “You do.” Panam stared. Suzie walked away. “Fucking helpful,” Panam muttered. She folded Birgitta's leash once. Then again. And waited. She did not hover near the corridor. She did not watch the clock every thirty seconds. She did not pretend she had forgotten about it either. She talked to Suzie. Refused a drink because she was driving. Accepted coffee. Regretted accepting coffee. Complained about the coffee. Suzie told her to make her own next time. Twenty-three minutes in, someone approached and asked whether Birgitta was free afterward. “No.” The man blinked. “I can wait.” “No.” “How long?” Panam looked at him. “She isn't available to you tonight.” That took slightly longer to process. “Oh.” Panam waited. The man looked toward the corridor. Then at Panam. “All right.” He left. Suzie, polishing a glass nearby, said nothing. Panam looked at her. Suzie continued polishing. “Don't.” “I didn't say anything.” “Everybody in this fucking building has learned that sentence.” “Useful sentence.” Panam drank the terrible coffee. At fifty-eight minutes, she looked toward the corridor. At sixty-one, Birgitta appeared. Panam was already standing. Birgitta saw her. And smiled. That smile was different from the customer smile. Panam knew it immediately. Birgitta walked straight to her. The client followed several steps behind, looking relaxed and thoroughly pleased with her evening. “Thank you,” she said to Birgitta. “My pleasure.” Then, to Panam: “Madame.” Panam's jaw tightened. The woman smiled. “Good night.” She left before Panam could correct her. Birgitta stood in front of Panam. Waiting. Panam looked at her. “You good?” “Yes.” “Water?” “Yes.” “Sit.” Birgitta sat on the nearest stool. Panam clipped the leash back onto her collar. The click was small. Birgitta exhaled. Panam noticed. She handed her water. “Drink.” Birgitta drank. Panam rested one hand against the back of her neck. Not gripping. Just there. Birgitta leaned slightly into the touch. “How was she?” “Lovely.” “Anything I need to know?” “No.” “Good.” Birgitta drank again. Panam watched until she'd had enough. Then: “Ten minutes.” Birgitta looked up. “I'm fine.” “I know.” “I could take another.” “I know.” Birgitta smiled. Panam narrowed her eyes. “What?” “Nothing.” “Ten minutes.” “Yes, owner.” There it was again. That little warmth under Panam's ribs. Not because Birgitta obeyed. Because Panam had told her to rest and knew she would. Panam sat beside her. The leash remained in her hand. People moved around them. Music rolled through the club. Conversations rose and disappeared. Nobody stared for long. Night City had seen stranger things before breakfast. But people noticed. They noticed Birgitta return directly to Panam. They noticed the leash go back on. They noticed Panam put water into her hand. They noticed that when someone approached during those ten minutes, Panam only had to say: “She's resting.” And the conversation ended. At seven minutes, Birgitta leaned against her. “You know what I like?” Panam sighed. “This sounds dangerous.” “You don't ask whether I'm capable of another booking.” “Because you are.” “You decide whether I should take one.” Panam looked at her. “Only after you decide whether you want one.” “Yes.” “Important difference.” “I know.” Panam studied her face. “You tired?” “No.” “Anything hurt?” “No.” “You want another?” Birgitta looked across the room. Someone had been waiting. A man this time. Well dressed. Patient. He hadn't interrupted. Birgitta met his eyes. He smiled. She considered him. Then looked at Panam. “Yes.” Panam followed her gaze. Studied him. Then nodded. “Okay.” Birgitta's smile brightened. Panam stood. The man approached only after Panam gestured. Smart. “Thirty-two,” Panam said. “I know.” “One hour.” “Fine.” “No extensions.” He glanced at Birgitta. Birgitta smiled. “Madame's decision.” Panam's head turned. Birgitta's expression was innocence perfected. The man wisely did not laugh. Payment cleared. Panam unclipped the leash. Birgitta stood. Before leaving, she kissed Panam again. This one lingered half a second longer. “Behave,” Panam murmured. Birgitta's eyes glittered. “Me?” “Go.” “Yes, owner.” She left with the client. Panam watched her go. Suzie appeared again. Panam didn't even turn. “No.” Suzie leaned on the bar beside her. “I haven't said anything.” “Fuck you.” Suzie laughed. Another hour. Another return. Leash. Water. Rest. Food this time, because Panam decided Birgitta needed it before anything else. Birgitta did not argue. Much. “I'm not hungry.” “Eat.” “I had dinner.” “Hours ago.” “Owner—” “Eat.” Birgitta ate. Panam looked unbearably satisfied. Birgitta pointed at her with the fork. “Don't enjoy this too much.” Panam leaned back. “My pet is complaining again.” Birgitta stopped. Panam smiled. “Oh, fuck you.” “Eat.” Birgitta ate. Later, a third customer approached. Birgitta was interested. Panam wasn't. “No.” Birgitta looked at her. The customer looked surprised. “Why?” Panam ignored him. Her attention stayed on Birgitta. “You're done.” Birgitta studied her. Not offended. Not diminished. Checking. Panam held her gaze. “You've slowed down.” Birgitta thought about it. Then realized Panam was right. Not exhausted. Not even particularly tired. But slower. Just enough. Birgitta smiled. “All right.” The customer frowned. “I can pay more.” Panam finally looked at him. “No.” “Forty.” “No.” “Fifty.” “No.” Birgitta's smile widened. The customer looked between them. “Seriously?” “Yes.” He shook his head. “Fine.” And left. Birgitta watched him go. Then turned back to Panam. “That was fifty thousand.” “I can count.” “You said no very quickly.” “You were done.” “I could have worked.” “I know.” Birgitta looked at her for a long moment. Then moved closer. The leash shortened naturally between them. “My owner.” Panam's expression softened. “My pet.” Birgitta kissed her. Somewhere behind them: “Aww.” Panam broke the kiss. “Who fucking said that?” Nobody confessed. Birgitta laughed against her shoulder. Suzie suddenly became extremely interested in arranging bottles. Panam looked around the room. “I hate every single person here.” Birgitta slipped an arm around her waist. “No, you don't.” Panam looked down at her. “No.” They stayed a while longer. Not working. Just there. Birgitta collared and leashed beside Panam, talking to people, laughing, flirting harmlessly, remaining entirely herself. Panam occasionally answered questions. Occasionally refused them. Occasionally told Birgitta to drink. Once told her to sit when she had been standing too long talking to someone. Birgitta sat. No performance. No pause. No question. At some point Suzie walked past, glanced at them, and stopped. “You coming back tomorrow?” Panam looked at Birgitta. Birgitta looked at Panam. “Yes,” Birgitta said. Panam nodded. “Yeah.” Suzie gave them both a long look. Not surprised. Not amused this time. Simply confirming something. “Good.” She walked away. Panam frowned after her. “What was that?” Birgitta leaned against her. “I think she just realized something.” “What?” “That you're back.” Panam looked down at the leash in her hand. Then around Lizzie's. At the people who had already stopped asking whether the arrangement was temporary. At the customers who now looked toward her before approaching Birgitta. At the joytoys who called her Madame with increasingly little irony. At Suzie, who had asked whether they were coming tomorrow as if she already expected the answer. Panam sighed. “Fuck.” Birgitta smiled. “What?” “This isn't going away, is it?” Birgitta considered pretending not to understand. She decided against it. “No.” Panam looked at her. “Madame.” Birgitta's smile became radiant. “I didn't say it.” “You were thinking it.” “Can you prove that?” Panam picked up the leash. “Come.” Birgitta stood immediately. “Yes, owner.” Panam led her toward the exit. Someone near the door raised a hand. “Night, Madame.” Panam kept walking. For three steps. Then she lifted one hand over her shoulder. “Night.” Birgitta stared at her. Panam caught the look. “What?” “You didn't correct them.” Panam pushed open the door. Cool Night City air met them outside. “I was tired.” “Of course.” “Birgitta.” “Yes, owner?” Panam gave the leash a gentle tug and started toward the parking area. “Don't start.” Birgitta followed, laughing. Behind them, Lizzie's doors closed. Madame had returned. --- ## CHAPTER 4 — EASY NOW The next evening, Panam made it all the way through the entrance without correcting anyone. Birgitta noticed. Of course she noticed. The first greeting came from one of the Mox near the door. “Evening, Madame.” Panam raised a hand. “Hey.” Birgitta looked at her. Panam kept walking. A joytoy passing in the opposite direction smiled. “Madame.” “Evening.” Birgitta looked harder. Panam stopped. “What?” “Nothing.” “That face is not nothing.” “What face?” “The one you're making.” Birgitta widened her eyes. “I have no idea what you mean.” Panam stared at her. Birgitta smiled. Panam looked ahead again. “Come.” “Yes, owner.” They continued. Five steps. Birgitta couldn't help herself. “You didn't correct either of them.” Panam stopped again. “Do you want me to?” “No.” “Then why the fuck are we discussing it?” “Because yesterday—” “Yesterday I spent half the night telling people my name.” “Yes.” “They kept doing it anyway.” “Yes.” “So fuck it.” Birgitta's smile became radiant. Panam pointed at her. “That is not acceptance.” “Of course not.” “It's efficiency.” “Naturally.” “I mean it.” “I know.” “You're laughing.” “Internally.” Panam tugged the leash. “Bar.” “Yes, Madame.” Panam turned so quickly Birgitta almost walked into her. Birgitta's expression was innocence itself. Panam stared. Birgitta waited. Then Panam's mouth twitched. Just once. Barely there. “Menace.” Birgitta beamed. “My owner likes me.” “Unfortunately.” They reached the bar. Suzie looked up. “Madame.” Panam leaned one elbow against the counter. “Coffee.” Suzie froze. Birgitta froze. Panam looked between them. “What?” Suzie slowly reached for a mug. “Nothing.” “Bullshit.” “You didn't correct me.” Panam closed her eyes. “Oh, for fuck's sake.” Birgitta laughed. Suzie poured the coffee. “Too late now.” “Nothing is too late.” “Want me to start over?” “No.” Suzie slid the mug toward her. “Coffee, Madame.” Panam took it. “Thank you.” Suzie's eyebrows went up. Birgitta made a tiny delighted noise. Panam pointed at both of them. “Neither of you.” Birgitta lifted both hands. Suzie walked away smiling. Panam took a drink. Her face immediately twisted. “This is still terrible.” From halfway down the bar: “Make your own!” Panam shouted back: “I SHOULD!” Birgitta climbed onto the stool beside her. Panam looked at her. “Water.” Birgitta reached for the glass already waiting. “Yes, owner.” She drank. Panam turned toward the room. That was the first thing Birgitta noticed. Yesterday Panam had watched the room because she was figuring it out. Tonight she simply watched. Different. Her eyes moved over the crowd. Entrances. Exits. People. Mood. Potential trouble. Potential clients. Nothing tense about it. Nothing performative. Just Panam being Panam. Birgitta put down her water. “You're doing it.” Panam didn't look at her. “Doing what?” “This.” “That is extremely specific.” “You know what I mean.” “No.” “You're comfortable.” Panam finally looked at her. “I am sitting at a bar.” “With my leash in your hand.” Panam glanced down. The leash lay loosely across her palm. She hadn't even seemed aware of holding it. “So?” Birgitta smiled. “Nothing.” Panam narrowed her eyes. Then somebody approached. A middle-aged woman in an immaculate suit. She stopped in front of Birgitta. “Working?” Birgitta looked at her. The question was directed correctly. Good start. “Yes.” “Interested?” Birgitta took a moment. Then smiled. “Yes.” The woman turned to Panam. “An hour?” Panam nodded. “Thirty-two.” “I know.” “No extension.” The woman glanced at Birgitta. “That's fine.” Payment. Check. Panam turned toward Birgitta. “Come.” Birgitta stepped between Panam's knees. Panam unclipped the leash. “Hour.” “Yes, owner.” “Water when you get back.” “Yes.” “Go.” Birgitta kissed her. Then left with the client. Panam picked up her coffee. Suzie appeared. Panam didn't look around. “If you say anything, I'm throwing this coffee at you.” Suzie glanced at the mug. “You'd be doing it a favor.” Panam laughed. Actually laughed. Suzie leaned against the bar. “You look less terrified.” “I was never terrified.” “Sure.” “I wasn't.” “You spent half of yesterday looking like somebody had handed you a live grenade and told you it had feelings.” Panam turned toward her. “That is not what happened.” Suzie considered. “Collar.” Panam stared. “Leash.” “Suzie.” “Thirty-two thousand.” “I'm warning you.” “Calls you owner.” Panam pointed. “Fuck you.” Suzie grinned. “There she is.” Panam shook her head. Suzie started to walk away. Panam looked back toward the private rooms. “Suzie.” She stopped. “What?” Panam hesitated. Then: “Yesterday.” “Yeah?” “You said I knew what I was doing.” Suzie's expression lost some of its amusement. “I did.” “Why?” Suzie looked at her for a moment. “Because you weren't deciding whether she wanted something.” Panam listened. “You were deciding what happened after she told you she did.” Panam glanced toward the corridor. Suzie continued. “And when you thought she'd had enough, you stopped.” “She had slowed down.” “I know.” “She could've kept working.” “I know.” “But she didn't need to.” Suzie nodded. “Exactly.” Panam looked back at her. Suzie shrugged. “That's why.” Then she walked away. Panam sat with that. Not for long. A man approached. “Birgitta free after this?” Panam looked at him. “No.” “Later?” “Maybe.” “When?” “I'll decide when she gets back.” The man nodded. “Okay.” He left. Panam picked up her coffee. Took a drink. Made a face. Then stopped. She looked at the mug. Then at the man walking away. Then toward Suzie. Suzie was very deliberately not looking at her. Panam muttered: “Fuck.” Exactly sixty minutes later, Birgitta returned. Panam saw her immediately. Birgitta crossed the room. Straight to Panam. Panam stood. “How are you?” “Good.” “Tired?” “No.” “Water.” Birgitta sat. Panam clipped the leash back onto her collar. Birgitta took the glass Panam handed her. Drank. Panam watched her. Not intensely. Not clinically. Just enough. Birgitta finished. Panam touched two fingers beneath her chin. “Look at me.” Birgitta did. Panam studied her eyes. Then released her. “Ten minutes.” Birgitta smiled. “Yes, owner.” The man from earlier noticed. He started toward them. Panam raised one finger. He stopped. Birgitta nearly choked on her water. Panam looked at her. “What?” Birgitta swallowed. “You just stopped a grown man with one finger.” “He can see.” “Apparently.” Panam looked at him. He was still waiting. “Five minutes,” Panam said. He nodded. Birgitta stared. Panam turned back. “What now?” “Nothing.” “You're enjoying this.” “Immensely.” “Why?” Birgitta considered. “Because you don't even notice anymore.” Panam frowned. “Notice what?” Birgitta gestured vaguely at all of her. Panam looked down. Boots. Jeans. Jacket. Leash. Birgitta. “Oh.” “Yes.” Panam looked at the leash. Then at Birgitta. “Should I?” “No.” “Then stop making it weird.” Birgitta laughed. “Yes, owner.” Five minutes later Panam gestured. The man approached. “Thirty-two.” “Fine.” “One hour.” “Fine.” Panam looked at Birgitta. Birgitta looked at him. Attractive enough. Polite. Patient. “Yes.” Panam nodded. “Good.” She unclipped the leash. The man smiled at Birgitta. “Ready?” Birgitta stood. Then paused. She looked at Panam. Panam lifted an eyebrow. “What?” Birgitta smiled. “Nothing.” “Go.” “Yes, owner.” Birgitta kissed her cheek and left. Panam sat down. A joytoy nearby watched the entire exchange. Then said: “Damn.” Panam looked over. “What?” The joytoy shook her head. “Nothing, Madame.” Panam opened her mouth. Stopped. Considered. Then: “Yeah, yeah.” The joytoy laughed. Panam picked up her coffee. Three seconds later she realized what she'd done. “Oh, fuck me.” Suzie shouted from down the bar: “ACCEPTANCE!” Panam slammed one hand against the counter. “FUCK OFF!” Half the nearby room laughed. Panam pointed toward Suzie. “I hate you.” Suzie raised a glass. “No, you don't.” Panam muttered something vicious. But she was smiling. An hour later, Birgitta returned. Leash. Water. Rest. This time Panam didn't have to think about the order. “Sit.” Birgitta sat. Clip. Click. “Drink.” Birgitta drank. “Food?” “No.” Panam looked at her. Birgitta reconsidered. “A little.” Panam pointed toward the bar. “Eat.” “Yes, owner.” Suzie placed a small plate in front of her without being asked. Birgitta looked between them. “Oh, this is getting organized.” Panam groaned. Suzie smiled. “Eat.” Birgitta ate. Ten minutes became fifteen because Panam decided it would. Birgitta didn't object. When someone approached too early, Panam said: “Not yet.” They left. When someone else asked whether Birgitta would do two hours, Panam said: “No.” They accepted one. When Birgitta wasn't interested in a client, she simply said: “No, thank you.” Panam never questioned it. Never asked why. Never tried to negotiate. The answer ended there. When Birgitta was interested, she looked to Panam. Panam handled the rest. By midnight the rhythm had become so ordinary that Birgitta almost stopped noticing it. Almost. That was when she realized Panam had stopped noticing it too. A client approached. Birgitta liked her. “Yes.” The client looked at Panam. “One hour?” “One.” “Extension?” “No.” “Thirty-two?” “Yeah.” Payment. Leash off. “Come back here when you're done.” “Yes, owner.” “Go.” Birgitta went. No pause. No performance. No awareness that anyone nearby might find it unusual. When she returned, Panam was talking with Suzie. Panam saw her. Held up one hand to Suzie. Turned. “Come.” Birgitta came. Panam clipped the leash back on without interrupting the conversation. “Sit.” Birgitta sat. Panam handed her water. “Drink.” Birgitta drank. Then Panam turned back to Suzie. “So anyway, the fucking axle—” Birgitta stared at her. Panam kept talking. Suzie noticed Birgitta's expression. Her mouth twitched. Panam caught that. “What?” Suzie shook her head. “Nothing.” Birgitta started laughing. Panam looked between them. “What?” Birgitta put the water down. “You.” “What about me?” “You just did all of that while talking about your truck.” Panam frowned. “All of what?” Birgitta pointed to the collar. Then the leash. Then the water. Then herself sitting beside Panam. Panam looked. “Oh.” Suzie lost it. Panam stared at her. “It's not that fucking funny.” “It really is.” Birgitta leaned against Panam's side. “You didn't even think about it.” “I knew you needed water.” “Yes.” “You were done.” “Yes.” “You came back.” “Yes.” “So I put the leash back on.” “Yes.” Panam looked increasingly irritated. “What exactly is the mystery here?” Birgitta kissed her shoulder. “There isn't one.” Panam stopped. That answer landed differently. She looked down at Birgitta. Birgitta looked up. No teasing now. No trap. No joke. There wasn't a mystery. That was the point. Panam's hand moved to the back of Birgitta's neck. Her thumb rested just beneath the collar. Birgitta leaned into her. Suzie quietly found somewhere else to be. Panam looked at the leash in her other hand. Then at Birgitta. “Easy now.” Birgitta smiled. “What is?” “This.” The answer came quietly. Birgitta understood. “Good.” Panam nodded. “Yeah.” They stayed like that for a moment. Then Birgitta's smile slowly returned. Panam saw it happening. “No.” “I haven't said anything.” “You're about to.” “Madame.” Panam sighed. But there was no anger in it. No reflexive rejection. Barely even annoyance. Just resignation wrapped around something dangerously close to affection. “Yeah?” Birgitta froze. Panam froze. Suzie, ten feet away, froze. Three people nearby turned their heads. Panam's eyes widened. Birgitta stared at her. Suzie put both hands flat on the bar. “Oh, shit.” Panam looked around. “No.” Birgitta's smile began. Panam pointed at her. “No.” “You answered.” “I wasn't thinking.” “You answered to Madame.” “I answer to lots of things.” Suzie called: “Name three.” Panam spun toward her. “Fuck you!” “One.” The room broke. Birgitta folded against Panam laughing. Panam grabbed her around the waist before she could slide off the stool. “You're all fucking children.” Birgitta managed: “My Madame.” Panam looked down at her. For a second, Birgitta thought she'd finally pushed too far. Then Panam's mouth twitched. “Careful, pet.” Birgitta went very still. Panam realized what she'd said. Too late. Birgitta's eyes lit up. Suzie saw it. “Oh, she's fucked.” Panam pointed toward the door. “I'm leaving.” Birgitta stood immediately. “Yes, Madame.” Panam grabbed the leash. “Come.” Birgitta followed. Laughing. Suzie called after them: “Night, Madame!” Panam raised one hand without turning around. “Night, Suzie.” She made it another two steps. Stopped. Closed her eyes. Behind her, Birgitta was absolutely silent. That was worse. Panam turned slowly. Birgitta stood at the end of the leash. Radiant. Panam stared at her. “Not. One. Word.” Birgitta pressed her lips together. Panam turned toward the exit. They walked. Five seconds. Ten. Outside, cool air hit them. Birgitta lasted until they reached the parking area. “Madame?” Panam stopped beside the truck. She looked at Birgitta. Birgitta smiled. Not teasing now. Just happy. Panam sighed. Then reached out, curled her hand around the front of Birgitta's collar, and pulled her gently closer. “What, pet?” Birgitta's smile softened. “Nothing.” Panam kissed her. “Menace.” “My owner.” Panam opened the passenger door. “In.” Birgitta climbed inside. Panam closed the door. Walked around the truck. And for the first time since Night City had given her the name— she didn't bother pretending she hated it. --- ## CHAPTER 5 — MANDI Mandi noticed the leash first. Not because leashes were unusual at Lizzie's. They weren't. Night City had long ago exhausted its ability to be surprised by accessories. She noticed because Panam was holding it. Mandi had just come out of one of the private rooms, neon-orange hair impossible to miss even under Lizzie's lighting, when she spotted Birgitta sitting at the bar. Collared. Leashed. Smiling. Panam stood beside her. One hand held Birgitta's leash. The other held a cup of coffee. Mandi slowed. The client beside her noticed. “What?” Mandi smiled immediately. “Nothing.” The client followed her gaze anyway. “Oh. Madame.” Mandi's eyes moved back to him. “Madame?” He looked surprised. “You haven't seen her?” Mandi looked toward Panam again. “I've seen Panam.” “Apparently she's Madame now.” Apparently. Mandi's smile widened. “Interesting.” The client laughed. “You sound dangerous when you say that.” “I sound dangerous all the time.” “Fair.” Mandi kissed his cheek. “Go home.” “That's it?” “You got what you paid for.” “I did.” “And?” He grinned. “Worth it.” “Good answer.” Mandi gave him a little push toward the exit. “Now go before I charge you for conversation.” He left laughing. Mandi stayed where she was. Watching. Not obviously. Mandi knew how to watch without looking like she was watching. Usually. Tonight she was perhaps slightly less subtle than she believed. Across the room, Birgitta finished her water. Panam looked down. “Enough?” “Yes.” “Food?” “No.” Panam's eyebrows moved. Birgitta sighed. “Not yet.” “Better answer.” Mandi tilted her head. Birgitta noticed her. Of course she did. Their eyes met across the room. Mandi smiled. Birgitta smiled back. Then Birgitta looked at Panam. Panam followed the look. Saw Mandi. Her expression immediately became suspicious. Mandi waved. Panam stared. Mandi waved more enthusiastically. Panam looked at Birgitta. “What does she want?” Birgitta laughed. “I don't know.” “She wants something.” “Mandi usually does.” “Exactly.” Mandi walked over. She stopped in front of them. Looked at Birgitta. Looked at the collar. Looked at the leash. Then looked at Panam. “Madame.” Panam sighed. “Not you too.” Mandi smiled. “Oh, absolutely me too.” “Fuck.” Birgitta laughed. Mandi leaned one hip against the bar. “So.” Panam pointed at her. “No.” “I haven't asked anything.” “You were about to.” “I was going to say you look good.” Panam stared. Mandi waited. Panam looked at Birgitta. Birgitta shrugged. “She might have been.” “Thank you.” Mandi smiled brightly. Panam didn't believe either of them. “Why are you here?” Mandi looked around Lizzie's. “I work here.” “You know what I mean.” “Yes.” “And?” Mandi's eyes dropped briefly to the leash again. “Nothing.” Panam's suspicion deepened. Birgitta saw it. So did Mandi. Mandi laughed. “Relax.” “No.” “Fair.” She turned toward Birgitta. “You working tonight?” “Yes.” “Busy?” “Enough.” Mandi nodded. Then looked at Panam. “And you handle the bookings?” Panam's expression changed slightly. Not defensive. Just attentive. “After she decides she's interested.” Mandi looked at Birgitta. Birgitta nodded. “I choose the client.” “And then?” “Panam handles the rest.” Mandi's gaze returned to Panam. “Time?” “Yeah.” “Price?” “Fixed.” “Extensions?” “My decision.” “Breaks?” “My decision.” Mandi smiled. Panam narrowed her eyes. “What?” “Nothing.” “Bullshit.” “I'm curious.” “That's worse.” Birgitta laughed. Mandi looked at her. “And you're happy with that?” “Yes.” No pause. No qualification. Mandi looked between them. Something in her expression became thoughtful. Only for a moment. Then Mandi returned. Bright. Shameless. Impossible. “So basically you're pimping your girlfriend.” Panam choked on her coffee. Birgitta folded over laughing. Mandi stepped back just far enough to avoid the spray. “Oh, come on.” Panam coughed. “Mandi.” “What?” “What the fuck?” “I'm summarizing.” “You are not summarizing!” Birgitta had one hand over her mouth. It wasn't helping. Mandi looked at her. “Am I wrong?” Birgitta tried to answer. Failed. Panam pointed at Mandi. “Fuck off.” Mandi smiled. “Yes, Madame.” “Mandi.” “Sorry.” She wasn't. Panam wiped coffee from the back of her hand. “I hate you.” “No, you don't.” “I barely know you.” “And already such strong feelings.” Birgitta made a helpless noise. Panam looked at her. “You are not helping.” “I can't.” Mandi waited until Panam had recovered. Mostly. Then she looked at the leash again. The humor remained. But something else sat underneath it now. Interest. A client approached. Not Mandi's. Birgitta's. The woman stopped near Birgitta. “Working?” Birgitta looked her over. Mandi watched that too. Not Panam. Birgitta. The decision happened there. “Yes.” Only then did the woman turn toward Panam. “One hour?” Panam looked at Birgitta. Birgitta nodded once. “Thirty-two,” Panam said. “Fine.” “An hour.” “Could I take two?” “No.” The woman hesitated. “Even if I pay for two?” “No.” “Okay.” No argument. Payment transferred. Panam checked it. Then turned to Birgitta. “Come.” Birgitta stood. Panam unclipped the leash. “One hour.” “Yes, owner.” Mandi's eyes moved to Birgitta. Something changed. Very slightly. Birgitta kissed Panam. Then smiled at the client. “Shall we?” They left. Mandi watched them go. Panam folded the leash once. Then placed it on the bar beside her coffee. Mandi looked at it. Panam noticed. “What?” Mandi looked up. “Nothing.” “You've said nothing about six times.” “Have I?” “Yes.” “Maybe I have nothing on my mind.” Panam stared. Mandi smiled. “Okay. That one was bullshit.” “Thought so.” Mandi ordered water. Panam looked at her. “You're staying?” “For a minute.” “Why?” Mandi leaned against the bar. “I like your company.” “No, you don't.” “I like Birgitta's company.” “She's busy.” “I noticed.” Panam picked up her coffee. Mandi watched the leash beside it. A man approached. “Birgitta free after this?” Panam looked at him. “No.” “Do you know when she will be?” “No.” He frowned. “I can wait.” “You can.” He seemed uncertain whether that meant something. Panam clarified. “That doesn't mean you're getting a booking.” “Oh.” “If she's interested when she gets back, I'll talk to you.” The man nodded. “Fair.” He moved away. Mandi's expression changed again. Panam caught it. “What?” “Nothing.” “Stop saying that.” “Then stop doing interesting things.” “I told a guy to wait.” “No.” Panam looked at her. Mandi tapped one finger against her glass. “You told him Birgitta gets to decide whether she wants him, and he gets to wait until she's ready to decide.” Panam shrugged. “Yeah.” Mandi looked toward the man. He was waiting. Not hovering. Not trying again. Just waiting. “You trained the customers fast.” “I didn't train anybody.” Mandi smiled. “Sure, Madame.” Panam groaned. Mandi laughed. But she kept watching. Twenty minutes later, somebody else approached. This time a woman. “Could I book Birgitta after her current client?” Panam shook her head. “No.” “Tomorrow?” “Maybe.” “Can I reserve an hour?” “No.” The woman looked confused. “Why not?” “Because Birgitta isn't here to tell you whether she wants you.” Mandi stopped moving. The woman looked toward the private rooms. Then back. “Oh.” “Come back tomorrow.” “All right.” She left. Mandi stared at Panam. Panam noticed. “What now?” “That.” “What?” “You could've taken the money.” “She hasn't said yes.” Mandi blinked. “Right.” Panam frowned. “Why are you looking at me like that?” “I'm learning.” “That sounds threatening.” “It probably is.” Panam shook her head. “Go bother somebody else.” Mandi smiled. “Soon.” She didn't. Instead she watched Panam drink bad coffee. Watched her glance toward the private-room corridor exactly once every few minutes without ever hovering. Watched her reject another advance because Birgitta wasn't there to choose. Watched her tell somebody else: “No extensions tonight.” Watched the answer simply be accepted. Eventually Panam looked at her. “Don't you have customers?” “Yes.” “Then why are you still here?” Mandi considered. “Research.” Panam's eyes narrowed. “Into what?” Mandi smiled. “You.” “No.” “Yes.” “Absolutely fucking not.” Mandi laughed and finally pushed herself away from the bar. “Fine.” She took two steps. Then turned. “Madame?” Panam sighed. “What?” Mandi smiled. “You're good at this.” Panam's expression shifted. The joke she'd expected never arrived. Mandi walked away. Panam watched her for a moment. Then looked toward Suzie. Suzie was watching too. “No.” Suzie raised both hands. “I didn't say anything.” “Good.” Mandi returned to work. And for the next hour, she was exactly what Night City expected Mandi to be. Bright. Bold. Expensive. Flirtatious enough to make strangers forget the first half of their own sentences. She laughed. She touched. She negotiated. She rejected one client with a smile and accepted another with an even bigger one. Nothing about her had changed. Except she kept looking toward the bar. When Birgitta returned, Mandi noticed before Panam did. By perhaps half a second. Then Panam saw her. Immediately the rest of the room stopped mattering. Panam stood. Birgitta walked straight to her. “How are you?” “Good.” “Tired?” “A little.” “Sit.” Birgitta sat. Panam clipped the leash back onto her collar. Click. Mandi heard it from across the room. Panam handed Birgitta water. “Drink.” Birgitta drank. Panam touched the side of her face. “Food.” “That wasn't a question.” “No.” Birgitta smiled. “Yes, owner.” Panam looked toward Suzie. “Can I get her something?” Suzie already had a plate. “Yep.” Panam stared. Suzie put it down. “I'm adapting.” Birgitta laughed. Panam pushed the plate toward her. “Eat.” Birgitta ate. The man who had been waiting earlier noticed. He started toward them. Panam held up one hand. He stopped. Mandi stopped too. Not physically. Something inside her did. The gesture was tiny. Casual. Panam didn't even look at the man for more than a second. “Later.” He nodded and stepped back. Birgitta kept eating. Panam sat beside her. The leash lay across Panam's thigh. Loose. Birgitta leaned against her shoulder. Panam let her. Nothing dramatic happened. That was what caught Mandi. Not the collar. Not the leash. Not _owner._ Not even the way people called Panam Madame and increasingly expected her to answer. It was the food. The water. The ten minutes. The man waiting because Panam had said _later._ The fifty thousand Panam would apparently refuse if she thought Birgitta had had enough. The fact that Birgitta could work if she wanted to. The fact that Panam could stop her if she saw something Birgitta had missed. The fact that neither woman seemed to experience those things as contradictions. Mandi had spent a great deal of her life deciding for herself. She liked deciding for herself. She was good at it. She liked choosing clients. Choosing prices. Choosing how long. Choosing when to smile. Choosing when not to. She liked being Mandi. Very much. And watching Birgitta now, Mandi finally understood something that the leash alone hadn't explained. Birgitta hadn't stopped being capable. She hadn't stopped choosing. She had chosen someone to carry part of the weight. Mandi looked at Panam. Panam was saying something quietly to Birgitta. Birgitta laughed. Panam smiled. Then Panam noticed Mandi staring. Their eyes met. Mandi smiled automatically. Panam pointed at her. “No.” Mandi laughed. “I didn't do anything.” “You're thinking.” “I do that sometimes.” “Stop.” “Can't.” “Try.” Mandi raised her glass in salute. Panam shook her head. Birgitta looked over. Saw Mandi. And unlike Panam— Birgitta recognized the look. Not all of it. Not yet. But enough. Mandi looked away first. A client approached her. Mandi turned toward him. The smile came back immediately. “Working?” Mandi looked him over. “Yes.” “How much?” She told him. He agreed. Mandi took his arm. Started toward the private rooms. Then glanced back once. Panam had one hand around Birgitta's leash. The other was resting against Birgitta's knee. Birgitta was laughing at something she'd said. Mandi looked away. The client beside her smiled. “Something interesting?” Mandi's answer came easily. “Oh, yes.” “What?” Mandi smiled. “Nothing.” And this time— she was lying. --- ## CHAPTER 6 — STILL WATCHING Mandi was distracted. This was unusual. Not catastrophically. Not enough for the client to notice. But enough for Mandi to notice, which was worse. She was very good at her job. She liked her job. She liked people. She liked flirting. She liked watching someone walk into a room carrying confidence and leave carrying significantly less of it. She especially liked getting paid obscene amounts of money for helping with that process. Usually, when Mandi went through a private-room door, the rest of Lizzie's stopped existing. Tonight it didn't. Somewhere beyond the wall was a leash. Which was ridiculous. Mandi had worn leashes before. She had worn collars before. She had worn considerably more interesting things than collars before. The object wasn't the point. That was the problem. The client smiled at her. “You're thinking.” Mandi blinked. Then smiled. “Dangerous accusation.” “I can tell.” “Can you?” “You got quiet.” Mandi put one hand against her chest. “I am never quiet.” “Exactly.” She laughed. There. Mandi again. Easy. Bright. Present. The client reached for her. Mandi met him halfway. And for a while, Panam disappeared. Mostly. By the time Mandi returned to the main room, she had decided the entire thing was stupid. Interesting. But stupid. A curiosity. Nothing more. She saw Birgitta immediately. Fuck. Birgitta was standing beside Panam talking to another joytoy. The leash ran between Birgitta's collar and Panam's hand. Panam wasn't paying attention to it. That somehow made it worse. If Panam had been standing there looking proud of herself, displaying Birgitta like property, Mandi could have dismissed the whole thing. Not her style. Fine. Instead Panam was arguing with Suzie about coffee. Again. “You have a bar,” Panam said. “Yes.” “You serve drinks.” “Yes.” “Coffee is a drink.” “Technically.” “So why is yours fucking terrible?” Suzie stared at her. “Because people don't come to Lizzie's for coffee.” “I do.” “That's your mistake.” Birgitta laughed. Panam pointed at her. “You're supposed to support me.” “I support you.” “You're laughing.” “Those aren't mutually exclusive.” Mandi stopped near the opposite end of the bar. Suzie noticed her. Mandi shook her head once. Suzie looked from Mandi to Panam. Then back. Her eyebrows lifted. Mandi narrowed her eyes. Suzie smiled. Bitch. Mandi ordered water. She had barely taken the first drink when someone approached Birgitta. A man. Expensive jacket. Expensive implants. Expensive confidence. He smiled. “Birgitta.” Birgitta turned. “Hello.” “Working?” “Yes.” “Good.” He stepped closer. Not too close. Birgitta looked him over. Mandi watched. Again, the first decision belonged entirely to Birgitta. “Yes.” The man smiled and turned toward Panam. “Two hours.” Panam shook her head. “One.” “I'll pay for two.” “One.” He looked surprised. “I'm not asking for a discount.” “I know.” “Then what's the problem?” “No problem.” Panam looked at Birgitta. “One hour.” Birgitta nodded. “One.” The man glanced between them. “All right.” Payment. Panam checked it. “Come.” Birgitta stepped closer. Panam unclipped the leash. “Back here after.” “Yes, owner.” The man watched that exchange with obvious interest. Birgitta caught it. Smiled. “Careful.” He laughed. “Why?” “You're about to discover things about yourself.” Mandi nearly inhaled her water. Birgitta walked away with him. Panam folded the leash. Mandi stared. Panam looked over. “No.” “I didn't say anything.” “You were going to.” “I really wasn't.” “That makes me more nervous.” Mandi smiled. Then looked down at her glass. She had no client. No immediate reason to move. So she stayed. Panam noticed. Again. “You're still here.” “I work here.” “You used that excuse yesterday.” “It remains factually correct.” Panam studied her. Mandi smiled. Brightly. Normally. Panam's suspicion did not decrease. “What?” “Nothing.” “Stop saying nothing.” “Then stop asking what.” Panam considered that. “Fair.” Mandi blinked. “That was disturbingly reasonable.” “Fuck you.” “Better.” Panam turned back toward the room. Mandi watched her. There was something fascinating about how little ceremony existed in any of it. Panam wasn't performing dominance. Mandi had seen people perform dominance. Night City was full of them. Usually loudly. Usually badly. Usually with enough leather to upholster a car. Panam wasn't doing that. She was simply responsible. That was somehow much more interesting. A customer approached the bar. Woman. Young. Nervous. She looked toward the corridor where Birgitta had disappeared. Then at Panam. “Can I ask something?” Panam shrugged. “Sure.” “If she says yes to me, do I talk to you after?” “Yeah.” “For payment?” “And time.” The woman nodded. “Anything else?” Panam thought. “Don't be an asshole.” The woman laughed. “No, seriously.” “So am I.” The laughter stopped. Panam wasn't threatening. She wasn't trying to intimidate her. It was simply a condition. The woman nodded. “Fair.” Panam glanced toward the corridor. “She'll probably be back in about forty minutes.” “I can wait.” “Okay.” The woman moved away. Mandi looked at Panam. Panam caught it. “What now?” “You're very good at making people behave.” Panam snorted. “You've met my friends.” “Point.” “They don't behave.” “Also point.” Panam picked up her coffee. Mandi watched her take one sip and regret her entire life. “Why do you keep drinking that?” “I keep hoping it'll improve.” “Has it?” “No.” “That's almost inspirational.” “Fuck off.” Mandi laughed. Then someone called her name. “Mandi!” She turned. A regular. Good client. Fun client. She smiled automatically. “Hello, handsome.” He came over. “Working?” “Always.” “Hour?” Mandi considered him. Normally the answer would have been immediate. Tonight she paused. Not because she didn't want him. She did. Her eyes flicked toward Panam. Only for a second. Panam wasn't looking. Mandi looked back at the client. “Yes.” They settled the booking. Mandi started away. Then stopped. Turned back. Panam looked over. Mandi had absolutely no reason to say anything. So naturally she did. “Don't go anywhere.” Panam stared. “What?” Mandi immediately realized how that sounded. Suzie immediately realized how that sounded. Suzie's face became magnificent. Mandi pointed at Panam. “I mean—” Panam's eyebrows rose. “You mean?” “I want to ask you something later.” Panam's suspicion returned at full strength. “About what?” “Later.” “Mandi.” “Work.” “That did not answer me.” Mandi smiled. “Good.” Then she escaped into the private rooms before her mouth could make the situation worse. Suzie waited. Panam looked at her. “No.” Suzie bit her lip. “No.” “I didn't—” “No.” Suzie lost. The laugh came out. Panam stared. “What the fuck was that?” Suzie shook her head. “Nothing.” “Why is everyone saying that?” “Maybe you're interesting.” “I deliver cargo.” “Sure, Madame.” Panam sighed. Mandi's next client got excellent Mandi. Not distracted Mandi. Not thoughtful Mandi. Excellent Mandi. Because Mandi was stubborn. If her own brain had decided to become inconvenient, she would simply outwork it. It worked. Mostly. When she returned, Panam was still there. Mandi felt relieved. That annoyed her. She walked toward the bar. Then slowed. Birgitta was back. Leash on. Water in hand. Panam stood in front of her. “No.” Birgitta smiled. “I'm fine.” “I didn't ask if you were fine.” “You were about to tell me something.” “Yes.” “What?” “Ten minutes.” Birgitta looked toward the nervous woman waiting nearby. Then back at Panam. “I like her.” “I know.” “You saw?” “I have eyes.” Birgitta smiled. Panam pointed toward the stool. “Ten minutes.” Birgitta sat. “Yes, owner.” The nervous woman looked relieved rather than offended. She had apparently understood. Mandi stopped. Again. It wasn't the command. It was everything around it. Birgitta wanted the client. Panam knew that. The client knew that. Nobody was denying Birgitta anything. Panam had simply decided: Not yet. And Birgitta— Birgitta looked happy. Not because she had been told to sit. Well. Possibly partly because she had been told to sit. Mandi knew enough about people not to rule that out. But mostly because someone else was watching the clock. Someone else was watching her. Someone else had noticed the small things before she had to. Mandi sat two stools away. Panam looked over. “You're back.” “Observant.” “How was work?” “Fun.” “Good.” Mandi blinked. Panam frowned. “What?” “Nothing.” Panam pointed at her. “Again.” Mandi laughed. “Sorry.” Birgitta looked between them. “You two getting along?” “No,” Panam said. “Yes,” Mandi said simultaneously. Birgitta laughed. Panam looked at her holo. “Five minutes.” Birgitta nodded. Mandi watched. Then Panam looked at Mandi. “You wanted to ask me something.” Mandi's mouth opened. Nothing came out. That was alarming. Mandi closed it. Panam's eyebrows rose. Birgitta turned fully toward her. Mandi suddenly had the attention of both of them. She hated this. Which was absurd. Mandi loved attention. She practically ran on it. “Not yet.” Panam frowned. “You said later.” “It is later.” “Yes.” “I need a later later.” Birgitta's eyes sharpened. Not suspicious. Interested. Panam stared at Mandi for another second. Then shrugged. “Okay.” That was it. No pushing. No interrogation. No joke. Just okay. Mandi looked down at her hands. Fuck. That was interesting too. Panam checked the time. “Two minutes.” Birgitta sighed dramatically. “Cruel.” “You'll survive.” “Barely.” “My brave pet.” Birgitta smiled. Mandi's eyes moved between them. Panam had said it casually. Affectionately. No performance. No embarrassment. No concern about who heard. _My pet._ Birgitta leaned closer. “My terrifying owner.” Panam kissed her forehead. “Smartass.” Mandi looked away. Suzie was at the far end of the bar. Watching her. Mandi pointed at her. Suzie immediately looked somewhere else. Bitch. “Okay,” Panam said. Birgitta stood. The nervous woman approached. Birgitta smiled at her. “Still interested?” “Yes.” “Good.” The woman looked at Panam. “One hour?” Panam nodded. “Thirty-two.” Payment. Leash off. “Hour.” “Yes, owner.” “Come straight back.” “I will.” Birgitta kissed her. Then left. Mandi watched. Panam sat down. The leash landed loosely across her thigh. Mandi stared at it. Panam noticed. This time she didn't say _what._ She waited. Mandi picked up her water. Took a drink. Put it down. “You like it.” Panam frowned. “What?” “This.” Panam looked at the leash. Then toward the corridor. “Yeah.” No hesitation. Mandi had expected resistance. A joke. An excuse. Instead: Yeah. Mandi leaned one elbow against the bar. “What part?” Panam thought about it. “That's a weird question.” “I'm a weird woman.” “Fair.” Panam looked down at the leash again. Then answered. “She trusts me.” Mandi waited. Panam continued. “She doesn't need me to make her decisions.” Mandi nodded. “I noticed.” “But when she gives me one…” Panam searched for the words. Mandi didn't help. “…I like knowing she gave it to me because she trusts what I'll do with it.” Mandi went very still. Panam glanced toward the corridor. “And if she's mine for something, then she's my responsibility.” There it was. Mandi looked at her. Panam shrugged. “Seems obvious.” It did not seem obvious. Not to Mandi. Not until now. “What if you get it wrong?” “I probably will.” Mandi blinked. Panam looked at her. “What?” “You admit that easily?” “Why wouldn't I?” “Most people who like control aren't famous for it.” Panam snorted. “Then they're idiots.” Mandi smiled. Panam continued. “If I get something wrong, she tells me.” “And then?” “I fix it.” Simple. Mandi looked at the leash again. Panam finally smiled. Small. Knowing. “That's what you've been staring at.” Mandi looked up. “The leash?” “No.” Mandi said nothing. Panam tapped the leash once against her leg. “This.” Mandi hated that Panam understood. She hated it because Panam was right. “Yes.” Panam nodded. No teasing. That somehow made it worse. Mandi looked toward the private rooms. “I thought it was the collar.” “At first?” “Yes.” “And now?” Mandi considered lying. She didn't. “No.” Panam waited. Mandi exhaled. “It's the ten minutes.” Panam's expression changed. Only slightly. Mandi continued. “The water.” Panam said nothing. “The fact that you said no to fifty thousand.” “She was done.” “I know.” “The fact that people wait when you tell them to.” Panam's mouth twitched. “They've learned.” “The fact that she chooses them and then stops having to manage everything else.” Panam watched her. Mandi looked down at her glass. “That's…” She stopped. Panam waited. Mandi smiled suddenly. Bright Mandi returning to cover the gap. “Very efficient.” Panam laughed. “Coward.” Mandi's head snapped up. “Excuse me?” “You heard me.” “Madame Panam, did you just call me a coward?” Panam froze. Mandi froze. Panam slowly narrowed her eyes. “You did that on purpose.” “Maybe.” “You know my name.” “Yes.” “Use it.” “Of course, Madame.” Panam pointed at her. Mandi laughed. There. Easy again. Safe. Except it wasn't. Because the question remained. Panam knew it. Mandi knew it. Neither touched it. Not yet. When Birgitta returned, she walked directly to Panam. Panam stood. “How are you?” “Good.” “Tired?” “No.” “Sure?” “Yes.” Panam studied her. Then nodded. “Sit.” Birgitta sat. Click. Leash. Water. Mandi watched every step. Birgitta drank. Then looked at Mandi over the rim of the glass. Their eyes met. Birgitta lowered the glass. “Mandi.” “Yes?” “You've been staring at my owner for two days.” Panam closed her eyes. Mandi nearly dropped her glass. “I have not.” Birgitta smiled. “You have.” “I've been observing.” “That's staring with paperwork.” Panam laughed. Mandi looked betrayed. “You're supposed to be nice.” “I am nice.” “Not currently.” Birgitta leaned against Panam. “Do you want her?” Silence. Panam's eyes opened. Mandi stared at Birgitta. A thousand answers appeared. All of them Mandi. Flirty. Dirty. Funny. Easy. She could have picked any one of them. She didn't. “No.” Birgitta's smile softened. Panam said nothing. Mandi looked at the leash. Then at Panam's hand around it. Then back at Birgitta. “I want to understand what you have.” Birgitta went still. Not alarmed. Listening. Mandi swallowed. There. She had said it. Not all of it. But enough. Birgitta looked at Panam. Panam looked at Mandi. Mandi suddenly felt absurdly exposed. She smiled. Reflex. Armor. Birgitta saw straight through it. “Okay.” Mandi blinked. “Okay?” Birgitta nodded. “Ask me.” Mandi glanced at Panam. Panam picked up her terrible coffee. “This one's hers.” Mandi looked back at Birgitta. Birgitta smiled. Warm. Open. Patient. Mandi looked at the collar around her neck. Then the leash. Then Panam. And for once— Mandi had no joke ready. “Tomorrow?” Birgitta nodded. “Tomorrow.” Mandi stood. Panam looked up. “Leaving?” “I have another booking.” “Right.” Mandi took two steps. Then turned back. “Birgitta?” “Yes?” Mandi's expression was serious now. “Don't forget.” Birgitta touched two fingers lightly to her collar. “I won't.” Mandi nodded. Then she walked away. Birgitta watched her. Panam watched Birgitta. After a moment: “She wants something.” Birgitta smiled. “Yes.” “What?” Birgitta looked at her owner. “I don't think she knows yet.” Panam looked toward Mandi disappearing into the crowd. “She knows.” Birgitta raised an eyebrow. Panam picked up the leash. “She just isn't ready to say it.” Birgitta smiled. “My perceptive owner.” Panam sighed. “Don't.” Birgitta kissed her cheek. “Yes, Madame.” Panam stared at her. Birgitta smiled. And across Lizzie's, Mandi looked back one more time. Still watching. --- ## CHAPTER 7 — ASK THE PET Dalia noticed before they reached Lizzie's. Of course she did. Mandi had been quiet for almost thirty seconds. Not silent. That would have justified medical intervention. But quiet enough that Dalia glanced sideways while they walked. Mandi caught it immediately. “What?” “Nothing.” Deja, on Dalia's other side, snorted. Mandi looked at her. “What?” “Nothing.” Mandi narrowed her eyes. “You're both assholes.” Dalia smiled around her menthol lollipop. “We haven't said anything.” “You're thinking loudly.” “That sounds like a you problem.” Mandi looked offended. She wasn't. Mostly. The three of them continued toward Lizzie's, Dalia moving with her usual lazy confidence, Deja beside her, Mandi's neon-orange hair making subtlety impossible even before they reached the entrance. Normal. Exactly normal. Mandi was going to work. With Dalia. With Deja. Nothing unusual was happening. Nothing had been occupying an unreasonable percentage of Mandi's thoughts since yesterday. Nothing involving a collar. Or a leash. Or ten-minute breaks. Or water. Or one particularly irritating woman who had looked at Mandi and called her a coward. Dalia glanced at her again. Mandi pointed at her. “Stop.” “I didn't do anything.” “You looked.” “I have eyes.” Mandi stopped walking. Deja made the mistake of laughing. Mandi turned slowly toward her. “Oh, fuck both of you.” Dalia grinned. “Now she's back.” “I was never gone.” “Mm.” “Don't fucking _mm_ me.” Dalia took the lollipop from her mouth. “Wouldn't dream of it.” She put it back. Mandi stared at her. Deja was visibly fighting another laugh. Mandi sighed. “This is going to be a long night.” Dalia opened the door. “For someone.” Suzie saw them arrive. Dalia first. Then Deja. Then Mandi. Her gaze lingered on Mandi for approximately half a second too long. Mandi saw it. “No.” Suzie smiled. “Good evening to you too.” Dalia looked between them. “What did I miss?” “Nothing,” Mandi said. Suzie's smile widened. Dalia looked at Mandi. Mandi looked at Dalia. “No.” Dalia lifted both hands. “I didn't ask.” “You were going to.” Deja leaned toward Suzie. “Has she been like this long?” “Couple of nights.” “Traitor.” Suzie laughed. Dalia took her usual place at the bar. Mandi settled beside her. Deja took the other side. For almost a full minute, Mandi behaved perfectly normally. She ordered water. Dalia ordered something considerably more interesting. Deja started telling Suzie about a customer from two nights ago who had apparently possessed more money than social awareness. Mandi laughed at the correct places. She flirted with someone passing behind her. She stole Dalia's lollipop. Dalia calmly took it back. “Get your own.” “Yours tastes better.” “You've said that before.” “And I've been right every time.” Deja groaned. “Please don't.” Mandi grinned. There. Normal. Then the door opened. Mandi looked. Dalia saw her look. Mandi knew Dalia saw. She refused to acknowledge it. Panam walked in. Birgitta beside her. Collar. Leash. Mandi's attention locked onto them before she could stop it. Dalia's eyes followed hers. “Oh.” Mandi looked at her. “What?” Dalia looked back at Mandi. Then at Panam and Birgitta. Then at Mandi again. A tiny smile appeared. “No.” Dalia hadn't said anything. Which somehow made it worse. Deja had noticed them too. “Madame's back.” Panam heard that from halfway across the room. “For fuck's sake.” Suzie laughed. “Evening, Madame.” “My name is Panam.” “I know.” Panam stopped at the bar. Birgitta smiled. “Hello.” Dalia raised her glass. “Birgitta.” Deja smiled at her. “Nice collar.” “Thank you.” Mandi said nothing. Birgitta looked at her. Their eyes met. Birgitta's smile changed slightly. She remembered. Mandi felt something in her stomach tighten. Dalia noticed that too. Of course she fucking did. Panam ordered coffee. Suzie stared at her. Panam stared back. “What?” “You know it's still terrible.” “I keep hoping.” “It hasn't changed since yesterday.” “People can improve.” “Coffee can't.” “Just give me the fucking coffee.” Suzie did. Dalia watched Panam take the first sip. Panam's face tightened. Dalia nodded. “Excellent decision.” “Fuck you.” “See? Improved your mood already.” Birgitta laughed. Mandi watched Panam put the cup down. Then she looked at Birgitta. Birgitta touched two fingers briefly to her collar. Not enough for anyone else to understand. Enough for Mandi. _I didn't forget._ Mandi looked away. Dalia leaned closer. “What?” “Nothing.” Dalia's eyes narrowed. Mandi realized her mistake. “Oh, fuck.” Dalia smiled. “You walked into that one.” “I hate all of you.” Deja looked around. “Who is all?” “Everyone.” “Fair.” A customer approached Dalia. Working. Yes. A few words. A smile. A booking arranged. Dalia slid from the stool. She looked at Mandi. “You going to survive without me?” Mandi stared. “What the fuck does that mean?” “Nothing.” “Dalia.” Dalia smiled. Then looked at Deja. “Keep her alive.” Deja gave a lazy salute. Mandi pointed at both of them. “I am going to become violent.” “Later,” Dalia said. And disappeared toward the private rooms with her client. Mandi watched her go. “Bitch.” Deja nodded. “Yes.” “You're supposed to disagree.” “Why?” Mandi had no answer. Across the bar, Birgitta laughed at something Panam said. Mandi looked. Again. Deja saw. Again. This time Deja didn't tease her. That was almost worse. “You really are interested.” Mandi looked at her. “In what?” Deja nodded toward Birgitta. “That.” Mandi's eyes narrowed. “Define that.” Deja looked at the collar. Then the leash. Then Panam. “I don't know.” Mandi relaxed by perhaps one millimeter. Neither did Deja. Good. Deja tilted her head. “But you've been watching them.” Mandi took a drink. “Yes.” “Why?” Mandi considered lying. Then: “I'm trying to figure something out.” Deja waited. Mandi looked at her. “That is all you're getting.” Deja raised both hands. “Fine.” No pressure. Mandi appreciated that. She would never admit it. A man approached Mandi. “Working?” Mandi looked him over. Yes. Attractive. Familiar enough. Normally easy. She smiled. “Later.” He looked surprised. “Busy?” “Currently.” He glanced at the empty space around her. Mandi's smile sharpened. “Do you need visual evidence?” He laughed. “No.” “Good.” “Find me?” “Maybe.” He left. Deja slowly turned toward her. Mandi looked at her. “No.” “You just turned down—” “Later.” “Right.” “Deja.” “I'm shutting up.” “Good.” Deja lasted twelve seconds. “This must be serious.” Mandi closed her eyes. “I'm going to kill you.” “After your mysterious appointment?” Mandi opened them. Deja was grinning. Mandi couldn't help it. She laughed. “Asshole.” “Love you too.” Then Birgitta appeared beside them. Mandi hadn't seen her cross the room. That annoyed her. Birgitta looked at Deja. “Can I steal her?” Deja looked at Mandi. Then at Birgitta. Then across the room at Panam. Panam was at the bar with Birgitta's leash loosely coiled in one hand. Deja's gaze paused there. Only for a second. Mandi saw it. Interesting. Not now. Deja smiled. “Please.” Mandi stared. “Please?” “You've been weird for two days.” “I have not.” Birgitta laughed. Deja stood. “I need a drink.” “You have a drink.” “I need a different drink.” “You're abandoning me.” “Yes.” “Coward.” “Absolutely.” Deja moved several stools down. Not gone. Still part of the group. Just giving them space. Mandi looked toward Panam. Panam was watching. Not suspiciously. Just watching Birgitta. Mandi looked at Birgitta. “Here?” Birgitta glanced toward one of the quieter booths along the side. “There.” Mandi nodded. Birgitta started toward it. Then stopped. She looked back at Panam. Panam lifted the leash slightly. Birgitta smiled. Panam unclipped it. No words. Birgitta walked back to Mandi. Mandi stared at the now-empty clip in Panam's hand. Birgitta noticed. “Come on.” Mandi followed. The booth wasn't private. That was fine. Lizzie's had enough noise that nobody nearby was going to hear them without trying. Dalia would eventually return. Deja was still at the bar. Mandi wasn't alone. She was simply somewhere quieter with Birgitta. That felt right. Birgitta sat opposite her. Mandi looked at her. Birgitta waited. Mandi suddenly wished she'd planned this conversation. That was absurd. Mandi did not plan conversations. Conversations happened to other people. Mandi merely improved them. Usually. Birgitta smiled. “You wanted to ask.” “Yes.” “So ask.” Mandi looked toward Panam. Panam had returned to her terrible coffee. The leash lay across the bar beside her. Dalia still wasn't back. Deja was talking to Suzie. Nobody was watching. Except probably everybody. Mandi looked back at Birgitta. “What does it feel like?” Birgitta didn't pretend not to understand. “Being her pet?” “Yes.” Birgitta thought. Mandi waited. “It feels quiet.” Mandi frowned. “You?” Birgitta laughed. “Yes.” “You're not quiet.” “No.” “Neither am I.” “I've noticed.” “Fuck you.” Birgitta smiled. Mandi leaned forward. “What do you mean?” Birgitta considered her answer. “I'm capable of making my own decisions.” “I know.” “I like making my own decisions.” “I know.” “I don't need Panam to decide when I eat. Or drink. Or rest. Or how long I work.” Mandi nodded. “But you let her.” “Yes.” “Why?” Birgitta looked toward Panam. Then back. “Because sometimes I don't want to carry every decision myself.” Mandi went still. Birgitta continued. “Not because I can't.” “Because you don't want to.” “Yes.” Mandi looked down at her hands. Birgitta didn't fill the silence. Mandi appreciated that too. Annoyingly. “You choose the client.” “Always.” “And after that?” “I can give Panam the rest.” “Time.” “Yes.” “Extensions.” “Yes.” “Breaks.” “Yes.” “Food.” Birgitta smiled. “Apparently.” “Water.” “Yes.” “When you're done.” “Sometimes.” Mandi looked at her. “Yesterday.” “I thought I could keep going.” “Panam didn't.” “No.” “She was right?” Birgitta smiled. “Yes.” “That doesn't annoy you?” “It can.” Mandi blinked. Birgitta laughed. “What?” “I expected you to say no.” “Why?” “Because you look disgustingly happy about all this.” “I am.” “That doesn't mean it never annoys you?” “No.” Mandi leaned back. That answer seemed to matter. More than she expected. Birgitta continued. “Panam doesn't become right because she's my owner.” Mandi smiled. “That sounds healthier.” “She's still Panam.” Mandi laughed. Across the room, Panam looked toward them. Mandi waved. Panam narrowed her eyes. Birgitta waved too. Panam looked even more suspicious. Mandi turned back. “So what happens when she's wrong?” “I tell her.” “And?” “She listens.” “Always?” “She tries.” Mandi smiled. “That's a very diplomatic answer.” “I've learned from corpos.” “Terrible influence.” “Yes.” Mandi looked at Birgitta's collar. “Does that make you feel owned?” Birgitta touched it. “No.” Mandi looked surprised. “The leash?” “No.” “Calling her owner?” “No.” “Then what does?” Birgitta's fingers remained against the collar. “I chose her.” Mandi stopped. Birgitta lowered her hand. “She didn't make me her pet.” Mandi listened. “I asked her to be my owner.” That landed. Mandi looked toward Panam again. Panam wasn't looking now. She was listening to Suzie. One hand rested beside Birgitta's leash. Mandi looked back. “And now?” “Now she's my owner.” “Because you keep choosing it.” “Yes.” Mandi was quiet. Then: “What do you actually give her?” Birgitta smiled. “Depends.” “On?” “What I want to give her.” Mandi thought about that. “So you're not becoming less capable.” “No.” “Less independent.” “No.” “Less you.” Birgitta's smile widened. “Have I seemed less me?” Mandi laughed. “No.” “Exactly.” “Still flirting with half the room.” “At least.” “Still working.” “Yes.” “Still talking too much.” “Fuck you.” “There she is.” Birgitta laughed. Mandi smiled. Then the smile faded. “So why does it matter?” Birgitta knew what she meant. “The ownership?” “Yes.” Birgitta thought for a while. Long enough that Mandi knew the answer wasn't rehearsed. “Because I trust what she'll do with the things I give her.” Mandi remembered Panam. _If she's mine for something, then she's my responsibility._ Mandi looked toward the bar again. “She told me something yesterday.” Birgitta waited. “She said if you're hers for something, you're her responsibility.” Birgitta's entire expression softened. “Oh.” Mandi smiled. “You like that.” “Yes.” “A lot.” “Yes.” Mandi looked down. “I think that's the part I keep staring at.” Birgitta didn't say anything. “The leash is hot.” Birgitta laughed. “Obviously.” “The collar too.” “Obviously.” “But that's not…” Mandi searched for the words. Birgitta waited. Mandi sighed. “Fuck.” “Take your time.” “Don't be reasonable. It's disturbing.” “Sorry.” “No, you're not.” “No.” Mandi smiled. Then tried again. “She notices.” “Yes.” “Before you ask.” “Sometimes.” “And then she just…” Mandi gestured vaguely. “Does something.” “Yes.” “Water.” “Yes.” “Food.” “Yes.” “Ten fucking minutes.” Birgitta smiled. “Yes.” Mandi looked toward Panam again. “That shouldn't be this interesting.” “But it is.” “Yes.” Birgitta leaned back. Mandi looked at her. “You don't have to be competent every second.” Birgitta's expression changed. Mandi had found it herself. Birgitta nodded. “No.” Mandi stared at the table. For once, no joke arrived. Birgitta let the silence stay. Finally Mandi looked up. “And she doesn't think less of you for that.” “No.” “She knows you could do all of it yourself.” “Yes.” “But you don't have to.” “Yes.” Mandi exhaled slowly. “Fuck.” Birgitta smiled. “That's roughly where I ended up.” Mandi laughed softly. Then she glanced toward the bar. Dalia had returned. She was sitting beside Deja now. Her client gone. She was not looking at Mandi. Which meant she was absolutely aware of Mandi. Deja said something. Dalia laughed. Mandi smiled despite herself. Then she looked back at Birgitta. “Do you ever regret giving Panam something?” “Not yet.” “Would you take it back if you did?” “Yes.” No hesitation. Mandi nodded. That was enough. She didn't need rules. She didn't need a technical explanation. She understood the important part. Choice. Trust. Responsibility. And, somehow, relief. Mandi looked at Birgitta for a long moment. Then: “Do you think she could do this with someone else?” Birgitta didn't answer immediately. Mandi's heart kicked once. Annoying. Birgitta watched her carefully. “Mandi.” “What?” “Are you asking whether Panam could own another pet?” There it was. The words were much more dangerous when somebody else said them. Mandi looked toward Panam. Then toward Dalia. Dalia was still deliberately not looking. Deja was less skilled at it. Mandi caught her glancing over. Mandi looked back at Birgitta. “I don't know.” Birgitta waited. Mandi sighed. “Yes.” Birgitta nodded. No surprise. No jealousy. No defensiveness. Just: “Yes.” Mandi blinked. “You think she could?” “Yes.” “And you'd be okay with that?” Birgitta smiled. “If Panam wanted it.” Mandi waited. “And if the other person understood what she was asking for.” Mandi swallowed. Birgitta's eyes stayed on hers. Warm. Not pushing. Not recruiting. Not offering. Simply answering. Mandi looked down at the table. “Right.” Birgitta let her sit with it. Across the room Dalia finally looked over. Their eyes met. Dalia lifted one eyebrow. Mandi gave her a tiny shake of the head. _Later._ Dalia nodded once. No joke. No pressure. Then she turned back to Deja. Mandi looked at Birgitta. “Thank you.” “You're welcome.” “Don't tell Panam I asked that last part.” Birgitta smiled. “I won't.” Mandi narrowed her eyes. “You're enjoying this.” “A little.” “Bitch.” “Yes.” Mandi laughed. Then Birgitta stood. “Done?” “For now.” Birgitta looked at her for another moment. “You know you don't have to decide anything tonight.” Mandi smiled. “I know.” “And I wasn't trying to convince you.” “I know.” “Good.” Mandi stood too. They walked back toward the bar. Panam looked at Birgitta first. Always Birgitta first. Mandi noticed that. Of course she fucking did. “Good?” Panam asked. Birgitta smiled. “Good.” Panam picked up the leash. Birgitta stepped close. Click. Mandi watched. Panam's fingers briefly checked the collar beneath Birgitta's hair. Automatic. Then: “Water.” Birgitta sighed. “I had water.” “When?” “With Mandi.” Panam looked at Mandi. Mandi nodded solemnly. “I can confirm the pet was hydrated.” Panam stared at her. Dalia choked on her drink. Deja folded over the bar. Birgitta laughed. Panam closed her eyes. “I hate this place.” Suzie put fresh water in front of Birgitta. “No, you don't, Madame.” Panam opened her eyes. “Fuck you.” Suzie smiled. “See you tomorrow.” Mandi slid onto the stool beside Dalia. Dalia looked at her. Mandi looked straight ahead. For three seconds neither spoke. Then Dalia quietly asked: “Figure it out?” Mandi considered the question. Across the bar, Panam had one hand around Birgitta's leash. Birgitta was drinking the water she'd been ordered to drink. Deja was still recovering. Suzie was still smiling. Mandi watched them. Then she smiled. Not her usual enormous, shameless Mandi smile. Something smaller. More thoughtful. “Yeah.” Dalia waited. Mandi looked at her. “I think I did.” Dalia nodded. That was all. No teasing. Not yet. Mandi appreciated that more than she intended to admit. Across the room Panam caught Mandi looking again. Her eyes narrowed. Mandi smiled sweetly. Panam pointed at her. “No.” Mandi laughed. She hadn't even asked. Yet. --- ## CHAPTER 8 — NOT MANDI Dalia waited eleven minutes. Mandi knew because she counted. Not deliberately. She just happened to be aware of time. Precisely. For no reason whatsoever. Eleven minutes after Birgitta returned to Panam, Dalia finished her drink, turned on her stool and looked at Mandi. “So.” Mandi kept looking straight ahead. “No.” “I said one word.” “It was the wrong word.” Deja laughed. Mandi pointed at her without looking. “You stay out of this.” “I don't even know what this is.” “Excellent. Preserve that.” Dalia removed the lollipop from her mouth. “You figured it out.” Mandi sighed. “Yes.” “What?” Mandi finally looked at her. Dalia's expression was curious. Not teasing. That was somehow much worse. Mandi glanced toward Panam. Birgitta was with a client now. Panam sat alone at the bar, leash coiled beside her. Someone was talking to her. Panam listened. Shook her head. The person left. Mandi looked back. “I want to ask Panam something.” Dalia waited. Mandi said nothing else. Dalia's eyebrows rose. “What?” “Something.” “That narrowed it down.” “Thank you.” “You're welcome.” Mandi picked up her water. Empty. She put it down. Dalia watched that too. Of course. “Mandi.” “What?” “You're nervous.” Mandi stared at her. Deja stopped smiling. There it was. Not funny anymore. Mandi looked at Dalia. “I am not nervous.” Dalia's eyebrows rose another millimeter. Mandi sighed. “Fine.” Dalia waited. Mandi looked away. “A little.” Deja made a tiny sound. Mandi pointed at her again. “Not. One. Word.” Deja mimed locking her mouth. Dalia leaned one elbow against the bar. “About asking Panam something.” “Yes.” “Is she going to shoot you?” “No.” “Hit you?” “No.” “Throw you out?” “No.” “Then why are you nervous?” Mandi looked at her. “Because I care what she says.” Dalia stopped. That answer did it. The teasing disappeared completely. Mandi saw it happen. Dalia put the lollipop back in her mouth. Then took it out again almost immediately. “Okay.” Mandi blinked. “Okay?” “Yes.” “That is suspiciously reasonable.” “Would you prefer I make fun of you?” “Yes.” “No.” “Bitch.” Dalia smiled. “Ask her.” Mandi looked toward Panam. “No.” Dalia frowned. “You just said—” “I know what I said.” “So?” “Not yet.” Dalia studied her. Mandi smiled brightly. Too brightly. “I'm working.” And slid from the stool before either of them could stop her. Deja watched her go. Then looked at Dalia. “What the fuck is happening?” Dalia put the lollipop back in her mouth. “I have an idea.” “Are you going to tell me?” “No.” “Bitch.” “Yes.” Mandi worked. Of course she did. For the next hour she was flawless. Bright. Playful. Confident. Exactly the woman people paid to spend time with. When she came back, Dalia had another client. Deja was gone too. Good. Mandi could breathe. She reached the bar. Panam was still there. Bad. Mandi could not breathe. Suzie saw her face. “Oh.” Mandi stopped. “What?” Suzie smiled. “Nothing.” “Everybody in this fucking place needs a new word.” Suzie poured her water. Mandi took it. Panam looked over. Their eyes met. Mandi immediately drank. Panam frowned. Mandi turned away. Suzie stared. “What?” “Nothing.” “I swear to God—” Someone touched Mandi's arm. She turned. Woman. Beautiful. Confident. Working? “Yes.” Immediate. Good. Normal. Mandi disappeared with her. When she came back again, Panam was talking to Birgitta. Birgitta was seated. Leash clipped. Food in front of her. Of course. Mandi stopped ten feet away. Birgitta saw her. Mandi saw Birgitta see her. Birgitta looked at Panam. Then back at Mandi. No. Absolutely not. Mandi gave the smallest possible shake of her head. Birgitta smiled. Fuck. Panam turned. Mandi instantly looked at the ceiling. There was nothing interesting on the ceiling. Panam knew that. Mandi knew Panam knew that. This was humiliating. “Mandi.” Mandi looked at her. “Yes?” Panam frowned. “What are you doing?” “Standing.” “Why?” Mandi looked down at her feet. Then back up. “It's traditionally how I use my legs.” Birgitta covered her mouth. Panam stared. “There she is.” Mandi's smile faltered. “What?” “You've been weird.” “I have not.” “You have.” “Define weird.” Panam looked at Birgitta. Birgitta immediately became fascinated by her food. Traitor. Panam looked back. “You keep looking at me.” Mandi smiled. “I look at lots of attractive women.” Panam didn't move. “You keep almost coming over here.” “I work here.” “You keep saying that.” “Because it's true.” Panam crossed her arms. Mandi's brain supplied several responses. All inappropriate. All wonderfully Mandi. None escaped. Panam noticed. Birgitta noticed. Suzie noticed from approximately six meters away because apparently the entire universe had decided to become intolerable. Panam's expression changed. “Mandi.” Softer. Fuck. Mandi looked at her. “What?” “What's wrong?” “Nothing.” Panam waited. Mandi closed her eyes. “Fuck.” When she opened them again, Panam was still there. Obviously. Birgitta was smiling. Not laughing. That helped. Mandi took a breath. “I want to ask you something.” Panam nodded. “Okay.” “Not now.” Panam stared. Mandi winced. “Yes, I know.” “You did this yesterday.” “I know.” “You've been doing it all night.” “I know.” “Is this question going to kill me?” “No.” “Cost me money?” “No.” “Get me shot?” “Probably not.” Panam's eyebrows rose. “Probably?” “That was a joke.” “Wasn't very good.” “I am under unusual stress.” Birgitta laughed. Mandi pointed at her. “You are partially responsible.” “Yes.” Panam looked between them. “What did you two talk about?” Mandi froze. Birgitta answered immediately. “Pet stuff.” Panam's eyebrows rose. “Pet stuff.” “Yes.” Panam looked at Mandi. Mandi smiled. Weakly. Panam's eyes narrowed. “Oh.” Mandi's stomach dropped. “What does oh mean?” Panam looked at Birgitta. Birgitta smiled innocently. Panam looked back at Mandi. “You're curious.” Mandi relaxed slightly. “Yes.” “About this.” Panam touched Birgitta's leash. “Yes.” “You could've just asked.” Mandi stared at her. “I did.” “You asked Birgitta.” “Yes.” “Not me.” “Correct.” Panam frowned. “Why?” Mandi opened her mouth. Closed it. There it was again. The problem. Because asking Birgitta what it felt like was curiosity. Asking Panam— That was something else. Mandi looked away. “Because I needed to know something first.” “What?” “What it was like for her.” Panam looked at Birgitta. Birgitta nodded. Panam looked back. “And?” Mandi smiled. “She likes you.” Panam snorted. “Poor judgment.” “Terrible.” Birgitta kicked Panam lightly in the ankle. Panam looked down. “Violent pet.” “You deserved it.” “Probably.” Mandi watched them. That easy affection. That absolute absence of performance. The fucking leash. The food. Panam's hand resting on Birgitta's shoulder without thinking. Mandi knew. She knew exactly what she wanted to ask. Not tonight. Apparently. Because her courage had decided to take a fucking vacation. Mandi took another drink. Panam studied her. Then: “You don't have to ask tonight.” Mandi looked at her sharply. Panam shrugged. “You'll ask when you're ready.” Mandi stared. That was the worst possible thing Panam could have said. Because it was kind. Because it removed pressure. Because it proved the fucking point all over again. Mandi laughed once. Quietly. “Goddammit.” “What?” “Nothing.” Panam pointed. “No. Fuck that word.” Birgitta laughed. Mandi smiled. “Later.” Panam sighed. “Fine.” Mandi nodded. Then she escaped. Again. Dalia found her fifteen minutes later. Mandi was standing near the edge of the main room, pretending to watch Deja flirt with a customer. Dalia stepped beside her. “Well?” Mandi didn't look over. “No.” “You didn't ask.” “No.” “Why?” Mandi sighed. “I don't fucking know.” Dalia watched her. Mandi folded her arms. “I've asked people for ridiculous things.” “Yes.” “I've walked up to complete strangers and told them exactly what I wanted.” “Yes.” “I have charged people amounts of money that should legally require an apology.” Dalia smiled. “Yes.” “I have absolutely no shame.” “Debatable.” Mandi looked at her. “Not helping.” “Sorry.” Mandi looked back toward Panam. “She said I could ask when I'm ready.” Dalia was quiet. Then: “Oh.” Mandi pointed at her. “Don't.” “I understand now.” “Good for you.” Dalia smiled. “You're fucked.” Mandi stared. Then laughed. “Thank you.” “You're welcome.” “Excellent emotional support.” “I try.” Mandi leaned against her. Just slightly. Dalia accepted the weight without comment. They stood there together. Deja laughed somewhere nearby. Music rolled through Lizzie's. Across the room Panam unclipped Birgitta's leash for another booking. Mandi watched. Dalia followed her gaze. Then quietly: “Is that what you want?” Mandi didn't answer immediately. She could have lied. Not to Dalia. “Yes.” Dalia looked at her. “The leash?” Mandi shook her head. “No.” “The collar?” “No.” Dalia waited. Mandi swallowed. “Her.” Dalia's eyebrows rose. Mandi immediately corrected herself. “Not like that.” “I know.” “I don't want Panam.” “I know.” “I want…” Mandi stopped. Dalia waited. Mandi looked across the room. At Panam. At Birgitta. At the empty leash in Panam's hand. “I want her to be my owner.” Dalia said nothing. Mandi had finally spoken it aloud. Not to Panam. But aloud. It felt terrifying. And stupid. And weirdly obvious. Dalia looked at her for several seconds. Then: “Okay.” Mandi laughed softly. “That's it?” “What do you want me to say?” “I don't know.” “Do you want me to tell you it's stupid?” Mandi looked at her. “Is it?” Dalia considered. Then shook her head. “No.” Mandi's smile was small. “It's a little stupid.” “Everything good about us is a little stupid.” Mandi laughed. “Fair.” Dalia nudged her shoulder. “You trust her?” “Yes.” Immediate. That surprised Mandi. Dalia noticed. “So there's your answer.” Mandi looked at Panam again. “Not all of it.” “No.” Dalia smiled. “The rest is hers.” Mandi nodded. They stood quietly. Then Deja appeared beside them. “Why are we staring at Madame?” Mandi and Dalia both jumped. Deja blinked. “Oh, wow.” Mandi turned. “How long have you been there?” “About four seconds.” Dalia put a hand over her face. Deja looked between them. “What?” “Nothing,” Mandi said. Deja stared. Mandi sighed. “Later.” Deja pointed at her. “See? Everybody needs a new word.” Mandi laughed so suddenly she nearly folded in half. Dalia joined her. Deja looked pleased despite having no idea why. Across the room Panam looked over. Mandi straightened. Their eyes met. Panam lifted one eyebrow. Mandi smiled. Then mouthed: _Later._ Panam rolled her eyes. But she smiled too. The night wound down. Dalia finished another booking. Deja disappeared with one of hers. Mandi worked twice more. Normal Mandi returned almost completely. Almost. Near closing, the three of them regrouped at the bar. Birgitta had finished working. Collar. Leash. Panam. Water. Of course. Suzie was counting something on her holo. Dalia was stealing one of Mandi's drinks in retaliation for the lollipop. Deja was complaining about her boots. Mandi looked toward Panam. Panam caught her. This time Mandi didn't look away. Panam waited. Mandi took one step. Stopped. Fuck. Dalia saw. Deja saw. Birgitta saw. Panam definitely saw. Mandi closed her eyes. Then opened them. “Nope.” Panam stared. Mandi turned around. Dalia burst out laughing. “Shut up.” “I didn't say anything.” “You didn't have to.” Deja looked genuinely confused. “What the fuck is happening?” Mandi pointed toward the exit. “We're leaving.” “Why?” “Because I said so.” Dalia grinned. “Oh, commanding.” Mandi turned on her. “Do you want to walk home?” Dalia laughed harder. Mandi started toward the door. Deja followed. Dalia followed last. At the entrance Mandi stopped. Looked back. Panam was still watching her. Birgitta beside her. Mandi raised one hand. “Tomorrow.” Panam stared for a second. Then nodded. “Tomorrow.” Mandi left. Dalia caught up outside. For several steps, nobody spoke. Then Deja: “So are either of you going to tell me what that was?” “No,” Mandi and Dalia said together. Deja sighed. “Fuck both of you.” Mandi smiled. There she was. Mostly. But Dalia knew. Birgitta knew. Panam knew there was a question coming. And Mandi— Mandi finally knew exactly what the question was. Tomorrow she only had to ask it. That should have been easy. Which was precisely why it terrified her. --- ## CHAPTER 9 — I WANT YOU TO OWN ME The next evening, Dalia solved the problem. Mandi had not asked her to. This was apparently irrelevant. They were halfway to Lizzie's when Mandi realized Deja wasn't with them. She looked around. “Where's Deja?” “Meeting us there.” Mandi looked at Dalia. “Why?” “Because.” “That isn't an answer.” “It answered the question.” “No, it didn't.” Dalia kept walking. Mandi narrowed her eyes. Something was wrong. Not dangerous wrong. Dalia wrong. Which was often worse. “What did you do?” “Nothing.” “Bullshit.” Dalia smiled around her lollipop. Mandi stopped. Dalia continued three steps before noticing. She turned. Mandi pointed at her. “You're plotting.” “I am walking.” “You can do both.” “True.” “What are you plotting?” Dalia smiled. “Come on.” “No.” Dalia waited. Mandi stared. Dalia stared back. Mandi sighed. “Fuck.” She caught up. Dalia smiled. Mandi pointed at her again. “I don't trust that face.” “You trust me.” “Unfortunately.” “Then walk.” Mandi walked. She hated everything. Mostly Dalia. Mostly. Deja was already at Lizzie's. So were Nova and Vega. Mandi stopped inside the entrance. Dalia nearly walked into her. “Oh.” Mandi slowly turned. “You said Deja.” “Yes.” “You neglected to mention them.” Nova raised her glass from the bar. Vega smiled. “Hello.” Mandi looked at Dalia. “Why is everyone here?” Nova frowned. “We work here.” Vega nodded. “Frequently.” Deja looked at Dalia. “What did you tell her?” “Nothing.” Mandi threw both hands up. “There it fucking is again!” Suzie laughed. Mandi marched to the bar. Normal. This was normal. Dalia. Deja. Nova. Vega. Exactly the kind of group Mandi normally arrived with. Nobody was conspiring against her. Probably. Mandi ordered water. Dalia sat beside her. Deja leaned across the bar. “So?” Mandi stared at her. “So what?” Deja blinked. “Do you want a drink?” Mandi looked suspiciously at Dalia. Dalia was studying the ceiling. Nova noticed. “Oh, this is interesting.” “No,” Mandi said. Nova smiled. “I haven't said anything.” “You were about to.” Vega laughed. Mandi closed her eyes. “Why am I friends with any of you?” Dalia patted her thigh. “Poor judgment.” Mandi opened her eyes. Then the door opened. Her attention moved automatically. Panam. Birgitta. Collar. Leash. Mandi's stomach performed something deeply unhelpful. Dalia saw. Deja saw. Nova saw. Vega— Mandi turned toward them. All four women abruptly became interested in unrelated parts of Lizzie's. “Oh, fuck you.” Nova laughed first. Vega followed. Deja tried. Failed. Dalia didn't even pretend. Mandi put her face in her hands. “I hate this.” Dalia rubbed her back. “No, you don't.” “No.” Panam reached the bar. She looked at Mandi. Mandi looked at her through her fingers. Panam's eyebrows rose. “What happened?” “Nothing.” Five people groaned. Panam looked around. “What?” Suzie pointed at Mandi. “She's banned from that word.” “Good.” Mandi lowered her hands. “Traitors.” Birgitta smiled at her. Mandi saw the question in her eyes. _Tonight?_ Mandi gave the smallest nod. Birgitta's smile softened. Panam noticed that. Of course she did. Her eyes moved from Birgitta to Mandi. Mandi immediately looked at Dalia. Dalia handed her a glass of water. “Drink.” Mandi stared. Dalia stared back. Mandi drank. Panam watched. A smile tugged at one corner of her mouth. Mandi saw it. “Don't.” Panam lifted both hands. “I didn't say anything.” “Everyone in this fucking city is an asshole.” “Night City tourism slogan,” Deja said. Nova nodded. “I'd buy the shirt.” Vega looked at Suzie. “Do you sell those?” “Give me a week.” Mandi laughed despite herself. Good. Normal. Better. Then a client approached. Mandi turned. Attractive woman. Interested. “Working?” Mandi opened her mouth. Dalia said nothing. Nobody said anything. Mandi could feel four sets of eyes not looking at her. She smiled at the woman. “Later.” The woman nodded. “Find you?” “Yes.” She left. Panam looked at Mandi. Mandi looked at Panam. Panam said nothing. That was unbearable. “What?” Panam shrugged. “You said later.” “Yes.” “So later.” Mandi narrowed her eyes. “Stop being reasonable.” Panam laughed. “I've been hearing that a lot.” Birgitta smiled into her drink. Mandi looked at Dalia. Dalia nodded once. Not pushing. Just: _Go._ Mandi inhaled. Then stood. Panam watched her. Mandi walked around the bar. Three steps. Four. Five. She stopped in front of Panam. There. Done. Almost. “Can I talk to you?” Panam's expression changed immediately. The amusement disappeared. “Yeah.” Mandi glanced at Birgitta. Birgitta smiled. Then looked at Panam. “I'll stay here.” Panam nodded. No question. Mandi looked toward one of the quieter booths. Panam followed. Behind them: “Holy shit,” Deja whispered. Dalia kicked her. “Ow.” “Quiet.” “I was quiet.” “You whisper like a grenade.” Mandi kept walking. She did not turn around. She did not murder anyone. Personal growth. Panam sat opposite her. Mandi sat. Then immediately stood again. Panam looked up. Mandi looked down. “This is worse sitting.” “Okay.” Mandi paced two steps. Stopped. Turned. Panam waited. No teasing. No impatience. That made everything worse. Again. Mandi folded her arms. Unfolded them. Put her hands on her hips. That felt like Mandi. Good. She could work with that. “So.” Panam waited. Mandi frowned. “You're supposed to say something.” “You asked me to talk.” “Yes.” “So talk.” “Terrible system.” Panam smiled slightly. “Mandi.” “Right.” Mandi took a breath. Yesterday she'd said it to Dalia. That should have made this easier. It did not. Panam wasn't Dalia. Panam was the answer. Fuck. Mandi looked toward the bar. Birgitta sat between Dalia and Deja. Her leash remained with Panam. Of course it did. Nova was talking to Vega. Nobody appeared to be watching. Everybody was watching. Mandi looked back at Panam. “I talked to Birgitta.” “I know.” “She told me what this is like for her.” Panam nodded. “She didn't tell me what you talked about.” “I know.” “She said it was yours.” Mandi smiled faintly. “Yes.” Panam waited. Mandi's smile disappeared. “I've been thinking about it.” “I noticed.” “Fuck you.” “There she is.” Mandi laughed once. It helped. A little. She sat again. This time she stayed. “I'm serious.” Panam's expression changed. “I know.” “No, I mean really serious.” “I know.” “How?” “You've spent three days failing to make a joke out of it.” Mandi stared. “That is deeply insulting.” “Is it inaccurate?” Mandi opened her mouth. Closed it. “Fuck you.” Panam smiled. Mandi looked down at the table. Then: “I don't want Birgitta's thing.” Panam frowned slightly. Mandi shook her head. “Not like that. I don't want to take anything from her.” Panam listened. “I don't want to replace her.” Still listening. “I don't want you because she's with you.” Panam's eyebrows rose. Mandi sighed. “You know what I mean.” “I think so.” “Good.” Mandi rubbed her palms against her thighs. Nervous. Actually nervous. She hated that. She let herself be nervous anyway. “I watched you.” Panam nodded. “I know.” “I thought it was the collar.” Panam glanced toward the bar. “It isn't.” “No.” “The leash?” “No.” “Madame?” Mandi laughed. “That's still funny.” “Fuck you.” “Sorry.” “No, you're not.” “No.” For one moment it was easy again. Then Mandi looked at Panam. “It was the water.” Panam went still. “The breaks.” Mandi continued. “The way you knew Birgitta wanted another client and still told her to wait.” Panam said nothing. “The way you said no when someone offered more money.” “She was done.” “I know.” Mandi smiled faintly. “That's the point.” Panam watched her. Mandi swallowed. “The way she doesn't stop being Birgitta.” “No.” “She doesn't stop choosing.” “No.” “She just…” Mandi searched. “…gets to stop carrying some things.” Panam's expression softened. “Yeah.” Mandi nodded. “She told me that.” Panam waited. “And you carry them.” “If she gives them to me.” “Yes.” Mandi looked down. “You said something too.” “When?” “Couple nights ago.” “I say lots of things.” “Most of them contain fuck.” “Fair.” Mandi smiled. “You said if she's yours for something, then she's your responsibility.” Panam's eyes changed. Just slightly. Mandi saw it. “That stuck.” Panam said nothing. Mandi looked at her. “I want that.” There. Not everything. But closer. Panam leaned back. “Okay.” Mandi stared. “Okay?” “I'm listening.” “Oh.” Panam waited. Mandi looked toward the ceiling. “Goddammit.” “Mandi.” “Yes.” “Look at me.” Mandi did. Immediate. That surprised both of them. Panam's eyebrows moved. Mandi felt heat climb into her face. “Oh, fuck you.” Panam smiled. “Didn't say anything.” “You thought it.” “Maybe.” Mandi laughed. Then the laughter faded. Panam still had her attention. Mandi stopped trying to escape it. “I know what I'm asking.” Panam's expression became serious. “Do you?” “Yes.” “Tell me.” Mandi's pulse hammered. She could hear Dalia in her head. _The rest is hers._ Mandi took a breath. No performance. No flirtation. No joke. No Mandi armor. Just the truth. “I want you to own me.” Panam didn't move. Mandi kept looking at her. The room seemed suddenly very loud around them. Then Mandi added: “As a pet.” There. Done. Panam stared at her. Mandi's instinct screamed at her to fill the silence. Make a joke. Smile. Say something filthy. Anything. She didn't. For once, Mandi let silence exist. Panam looked toward the bar. At Birgitta. Birgitta wasn't watching now. Deliberately. Panam looked back at Mandi. “You mean that.” “Yes.” No hesitation. Panam studied her. Mandi let her. “You're not asking because it looks hot.” Mandi smiled faintly. “It does look hot.” “Mandi.” “No.” The smile disappeared. “Not because it looks hot.” “Not because Birgitta has it.” “No.” “Not because you're curious for a night.” “No.” Panam watched her. Mandi felt strangely naked. Fully dressed. Fully Mandi. And more exposed than she had been with any client. “Yes,” she said quietly. Panam frowned. “I didn't ask anything.” “I know.” “Then yes what?” “Yes, I'm sure.” Panam leaned back. Mandi waited. Finally Panam asked: “What do you think you're asking me for?” Mandi had expected that. Not the words. The question. She looked down. Then back up. “Responsibility.” Panam's expression shifted. Mandi continued. “Not all of me.” “No.” “Not every decision.” “No.” “I don't want to stop being me.” “I wouldn't want you to.” That came fast. Mandi smiled. “Good.” Panam waited. “I want…” Mandi breathed out. “I want to be able to give you something and know you'll actually carry it.” Panam said nothing. “I want you to notice.” Mandi's voice had gone quieter. “If I'm tired.” Panam listened. “If I need to stop.” “If I'm being stupid.” Panam's mouth twitched. Mandi pointed. “Don't.” “Sorry.” “You're not.” “No.” Mandi smiled briefly. Then: “I want to choose someone and be able to say, after that, it's yours.” Panam's gaze stayed steady. “Time.” “Yes.” “Breaks.” “Yes.” “Extensions.” “Yes.” “Whether you've had enough.” Mandi hesitated. Then: “Yes.” “That one's harder.” “Yes.” “Why?” “Because I'm stubborn.” “I noticed.” “Fuck you.” Panam smiled. Mandi did too. Then Panam became serious again. “And when I get it wrong?” “I tell you.” “And if I don't listen?” Mandi's answer was immediate. “Then you don't get to own it anymore.” Panam nodded. Mandi watched her. That answer mattered. She could tell. Panam looked toward Birgitta again. Then back. “She was first.” Mandi's chest tightened. There it was. Mandi leaned forward. “I know.” Panam waited. Mandi's voice softened. “She was first.” “Yes.” “I'm not asking to replace her.” Panam studied her. “I know this started with her.” “Yes.” “I know what she is to you.” Panam's eyebrows rose. Mandi corrected herself. “What I can see of it.” Panam nodded. “I don't want less for her so I can have something.” Panam was silent. “I don't want her place.” Mandi looked toward the bar. Birgitta laughed at something Dalia said. Panam followed her gaze. Mandi smiled. “I want mine.” Panam looked back. That landed. Mandi knew it had. For several seconds neither spoke. Then Panam asked: “Does Birgitta know you're asking?” Mandi hesitated. “She knows I was thinking about it.” “That wasn't the question.” “No.” Mandi looked at Panam. “She doesn't know I was going to ask tonight.” Panam nodded. “Okay.” Mandi's stomach tightened. “What does okay mean?” “It means okay.” “That is not useful.” “I need to think.” Mandi froze. There it was. Not yes. Not no. Think. Mandi nodded. “Okay.” Panam watched her. Mandi stood. Panam frowned. “Where are you going?” “Back.” “Mandi.” Mandi stopped. Panam's voice wasn't harsh. “Sit.” Mandi sat. Immediately. Again. Silence. Mandi stared at Panam. Panam stared at Mandi. Then Panam's mouth twitched. Mandi covered her face. “Oh, fuck me.” Panam laughed. Mandi laughed into her hands. “That was not fair.” “I didn't do anything.” “You said sit.” “Yes.” “And I—” “Sat.” “Fuck you.” Panam was still laughing. Mandi lowered her hands. The tension had broken. A little. Panam reached across the table. Not commanding. Just offered her hand. Mandi looked at it. Then placed hers into it. Panam squeezed. “I didn't say no.” Mandi looked at her. “I know.” “I didn't say yes either.” “I know.” “I need to talk to Birgitta.” Mandi nodded. “Good.” Panam watched her reaction. “You mean that.” “Yes.” “Why?” Mandi looked toward Birgitta. “Because she was first.” Panam said nothing. “And because if this makes what she has smaller, I don't want it.” Panam's grip tightened slightly. Mandi looked back. “I meant what I said.” “I know.” “I want you to own me.” Panam's eyes stayed on hers. Mandi swallowed. “As a pet.” “I heard you.” Mandi smiled. Small. Nervous. Very unlike Mandi. Panam noticed. Of course she did. “You okay?” “Yes.” “Sure?” Mandi laughed softly. “No.” Panam smiled. “Better answer.” “This is fucking terrifying.” “Why?” “Because you can say no.” Panam nodded. “Yes.” Mandi closed her eyes briefly. “Thank you for confirming.” “You want me to lie?” “No.” Mandi opened them. “No.” Panam squeezed her hand again. “Then let me think.” Mandi nodded. “Okay.” “And stop staring at me like you're waiting for a firing squad.” “I don't know what my face is doing.” “That's obvious.” “Fuck you.” “There she is.” Mandi smiled. This time it stayed. They returned to the bar together. Every single person pretended not to notice. Badly. Dalia was looking directly at a wall. Deja was studying her holo upside down. Nova had become fascinated by a glass. Vega was looking at Nova looking at the glass. Suzie wasn't even trying. Birgitta looked at Panam. Then Mandi. Mandi smiled at her. Not an answer. Just: _I asked._ Birgitta understood. Panam picked up Birgitta's leash. “Can we talk?” Birgitta's eyes flicked toward Mandi. Then back. “Yes.” Panam looked at Mandi. “Stay here.” Mandi's stomach flipped. “Yes.” She paused. Panam waited. Mandi smiled. “Yes, Madame.” Panam closed her eyes. Dalia folded over the bar. Deja made a strangled sound. Nova laughed into her drink. Vega covered her face. Suzie pointed at Mandi. “I like her.” Panam opened her eyes. “Mandi.” “Sorry.” “No, you're not.” Mandi's grin finally returned. “No.” Panam shook her head. Then walked away with Birgitta. Mandi watched them go. Dalia moved beside her. Close. Not touching. “Asked?” Mandi nodded. “And?” “She needs to think.” Dalia nodded. Mandi looked at her. “And talk to Birgitta.” Dalia smiled. “Good.” “Yeah.” Deja leaned over. “Can I know what's happening now?” Mandi and Dalia looked at her. Mandi considered. Then smiled. “Not yet.” Deja sighed. “I fucking hate both of you.” Mandi looked across Lizzie's. Panam and Birgitta disappeared into the quieter side of the room. For the first time in three days, Mandi wasn't watching the leash. She wasn't watching the collar. She wasn't watching the water. She wasn't watching Panam manage Birgitta. She was waiting. And that was worse. Much worse. But she'd done it. The words existed now. Panam had heard them. Birgitta would hear them. And whatever happened next— Mandi had finally asked. _I want you to own me._ _As a pet._ --- ## CHAPTER 10 — SHE WAS FIRST Panam did not take Birgitta far. There was no need. One of the quieter booths along the side of Lizzie's was enough. Far enough from Mandi. Far enough that nobody could hear without deliberately trying. Close enough that Panam could still see the bar if she looked. She didn't. Not immediately. Birgitta slid into the booth. Panam sat opposite her. The leash remained in Panam's hand. Birgitta noticed. Of course she did. Panam looked at her. Birgitta smiled. Panam sighed. “You know.” “Yes.” “Of course you fucking know.” “Yes.” “How much?” Birgitta considered. “She asked me what being your pet feels like.” Panam nodded slowly. “I knew that.” “She asked whether you could own another pet.” Panam stopped. There. The exact question. “When?” “Yesterday.” “And you didn't tell me.” Birgitta's expression didn't change. “She asked me not to.” Panam frowned. “Why?” “Because it was her question.” Panam looked toward the bar. Mandi sat between Dalia and Deja now. Nova and Vega were talking beside them. Mandi wasn't looking over. Not even pretending not to. She was just waiting. Panam looked back at Birgitta. “You knew she was going to ask me.” “No.” Panam raised an eyebrow. Birgitta smiled. “I knew she wanted to.” “That's different?” “Yes.” Panam considered that. Then nodded. “Fair.” Birgitta leaned back. Panam was quiet. Birgitta waited. Eventually Panam said: “She asked me to own her.” “Yes.” “As a pet.” Birgitta smiled. “Yes.” “You don't seem surprised.” “I've watched her watch us for three days.” “So have I.” “She was less subtle.” “She usually is.” Birgitta laughed. Panam didn't. Not yet. She looked down at the leash in her hand. Her thumb moved over the material. Then stopped. “I didn't expect this.” “I know.” “I wasn't trying to start something.” “I know.” “I wasn't recruiting.” “I know.” “I didn't even want people calling me Madame.” Birgitta's smile widened. Panam pointed at her. “Don't.” “I didn't say anything.” “You were about to.” “No.” “Bullshit.” Birgitta laughed softly. Panam sighed. Then became serious again. “I need to know what you think.” Birgitta looked at her. “About Mandi?” “About this.” Panam lifted the leash slightly. “About me owning someone else.” Birgitta's eyes followed the movement. Then returned to Panam. “I think Mandi wants you to.” “That wasn't what I asked.” “I know.” Panam waited. Birgitta smiled faintly. “You're worried.” “Yes.” “About me.” “Yes.” Immediate. Birgitta's expression softened. Panam leaned forward. “This started with you.” “I know.” “You asked me.” “Yes.” “You trusted me with this before I even knew what the fuck I was doing.” Birgitta laughed. “You still don't.” “Fuck you.” “My owner.” Panam stared. Birgitta smiled. Panam tried not to. Failed. Then the smile disappeared again. “I don't want you thinking this becomes less because someone else wants it.” “I don't.” “You didn't even let me finish.” “You've been saying the same thing with different words for two minutes.” Panam frowned. Birgitta reached across the table. Panam looked at her hand. Then took it. Birgitta squeezed. “Panam.” “What?” “I don't feel threatened by Mandi.” “Why not?” Birgitta blinked. “Do you want me to?” “No.” “Then that's a strange question.” “You know what I mean.” Birgitta thought. Then: “Because she's not asking for my place.” Panam went still. Birgitta continued. “She told me yesterday.” “What?” “She asked whether you could own another pet.” “I know.” “She asked whether I'd be okay with it.” Panam listened. “I told her yes.” “You answered for me?” “No.” Birgitta shook her head. “I told her I thought you could. I didn't tell her you would.” Panam nodded. “And I told her I'd be okay with it if you wanted it.” Panam watched her. Birgitta smiled. “She was very nervous.” “Mandi.” “Yes.” Panam looked toward the bar again. Mandi still wasn't looking. Dalia was saying something to her. Mandi answered. Deja laughed. Nova stole something from Vega's glass. Normal. Almost. Panam looked back. “She was shaking.” Birgitta's eyebrows rose. “Really?” “Not much.” “But you noticed.” “Of course I fucking noticed.” Birgitta smiled. Panam caught it. “What?” “Nothing.” “Don't.” Birgitta laughed. “My owner notices.” Panam sighed. “You're impossible.” “And yet.” “And yet.” They sat quietly for a moment. Panam looked down at their joined hands. Then: “Would it change this?” Birgitta tilted her head. “What?” “You and me.” “No.” “You can't know that.” “No.” Panam looked up. Birgitta's expression was calm. “I can't know what will happen.” “Exactly.” “But I know what I want.” Panam waited. “I want this.” Birgitta touched her collar with her free hand. “I want you.” Panam's fingers tightened around hers. “And if Mandi becomes your pet, I still want this.” Panam said nothing. Birgitta smiled. “I'm not asking you to divide something.” “What are you asking?” “I'm not asking anything.” Panam stared. Birgitta laughed. “This isn't my decision.” “You're part of it.” “Yes.” “But?” “But Mandi asked you.” Panam leaned back. Birgitta released her hand. Panam immediately missed it. Annoying. She picked up the leash instead. Birgitta noticed that too. “You really want me to decide.” “Yes.” “That doesn't bother you?” “No.” “Even though it affects you.” “Yes.” Panam frowned. “Why?” Birgitta smiled. “Because you're my owner.” Panam closed her eyes. “That answer is cheating.” “No.” “Yes.” “No.” Panam opened them. Birgitta was still smiling. Panam pointed at her. “You don't get to use that every time you want to win an argument.” “I wasn't aware there were rules.” “There are now.” “Did you just make a decision for me?” Panam stared. Birgitta's smile became catastrophic. “Oh, fuck you.” Birgitta laughed. Panam couldn't help joining her. The tension broke. Not completely. Enough. Panam leaned back and watched Birgitta. “You really don't mind.” “No.” “You're not saying that because you think I want you to say it.” “No.” “You're not trying to be generous.” Birgitta considered. “I am generous.” “Mandi says that about herself too.” “Mandi charges twenty-five thousand eddies.” “So do you.” “Exactly.” Panam laughed. Then Birgitta's expression softened. “I'm not giving something up, Panam.” Panam listened. “Mandi isn't taking you away from me.” “I know.” “Do you?” Panam frowned. Birgitta reached across the table again. This time Panam took her hand immediately. “You're asking me because you care about what this does to me.” “Yes.” “That's part of why I trust you.” Panam looked at her. Birgitta continued. “If you hadn't asked me…” She paused. “That would have bothered me.” Panam nodded slowly. “But you did.” “Yes.” “So I'm telling you.” Birgitta squeezed her hand. “I'm okay.” Panam exhaled. Some tension left her shoulders. Not all. Birgitta noticed. “What else?” Panam looked at her. “What?” “There's something else.” “No.” Birgitta raised an eyebrow. Panam sighed. “Fuck.” “My highly sophisticated interrogation technique.” “You're unbearable.” “Yes.” Panam looked toward the bar. Mandi was looking now. Their eyes met. Mandi froze. Then gave Panam a tiny, uncertain smile. Panam looked back at Birgitta. “What if I'm bad at it?” Birgitta blinked. Panam continued before she could answer. “One person is one thing.” Birgitta listened. “I know you.” “Yes.” “I know what you mean when you say something.” “Usually.” “I know when you're bullshitting me.” “Sometimes.” “I know when you're tired.” “Mostly.” “I know when you need food.” Birgitta smiled. “Apparently always.” Panam ignored that. “Mandi isn't you.” “No.” “What works with you might not work with her.” “No.” “And if I say yes, I'm responsible for that.” Birgitta's smile disappeared. Not because she disagreed. Because there it was. The real thing. “Yes.” Panam looked at her. “You understand why I can't just say yes because she asked.” “Yes.” “Even if she means it.” “Yes.” “Even if…” Panam stopped. Birgitta waited. Panam looked irritated. Birgitta smiled. “Even if you want to?” Panam stared at her. Birgitta's smile widened. “You do.” “I didn't say that.” “You didn't have to.” “Fuck you.” “My owner.” “Stop using that as punctuation.” “No.” Panam laughed despite herself. Then shook her head. “I don't know.” Birgitta watched her. “I think I do.” Panam looked at her. Birgitta leaned forward. “You liked when she sat.” Panam stared. “Oh, fuck off.” Birgitta burst out laughing. “You did.” “She surprised me.” “You smiled.” “I was laughing at her.” “No.” “Yes.” “No.” Panam pointed toward the bar. “She spent three days acting like someone had replaced her brain.” Birgitta laughed harder. “And then I told her to sit and she fucking sat.” “Yes.” “That was funny.” “You liked it.” Panam folded her arms. Birgitta grinned. Panam held out for six seconds. Then: “Maybe.” Birgitta's grin became enormous. “Do not.” “I didn't say anything.” “You're thinking loudly.” That did it. Birgitta folded forward laughing. Panam stared at her. Then realized what she'd said. “Oh, fuck me.” Birgitta was nearly crying. “Mandi.” “Yes.” “Goddammit.” Panam started laughing too. Across the room, Mandi noticed. Dalia looked toward the booth. Deja followed. Nova and Vega turned. Mandi's expression became deeply suspicious. Panam saw it. That made her laugh harder. Eventually Birgitta recovered. Mostly. She wiped beneath one eye. Panam shook her head. “Asshole.” “Pet.” “That isn't an insult.” “I know.” Panam looked at her. Warmth settled between them again. Then Birgitta said quietly: “You don't have to say yes.” Panam's smile faded. “I know.” “You don't owe Mandi this.” “I know.” “And you don't owe me a no.” Panam went still. Birgitta held her gaze. “If you want her…” Panam opened her mouth. Birgitta raised one finger. “As a pet.” Panam closed it. Birgitta smiled. “Thank you.” “Bitch.” “Yes.” “If you want to own her, don't refuse because you think you're protecting me.” Panam was quiet. Birgitta squeezed her hand. “That isn't what I want.” Panam looked down. Then back up. “What do you want?” Birgitta thought. “I want my owner to make her own decision.” Panam stared. “That is unbelievably annoying.” “Yes.” “Do you practice these?” “No.” “You should stop being naturally good at them.” “I'll try.” “No, you won't.” “No.” Panam smiled. Then looked toward the bar. Mandi was pretending to listen to Deja. Badly. Dalia caught Panam looking. Their eyes met. Dalia did nothing. No nod. No smile. No encouragement. Just let Panam look. Good. Panam looked back at Birgitta. “One more thing.” “Yes?” “If I say yes…” Birgitta waited. “You were first.” Birgitta's expression softened. “Chronologically.” Panam frowned. Birgitta smiled. “Not hierarchically.” Panam considered that. Then nodded. “Good.” “I don't need senior-pet privileges.” “Thank fuck.” “Although—” “No.” “You don't even know what I was going to say.” “No.” Birgitta laughed. Panam smiled. Then Birgitta reached for the leash in Panam's hand. Not taking it. Just touching it. “You were my owner when there wasn't a leash.” Panam looked at her fingers. “You'll still be my owner if you're holding two.” Panam's gaze lifted. Birgitta smiled. There it was. Simple. Panam exhaled slowly. Then stood. Birgitta looked up. “Decision?” “No.” Panam held out her hand. “Come on.” Birgitta took it. Panam helped her up. Then clipped the leash back to her collar. Click. Birgitta smiled. Panam looked at her. “My pet.” “My owner.” They walked back toward the bar. Mandi saw them coming. Every trace of her usual swagger disappeared. Again. Panam almost smiled. Almost. Dalia moved slightly to make room. Deja watched everyone with increasing frustration. Nova and Vega were openly curious now. Suzie continued polishing a glass with the expression of someone collecting material for future entertainment. Panam stopped in front of Mandi. Mandi looked up. Panam looked at her for a long moment. Then: “I talked to her.” Mandi glanced at Birgitta. Birgitta smiled. Mandi looked back. “Okay.” Panam nodded. “I still need to think.” Mandi swallowed. Then nodded. “Okay.” Panam watched her. Mandi didn't joke. Didn't flirt. Didn't hide. Good. Panam tugged Birgitta's leash lightly. “Come on.” Birgitta followed. They moved back toward their usual place. Mandi watched them go. Dalia leaned close. “What did she say?” Mandi looked at her. “She still needs to think.” Dalia nodded. Mandi looked toward Birgitta. Birgitta caught her eye. Mandi lifted one eyebrow. Birgitta gave her the tiniest nod. Not: _Yes._ Not: _She'll do it._ Only: _We're good._ Mandi understood. Her shoulders dropped. Just slightly. Dalia saw. Of course she did. “Better?” Mandi smiled. “Yeah.” Across the bar, Panam sat down. Birgitta beside her. One leash. One pet. Still. Panam wrapped the leash once around her hand. And looked at Mandi. Not yet. But for the first time— she let herself imagine holding two. --- ## CHAPTER 11 — YOU'RE MINE Mandi lasted nine minutes. Dalia knew because she checked. Not obviously. Obviously. Mandi was sitting at the bar between Dalia and Nova, one leg crossed over the other, drinking water with the determined concentration of someone attempting to prove that waiting was a perfectly ordinary activity. It wasn't working. Deja leaned around Dalia. “Is she breathing?” Mandi looked at her. “No.” “Okay.” “Thank you for checking.” “You're welcome.” Vega smiled into her drink. Nova looked toward Panam. Mandi immediately pointed at her. “Don't.” Nova froze. “I didn't say anything.” “You looked.” Dalia choked. Mandi turned. “What?” Dalia held up one hand. “Nothing.” Mandi stared at her. Dalia lost the fight and started laughing. “Oh, fuck all of you.” “There she is,” Vega said. Mandi groaned. Suzie passed behind the bar. “You could work.” Mandi looked at her. “I am working.” Suzie looked around Mandi. At the complete absence of a client. Then back. “Very impressive.” “I'm between bookings.” “You've been between bookings for—” “Suzie.” Suzie smiled. “Water?” Mandi looked at the glass already in her hand. Then at Suzie. Suzie laughed and moved on. Mandi sighed. “This is torture.” Dalia leaned closer. “You could leave.” Mandi turned slowly. Dalia smiled. Mandi stared at her. Then: “Fuck you.” “Thought so.” Across the room, Panam stood. Mandi stopped breathing. Deja noticed. “Oh.” Dalia kicked her under the bar. “Ow.” Panam said something to Birgitta. Birgitta looked toward Mandi. Mandi's stomach dropped. Then Birgitta smiled. Not enough. Absolutely not enough information. Panam started walking toward them. Mandi put her glass down. Picked it up. Put it down again. Nova watched. Vega watched. Deja watched. Dalia looked straight ahead. Mandi appreciated exactly one of them. Panam stopped in front of the group. She looked at Mandi. “Come with me.” Mandi stood. Instantly. Panam's eyebrow moved. Mandi closed her eyes. “Don't.” Panam's mouth twitched. “I didn't say anything.” “I know what your face said.” “What did my face say?” Mandi opened her eyes. “Sit.” Dalia made a choking sound. Mandi turned. Dalia had both hands over her mouth. Nova had folded against Vega. Deja was visibly dying. Panam looked between them. “What the fuck?” “Nothing,” four women said together. Panam stared. Mandi grabbed her arm. “Move.” Panam looked down at the hand. Mandi released her immediately. “Oh, for fuck's sake.” Panam laughed. Then turned. Mandi followed. Behind them, Dalia finally lost control. Mandi kept walking. She would kill them later. Maybe. Depending on the answer. Panam didn't choose the same booth. Mandi noticed that. Different corner. Different table. Nothing symbolic about it. Good. She didn't need symbolism. She needed Panam to stop taking six years to answer one question. They sat. Mandi folded her hands on the table. Then immediately separated them. Panam watched. Mandi glared. “What?” “You're nervous.” “We've established this.” “Yes.” “Repeatedly.” “Yes.” “So stop enjoying it.” “I'm not.” “Liar.” Panam smiled. Mandi stared. Panam's smile faded. “Okay.” There. Serious. Mandi straightened. Panam leaned forward. “I talked to Birgitta.” “I know.” “I've thought about what you asked.” Mandi nodded. Panam watched her. Then: “I need you to answer something.” “Okay.” “If I say yes, what changes?” Mandi blinked. “For me?” “For you.” Mandi thought. “Depends.” “On?” “What you want.” Panam shook her head. “No.” Mandi frowned. “What?” “This is what I'm talking about.” Mandi waited. “You're asking me to own you.” “Yes.” “Don't immediately turn around and make me define the entire thing alone.” Mandi went still. Panam continued. “I need to know what you're actually giving me.” Mandi looked down. Fair. Annoyingly fair. She thought. Then: “When I'm working?” “For a start.” Mandi nodded. “I choose the client.” “Yes.” “That stays mine.” “Yes.” “If I don't want someone, that's the end of it.” “Yes.” “If I do…” Mandi breathed out. “You handle the rest.” “Like?” “Time.” Panam nodded. “Extensions.” Another nod. “Breaks.” “Yes.” “Food.” “Yes.” “Water.” Panam's mouth twitched. Mandi pointed. “Do not.” “I didn't.” “You almost did.” Panam waited. Mandi smiled despite herself. Then continued. “If you think I've had enough…” She paused. Panam noticed. “That one's still hard.” “Yes.” “Do you want to give it to me?” Mandi looked at her. “Yes.” “Even if you disagree.” Mandi considered. Then nodded. “Yes.” “Don't answer fast.” “I didn't.” “You did.” Mandi sighed. “Fine.” She thought again. Actually thought. Panam let her. Mandi looked toward the bar. Birgitta sat with Dalia now. Her collar visible. Leash still in Panam's hand. Mandi hadn't noticed Panam bring it with her. She had. Of course she had. Mandi looked back. “If I think I can keep going and you think I shouldn't…” Panam waited. “I'll listen.” “That's not the same as obeying.” Mandi's stomach did something ridiculous. Panam saw. Mandi hated her. A little. “Do you want me to obey?” “I'm asking what you want.” Mandi swallowed. Then: “Yes.” Panam didn't react. That helped. Mandi continued. “If I've given you that decision.” “Yes.” “And you say stop.” “Yes.” “Then I stop.” Panam nodded. Mandi exhaled. There. That felt frightening. And good. Panam looked down at the leash in her hand. Then back. “What about outside work?” Mandi blinked. “What about it?” “You asked me to own you as a pet.” “Yes.” “You didn't ask me to manage your bookings.” “No.” “Those aren't the same thing.” Mandi stared. Panam had thought about this. Really thought about it. That shouldn't have made Mandi as warm as it did. It absolutely did. “I don't know yet.” Panam nodded immediately. “Good.” Mandi blinked. “Good?” “Yes.” “You're not bothered?” “No.” “I thought you'd want an answer.” “I wanted an honest answer.” Mandi smiled. “Fuck.” “What?” “You're annoyingly good at this.” Panam snorted. “Birgitta disagrees.” “No, she doesn't.” “She should.” Mandi smiled. Then: “I know I want it outside work too.” Panam listened. “I just don't know exactly what yet.” “Okay.” “I want to find out.” “Okay.” “With you.” Panam went quiet. Mandi looked down. That had come out softer than intended. She left it there. Panam finally asked: “And if I tell you to do something you don't want to do?” “I tell you.” “And if I miss something?” “I tell you.” “If I'm wrong?” “I tell you.” “If you want out?” Mandi looked at her. “I tell you.” Panam nodded. No elaborate system. No checklist. Just: Tell me. Good. Mandi leaned back. “Anything else?” “Yes.” Mandi groaned. “Jesus Christ.” Panam smiled. “You asked.” “I know.” “You can still change your mind.” Mandi's expression changed. Panam saw. “I mean it.” “I know.” “Before I answer.” “I know.” “After I answer.” Mandi looked at her. Panam continued. “If I say yes, that doesn't trap you.” “I know.” “You can still decide you don't want this.” “I know.” “And I don't get to be angry at you for that.” Mandi smiled faintly. “You might be.” “I might be.” “Panam.” “What?” “You're allowed feelings.” “Fuck you.” “There she is.” Panam laughed. Mandi did too. Then Panam became serious again. “But the decision is still yours.” “Yes.” Mandi nodded. “And mine.” Mandi stopped. Panam held her gaze. There it was. The other half. Mandi had spent days thinking about what she wanted. Panam had to want it too. Mandi swallowed. “Yes.” Panam looked toward Birgitta. Mandi followed. Birgitta was laughing at something Dalia said. Deja had joined them again. Nova and Vega were still at the bar. Ordinary. Panam looked back. “She told me not to say no because I thought I was protecting her.” Mandi's eyes widened slightly. “She did?” “Yes.” Mandi smiled. “Of course she did.” “She also told me she doesn't need senior-pet privileges.” Mandi stared. Then burst out laughing. “Oh, fuck.” “Yeah.” “Did you ask?” “No.” “Good.” “Why?” “Because I would have demanded junior-pet privileges.” Panam stared. Mandi grinned. There she was. Panam pointed at her. “That.” “What?” “That is what worries me.” “My creativity?” “Your mouth.” “You like my mouth.” Panam closed her eyes. Mandi froze. “Oh.” Panam opened one eye. Mandi's grin became enormous. “Madame.” “Don't.” “Panam.” “Better.” “You walked directly into that.” “I know.” Mandi laughed. The last of the fear loosened. Not gone. Enough. Panam watched her. Then: “One more question.” Mandi sighed theatrically. “Fine.” Panam didn't smile. Mandi noticed. “What?” “Why me?” Mandi stopped. Of all the questions— That one. She looked toward Birgitta. Then back. “At first?” “Yes.” “Because I saw what you were doing with her.” Panam waited. “But that's not why I'm asking now.” Panam's eyes stayed on hers. Mandi thought about it. No joke. Not this one. “Because you don't need me to be helpless before you'll take care of me.” Panam went very still. Mandi continued. “You know I'm capable.” “Yes.” “You know I can handle myself.” “Yes.” “You know I can make my own decisions.” “Too many of them.” Mandi smiled. “Fuck you.” Panam's mouth twitched. Mandi's smile faded again. “And none of that makes you think I shouldn't be allowed to give some of it away.” Panam said nothing. “You don't want me smaller.” “No.” “You don't want me quieter.” Panam snorted. “Maybe five percent.” Mandi laughed. “Fair.” Then: “You just…” She searched. “Take what you're given seriously.” Panam looked down. Mandi watched her. “That.” “What?” “That is why.” Panam looked up. Mandi's voice softened. “I trust you to take it seriously.” Silence. Mandi didn't fill it. Not this time. Panam looked at her for a long while. Then she stood. Mandi's heart dropped. “What?” Panam walked around the table. Mandi turned in her seat. Panam stopped beside her. Close. Mandi looked up. Panam held out her hand. “Stand.” Mandi stood. No hesitation. Panam looked at her. Mandi's pulse hammered. Panam reached up. Not to Mandi's cover collar. Not yet. Her fingers rested lightly against the side of Mandi's neck. Mandi went completely still. Panam watched her face. “You're sure.” It wasn't really a question anymore. Mandi answered anyway. “Yes.” Panam nodded once. “All right.” Mandi stopped breathing. Panam's hand remained against her neck. Then: “You're mine.” Mandi's brain ceased operation. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Panam waited. Mandi stared. Panam's eyebrows rose. Mandi opened her mouth. No sound. Panam's eyebrows rose higher. Mandi tried again. “Oh.” Panam stared. Mandi stared back. From the bar, somebody made a tiny strangled sound. Probably Dalia. Mandi didn't care. Panam's mouth slowly curved. “That's it?” Mandi blinked. “What?” “You've spent three days talking.” Mandi swallowed. Panam smiled. “I get one ‘oh’?” “Fuck you.” There. Language restored. Panam laughed. Mandi suddenly grabbed the front of Panam's jacket. Stopped. Looked down at her own hands. Then back up. “Can I kiss you?” Panam's expression softened. “Yes.” Mandi kissed her. Not a performance. Not Mandi making a room watch. Not a client kiss. Warm. Grateful. A little shaky. Panam's hand moved from her neck to her waist and held her there. Mandi kissed her again. Then rested her forehead against Panam's. “Oh.” Panam laughed quietly. “Again?” “Shut up.” “My pet.” Mandi froze. Again. Panam felt it. “Oh, this is going to be fun.” Mandi pulled back. “You are enjoying this.” “A little.” “You bitch.” Panam smiled. “My pet.” Mandi's eyes closed. Her smile was helpless. “Yes.” Panam waited. Mandi opened her eyes. Then corrected herself. “Yes, owner.” Panam's expression changed. There. Both of them felt it. Not Madame. Not here. Not for this. Owner. Panam touched Mandi's cheek. “My pet.” Mandi leaned into her hand. And for perhaps the first time in recorded Night City history— Mandi had absolutely nothing clever to say. Dalia knew the answer before they reached the bar. Of course she did. Mandi walked beside Panam. Not behind her. Not transformed into someone else. Still Mandi. Still neon-orange. Still impossible. Just— quiet. Dalia stared. Deja stared. Nova stared. Vega stared. Suzie stared. Birgitta smiled. Mandi reached the bar. Dalia looked at her. “Well?” Mandi looked at Panam. Panam looked at Mandi. Mandi smiled. “She said yes.” Dalia's face lit. She pulled Mandi into a hug. Hard. Mandi laughed against her shoulder. “Jesus.” “Shut up.” “I didn't say anything.” “You were going to.” Mandi hugged her back. Deja was next. She had apparently decided understanding was optional. “Congratulations?” Mandi laughed. “Yes.” “On whatever the fuck happened.” “Yes.” Deja hugged her too. Nova raised her glass. “To whatever the fuck happened.” Vega lifted hers. “I'll drink to that.” Mandi laughed. Then looked at Birgitta. The room seemed to soften around them. Birgitta stood. Mandi walked to her. For one second neither spoke. Then Mandi said: “You were first.” Birgitta smiled. “Chronologically.” Mandi laughed. “You told her that?” “Yes.” “Bitch.” “Yes.” Mandi hugged her. Birgitta hugged back. No rivalry. No displacement. No strange negotiation of rank. Just two women. One who had found something. And one who had seen it and wanted to find her own version too. Mandi pulled back. “Thank you.” Birgitta smiled. “You asked her.” “Yes.” “That part was yours.” Mandi nodded. Then Panam appeared beside them. One leash still in her hand. Birgitta's. Mandi looked at it. Then at Panam. Panam saw. “Not tonight.” Mandi blinked. “What?” Panam touched Mandi's cover collar lightly. “This isn't yours.” Mandi went still. Panam's fingers withdrew. “If I'm doing this, I'm doing it properly.” Mandi stared. Birgitta's smile became dangerous. Mandi looked between them. Then back at Panam. “You're buying me a collar.” “I'm choosing you a collar.” Mandi's knees nearly failed. Dalia made a noise. Deja's mouth dropped open. Nova turned slowly toward Vega. Vega stared back. Suzie stopped polishing the glass. Mandi looked at Panam. “And a leash?” Panam's eyes narrowed. “Obviously.” Mandi's smile spread. Catastrophic. “Oh.” Panam pointed at her. “Don't start.” Mandi's smile widened further. “Owner?” “Yes?” Mandi looked delighted that Panam had answered. Panam realized it one second too late. Mandi leaned closer. “Can I choose the shop?” “No.” Mandi blinked. Panam smiled. “I choose.” Mandi's lips parted. Nothing came out. Again. Dalia folded against the bar. “Oh, she's fucked.” Mandi turned. “Shut up.” Dalia was laughing too hard to answer. Panam picked up Birgitta's leash. Then looked at Mandi. “Tomorrow.” Mandi's smile softened. “Tomorrow.” Panam nodded. Birgitta stepped beside her owner. Mandi watched the leash settle naturally into Panam's hand. Tomorrow there would be two. Not the same. Never the same. Birgitta's chosen for Birgitta. Mandi's chosen for Mandi. By their owner. Mandi looked at Panam. Panam looked back. “My pet.” Mandi smiled. “Yes, owner.” And somewhere behind them, Suzie muttered: “Oh, this is going to become a fucking problem.” --- ## CHAPTER 12 — HER COLLAR Mandi was early. This was alarming enough that Dalia checked the time twice. “No.” Mandi looked up from where she was leaning against the wall outside Lizzie's. “What?” Dalia stopped in front of her. “You're early.” “Yes.” “You.” “Yes.” “Early.” Mandi sighed. “We've established the basic facts.” Dalia looked around. “Did Panam tell you to be here?” “No.” “Then why are you early?” Mandi smiled. Dalia stared. The smile widened. “Oh, for fuck's sake.” “What?” “You're excited.” “I am allowed to be excited.” “Absolutely.” “Then stop looking at me like I've developed a neurological condition.” Dalia laughed. Deja arrived behind her. She saw Mandi. Stopped. Looked at Dalia. “She's early.” “I know.” Mandi closed her eyes. “I hate both of you.” Deja walked closer. “Why are you early?” “Because.” Dalia laughed harder. Mandi opened her eyes. “What?” “That's my answer.” “I'm borrowing it.” “Give it back.” “No.” Deja looked between them. “Am I eventually going to learn what happened?” Mandi smiled. “You learned yesterday.” “I learned Panam said yes to something.” “Yes.” “And apparently you're getting a collar.” “Yes.” “And a leash.” “Yes.” Deja waited. Mandi waited. Deja threw up her hands. “That's not an explanation!” “It is if you're paying attention.” “To what?” Mandi's smile softened. Dalia saw it. Deja did too. Mandi touched the discreet collar she normally wore as part of the Mandi cover. “This isn't mine anymore.” Deja looked at it. Then at Mandi. “Oh.” There. Finally. Dalia watched understanding move across Deja's face. Not all of it. Enough. “You mean…” Mandi nodded. “Panam owns me.” Deja blinked. “As…” Mandi smiled. “A pet.” Deja stared. Dalia waited. Mandi waited. Deja looked toward the Lizzie's entrance. Then back at Mandi. Then toward Dalia. “You knew?” “Yes.” “For how long?” “Longer than you.” “Bitch.” “Yes.” Deja looked back at Mandi. “You wanted this?” “Yes.” “Like actually wanted it?” “Yes.” Deja considered. Then smiled. “Okay.” Mandi blinked. “Okay?” Deja shrugged. “You look happy.” Mandi's smile became helpless for half a second. Dalia saw. Of course she did. Then Mandi recovered. “I am.” Deja nodded. “Then okay.” Mandi stepped forward and kissed her cheek. Deja recoiled dramatically. “What the fuck?” “Affection.” “Disgusting.” “I know.” Dalia smiled. Then the sound of an engine approached. Mandi turned before the vehicle appeared. Dalia noticed. “You know her truck by sound now?” Mandi froze. Deja's eyebrows rose. Dalia's smile became dangerous. Mandi pointed. “Do not.” Panam's truck turned the corner. Dalia folded her arms. Mandi looked at her. “You're enjoying this too much.” “Yes.” The truck stopped. Panam climbed out. Birgitta stepped out from the passenger side. Mandi looked at Birgitta first. Collar. Leash. Panam holding it. Then Panam looked at Mandi. Mandi smiled. Panam's eyes moved to the collar currently around Mandi's neck. Her expression changed. Mandi felt it. Not jealousy. Not dislike. Assessment. Panam walked closer. “Ready?” Mandi nodded. “Yes.” Panam waited. Mandi smiled. “Yes, owner.” Deja made a tiny noise. Dalia elbowed her. Panam's mouth twitched. “Good.” Mandi looked toward Lizzie's. “So where are we going?” “Not inside.” Mandi blinked. “I know.” Panam stared. Mandi laughed. “I meant which shop.” “You'll see.” Mandi's eyebrows rose. “You're not telling me?” “No.” “Oh.” Birgitta smiled. Mandi looked at her. “Did she do this to you?” “Not exactly.” “Helpful.” Panam turned toward the truck. “Come on.” Mandi followed immediately. Dalia stared. Deja stared. Mandi made it four steps before realizing. She stopped. Slowly turned. Dalia had one eyebrow raised. Deja was openly grinning. Mandi pointed at both of them. “Fuck off.” Dalia smiled. “Have fun.” “I will.” Deja waved. “Bring back something pretty.” Panam called from the truck. “I will.” Mandi froze. Dalia's eyes widened. Deja covered her mouth. Birgitta laughed. Mandi turned toward Panam. Panam was already climbing into the driver's seat. “Oh, you bitch.” From inside: “Get in, pet.” Mandi's brain skipped. Birgitta opened the rear door for her. Mandi looked at her. Birgitta smiled sweetly. “Coming?” Mandi climbed in. Immediately. Birgitta followed. The door closed. Outside, Dalia leaned against Deja. “This is going to be a fucking catastrophe.” Deja watched the truck pull away. “I think it already is.” The shop was not on Jig-Jig Street. Mandi noticed that first. It wasn't in one of the flashy districts where luxury meant holograms, champagne and someone charging triple because the floor reflected your shoes. It was smaller. Quiet. Private. The kind of place that didn't need foot traffic. Panam parked. Mandi looked through the window. No giant sign. No display full of cheap leather and chrome. Just a discreet entrance. Mandi looked at Panam. “You researched.” Panam opened her door. “Get out.” Mandi grinned. “That means yes.” “Out.” “Yes, owner.” Birgitta laughed quietly. Panam looked at her. “You're encouraging her.” “Yes.” “Stop.” “No.” Panam sighed. Mandi climbed out. Inside, the shop was warm. Real materials. Leather. Synthetic composites. Metal fittings. Fine chain. Soft linings. Custom hardware. Nothing disposable. Nothing pretending to be premium. Mandi's eyes widened. “Oh.” Panam watched her. Mandi walked slowly past the first display. “This is…” “Expensive?” “Good.” Panam smiled. “Yeah.” A woman behind the counter looked up. She glanced at Panam. Then Birgitta. Then Mandi. Her eyes paused at Birgitta's collar and leash. Professional recognition. Nothing more. “Appointment?” “Panam.” The woman checked her holo. Then smiled. “Right.” Mandi turned. “Appointment?” Panam ignored her. Mandi looked at Birgitta. Birgitta lifted both hands. “I didn't know.” Mandi looked back at Panam. “You made an appointment.” “Yes.” “When?” “This morning.” Mandi stared. Panam frowned. “What?” Mandi smiled. “Nothing.” Panam pointed at her. “No.” “I genuinely didn't say anything.” “Your face did.” Birgitta laughed. The woman behind the counter smiled politely. “I'll give you a moment.” “Thank you,” Panam said. She walked away. Mandi leaned toward Panam. “She thinks we're normal.” “Don't ruin it.” “No promises.” Panam sighed. Then looked around. Mandi immediately moved toward a display. Panam caught the back of her jacket. “No.” Mandi stopped. “What?” “You're not choosing.” Mandi slowly turned. “I know.” “You're shopping with your eyes.” “I have eyes.” Panam stared. Mandi smiled. “That sounded familiar.” Birgitta laughed. Panam released Mandi's jacket. “You can look.” “Thank you.” “But I choose.” “Yes.” “And final means final.” Mandi's smile grew. “Yes, owner.” Panam looked away. Mandi caught the tiny smile. Interesting. Very interesting. She did not comment. Personal growth. For approximately twelve seconds. Then: “You like that.” Panam turned. “What?” “When I call you owner.” Birgitta suddenly became fascinated by a display of clasps. Panam stared at Mandi. Mandi smiled. Panam stepped closer. “Yes.” Mandi stopped smiling. Not because she disliked the answer. Quite the opposite. Panam's voice stayed low. “I do.” Mandi swallowed. “Oh.” Panam's eyebrows rose. “Again?” “Shut up.” Panam smiled. “Come on, pet.” Mandi followed. Panam took it seriously. Of course she did. That was the entire fucking reason Mandi was here. She checked materials. Asked about wear. Asked about skin contact. Asked how quickly different clasps could be released. Asked what happened if hardware caught under sudden load. Asked about cleaning. Asked about replacement fittings. Mandi watched. The saleswoman answered every question without blinking. Birgitta wandered nearby, occasionally looking at something, but never interfering. This was Mandi's. Panam's decision. Mandi understood that. Then Panam found the first possibility. Black. Minimal. Soft inner lining. Beautiful hardware. Mandi looked at it. Panam looked at Mandi. “No.” Mandi blinked. “I didn't say anything.” “You don't like it.” “I do.” “You don't love it.” Mandi stared. Panam put it back. Mandi felt something warm move through her chest. The second was orange. Too obvious. Panam dismissed it immediately. Mandi laughed. “What?” “Nothing.” “Why are you laughing?” “I thought you'd pick orange.” “Your hair is orange.” “Yes.” “You don't need to look like a traffic warning.” Birgitta choked. Mandi stared at Panam. “You did not just say that.” Panam smiled. “I did.” “My hair is fabulous.” “I know.” Mandi paused. “Oh.” Panam sighed. “Stop doing that.” “I can't help it when you say nice things unexpectedly.” “That's concerning.” Birgitta was openly laughing now. Mandi pointed at her. “You're supposed to be supporting me.” “I am.” “Poorly.” Panam kept looking. The third was beautiful. Deep charcoal. Fine metal detailing. Mandi loved it. Panam knew immediately. She picked it up. Mandi tried to keep her face neutral. Failed. Panam saw. “Maybe.” Mandi's eyes widened. “Maybe?” “Don't get attached.” “Too late.” Panam put it down. Mandi gasped. “You monster.” “Keep moving.” “Yes, owner.” They moved. The fourth had too much ornament. The fifth looked expensive and felt cheap. Panam rejected both. Then she stopped. Mandi nearly walked into her. Panam was looking at a collar displayed alone. Dark graphite leather. Not black. Not grey. Something between. Narrow enough to remain elegant against Mandi's smaller frame, substantial enough that nobody could mistake it for decoration. The inner lining was soft. The hardware was brushed metal with a subtle warm tint. At the center, not a ring. A compact custom clasp. Clean. Functional. Almost understated. Until light hit it. Then a thin orange detail appeared along the edge. Not neon. Not loud. Just enough. Mandi stopped breathing. Panam picked it up. She turned it in her hands. Checked the lining. The clasp. The attachment point. Then looked at Mandi. Mandi said nothing. Panam smiled. “Oh.” Mandi blinked. “What?” “Nothing.” “You're using my word.” “Yes.” “Give it back.” “No.” Birgitta laughed. Panam stepped closer. “Hair.” Mandi immediately lifted her hair away from her neck. Then froze. Panam froze too. Mandi closed her eyes. “Goddammit.” Birgitta made a small choking noise. Panam's smile became unbearable. “Didn't even have to ask.” “Put the fucking collar on me.” The saleswoman coughed politely from several meters away. Mandi opened her eyes. “Sorry.” The woman smiled. “I've heard worse.” Panam laughed. Then her expression softened. She looked at the collar. Then at Mandi's existing cover collar. “Can I?” Mandi understood. Not because Panam needed permission for every movement. Because this one mattered. “Yes.” Panam reached behind Mandi's neck. The old collar opened. Mandi felt it leave her skin. For one strange second— nothing. Mandi. No cover collar. No owner's collar. Just her neck. Then Panam placed the new one around it. Cool at first. Soft beneath. Her fingers worked behind Mandi's neck. The clasp closed. Click. Mandi inhaled. Panam's hands stayed there. Just for a second. Mandi looked at her. Panam looked back. “My pet.” Mandi's smile appeared slowly. “My owner.” Birgitta was very quiet now. Not excluded. Not displaced. Watching something she understood. Panam touched the front of the collar. Adjusted it by a fraction. Then nodded. “That one.” Mandi laughed softly. “You hadn't decided before you put it on?” “No.” “What if I hated it?” “I would've taken it off.” Mandi looked at her. “Even though you choose.” Panam frowned. “Of course.” Mandi smiled. There it was again. The fucking point. “I love it.” “I know.” Mandi's eyes narrowed. “Arrogant.” “Pet.” Mandi's mouth closed. Panam smiled. “That works disturbingly well.” “Fuck you.” “There she is.” The leash took longer. Not because Panam couldn't find one. Because Mandi had opinions. Opinions she had technically agreed would not be final. This did not stop her from having them. “That one.” “No.” “Why?” “Too thin.” “It's elegant.” “It'll tangle.” “That one.” “No.” “Why?” “Too heavy.” “I can carry it.” “I'm carrying it.” Mandi stopped. Birgitta turned away very quickly. Mandi stared at Panam. Panam stared back. “Oh.” Panam closed her eyes. Mandi grinned. “You did that deliberately.” “I did not.” “Owner.” “Mandi.” “You're carrying it.” “Yes.” “My leash.” “Yes.” “Because I'm yours.” Panam opened her eyes. Mandi's grin had vanished. The words weren't a joke anymore. Panam's expression softened. “Yes.” Mandi swallowed. Panam touched her collar. “Mine.” Mandi breathed out. “Yes, owner.” Birgitta smiled. Then Panam picked a leash. Matching graphite. Same brushed hardware. Long enough for comfortable movement. Short enough for control when Panam wanted it. A second attachment point for shortening. Soft hand loop. Nothing flashy. Except the same thin orange edge detail. Mandi looked at it. Then at Panam. “Yes.” Panam raised an eyebrow. Mandi smiled. “I know. You choose.” Panam looked at the leash again. Then clipped it to Mandi's collar. Click. Mandi went still. Panam took the loop into her hand. Mandi looked down. The line between them was real now. Not Birgitta's. Hers. She followed it with her eyes from her collar to Panam's hand. Panam watched her. “How's it feel?” Mandi looked up. “Good.” “Too tight?” “No.” “Collar rubbing?” “No.” “Leash pulling wrong?” “No.” Panam nodded. Mandi smiled. “Owner.” “What?” “Stop troubleshooting for five seconds.” Panam frowned. “Why?” Mandi stepped closer. As far as the leash allowed without slack disappearing. Then she kissed Panam. Warm. Brief. Happy. When she pulled back, Panam was smiling. “That.” Panam looked at her. “Good?” Mandi laughed. “Very.” Panam tugged the leash lightly. “Come on.” Mandi followed. Birgitta fell into step beside them. At the counter, Panam paid. Mandi saw the number. Her eyebrows rose. “Fuck.” Panam looked at her. “What?” “You weren't joking about premium.” “No.” Mandi looked at the collar. Then the leash. Then at Panam. “You didn't have to spend that much.” Panam's expression changed immediately. Mandi knew she'd said the wrong thing. Not wrong. Just— Panam. “Yes, I did.” Mandi blinked. “No, you—” “My pet.” Mandi stopped. Panam held her gaze. “My responsibility.” Mandi's throat tightened. Fucking hell. Birgitta looked away. Giving them the moment. Mandi smiled. “Yes, owner.” Panam took the receipt. Then looked at Birgitta. “Ready?” “Yes.” Panam glanced down. One leash in each hand now. Birgitta's. Mandi's. She stopped. Mandi noticed. Birgitta noticed. Panam looked at her hands. “Oh, fuck.” Mandi's smile became dangerous. Panam pointed at her without releasing either leash. “No.” “I didn't say anything.” “You're going to.” “No.” “Mandi.” Mandi looked at Birgitta. Birgitta was fighting a smile. Mandi looked back at Panam. “Two.” Panam closed her eyes. Birgitta laughed. Mandi did too. Panam opened her eyes. “Get in the truck.” Mandi smiled brightly. “Yes, owner.” Dalia saw the collar first. She stopped talking mid-sentence. Deja followed her gaze. Nova turned. Vega turned. Suzie looked up. Panam walked into Lizzie's with Birgitta on one side. Mandi on the other. A leash in each hand. Mandi's graphite collar sat perfectly against her neck. Subtle orange detail catching the light. She was smiling like a fucking catastrophe. Dalia stared. “Oh.” Deja stared. “Oh.” Nova stared. “Oh.” Vega stared. Suzie looked at all of them. Then at Panam. Then at the two leashes. Her face became very still. “No.” Panam frowned. “What?” Suzie pointed. “No.” Mandi laughed. “You haven't even heard anything.” “I don't need to.” Birgitta smiled. Suzie looked at Panam. “One was a thing.” Panam stared. “What?” “One pet.” Suzie pointed at Birgitta. “That was a thing.” Then at Mandi. “Two is a pattern.” Panam looked offended. “It is not a pattern.” Dalia finally recovered enough to speak. “Panam.” “What?” Dalia pointed at her hands. “You have two leashes.” “I can count.” “And two joytoys attached to them.” “I noticed.” Mandi leaned toward Birgitta. “She seems defensive.” “A little.” Panam looked at them. “Both of you, quiet.” Mandi's mouth snapped shut. Birgitta's did too. Silence. Absolute silence. Everyone stared. Panam stared at her pets. Her pets stared back. Dalia slowly put her drink down. “Oh, fuck.” Deja whispered: “That was hot.” Dalia nodded. “Yep.” Panam looked around. “Don't.” Nova was grinning now. Vega's expression had become thoughtful. Panam didn't notice. Mandi did. Mandi looked at Nova. Then Vega. Interesting. Not now. Suzie rubbed both hands over her face. “I said this was going to become a fucking problem.” Mandi smiled. “No.” Suzie lowered her hands. Mandi leaned comfortably into the line of her leash. “This is going to become a fucking catastrophe.” Dalia raised her glass. “Now _that_ I believe.” Panam closed her eyes. “I hate all of you.” Birgitta smiled. “No, you don't.” Panam opened her eyes. Looked at Birgitta. Then Mandi. Two collars. Two leashes. Two women who had asked for this. Her responsibility. Her pets. Panam sighed. “No.” Mandi tilted her head. “No?” Panam's mouth twitched. “I really fucking don't.” Mandi's smile softened. Birgitta's did too. Panam gave both leashes a light tug. “Come on.” Both women moved with her. Immediately. Dalia watched them go. Then looked at Suzie. Suzie looked back. Dalia took the lollipop from her mouth. “You know this isn't stopping at two.” Suzie stared at her. “Don't.” Dalia smiled. “I didn't say anything.” “You were going to.” Dalia put the lollipop back in her mouth. Across Lizzie's, Madame Panam walked between her two pets. Two leashes in hand. And Night City— very quietly— began getting ideas. --- ## CHAPTER 13 — TWO Panam discovered the first practical problem with owning two pets approximately thirty seconds after entering Lizzie's. Doors. She had Birgitta's leash in her left hand. Mandi's in her right. The door required one of those hands. Panam stopped. Birgitta stopped. Mandi stopped. Panam looked at the door. Then at her hands. Then at Birgitta. Then Mandi. Mandi's lips compressed. Panam pointed at her. “Don't.” Mandi's eyes widened innocently. She had not said anything. That was somehow worse. Birgitta reached for the door. Panam looked at her. Birgitta smiled. “I can open doors.” “I know.” “Despite being a pet.” “I know.” “Remarkable.” Panam sighed. Mandi lost the fight. A laugh escaped. Panam looked at her. “Something funny?” “No, owner.” Panam stared. Mandi's smile became radiant. Birgitta opened the door. “Come on.” Panam looked at her. Birgitta lifted an eyebrow. Panam walked through. Mandi followed. Birgitta came last and let the door close behind them. Panam stopped again. She looked back. “You just told me to come on.” “Yes.” “My pet told me to come on.” “You were blocking the door.” Mandi folded. Panam watched her double over laughing. “This is going very well.” Birgitta smiled. “Thirty seconds.” “Fuck both of you.” “My owner has two hands,” Mandi managed. “I am aware.” “And two leashes.” “I can count.” “Good. I was worried the workload might be—” Panam tugged Mandi's leash. Not hard. Just enough. Mandi stopped talking. Immediately. Her eyes widened. Panam looked at her. Mandi looked back. A beat. Then Mandi smiled. “Right.” Panam's mouth twitched. “Good.” They continued. Mandi leaned toward Birgitta. “I like this.” “I noticed.” Panam tugged both leashes. “Both of you.” Silence. For six entire seconds. A personal record. Suzie saw them. She stopped wiping the bar. Yesterday, two leashes had been new. Today, apparently, two leashes were still new. Or perhaps it was the way Panam carried them now. Yesterday she'd spent half the evening looking faintly betrayed by the existence of the second one. Today she simply had them. Birgitta on her left. Mandi on her right. Both collars visible. Different. Personal. Birgitta's familiar. Mandi's graphite collar catching a thin orange line when the light hit it. Suzie looked at Panam. “Morning.” “It's evening.” “I know.” Panam frowned. Suzie smiled. “Wanted to see if Madame knew.” “Oh, fuck off.” Mandi looked at Birgitta. “She's getting better.” “Definitely.” Panam looked at both. Neither spoke. Suzie laughed. Then Dalia appeared. She was carrying two drinks and a lollipop. She saw them. Stopped. Looked at Mandi's collar again. Then at the leash. Then at Panam's hand. “Still real.” Mandi smiled. “Disappointed?” “Deeply.” Dalia handed her one of the drinks. Panam caught Mandi's leash hand moving. “Wait.” Mandi stopped. Dalia stopped. Everyone stopped. Mandi looked at Panam. Panam looked at the drink. “What is it?” Mandi blinked. “Water.” Panam looked at Dalia. Dalia raised her own glass. “Also water.” Panam nodded. “Fine.” Mandi took it. Then stared at Panam. “What?” “You checked.” “Yes.” “What I was drinking.” “Yes.” Mandi's smile softened. Panam frowned. “Don't make this weird.” Mandi took a drink. “Yes, owner.” Dalia watched that exchange. Then looked at Birgitta. Birgitta smiled. Dalia slowly shook her head. “You're both completely fucked.” Mandi lifted her glass. “Happy.” “Same thing in Night City.” “Fair.” Deja arrived from somewhere behind Dalia. She looked at Panam. Then at the leashes. Then at Mandi. “Can I ask something?” Panam sighed. “Apparently.” Deja pointed at Mandi. “Does she actually have to do what you say now?” Mandi answered first. “When I've given her the decision.” Deja looked at her. “So not everything.” “No.” “And you're still you.” Mandi looked down at herself. “Tragically.” Dalia nodded. “Very.” Mandi kicked her lightly. Deja looked at Panam. “So if you told her to…” She thought. “…stand on the bar?” “No,” Panam said. Mandi simultaneously said: “Depends.” Panam turned. Mandi smiled. “What?” Panam stared. Mandi took another drink. Deja's eyes moved between them. “What if you told her to sit?” Mandi's smile disappeared. Dalia covered her mouth. Birgitta looked away. Panam's eyes narrowed. Deja noticed. “Oh.” Mandi pointed at her. “Don't.” “I didn't know.” “You know now.” “Why?” “Because.” Dalia made a strangled sound. Mandi glared. Panam smiled. Mandi saw it. “Owner.” “Yes?” “Please don't.” Panam's eyebrows rose. Mandi froze. Dalia froze. Birgitta froze. Deja froze. Mandi slowly closed her eyes. “Fuck.” Panam was openly smiling now. “You asked nicely.” “I hate you.” “No, you don't.” Mandi opened her eyes. “No.” Panam tugged her leash gently. “Come on.” Mandi followed. Dalia watched them move away. Deja looked at her. “I still don't completely understand this.” Dalia put the lollipop into her mouth. “You don't have to.” Deja watched Mandi. “No.” Then smiled. “But I'm starting to.” Dalia glanced at her. Just once. Nothing more. Not tonight. The first interested client found Birgitta eleven minutes later. Woman. Mid-thirties. Beautiful suit. More money than patience. She approached Birgitta directly. “Working?” Birgitta smiled. “Yes.” “Available?” Birgitta looked at her. Actually looked. Then: “Yes.” The woman's eyes dropped briefly to the collar. Then followed the leash. Panam. Recognition. “Oh.” Panam sighed. The woman smiled. “Madame.” “My name is Panam.” “I know.” Mandi made a tiny noise. Panam looked at her. Mandi studied her water. Panam looked back at the client. “One hour.” “Thirty-two?” “Yes.” “Extension?” “No.” The woman glanced at Birgitta. Birgitta smiled. “Madame's decision.” Panam closed her eyes for half a second. Then held out payment authorization. The woman paid. Panam unclipped Birgitta's leash. Click. Birgitta stepped close. Kissed Panam. Warm. Easy. “Back in an hour.” “Yes, owner.” Then she left with the client. Panam watched her go. Mandi watched Panam. Panam felt it. “What?” “Nothing.” “Mandi.” Mandi smiled. “I like watching you do that.” “Do what?” “Be responsible.” Panam frowned. “That sounds deeply unsexy.” Mandi's smile became wicked. “Oh, owner.” Panam stared. Mandi laughed. A man approached. Mandi turned automatically. He was attractive. Well dressed. Familiar. She knew him. He knew her. His smile widened. “Mandi.” “Hello.” “Working?” “Yes.” His eyes moved to the new collar. Then leash. Then Panam. He paused. “New?” Mandi smiled. “Yes.” He looked at Panam. Then back at Mandi. “You interested?” Mandi considered. “Yes.” The man reached toward his holo. “Same as before?” Mandi opened her mouth. Stopped. Her eyes moved toward Panam. Panam was watching. Mandi smiled. Not at the client. At her owner. Then looked back at him. “Talk to her.” The man blinked. “Her?” Mandi lifted the leash slightly. Panam closed her eyes. Mandi's smile widened. “My owner.” Silence. The man looked at Panam. Panam looked at Mandi. Mandi looked extremely pleased with herself. Panam sighed. “One hour.” The man recovered. “Twenty-five?” Mandi opened her mouth. Panam spoke first. “Thirty-two.” Mandi turned. The man turned. Panam didn't move. “Thirty-two thousand.” Mandi stared at her. The client looked at Mandi. “That changed.” Mandi was still looking at Panam. “Yes.” The man shrugged. “Fine.” Payment. Panam checked it. Accepted. Then reached for Mandi's leash clasp. Mandi went still. First time. Not the collar. Not the shop. Not walking through Lizzie's. Work. Panam's fingers touched the hardware. She looked at Mandi. “Good?” Mandi smiled. “Yes.” Panam unclipped the leash. Click. Mandi felt the absence immediately. Interesting. Very interesting. Panam gathered the leash into her hand. “One hour.” Mandi nodded. “Yes, owner.” The client smiled. “That's new too.” Mandi looked at him. “Very.” Then she stepped close to Panam. Panam lifted an eyebrow. Mandi kissed her. Brief. Warm. Not part of the booking. Not performance. Just hers. Then she turned to the client. “Come on.” They left. Panam watched them go. Suzie appeared beside her. Panam didn't look over. “No.” Suzie leaned against the bar. “I didn't say anything.” “You were going to.” “Yes.” Panam looked at her. Suzie smiled. “Thirty-two?” Panam frowned. “What?” “Mandi.” “Yes.” “Thirty-two thousand.” “Yes.” Suzie's smile widened. Panam's eyes narrowed. “What?” “Nothing.” “Bullshit.” Suzie looked toward the corridor where Mandi had disappeared. Then toward the other where Birgitta had gone. “Same rate.” Panam looked at her. “So?” Suzie shrugged. “Nothing.” “You're being weird.” Suzie laughed. “Panam.” “What?” “You have two premium joytoys on custom collars and leashes, both charging thirty-two thousand, and clients now negotiate through you.” Panam stared. Suzie waited. Panam's expression hardened. “No.” Suzie smiled. “I didn't say anything.” “You were going to.” “No.” “Yes.” Suzie laughed and moved away. Panam watched her go. “I deliver fucking cargo.” Suzie called back: “Of course you do, Madame.” “Fuck you!” Birgitta returned first. Sixty minutes. Almost exactly. Panam noticed. Of course she did. The client walked with her. Smiling. Satisfied. “Thank you.” Birgitta smiled. “You're welcome.” The woman looked at Panam. “And thank you, Madame.” Panam's jaw tightened. The woman left before she could correct her. Smart woman. Birgitta stopped in front of Panam. Panam looked at her. “Good?” “Good.” “Anything I need to know?” “No.” Panam clipped the leash back on. Click. Birgitta smiled. “Water.” “Yes, owner.” Birgitta sat. Panam handed her the glass she'd already ordered. Birgitta drank. Panam checked the time. “Ten minutes.” Birgitta nodded. No argument. Normal. Easy. Then Panam looked at the second leash still coiled in her hand. Mandi's. She hadn't thought about that. She'd been holding it the entire hour. Suzie noticed. Panam saw her notice. “Don't.” Suzie raised both hands. Panam looked away. Mandi returned six minutes later. Sixty-one minutes. The client walked beside her. He looked happy. Mandi looked— Mandi. Bright. Flushed with energy. Already talking. “So next time—” He smiled. “Thirty-two.” Mandi laughed. “You learn quickly.” His eyes moved toward Panam. “And I talk to her.” Mandi's smile changed. Proud. “Yes.” Panam heard it. Something shifted inside her. Tiny. Unexpected. The man nodded to Panam. “Madame.” Panam sighed. “Panam.” “Sure.” He left. Panam looked at Mandi. Mandi looked back. For one second neither moved. Then Mandi stepped forward. Panam picked up her leash. Mandi watched. Panam clipped it back onto the collar. Click. Mandi exhaled. Panam noticed. “Good?” “Yes.” “Anything I need to know?” “No.” “Tired?” “No.” “Water.” Mandi smiled. “Yes, owner.” Panam handed her a glass. Mandi drank. Then looked at Birgitta. Birgitta lifted hers. Mandi tapped glasses with her. “Pet life.” Birgitta smiled. “Terrible.” “Awful.” Panam looked between them. “You're both idiots.” Mandi nodded. “Yes, owner.” Birgitta nodded. “Yes, owner.” Panam closed her eyes. Two voices. Dalia heard it from across the bar. She folded over laughing. Deja stared. Nova smiled. Vega watched. Panam opened her eyes. “Ten minutes.” Mandi blinked. “I feel fine.” “Good.” “I could take another.” “I know.” “There are people waiting.” “I know.” Mandi looked toward them. Then back. Panam held her gaze. “Ten.” There. Mandi felt it. The thing she'd asked for. The decision leaving her hands. Not because she couldn't make it. Because she'd chosen not to. She smiled. “Yes, owner.” Panam nodded. “Good.” Mandi sat beside Birgitta. Panam stood between them. One leash in each hand. Two pets drinking water. Suzie looked at the scene. Then looked at Dalia. Dalia looked back. Suzie mouthed: _Catastrophe._ Dalia nodded gravely. The night developed a rhythm. Not smoothly. But quickly. Birgitta chose. Panam handled the booking. Leash off. Work. Return. Check. Leash on. Water. Rest. Mandi chose. Panam handled the booking. Leash off. Work. Return. Check. Leash on. Water. Rest. Different women. Different rhythms. Different needs. Birgitta tended to come back quieter for a few minutes. Mandi came back brighter. Birgitta wanted water first. Mandi wanted to talk first and forgot the water existed unless Panam put it into her hand. Panam learned. Fast. Mandi noticed. Of course she did. After her third booking, Panam handed her water before asking anything. Mandi looked at it. Then at Panam. “You remembered.” Panam frowned. “Obviously.” Mandi smiled. “Obviously.” She drank. Birgitta watched. Warmly. No rivalry. No loss. Just recognition. Panam was learning another pet. Near midnight, a man approached Mandi. She knew him. He knew her. He was attractive. Polite. And Mandi wanted him. “Yes.” He smiled. “Two hours?” Mandi looked toward Panam. The man followed. Panam shook her head. “One.” He frowned. “I'll pay forty.” “One.” “Fifty.” Mandi's eyebrows rose. Panam looked at her. Mandi smiled. She would absolutely have taken fifty before. Panam knew that. Mandi knew Panam knew that. “One hour,” Panam said. The man looked at Mandi. Mandi shrugged. “My owner.” He considered. Then nodded. “Fine.” Payment. Panam unclipped Mandi's leash. Before Mandi moved, Panam touched her arm. Mandi looked back. “Last one.” Mandi blinked. “Owner—” “Last.” Mandi stopped. She checked herself. Not exhausted. But tired. More than she'd admitted. More than she'd noticed. Panam had. Of course. Mandi smiled. “Yes, owner.” Then left with the client. Birgitta watched her go. Panam sat beside her. For a while neither spoke. Then Birgitta said: “You're good at two.” Panam looked at her. “Don't.” Birgitta smiled. “I mean it.” “It's one night.” “Yes.” “She's going to drive me insane.” “Yes.” “You're not helping.” “No.” Panam looked down at the two leashes. One attached. One waiting. “She forgets to drink.” “Yes.” “She talks when she's tired.” “Yes.” “She talks when she's not tired.” “Yes.” “She talks all the fucking time.” “Yes.” Panam sighed. Birgitta leaned against her shoulder. Panam looked at her. “You okay?” “Yes.” “Sure?” “Yes.” Panam kissed the top of her head. Birgitta smiled. “My owner.” Panam looked down at the leashes again. “One was easier.” Birgitta laughed. “Too late.” Panam sighed. “Yeah.” Mandi returned. Panam knew before she reached them. Slower. Not much. Enough. Mandi smiled. “Hi.” Panam stood. The client thanked them both. Left. Panam clipped Mandi's leash back on. Click. Mandi looked down at it. Then up. Panam touched her cheek. “Done.” Mandi nodded. No argument. “Yes, owner.” “Water.” Mandi drank. “Food.” Mandi blinked. “I'm not—” Panam looked at her. Mandi stopped. Then smiled. “Yes, owner.” Birgitta laughed. Mandi looked at her. “Shut up.” “You asked for this.” “I know.” “Happy?” Mandi looked at Panam. Panam was already ordering food. Mandi's expression softened. “Very.” Birgitta smiled. “So am I.” Panam returned. “What?” “Nothing.” Panam stared at both of them. Mandi smiled. Birgitta smiled. Panam pointed. “That word is banned.” Mandi laughed. “Sorry, Madame.” Panam closed her eyes. Birgitta leaned against Mandi. Mandi leaned back. Dalia arrived beside them. She looked at Panam. Then at Birgitta. Then Mandi. Then both leashes. “So.” Panam opened her eyes. “No.” Dalia laughed. “I was going to ask if you wanted a drink.” “Oh.” “Paranoid.” “Everyone keeps trying to make this into something.” Dalia looked at the two collared joytoys attached to Panam. Then at Panam. “Panam.” “What?” Dalia gestured broadly. “This is something.” Mandi smiled. Panam looked at her. “No.” “I didn't say anything.” “You were going to.” Mandi looked at Birgitta. Birgitta smiled. Then Mandi looked back at Panam. “No.” Panam frowned. “What?” Mandi's smile became dangerous. “I wasn't going to say anything.” Panam narrowed her eyes. Mandi continued: “I was just thinking.” “Oh, that's worse.” Dalia laughed. “What about?” Mandi looked around. Birgitta. Herself. Two collars. Two leashes. Panam. Clients already learning the new system. Suzie watching from the bar. Nova and Vega watching from farther away. Deja pretending not to. Mandi smiled. “Oh, nothing.” Panam pointed. “Banned.” Mandi laughed. “Fine.” She took her food from Panam. Sat when Panam pointed to the chair. And ate. Still Mandi. Still impossible. Still shameless. Still entirely herself. Just wearing a collar chosen by someone she trusted. With her leash resting in her owner's hand. Beside another pet who had chosen the same woman first. Two. Not a novelty anymore. Not an accident. Not yet anything with a name. But definitely— absolutely— something. --- ## CHAPTER 14 — MADAME NEEDS HER CUT Mandi discovered economics the next evening. This surprised everyone. Especially Mandi. It began with a regular. He found her near the bar less than twenty minutes after she'd arrived with Panam and Birgitta. By then, two leashes had become familiar enough that Suzie no longer stopped working when she saw them. She only smiled. Which Panam found worse. Dalia was already working. Deja was talking to Nova and Vega near the end of the bar. Birgitta sat beside Panam, leash loose between them. Mandi stood on Panam's other side. Her leash was attached. Her graphite collar caught orange under the lights. Normal. Apparently. The regular smiled when he saw her. “Mandi.” She smiled back. “Hello.” His eyes dropped. Collar. Leash. Panam. Then back. “Still doing this?” Mandi's eyebrows rose. “Doing what?” He pointed vaguely. Mandi looked down. “Oh.” She lifted the leash slightly. “This?” “Yes.” Mandi smiled. “Yes.” He considered that. Then shrugged. “Working?” “Yes.” “Interested?” Mandi looked at him. She knew him. Good client. Polite. Fun. “Yes.” He reached for his holo. “Twenty-five?” Mandi opened her mouth. Panam spoke first. “Thirty-two.” The man looked at her. Then Mandi. “I thought she was twenty-five.” Mandi blinked. Panam looked at her. Mandi looked at Panam. Something happened behind Mandi's eyes. Panam saw it. Immediately. “No.” Mandi smiled. “I didn't say anything.” “You're going to.” The client looked between them. Mandi turned back to him. “Thirty-two.” He frowned. “Why the increase?” Panam inhaled. Mandi smiled brightly. “Madame needs her cut.” Silence. Absolute. Perfect. Silence. Panam slowly turned her head. Birgitta's eyes widened. Suzie stopped pouring a drink. Deja's mouth fell open. Nova froze. Vega covered her mouth. The client blinked. Mandi continued smiling. Panam stared at her. “Mandi.” “Yes, owner?” “What the fuck did you just say?” Mandi looked innocent. “My rate is thirty-two.” “I know.” “He asked why.” “I heard him.” “So I explained.” “You did not explain.” “I did.” “You made me sound like a pimp.” From behind the bar, Suzie made a tiny choking sound. Panam pointed without looking. “Don't.” Suzie turned away. Her shoulders shook. Mandi tilted her head. “Technically—” “No.” “But—” “No.” “Owner—” “No.” The client was openly amused now. “So thirty-two?” Panam looked at him. “Yes.” He shrugged. “Fine.” Payment authorization appeared. Panam stared at it. Then at Mandi. Mandi smiled. Panam accepted the payment. “Congratulations,” Mandi said. “For what?” “Your cut.” Panam closed her eyes. Birgitta laughed. That ended everyone. Suzie folded over the bar. Deja grabbed Nova's shoulder. Vega was openly crying. The client laughed too. Panam opened her eyes. “I hate this city.” Mandi stepped closer. “No, you don't.” Panam looked at her. Mandi smiled sweetly. “My owner.” Panam sighed. Then unclipped Mandi's leash. “One hour.” “Yes, owner.” “No extension.” Mandi looked at the client. “You heard Madame.” Panam pointed toward the corridor. “Go.” Mandi laughed. Then kissed Panam quickly and followed her client away. Panam watched her disappear. The laughter around her continued. Slowly, Panam turned toward Suzie. Suzie immediately straightened. “Not one fucking word.” Suzie nodded. Panam stared. Suzie's face twitched. Panam stared harder. Suzie lost. “Madame needs her cut.” Panam closed her eyes. “Fuck you.” The problem was that Mandi had accidentally said something useful. Panam discovered this twelve minutes later. Suzie put a drink in front of her. “Sixteen.” Panam frowned. “What?” “Your cut.” Panam looked at her. Suzie smiled. “Thirty-two thousand. Half.” Panam stared. “Half?” Suzie lifted an eyebrow. “You haven't actually thought about this, have you?” “About what?” Suzie looked toward the corridor Mandi had disappeared into. Then at Birgitta. Then at the two leashes. One attached. One coiled in Panam's hand. “This.” Panam frowned. “They work. I handle bookings.” “Yes.” “I make sure they're okay.” “Yes.” “I deal with clients.” “Yes.” “I keep track of time.” “Yes.” “I say no when somebody needs to hear no.” “Yes.” Suzie waited. Panam stared. “What?” “You're doing management.” “No.” Suzie laughed. “Yes.” “I'm taking care of them.” “Yes.” “They asked me to.” “Yes.” “That doesn't make me their manager.” Suzie looked at the payment history on Panam's holo. Panam followed her gaze. Then looked back. “Don't.” Suzie smiled. “I'm not the one who said it.” “Mandi is an asshole.” Birgitta spoke from beside her. “Yes.” Panam looked at her. Birgitta smiled. “But she's not wrong.” Panam stared. “You too?” Birgitta touched her collar. “You control access after I say yes.” “Yes.” “You handle money.” “Yes.” “You negotiate time.” “Yes.” “You refuse extensions.” “Yes.” “You manage breaks.” “Yes.” “You make sure I eat.” “Yes.” “And drink.” “Yes.” “You decide when I'm done.” “When you've given me that decision.” Birgitta smiled. “Yes.” Panam folded her arms. Birgitta waited. Panam frowned. “That isn't worth sixteen thousand.” Suzie laughed. Panam looked at her. “What?” Suzie leaned against the bar. “You're thinking like a merc.” “I am a merc.” “Cargo driver,” Birgitta corrected. Panam turned. Birgitta's smile became dangerous. Panam pointed. “You're on very thin ice.” “My owner.” “Bitch.” “Yes.” Suzie laughed. Then became more serious. “Panam.” “What?” “You're not just taking payment.” “I know.” “You're taking responsibility.” Panam's expression changed. That word. Suzie noticed. Birgitta did too. “You're putting your name between them and the client,” Suzie continued. Panam looked at her. “If something goes wrong, who does the client deal with?” “Me.” “If someone pushes for more time?” “Me.” “If one of them comes back tired?” “Me.” “If somebody wants a booking but your girl says no?” “I tell them no.” “If they don't like it?” Panam's expression hardened. “They can fuck off.” Suzie nodded. “Exactly.” Panam looked down at the coiled leash in her hand. Mandi's. Then Birgitta's attached leash. Sixteen thousand. The number felt absurd. The responsibility didn't. Panam frowned. “What does Mox take?” Suzie smiled. “Now you're asking business questions.” “Answer.” Suzie did. They talked quietly for several minutes. Venue. Security. Rooms. Client screening. House share. Panam listened. Asked questions. Real ones. Suzie answered. Birgitta watched. Eventually Panam looked toward the corridor again. “She just pulled fifty percent out of her ass.” Suzie laughed. “Probably.” Panam looked at Birgitta. “Is that what you want?” Birgitta blinked. “What?” “Half.” Birgitta thought. Then: “Yes.” Panam frowned. “That fast?” “Yes.” “Why?” “Because you're doing half the job.” Panam stared. Birgitta smiled. “Not the fun half.” Suzie choked. Panam closed her eyes. “You're spending too much time with Mandi.” “She is my fellow pet.” Panam's eyes opened. Birgitta froze. Suzie froze. Panam stared at Birgitta. Birgitta slowly smiled. “Oh.” Panam pointed. “No.” Birgitta laughed. “I didn't mean—” “No.” “I genuinely didn't.” “Good.” Suzie looked between them. Then very carefully went back to cleaning the bar. Panam saw. “Don't you fucking start either.” “I am working.” “Good.” Birgitta was still smiling. Panam looked at her. “Half?” “Yes.” “You keep sixteen.” “Yes.” “I get sixteen.” “Yes.” “Mox still gets its normal house share from the arrangement.” “Yes.” Birgitta nodded. Panam thought. Then: “I need to talk to Mandi.” Birgitta smiled. “Yes.” Panam looked at her. “What?” “Nothing.” “That word is still banned.” Mandi returned exactly one minute late. Panam noticed. Of course. Her client looked happy. Mandi looked even happier. He thanked her. Then Panam. “Worth thirty-two.” Mandi smiled. “Tell Madame.” Panam stared at her. The man laughed and left. Mandi stopped in front of Panam. Panam picked up her leash. Mandi lifted her chin slightly. Click. Attached. Panam checked her. “Good?” “Very.” “Tired?” “No.” “Anything I need to know?” “No.” “Water.” Mandi took the glass waiting for her. “Yes, owner.” Panam waited until she'd taken several drinks. Then: “Sixteen.” Mandi lowered the glass. “What?” “You get sixteen.” Mandi blinked. “I get sixteen.” “Yes.” “And?” “I get sixteen.” Mandi stared. Then her smile began. Slowly. Dangerously. Panam pointed at her. “Do not.” Mandi's smile widened. “Madame needs her cut.” Panam closed her eyes. Birgitta laughed. Suzie made a sound behind the bar. Panam opened her eyes. “I'm serious.” Mandi's smile faded slightly. She looked at Panam. Actually looked. “Okay.” “Fifty percent.” Mandi nodded. “You're handling access.” “Yes.” “Schedule.” “Yes.” “Money.” “Yes.” “Client bullshit.” Mandi smiled. “Yes.” “Breaks.” “Yes.” “When you're done.” “When I've given you that.” Panam nodded. “Yes.” Mandi took another drink. Then: “Sounds fair.” Panam frowned. “That's it?” Mandi shrugged. “What did you expect?” “An argument.” “Why?” “Because sixteen thousand is a lot of money.” Mandi laughed. “So is sixteen thousand.” Panam stared. Mandi leaned closer. “I was charging twenty-five before.” Panam nodded. “Now I'm charging thirty-two.” “Yes.” “And I get someone I trust handling all the parts I don't want to think about while I'm working.” “Yes.” “And if some asshole decides thirty-two is too much…” Mandi shrugged. “He can book somebody else.” Panam looked at her. Mandi smiled. “I'm not exactly starving.” “No.” “And you're worth sixteen.” Panam's expression changed. Mandi saw. “Don't get sentimental.” “Fuck you.” “There she is.” Panam tugged her leash. Mandi moved closer. Panam lowered her voice. “You don't say yes to somebody because you think I want the money.” Mandi's amusement disappeared. “I know.” “If you don't want them, you say no.” “Yes.” “I don't care if they offer thirty-two.” “Yes.” “Or fifty.” “Yes.” “Or a hundred.” Mandi nodded. “Yes.” Panam held her gaze. “The money comes after you want the booking.” Mandi smiled softly. “Yes, owner.” Panam nodded. “Good.” Mandi looked at Birgitta. Then back at Panam. “Same for her?” “Yes.” “Same split?” “If she wants it.” Birgitta answered. “I do.” Mandi smiled. Then looked at Panam. “Look at you.” Panam narrowed her eyes. “What?” “Businesswoman.” “I will throw you into traffic.” “My owner would never.” Panam stared. Mandi grinned. “Because I'm her responsibility.” Panam's jaw tightened. Birgitta covered her mouth. Suzie walked away. Panam tugged Mandi's leash again. “Sit.” Mandi sat. Instantly. The grin disappeared. Panam looked down at her. Mandi looked up. Then realized what had happened. “Oh, fuck.” Birgitta lost it. Panam smiled. “Worth every fucking eddie.” Mandi covered her face. The rate spread faster than Panam expected. Not the number. Everyone already knew the number. The arrangement. Clients began understanding. Thirty-two thousand. Talk to Madame. Pet chooses interest. Madame handles the rest. One hour unless Madame says otherwise. No extension unless Madame approves. Payment through Madame. If Madame says no, stop asking. It was clean. Simple. And Night City loved simple things wrapped in expensive packaging. By the middle of the evening, one woman approached Panam before even speaking to Birgitta. “Is she available?” Panam looked at Birgitta. Birgitta looked at the woman. Considered. Then nodded. “Yes.” Panam turned back. “Thirty-two. One hour.” The woman paid. No negotiation. Panam unclipped the leash. Booking done. Suzie watched. Panam caught her. “What?” “Nothing.” “Bullshit.” Suzie smiled. “Efficient.” Panam frowned. “That's bad?” “No.” “Then why are you smiling?” Suzie shrugged. “Because yesterday you were insisting this wasn't a thing.” Panam looked around. Birgitta had left with her client. Mandi was talking with Dalia and Deja while attached to Panam by several feet of graphite leash. Nova and Vega were nearby. Mandi said something. Dalia laughed. Deja nearly dropped her drink. Panam looked back. “It still isn't.” Suzie stared. Panam folded her arms. “Don't.” Suzie raised both hands. Later, Mandi took another booking. Thirty-two. Sixteen to Mandi. Sixteen to Panam. The client didn't blink. When Mandi returned, Panam clipped her back in. Water. Ten minutes. No discussion. Mandi accepted both. Then she sat beside Panam and looked at her holo. Panam noticed. “What?” “Math.” “That concerns me.” “Fuck you.” “What math?” Mandi tilted the holo toward her. “Two bookings.” “Yes.” “Thirty-two each.” “Yes.” “Sixty-four.” “I can multiply.” “Congratulations.” “Mandi.” Mandi grinned. “Thirty-two for me.” “Yes.” “Thirty-two for you.” “Yes.” Panam stared. “What?” Mandi looked toward Birgitta. “She had two.” Panam's eyes narrowed. Mandi continued. “Another thirty-two for you.” “Mandi.” “You made sixty-four thousand tonight.” Panam stared at her. Mandi smiled. “For holding leashes.” Panam's expression hardened. Mandi laughed. “And doing all the actual management, yes.” “Better.” Mandi looked at the numbers again. Then around Lizzie's. Then at Birgitta's empty seat. Then her own collar. Then Panam. Something appeared in her expression. Panam saw it. “No.” Mandi blinked. “What?” “Whatever you're thinking.” “I haven't said anything.” “No.” “You don't even know what it is.” “I don't need to.” Mandi smiled. Panam pointed at her. “No.” Mandi looked innocent. “Owner.” “No.” “Can I ask a hypothetical question?” “No.” Mandi laughed. Panam looked toward Dalia. “Take her.” Dalia nearly choked. Mandi's eyes widened. “You can't just hand me to people.” Panam paused. Mandi paused. Both looked at the leash. Then at each other. Dalia started laughing. Panam sighed. “Fine. Dalia.” “Yes, Madame?” Panam glared. Dalia smiled. “Distract her.” “With pleasure.” Mandi stood. Panam tugged her leash. Mandi stopped. Panam unclipped it. “Don't leave Lizzie's.” Mandi's smile appeared. “Yes, owner.” She went with Dalia. Panam watched her go. Suzie appeared. Again. Panam looked at her. “You have a fucking teleport implant?” “No.” “Then stop doing that.” Suzie leaned against the bar. “What was she thinking?” “I don't know.” Suzie looked toward Mandi. Mandi was talking animatedly to Dalia. Then looked back at Panam. “I think I do.” Panam frowned. “What?” Suzie smiled. “Nothing.” Panam stared. Suzie walked away. “I fucking hate that word.” Mandi lasted four minutes. Then she came back. Panam saw her coming. “No.” Mandi stopped. “You don't know what I'm going to say.” “No.” Dalia arrived behind her. “I tried.” “You failed.” “She is extremely difficult.” “I know.” Mandi smiled. “Owner.” Panam sighed. “What?” Mandi looked at the two leashes. Birgitta's attached again now. Hers hanging from Panam's other hand. Then at Panam. Then around Lizzie's. Clients. Money. Schedules. Two pets. One woman controlling the practical structure around both. Mandi smiled. “We need a name.” Panam went very still. Birgitta turned her head. Dalia's smile appeared immediately. Suzie, from behind the bar: “No.” Mandi looked at her. “I wasn't talking to you.” “I know where this is going.” Panam pointed at Mandi. “We do not need a name.” “Everything needs a name.” “No.” “Your truck has a name.” “No, it doesn't.” “It should.” “Mandi.” “Fine.” Mandi gestured toward herself. “Pet.” Then Birgitta. “Pet.” Then Panam. “Owner.” “Yes.” “Madame.” “No.” Dalia laughed. Mandi continued. “Two joytoys.” “Yes.” “Same rate.” Panam's eyes narrowed. “Thirty-two.” “Yes.” “Same split.” “Yes.” “Same management.” “Yes.” “Same owner.” Panam stared. Mandi smiled. There. Panam saw it. The idea. “No.” Mandi's smile widened. “I haven't said it yet.” “You're not going to.” Birgitta started laughing. Panam turned. “You know?” Birgitta shook her head. “No.” “Then why are you laughing?” “Because you're scared.” “I am not scared.” Dalia laughed. Suzie laughed. Mandi stepped closer. Panam pointed at her. “Don't.” Mandi stopped. Her smile became unbearably sweet. “Owner.” “No.” “You own two working joytoys.” “I am aware.” “You manage us.” “I take care of you.” “Same thing with better marketing.” Panam stared. Mandi took one more tiny step. “You hold our leashes.” “Mandi.” “You handle our clients.” “Mandi.” “You take your cut.” “Mandi.” “You have two pets.” “Mandi.” Mandi's eyes glittered. “And therefore—” “No.” “—you have—” “Do not.” Mandi leaned forward. “—a stable.” Silence. Panam stared at her. Birgitta's mouth fell open. Dalia folded in half. Suzie put her forehead against the bar. Deja turned from across the room. Nova froze. Vega froze. Mandi smiled. Panam's voice became very quiet. “My what?” Mandi straightened. “Stable.” “No.” “Yes.” “No.” “Owner.” “No.” “Madame's stable.” “Absolutely fucking not.” Birgitta started laughing. Hard. Mandi looked at her. “See?” Birgitta could barely breathe. Panam pointed at her. “You are not helping.” “My—” Birgitta broke again. Panam looked at Dalia. Dalia had tears in her eyes. “You.” Dalia held up both hands. “I didn't do anything.” “You encouraged her.” “I absolutely did not.” Mandi nodded. “She tried to stop me.” “Thank you.” “Poorly.” “Fuck you.” Suzie lifted her head from the bar. “Stable.” Panam turned. “No.” Suzie looked at the two leashes. Then at Panam. Then at Mandi. Then Birgitta. “She's not wrong.” Panam stared. “Do you want me to leave?” Suzie smiled. “No.” “Then shut up.” Suzie laughed. Mandi moved beside Panam. Panam looked down at her. Mandi smiled. “Nice stable.” Panam grabbed Mandi's leash. Mandi's eyes widened. Panam clipped it back onto her collar. Click. Then tugged her close. Mandi came willingly. Panam looked directly into her eyes. “I hate that word.” Mandi smiled. “Yes, owner.” “I mean it.” “Yes, owner.” “We are not calling it that.” “Yes, owner.” Panam narrowed her eyes. “You're going to call it that.” “Absolutely.” Panam closed her eyes. Mandi kissed her cheek. “Thank you.” “For what?” “My collar.” Panam opened her eyes. Mandi touched it. “My leash.” Then looked at Birgitta. “For taking care of us.” Panam's irritation softened. Mandi smiled. “And for my sixteen thousand.” There it was. Panam sighed. “Fucking menace.” “Your fucking menace.” Panam's mouth twitched. Unfortunately true. Birgitta leaned closer. “So.” Panam looked at her. “No.” “I haven't said anything.” “Neither of you is allowed to say anything for five minutes.” Mandi and Birgitta looked at each other. Then: “Yes, owner.” Together. Panam stared. Dalia made a strangled noise. Suzie folded over the bar again. Panam looked down at the two leashes in her hands. Two pets. Two rates. Two sets of responsibilities. And, apparently— according to every asshole in Lizzie's— one stable. Panam sighed. “I deliver fucking cargo.” Mandi leaned against her. Birgitta smiled. Dalia raised her glass. Suzie looked over from behind the bar. Nobody said anything. For three seconds. Then Deja called from across the room: “Nice stable, Madame!” Panam closed her eyes. Mandi whispered: “Fucking catastrophe.” Panam tugged both leashes. “Quiet.” Both pets fell silent. Immediately. Panam opened her eyes. Looked at them. Then at the room. Everyone was staring. Mandi's smile returned. Panam sighed. This was going to get worse. --- ## CHAPTER 15 — LOOK AT MANDI “Look at Mandi.” Vega looked. That was the problem. Nova had said it quietly. Not because they were hiding. There was nothing to hide. Not yet. They were sitting together at the far end of Lizzie's bar, drinks between them, watching the room move through another busy night. Dalia was working. Deja had disappeared with a client twenty minutes ago. Birgitta had just returned from one of hers. Mandi had been back for five. And Madame Panam— Nova smiled. Panam. Panam was sitting between her two pets. One leash in each hand. Vega watched. “I'm looking.” “No.” Nova took a drink. “Actually look.” Vega glanced at her. Then back. Mandi was talking. Of course she was. Her hands moved while she spoke. Her expression changed every few seconds. She laughed. Birgitta said something. Mandi shoved her lightly with one shoulder. Birgitta laughed too. Nothing unusual. Mandi was still Mandi. That was what Nova had noticed. Not the collar. Not the leash. Not even Panam. Mandi. “She's exactly the same,” Nova said. Vega looked at her. “Yes.” “No.” Nova smiled. “You know what I mean.” Vega watched again. Mandi finished whatever story she was telling. Panam said something. Mandi looked at her. Then at the half-full glass in her own hand. Panam pointed at it. Mandi rolled her eyes. Then drank. Nova smiled. Vega's mouth twitched. “Subtle.” “Very.” Panam said something else. Mandi answered. Panam shook her head. Mandi laughed. Then a client approached. Mandi's attention shifted. Professional. Interested. She looked him over. He said something. Mandi smiled. Then looked at Panam. Nova leaned forward slightly. Vega noticed. “You've been watching this too much.” “So have you.” “I didn't say I wasn't.” The client followed Mandi's gaze. Panam looked up. A few words. The client nodded. Payment. Panam checked it. Then reached for Mandi's leash. Click. Off. Mandi stepped closer to Panam. Kissed her. Then left with the client. Nova watched until she disappeared. Vega took another drink. “So?” Nova looked at her. “So what?” “You told me to look.” Nova leaned back. “What did you see?” “Mandi going to work.” “Before that.” Vega thought. “Mandi talking.” “Before that.” “Mandi drinking water.” “Because?” “Panam told her to.” Nova nodded. Vega looked at her. “And?” “Did Mandi look unhappy?” “No.” “Did she look less like Mandi?” “No.” “Did she look like Panam was controlling everything she did?” “No.” Nova smiled. “Exactly.” Vega stared at her. “Oh.” Nova's smile widened. “There.” “Don't.” “You see it.” “I see what you're doing.” “Same thing.” “No.” Nova laughed. Mandi returned sixty-three minutes later. Panam noticed the three minutes. Of course she did. The client walked beside her. “Sorry.” Panam looked at him. Mandi answered first. “Elevator.” Panam looked at Mandi. “Really?” “Yes.” The client nodded. “Really.” Panam accepted that. The client thanked Mandi. Then nodded toward Panam. “Madame.” Panam sighed. “Good night.” He left. Mandi stepped closer. Panam picked up her leash. Click. Attached. “Good?” “Yes.” “Anything?” “No.” “Tired?” Mandi thought. “A little.” Panam nodded. “Twenty minutes.” Mandi blinked. “Twenty?” “Yes.” “I only did an hour.” “You were working before that.” Mandi opened her mouth. Panam waited. Mandi considered. Then: “Yes, owner.” No argument. Nova saw it. Vega saw Nova seeing it. Panam handed Mandi water. Mandi took it. Then Panam looked toward the bar. “Food.” Mandi groaned. “I ate.” “When?” Mandi paused. Panam waited. Mandi looked toward Birgitta. Birgitta suddenly became very interested in her own drink. “Traitor.” “I didn't say anything.” “You thought loudly.” Panam's head snapped around. Birgitta froze. Mandi froze. Then both women started laughing. Panam stared at them. “Oh, fuck both of you.” Mandi leaned against Panam. “Owner.” “What?” “I'm not hungry.” Panam looked at her. Mandi smiled. Panam continued looking. Mandi's smile weakened. “Maybe a little.” “Food.” “Yes, owner.” Panam ordered. Nova looked at Vega. Vega sighed. “I saw it.” Nova smiled. The food arrived. Mandi ate. Panam did not supervise every bite. That mattered too. She didn't hover. Didn't perform ownership. Didn't make Mandi prove obedience. She simply put food in front of her and returned to talking with Birgitta. Mandi ate because she'd agreed Panam could make that decision. Then immediately began stealing from Birgitta's plate. Birgitta slapped her hand. Mandi stole another piece. Birgitta looked at Panam. “Owner.” Panam looked over. “What?” “Your other pet is stealing my food.” Mandi froze with evidence in her fingers. Panam stared. Mandi slowly ate it. Birgitta gasped. Panam closed her eyes. “You are both adults.” Mandi swallowed. “Technically.” “You solve it.” Birgitta looked offended. “You're refusing owner responsibilities.” “No. I'm refusing to adjudicate fry theft.” Mandi looked at Birgitta. “See?” Birgitta reached over and stole something from Mandi's plate. Mandi stared. “You bitch.” “Pet justice.” Panam looked toward the ceiling. Nova laughed. Vega did too. Then Vega became quiet. Nova noticed. “What?” Vega watched Panam. “She's not doing it for attention.” Nova nodded. “No.” “She doesn't even look like she knows people are watching.” “I don't think she cares.” Vega watched Mandi steal her food back. Panam catch her. Mandi grin. Panam shake her head. Normal. Absurd. Warm. Vega looked at Nova. “I thought it would be…” “What?” Vega searched. “More.” Nova understood. “More performance.” “Yes.” “More control.” “Yes.” Nova looked back. “It is control.” Vega nodded. “But not…” “Everything.” “Yes.” They fell silent. Later, Nova saw the other side. A client approached Mandi. Woman. Beautiful. Confident. Mandi looked interested immediately. Nova recognized it. Mandi's entire posture changed. She wanted the booking. The woman wanted two hours. Panam said one. The woman offered more. Panam said one. The woman looked at Mandi. Mandi smiled. “One.” The woman frowned. “You don't want two?” Mandi considered. Then looked at Panam. “I would.” Panam didn't react. The woman smiled. “Then—” “But she said one.” The woman looked at Panam. Panam looked back. “One.” Mandi did not look diminished. Did not look annoyed. If anything— relieved. The woman paid. Panam unclipped the leash. Mandi left. Nova watched. Vega had seen that too. “That.” Nova looked at her. Vega nodded toward the corridor. “She wanted two.” “Yes.” “And Panam said one.” “Yes.” “And she liked it.” Nova smiled. “Yes.” “How do you know?” “Because I know what relief looks like.” Vega looked at her. Nova shrugged. “We do this too.” That landed differently. Vega looked down at her drink. Their work wasn't constant. Neither was Mandi's. But it was work. Clients. Choices. Presentation. Reading people. Time. Money. Risk. Attention. And always deciding. Do I want this one? How long? How much? Another? Stop? Continue? Enough? Not enough? Every choice still theirs. Always. Except— Nova looked toward Panam. Some of them could apparently be handed to someone else. By choice. Vega spoke quietly. “That could be nice.” Nova didn't tease. “No.” Vega looked at her. Nova smiled faintly. “It could be very nice.” Deja returned. She dropped onto the seat beside them. “Why are you two weird?” Nova looked at her. “We're not.” “You are.” Vega smiled. “Client good?” “Excellent.” Deja stole Nova's drink. Nova let her. Deja took one sip. Made a face. “Why are you drinking this?” “Because I like it.” “You're wrong.” “Give it back.” Deja did. Then followed their gaze. Panam. Birgitta. Empty place where Mandi would return. Deja smiled. “Oh.” Nova looked at her. “What?” “You're watching Madame.” “No.” “Bullshit.” Vega laughed. Deja looked delighted. “Are you trying to figure out the pet thing?” Nova and Vega both looked at her. Deja's smile weakened. “Oh.” Nova tilted her head. “What?” “Nothing.” “You know something?” “No.” “Deja.” “I know nothing.” Vega leaned closer. “You've been watching too.” Deja looked toward Panam. Only for a second. Then shrugged. “Everyone has.” Not an answer. Nova noticed. Vega noticed. Neither pushed. Not tonight. Deja looked back at them. “So?” “So what?” “Pet thing.” Nova took a drink. “Interesting.” Deja laughed. “That's not an answer.” “Correct.” Vega smiled. Deja looked between them. Then: “Oh, this place is fucked.” Nova laughed. “You're only noticing now?” Mandi came back. This time Panam was already standing. Client thanked her. Left. Panam clipped Mandi's leash back on. Click. “Good?” “Yes.” “Tired?” Mandi considered. Nova watched closely. “Yes.” No joke. No automatic denial. Just yes. Panam nodded. “Done.” Mandi smiled. “Yeah.” “Water.” “Yes, owner.” Panam handed it to her. Mandi drank. Then sat when Panam touched the back of the chair. No command needed. Panam took the seat beside her. Mandi leaned against Panam's shoulder. Panam let her. Birgitta returned a few minutes later. Same ritual. Click. Check. Water. Rest. Then she sat on Panam's other side. Two pets. Both done. Both still themselves. Mandi started talking again within three minutes. Birgitta joined in. Panam listened. Sometimes answered. Sometimes told Mandi she was full of shit. Mandi usually was. Nova watched. Vega watched. Eventually Mandi caught them. Her eyes narrowed. Nova smiled. Mandi's eyes moved to Vega. Vega smiled too. Mandi looked between them. Then at Dalia. Dalia was talking to Suzie. Then Deja. Deja immediately looked away. Mandi's expression changed. Slowly. Oh. Nova saw it happen. “Don't.” Mandi looked at her. “I didn't say anything.” “You were going to.” Mandi's smile appeared. Panam felt her move. “What?” Mandi looked at Panam. “Nothing.” Panam's eyes narrowed. Mandi laughed. “I genuinely didn't say anything.” “You're thinking.” “Yes.” “Stop.” “No.” Panam tugged her leash. Mandi smiled. “Yes, owner.” Then she looked back at Nova. And Vega. Not recruiting. Not pushing. Just— knowing. Nova lifted one eyebrow. Mandi lifted hers. Vega looked between them. Then at Panam. Panam had already gone back to talking with Birgitta. Oblivious. Vega smiled. Mandi saw that too. Her own smile became catastrophic. Nova pointed at her. “No.” Mandi silently mouthed: _I didn't say anything._ Nova laughed. Later, after Panam and her pets had left, Nova and Vega walked together through Night City. No clients. No Dalia. No Deja. No Suzie. Just them. For three blocks, neither mentioned it. On the fourth, Vega said: “Mandi obeyed.” Nova smiled. “Yes.” “She didn't become obedient.” Nova looked at her. There. That was it. “No.” Vega shoved her hands into her jacket pockets. “She argued.” “Yes.” “She teased Panam.” “Yes.” “She stole Birgitta's food.” “Yes.” “She told Panam to fuck off twice.” “Three times.” Vega laughed. “Three?” “I counted.” “Of course you did.” They crossed the street. Night City moved around them. Vega became quiet again. Then: “She still obeyed.” “When it mattered.” “Yes.” Nova nodded. “When she'd given Panam the decision.” Vega looked at her. “You've been thinking about this.” “So have you.” “Yes.” No denial. They walked another half block. Vega looked ahead. “Would you?” Nova did not pretend she misunderstood. She smiled. “Would you?” Vega laughed. “Coward.” “Absolutely.” Another block. Then Nova said: “Yes.” Vega stopped walking. Nova took two more steps before stopping too. She turned. Vega stared at her. Nova shrugged. “I think I would.” “Be her pet.” “Yes.” Vega searched her face. “You're serious.” Nova's smile faded. “Yes.” Vega looked back toward Lizzie's. Far behind them now. Then at Nova. “What part?” Nova thought. “The quiet.” Vega waited. “Not having to be switched on for everything.” “Yes.” “Not having to decide every practical fucking thing just because I can.” Vega nodded slowly. “And…” Nova smiled. “The belonging.” Vega's expression softened. “Yeah.” Nova looked at her. “You?” Vega exhaled. Then laughed quietly. “Fuck.” Nova waited. Vega looked down. Then up. “Yes.” Nova's eyebrows rose. “Really?” “You sound surprised.” “I am.” “Why?” “You made me go first.” “Obviously.” Nova laughed. Then Vega continued. “Not because you want it.” Nova's laughter stopped. “I know.” “I mean it.” “I know.” “I don't want to do it because you do.” Nova nodded. “Good.” Vega looked ahead. “I want…” She searched. Nova waited. “I like how Panam watches them.” Nova smiled. “Yes.” “Not watches like a client.” “No.” “Watches like…” Vega frowned. “She's counting.” Nova blinked. “What?” “Not literally.” Vega laughed. “She knows where they are.” “Yes.” “She knows when they left.” “Yes.” “When they're due back.” “Yes.” “Whether they ate.” “Yes.” “Whether they're tired.” Nova nodded. Vega's voice softened. “I want someone to count me.” Nova's expression changed. There it was. Not Nova's reason. Vega's. Nova stepped closer. “Okay.” Vega smiled. “Okay?” “That's a good reason.” Vega laughed. “Thank you for approving my emotional logic.” “You're welcome.” “Bitch.” “Yes.” They started walking again. Then Nova said: “So.” Vega groaned. “No.” “We both want it.” “Apparently.” “We have to ask her.” Vega stopped. Again. Nova smiled. Vega stared. “Oh, fuck.” “Exactly.” “No.” “Yes.” “I changed my mind.” “No, you didn't.” “I absolutely did.” Nova laughed. “You want Panam to own you but you're afraid to ask her.” “When you say it like that, it sounds stupid.” “It is stupid.” “Fuck you.” Nova slipped her arm through Vega's. Vega let her. “We ask together.” Vega looked at her. “Together?” “Yes.” “But separately.” Nova nodded. “She needs to know this is mine.” “And this is mine.” “Yes.” Vega thought. Then nodded. “Okay.” Nova smiled. “Tomorrow?” Vega stared at her. “Tomorrow?” “If we wait, we'll become Mandi.” Vega considered. “That is terrifying.” “Exactly.” Vega sighed. “Tomorrow.” They started walking again. Two women. Two different reasons. One very unfortunate Madame. And back at Lizzie's, completely unaware that the fucking catastrophe had just doubled in size— Panam was probably still insisting she did not have a stable. --- ## CHAPTER 16 — BOTH OF YOU? Panam knew something was wrong when Mandi was innocent. Not pretending to be innocent. Actually innocent. That was much worse. They had been inside Lizzie's for perhaps twenty minutes. Birgitta was sitting beside Panam, one leg crossed over the other, talking about a client from the previous evening. Mandi was on Panam's other side. Both leashes rested naturally in Panam's hands now. That had happened disturbingly quickly. A week ago, one leash had felt like a decision. Yesterday, two had felt like a logistical problem. Tonight— Panam barely noticed them. Which was probably why Mandi had noticed first. She stopped talking. Panam looked at her. “What?” Mandi blinked. “Nothing.” “No.” “What?” “You stopped talking.” Birgitta turned. Mandi stared at Panam. “That is deeply insulting.” “It's also true.” “I stop talking.” “When?” Mandi opened her mouth. Paused. Birgitta smiled. Mandi looked at her. “Don't.” “I didn't say anything.” “You were about to.” Panam frowned. Then followed Mandi's gaze. Nova and Vega had just entered. Together. Nothing unusual about that. They often arrived together. They were talking quietly. Nova said something. Vega answered. Then both looked toward Panam. Panam looked back. Nova smiled. Vega did too. Then they continued toward the bar. Panam looked at Mandi. Mandi was suddenly fascinated by her drink. “No.” Mandi looked up. “What?” “You know something.” “No.” “Mandi.” “I genuinely do not.” Panam narrowed her eyes. Mandi lifted both hands. The movement pulled lightly against her leash. “I know absolutely nothing.” Birgitta laughed. Panam looked at her. “You?” “I know less than Mandi.” “That isn't reassuring.” “It should be.” Panam looked toward Nova and Vega again. They were talking to Suzie now. Suzie looked toward Panam. Then at Nova. Then Vega. Then back at Panam. Her expression changed. Panam slowly turned toward Mandi. Mandi was drinking. “No.” Mandi nearly choked. “I haven't done anything!” “I don't believe you.” “That is unfair.” “You invented the word stable.” “I did not invent the word.” “You attached it to me.” “Accurately.” Panam tugged her leash. Mandi smiled. “Yes, owner.” Panam sighed. Birgitta touched Panam's arm. “She's telling the truth.” Panam looked at her. “How do you know?” “Because if Mandi knew something, she'd be unbearable.” Mandi looked offended. “I am already unbearable.” “Exactly.” Panam considered. Fair. Then Nova and Vega started walking toward them. Together. Panam watched. Mandi watched. Birgitta watched. Suzie watched from behind the bar. Dalia appeared from somewhere with a lollipop. She saw Nova and Vega. Then Panam. Then stopped. “Oh.” Panam turned. “What?” Dalia smiled. “Nothing.” Panam pointed. “That fucking word.” Dalia laughed. Nova and Vega arrived. Nova smiled. “Hi.” Panam looked at her. “Hi.” Vega smiled. “Madame.” Panam closed her eyes. “No.” Mandi laughed. Nova glanced at her. Then at the leash. Then back at Panam. Panam opened her eyes. “What do you want?” Nova blinked. “That was fast.” “You're both standing in front of me looking like you're about to ask for something.” Vega looked at Nova. Nova looked at Vega. Panam saw it. “Oh, fuck.” Mandi leaned forward. Panam tugged her leash without looking. Mandi stopped. Panam pointed at Nova and Vega. “What?” Nova smiled nervously. “Can we talk?” Panam looked at them. Then at Mandi. Mandi's eyes widened. “I swear to God.” “Don't swear.” “I had nothing to do with this.” Panam stared. Mandi pointed at Nova. “Did I?” Nova smiled. “No.” Then Vega. “Did I?” “No.” Mandi turned triumphantly. “See?” Panam looked at her. “That doesn't mean you didn't somehow cause it.” Mandi considered. “Technically—” Panam closed her eyes. Birgitta laughed. Dalia turned away. Panam opened her eyes. “Fuck.” Mandi smiled. “I may have inspired something.” “You don't even know what they want.” “No.” “Then how can you—” Panam stopped. Mandi smiled. Panam looked at Nova. Then Vega. Then Mandi. Then the two leashes in her hands. “No.” Nova blinked. “We haven't asked yet.” “I know.” Vega looked at Nova. Nova looked back. Mandi covered her mouth. Panam saw. “You.” Mandi lowered her hand. “Yes, owner?” “Quiet.” Mandi's mouth closed. Immediately. Nova's eyes flicked to her. Vega's did too. Panam noticed. Fuck. “Come on.” She stood. Birgitta stood automatically. Mandi did too. Panam looked at them. Then at the leashes. Then at Nova and Vega. She sighed. “You two stay here.” Mandi's eyebrows rose. Panam looked at her. Mandi smiled. “Yes, owner.” Birgitta nodded. “Yes, owner.” Panam handed both leashes to Dalia. Silence. Dalia stared at them. Panam stared at Dalia. Mandi stared at Dalia. Birgitta looked delighted. Dalia slowly took the loops. “Oh.” Panam pointed at both pets. “Stay with Dalia.” “Yes, owner,” Birgitta said. Mandi's smile became catastrophic. Panam caught it. “No.” Mandi said nothing. Panam narrowed her eyes. Mandi continued saying nothing. Panam looked at Dalia. “Do not encourage her.” Dalia lifted the two leashes. “I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.” “Bullshit.” Dalia smiled. Panam turned toward Nova and Vega. “Come on.” They followed. Behind them, Panam heard Mandi whisper: “Temporary owner?” Dalia answered immediately: “Do not start.” Panam stopped walking. Closed her eyes. Nova laughed. Vega covered her mouth. Panam kept walking. The booth was becoming cursed. Not literally. Probably. Panam sat. Nova and Vega sat opposite her. Together. Panam folded her arms. “All right.” Neither spoke. Panam waited. Nova looked at Vega. Vega looked at Nova. Panam sighed. “You asked to talk.” “Yes,” Nova said. “Then talk.” Nova inhaled. Vega said: “We've been watching.” Panam's expression hardened. “Oh, for fuck's sake.” Nova laughed nervously. “Not like that.” “Everyone keeps saying they've been watching.” Vega smiled. “You're very watchable.” “I deliver cargo.” Nova stared. “What?” “Nothing.” Panam pointed. “Don't.” Nova laughed. The tension eased. Slightly. Panam looked between them. “What have you been watching?” “Mandi,” Nova said. Panam blinked. “Mandi.” “Yes.” Panam looked toward the bar. She couldn't see Mandi from the booth. Probably for the best. “What about her?” Nova looked at Vega. Then back. “She didn't change.” Panam frowned. “What?” “When she became your pet.” Panam went still. There. Fuck. Vega continued. “She still argues.” “Yes.” “She still jokes.” “Yes.” “She still flirts.” “Yes.” “She still does whatever insane Mandi thing she's doing.” “Unfortunately.” Nova smiled. “But when you've got a decision…” Panam listened. “She lets you have it.” Panam's expression changed. Nova saw. “She gives it to you.” “Yes.” “And then she doesn't keep taking it back.” “Usually.” Nova laughed. Panam smiled faintly. Then Vega said: “And you notice.” Panam looked at her. “What?” “When she's tired.” “Yes.” “When she forgets to eat.” “Yes.” “When she needs a break.” “Yes.” “When Birgitta needs something different.” Panam nodded. “They're different people.” “We know.” Vega's voice softened. “That was part of it.” Panam frowned. “Part of what?” Nova looked at Vega. Vega looked back. There it was again. That tiny exchange. Panam's stomach dropped. “No.” Nova laughed. “You still don't know what we're asking.” “I have a terrible fucking suspicion.” Vega smiled. Panam leaned back. “Both of you?” Silence. Nova's eyebrows rose. Vega blinked. Panam stared. “Oh, fuck me.” Nova started laughing. Vega followed. Panam pointed. “No. Answer.” Nova recovered first. “Yes.” Panam looked at Vega. Vega nodded. “Yes.” Panam stared at them. “Both of you.” “Yes.” “As pets.” Nova smiled. “Yes.” Panam looked at Vega. “Yes.” Panam leaned back and stared at the ceiling. For several seconds. Then: “Mandi.” Nova laughed. Panam lowered her gaze. “She did this.” “No,” Vega said. “She absolutely fucking did.” Nova smiled. “She didn't ask us.” “She didn't recruit us.” “She didn't even talk to us about it.” Panam stared. Nova considered. “Actually she looked at us.” Panam's eyes narrowed. Nova laughed. “That was all.” “That woman can cause structural damage by looking at people.” Vega laughed. Panam rubbed both hands over her face. “Fuck.” Nova and Vega waited. Panam lowered her hands. Then became serious. “No.” Both women went still. Panam held up one hand. “I didn't say no to you.” Nova relaxed slightly. Vega did too. “I mean no to this.” Panam gestured between them. “You don't ask me together.” Nova nodded immediately. “We know.” Panam stopped. “You know.” “Yes.” Vega leaned forward. “We came together because we both wanted to ask.” “But?” “But I'm not asking because she is.” Panam looked at Vega. “And I'm not asking because Vega is,” Nova said. Panam looked at her. “Good.” “We thought you'd want to hear us separately.” “I do.” Nova smiled faintly. Panam looked between them. “Whose idea was that?” “Mine,” Nova said. Vega frowned. “We both said it.” “I said it first.” “By maybe two seconds.” “Still first.” Panam closed her eyes. “Oh, good. Two more.” Nova laughed. Vega smiled. Panam opened her eyes. “Separate.” Both nodded. “Tonight?” Nova looked at Vega. Then back. “Yes.” Vega nodded. “Yes.” Panam exhaled. “All right.” Nova stood. Vega remained seated. Then they looked at each other. Nova blinked. Vega blinked. Panam watched. “What?” Nova smiled. “Which one of us goes first?” Panam stared. Vega started laughing. Panam pointed toward the bar. “Nova.” Nova stopped. “What?” “Go.” Nova's eyes widened. “You're choosing?” “Yes.” Nova smiled. Interesting. Panam saw that too. Fuck. Nova stood. She looked at Vega. “Your own reasons.” Vega nodded. “Yours too.” Nova left. Panam watched her go. Then looked at Vega. Vega's confidence had changed. Not disappeared. Just— now this was hers. Good. Panam leaned forward. “Tell me why.” At the bar, Mandi saw Nova return alone. She looked at Dalia. Dalia still held both leashes. Birgitta sat beside her. Mandi was on the other side. Deja had joined them and was finding the entire situation increasingly entertaining. Nova approached. Mandi opened her mouth. Nova pointed at her. “No.” Mandi closed it. Nova sat. Dalia looked at her. “Well?” Nova smiled. “She wants to talk to us separately.” Mandi's eyebrows rose. Then she smiled. Good. Dalia noticed. “What?” Mandi shook her head. “Nothing.” Dalia tugged her leash. Mandi turned. Dalia stared. Mandi stared back. Then: “Oh.” Dalia's eyes widened. Mandi grinned. “Interesting.” Dalia immediately dropped the leash. Mandi laughed. “You coward.” “I am not your owner.” “Clearly.” Birgitta picked up Mandi's leash from the floor. Mandi looked at her. Birgitta looked back. Mandi smiled. “Hello.” Birgitta handed it back to Dalia. “No.” Mandi laughed harder. Deja stared. “Why is everyone afraid of holding your leash?” Mandi looked at her. Deja realized the mistake. “No.” Mandi's smile became enormous. “I didn't say anything.” Deja backed away. Dalia laughed. Nova watched all of them. Then looked toward the booth. Mandi noticed. The laughter faded. “You okay?” Nova looked at her. “Yes.” “Nervous?” “Yes.” Mandi nodded. No joke. “Good.” Nova frowned. “Good?” “It means you care.” Nova smiled. Mandi leaned back. “Just tell her the truth.” Nova looked at her. Mandi shrugged. “Worked for me.” Dalia snorted. “After three fucking days.” “Details.” Vega took longer than Panam expected. Not because she didn't know. Because she wanted to say it correctly. “I like being responsible for myself.” Panam nodded. “I like being competent.” “Yes.” “I don't want someone making every decision for me.” “Good.” Vega smiled. “But…” Panam waited. “I didn't realize how tiring it is to always be the person noticing.” Panam frowned slightly. Vega continued. “When I'm working, I'm watching the client.” “Yes.” “The room.” “Yes.” “The time.” “Yes.” “My own energy.” “Yes.” “What they want.” “Yes.” “What I want.” “Yes.” “If something changed.” Panam nodded. “And then I watched you.” Vega smiled faintly. “You notice too.” Panam said nothing. “You notice when Mandi is pretending she's not tired.” “Yes.” “You notice when Birgitta needs quiet.” “Yes.” “You notice when somebody is pushing.” “Yes.” “You notice whether they ate.” Panam smiled slightly. “They're both terrible at that.” Vega laughed. Then became serious again. “I want that.” Panam looked at her. “What?” “Someone noticing me.” Panam stayed quiet. Vega swallowed. “Not because I can't.” “I know.” “Not because I want to stop paying attention.” “I know.” “I just…” She looked down. Then back. “I want someone else counting too.” Panam's expression softened. There. Different. Not Mandi. Not Birgitta. Vega. Panam nodded slowly. “And ownership?” Vega smiled faintly. “I want that too.” “Why?” Vega thought. “Because I don't want this to be casual.” Panam listened. “If I'm giving someone decisions…” “Yes.” “I want the relationship around it to mean something.” Panam nodded. “And pet?” Vega smiled. “I like it.” Panam's mouth twitched. “That's allowed.” “I hoped so.” Panam leaned back. “What happens if I get it wrong?” “I tell you.” “If I don't listen?” “You stop owning that decision.” Panam nodded. “What happens if you want out?” “I leave.” “Good.” Vega smiled. Panam looked toward the bar. Then back. “You're not doing this because Nova wants it.” “No.” Immediate. “Would you still ask me if she changed her mind right now?” Vega didn't hesitate. “Yes.” Panam nodded. “Good.” Vega exhaled. Panam saw how much she'd been holding. “Go get Nova.” Vega stood. Then paused. “Panam?” “What?” “Thank you for taking it seriously.” Panam looked at her. Then smiled. “Wouldn't know how else to take it.” Vega nodded. That answer mattered. Then she left. Nova came in smiling. Not broadly. Nervously. She sat. Panam looked at her. “Your turn.” Nova nodded. “You're not going to ask whether I'm doing it because Vega is?” “I am.” Nova laughed. “No.” “Would you still ask if she said no?” “Yes.” “Good.” Panam leaned back. “Why?” Nova looked at her. “The quiet.” Panam waited. “I talked to Birgitta a little yesterday.” Panam frowned. “About this?” “No.” Nova smiled. “Not directly.” Panam nodded. Nova continued. “She was sitting with Mandi after they'd finished working.” “Yes.” “And they were both…” She searched. “Off.” Panam's eyebrows rose. “Off?” “Not performing.” Panam understood. “Okay.” “No client face. No sales. No reading the room every second.” “Yes.” “They were just…” Nova smiled. “Yours.” Panam went very still. Nova saw. “I don't mean property.” “I know.” “I mean they were done.” Panam nodded slowly. “They'd given you the practical things they didn't want to carry.” “Yes.” “And then they could stop.” Panam listened. Nova exhaled. “I want that quiet.” “While you're working?” “Yes.” “And outside?” Nova thought. “Some.” “Which?” “I don't know yet.” Panam nodded. Nova blinked. “That doesn't bother you?” “No.” “Good.” “You don't have to hand me your entire fucking life because you want a collar.” Nova laughed. “That's reassuring.” “It should be.” Nova smiled. Then: “I like the belonging too.” Panam looked at her. “That matters.” “Yes.” “Why?” Nova considered. “Because I don't want to pretend it doesn't.” Panam waited. “I could hire someone to manage bookings.” “Yes.” “I could set alarms for food.” “Yes.” “I could schedule breaks.” “Yes.” “I could do all of that myself.” “Yes.” Nova smiled. “But none of that is the same as looking at someone and thinking…” She paused. Panam waited. “That's my owner.” Panam exhaled slowly. Nova's smile became smaller. “That's what I want.” Panam nodded. “And if I say no?” Nova swallowed. “I'll be disappointed.” “Then?” “I'll survive.” “Good.” Nova laughed softly. Panam smiled. “Anything else?” “Yes.” Panam waited. Nova looked very serious. “Mandi absolutely caused this.” Panam stared. Nova held for perhaps two seconds. Then broke. Panam started laughing. “Oh, fuck you.” Nova laughed too. “She didn't recruit us.” “I know.” “She genuinely didn't.” “I know.” “But if she hadn't asked you…” “You wouldn't have seen it.” “No.” Panam rubbed her face. “That fucking woman.” Nova smiled. “Your fucking woman.” Panam looked at her. “My pet.” Nova's eyebrows rose. Panam froze. Nova's smile became dangerous. “Oh.” Panam pointed. “Don't.” “I didn't say anything.” “You were going to.” Nova laughed. Panam stood. “Come on.” Nova followed. The bar had become a tribunal. Panam realized this immediately. Suzie behind it. Dalia in front. Deja beside her. Birgitta and Mandi still attached to Dalia. Vega sitting with them. Everyone looked toward Panam and Nova. Panam stopped. “No.” Suzie smiled. “Welcome back.” “Why is everyone here?” Dalia looked around. “We work here.” “Bullshit.” Mandi raised one hand. Panam pointed at her. “No.” Mandi lowered it. “Yes, owner.” Nova joined Vega. They exchanged a look. Panam saw it. Then Vega said: “We both asked.” Nova nodded. “Separately.” Panam looked at them. “Yes.” Dalia looked at Panam. “And?” Panam stared. “And what?” Mandi covered her mouth. Panam turned. “You are enjoying this way too much.” Mandi nodded. “Yes.” “Stop.” “No.” Panam held out her hands toward Dalia. “My pets.” Dalia looked at the leashes. Then Panam. “Plural.” “Dalia.” Dalia smiled and handed them over. Panam took Birgitta's first. Then Mandi's. The moment Mandi's leash settled into Panam's hand, Mandi smiled. “Missed you.” Panam stared. “It was forty minutes.” “Longest forty minutes of my life.” “Bullshit.” “Mostly.” Panam shook her head. Then looked at Nova and Vega. Both waiting. Not for an answer. Not yet. Good. Panam looked at Mandi. “You started this.” Mandi's eyes widened. “I did not.” “You asked me.” “Yes.” “Then you made it visible.” “I wore the collar you bought me.” “You invented the stable.” Mandi smiled. “That was branding.” Panam stared. Dalia folded over laughing. Suzie covered her face. Deja made a choking sound. Panam pointed at Mandi. “No.” Mandi grinned. “Technically Birgitta—” “Don't,” Birgitta said. Immediate. Everyone froze. Then Mandi turned slowly. Birgitta stared at her. Mandi smiled. “You started it.” Birgitta shook her head. “No.” “You made her an owner.” “No.” “Yes.” “I asked her to be my owner.” “Exactly.” “That is not the same as starting a stable.” “You were pet one.” Birgitta looked at Panam. “Owner.” Panam looked at Mandi. “Quiet.” Mandi's mouth closed. Birgitta smiled. “Thank you.” Mandi stared at her. Birgitta smiled back. Panam sighed. Then looked at Nova and Vega. “I'm not answering tonight.” Neither reacted badly. Nova nodded. “Okay.” Vega nodded. “Okay.” Panam studied them. “I mean it.” Nova smiled. “We know.” “I need to think.” Vega nodded. “We know.” “I have two pets already.” Mandi made a tiny noise. Panam tugged her leash. Silence. Panam continued. “If I say yes to either of you, I'm responsible for learning another person.” “Yes,” Nova said. “And another,” Vega added. Panam looked at her. “Exactly.” Vega smiled. Panam looked between them. “You're different.” “Yes.” “You want different things.” “Yes.” “You'll need different things.” “Yes.” Panam nodded. “Good.” Nova looked at Vega. Then back. “That's why we wanted you.” Panam went still. Mandi's expression softened. Birgitta smiled. Dalia stopped laughing. Panam looked at Nova. Then Vega. “Fuck.” Nova laughed. Vega did too. Panam rubbed her forehead. “I need a drink.” Suzie immediately put one in front of her. Panam stared. “How long has that been there?” “Since Vega came back from the booth.” Panam picked it up. “Thank you.” Suzie smiled. “Madame.” Panam drank. Mandi looked at Dalia. Dalia looked back. Neither spoke. Panam put the glass down. Then looked at her pets. “Come on.” Birgitta stood. Mandi stood. Both immediately. Nova watched. Vega watched. Panam saw them watching. “Oh, no.” Nova smiled. “What?” “You're doing the Mandi thing.” “What Mandi thing?” “Watching.” Mandi looked delighted. “See?” Panam tugged her leash. Mandi shut up. Vega laughed. Panam looked at Nova. Then Vega. “Go work.” Nova smiled. “Yes, Madame.” Panam closed her eyes. Vega followed: “Yes, Madame.” “Fuck both of you.” They laughed and walked away together. Panam opened her eyes. Mandi leaned closer. “Owner?” “No.” “You don't know what I was going to ask.” “No.” “Do you think—” “No.” Mandi smiled. Panam looked down at her. “Absolutely not.” Mandi nodded. “Yes, owner.” Birgitta looked at Panam. Panam looked back. Birgitta smiled. Panam sighed. “What?” “Nothing.” “Banned.” Birgitta laughed. Panam gathered both leashes more comfortably into one hand. Then started toward their usual place. Mandi followed. Birgitta followed. Two pets. Still. Behind them, Nova and Vega went back to work. Separately. Different clients. Different choices. Different reasons. And Panam— against every instinct telling her to blame Mandi and run— was thinking about two more collars. --- ## CHAPTER 17 — THREE AND FOUR Panam made the decision at three seventeen in the morning. This annoyed her. Not the decision. The time. She had spent most of the drive home insisting she was not thinking about it. Birgitta had not challenged this. Mandi had. Repeatedly. “You're thinking.” “No.” “You have the face.” “What face?” “The thinking face.” “I have one face.” “You have several.” “Mandi.” “There's the warning face.” Panam had tightened her grip on the steering wheel. Mandi had smiled from the back seat. “And the murder face.” “Mandi.” “And—” “Pet.” Silence. For perhaps twelve seconds. Then: “Yes, owner?” Birgitta had laughed beside Panam. Panam had pointed at her without taking her eyes from the road. “Don't encourage her.” “I didn't.” “You exist encouragingly.” “That's a new one.” Mandi leaned forward between the seats. “What about the collar face?” Panam glanced at her in the mirror. “The what?” “The face you make when you're thinking about collars.” Panam nearly missed the turn. Birgitta covered her mouth. Mandi collapsed backward laughing. Panam recovered the truck. Then: “I am going to leave you on the side of the road.” “No, you're not.” “Why?” “Responsibility.” Panam had hated how correct that was. She hated even more that Mandi knew it. By three seventeen, both pets were asleep. Birgitta curled against Panam in bed. Mandi asleep on the couch because she'd announced that going home was stupid at two in the morning and Panam had been too tired to argue. Panam stared at the ceiling. Nova. The quiet. Vega. Someone else counting too. Different reasons. Different women. Different responsibilities. She thought about Mandi. How different she'd already been from Birgitta. How quickly Panam had learned that. Mandi needed water put directly into her hand. Birgitta usually remembered. Birgitta became quieter when tired. Mandi became louder. Birgitta sometimes needed Panam to ask twice. Mandi sometimes needed Panam not to ask at all. Two people. Not two identical pets. And somehow— it worked. Not perfectly. It didn't need to. They told her when she got something wrong. She adjusted. That was the point. Panam looked at Birgitta sleeping beside her. Then toward the living room. She could just see the faint outline of Mandi's boots where she'd abandoned them near the couch. Panam sighed. “Fuck.” Birgitta moved. Not awake. Panam smiled. Then closed her eyes. Decision made. The next evening, Nova knew before Panam said anything. Not because Panam gave it away. Panam thought she was being extremely neutral. She wasn't. Nova and Vega arrived together. Panam was already there. Birgitta on one leash. Mandi on the other. Dalia beside them. Deja nearby. Suzie behind the bar. Panam saw Nova and Vega enter. Then immediately looked away. Mandi noticed. Of course. “Owner.” “No.” Mandi blinked. “I was going to ask if you wanted another drink.” Panam looked at her. Mandi smiled. “Actually.” Panam frowned. “No.” “Fair.” Nova and Vega approached. Panam looked at them. Nova smiled. Vega smiled. Panam sighed. “Come here.” Mandi's head snapped around. Dalia whispered: “Oh, shit.” Deja looked up. Suzie stopped pretending not to listen. Nova and Vega came closer. Panam looked around. Then at the entire collection of interested assholes surrounding her. “Not here.” Mandi's mouth opened. Panam pointed. “You stay.” Mandi's mouth closed. “Yes, owner.” Birgitta smiled. Panam looked at her. “You too.” “Yes, owner.” Panam handed both leashes to Dalia. Again. Dalia stared down at them. Then at Panam. “This is becoming a habit.” “Don't.” Mandi smiled. “Temporary—” “No,” Dalia said. Mandi laughed. Panam walked away. Nova and Vega followed. Same booth. Panam was beginning to hate it. She sat. Nova and Vega sat opposite her. Panam looked at both. “I thought about it.” Neither spoke. Good. “I thought about what you said.” Nova nodded. Vega did too. Panam looked at Nova. “You want quiet.” “Yes.” “Not silence.” Nova smiled. “No.” “Not somebody controlling every part of your life.” “No.” “You want to be able to hand me things.” “Yes.” “And trust that I carry them until you take them back.” Nova's expression softened. “Yes.” Panam looked at Vega. “You want someone else counting too.” Vega nodded. “Yes.” “You don't want me replacing your judgment.” “No.” “You want another set of eyes.” “Yes.” “Someone responsible for noticing.” “Yes.” Panam leaned back. “Both of you understand that I'm going to fuck up.” Nova smiled. “Yes.” Vega nodded. “Yes.” “I don't know you like I know Birgitta.” “We know.” “I don't know you like I know Mandi.” “We know.” “I'll miss things.” Nova nodded. “Then we'll tell you.” “I'll make wrong calls.” Vega nodded. “Then we'll tell you.” Panam looked between them. “And if I don't listen?” Nova answered first. “Then you don't get that decision anymore.” Panam looked at Vega. “Same.” Good. Panam exhaled. Nova watched her. Vega watched her. Panam looked at Nova. “Do you still want this?” “Yes.” Immediate. Panam looked at Vega. “Yes.” Immediate. Panam nodded. Then pointed at Nova. “You first.” Nova froze. Vega smiled. Panam looked at Nova. “Not because you're more important.” “I know.” “Not because you're senior.” Nova laughed. “I know.” “You just answered first yesterday.” Nova smiled. “Chronological.” Panam stared. Nova's smile weakened. “Birgitta said that, didn't she?” “No.” “Mandi?” “No.” Panam sighed. “Fuck.” Vega laughed. Panam looked at Nova. “One more time.” Nova straightened. Panam's voice softened. “What are you asking me?” Nova's smile disappeared. No performance. No joke. She looked directly at Panam. “I want you to own me.” Panam waited. Nova swallowed. “As your pet.” There. Panam nodded. “All right.” Nova breathed in. Panam held her gaze. “You're mine.” Nova stopped breathing. Vega's expression softened. Nova stared. Then: “Oh.” Panam's eyebrows rose. “No.” Nova blinked. Panam pointed toward the bar. “Absolutely fucking not.” “What?” “I already have one pet who says ‘oh’ when her brain stops working.” Vega burst out laughing. Nova covered her face. Panam smiled. “I'm not accepting duplicates.” Nova laughed into her hands. “Fuck you.” “There.” Nova lowered her hands. Her eyes were bright. Panam's smile softened. “My pet.” Nova inhaled. Then smiled. “My owner.” Panam nodded. Three. Fuck. Panam looked at Vega. Vega's smile vanished. Not because she was afraid. Because now it was hers. Panam turned toward her fully. “Your turn.” Vega nodded. Panam waited. Vega took a breath. “I want you to own me.” Panam said nothing. “As your pet.” Panam looked at her. “Because Nova is mine?” “No.” “Because Mandi made it look fun?” Vega smiled. “No.” “Because Birgitta started this?” “No.” “Why?” Vega held her gaze. “Because I want someone else counting too.” Panam felt that answer land exactly where it had yesterday. She nodded. “Still?” “Yes.” “Even when it's annoying?” Vega smiled. “Yes.” “When I tell you to eat and you're not hungry?” “Yes.” “When I tell you you're done and you think you could take another client?” Vega paused. Then smiled. “Yes.” “When I get it wrong?” “I tell you.” “When you want the decision back?” “I take it back.” “When you want out?” “I leave.” Panam nodded. Then: “All right.” Vega went very still. Panam smiled. “You're mine.” Vega closed her eyes. Just briefly. When she opened them, something had changed. Nothing dramatic. Nothing magical. Just relief. “Thank you.” Panam's expression softened. “My pet.” Vega smiled. “My owner.” Four. Panam leaned back. Stared at both women. Then rubbed both hands over her face. Nova laughed. Vega did too. Panam lowered her hands. “What the fuck happened to my weekend?” Nova's smile became enormous. Vega looked toward the bar. Panam saw it. “No.” Vega blinked. “What?” “You were thinking about Mandi.” “Yes.” “No.” Nova laughed. Panam stood. “Come on.” Both women stood. Immediately. Panam froze. Nova froze. Vega froze. Panam stared at them. They stared back. Then Nova smiled. Panam pointed. “Don't.” “I didn't say anything.” “You were going to.” “No.” “Bullshit.” Vega laughed. Panam sighed. “Jesus fucking Christ.” Then she led them back toward the bar. Mandi knew. Panam hated that Mandi knew. She saw them coming. Panam first. Nova and Vega behind her. And Mandi's entire face transformed. “Oh.” Panam stopped. Mandi covered her mouth. Panam pointed. “You.” Mandi's eyes glittered. Panam continued walking. Dalia looked at Nova. Then Vega. Then Panam. “Oh, fuck.” Deja looked between everyone. Suzie leaned both hands on the bar. Birgitta smiled. Panam stopped in front of them. Dalia still held both leashes. Mandi looked at Nova. Nova smiled. Then Vega. Vega smiled. Mandi looked at Panam. “Both?” Panam sighed. “Yes.” Mandi's smile became catastrophic. Panam took one leash from Dalia. Birgitta's. Then the second. Mandi's. Mandi leaned closer. “Four.” “Don't.” “Four pets.” “Mandi.” “Madame's stable—” Panam tugged her leash. Mandi's mouth closed. Nova laughed. Vega covered her mouth. Panam looked at Mandi. “You started this.” Mandi's eyes widened. “I did not.” “You asked me to own you.” “Yes.” “You made it visible.” “You put me on a leash.” “You asked for one.” “You chose it.” “Because you asked me to.” Mandi smiled. “Responsibility.” Panam stared. Dalia turned away. Suzie laughed. Panam looked toward Birgitta. “This is technically your fault.” Birgitta's eyebrows rose. “My fault?” “You were first.” “Chronologically.” “Stop saying that.” Birgitta smiled. Mandi leaned toward her. “Technically Birgitta—” “Don't.” Mandi stopped. Everyone stared at Birgitta. Birgitta looked at Mandi. “No.” Mandi laughed. “Fine.” Panam looked at Nova and Vega. “Tell them.” Nova smiled. “She said yes.” Vega nodded. “To both of us.” Deja made a noise. “Holy shit.” Dalia looked at Panam. “You have four pets.” “No.” Everyone stopped. Panam frowned. Then looked down. Birgitta's leash. Mandi's leash. Then Nova. Then Vega. She sighed. “I have two pets and two women who don't have collars yet.” Mandi's head snapped around. “Oh.” Panam looked at her. “No.” Mandi's smile grew. “You're going shopping.” Panam closed her eyes. Suzie laughed. Nova looked at Vega. Vega smiled. Panam opened her eyes. “Yes.” Mandi bounced once. Panam tugged her leash. Mandi stopped. “Control yourself.” “Yes, owner.” Dalia stared. “You're buying both?” “Choosing.” Nova's eyes widened. Vega's did too. Panam looked at them. “I choose.” Nova smiled. “Yes, owner.” Vega followed. “Yes, owner.” Mandi made a tiny delighted noise. Panam looked at her. “What?” “Nothing.” “Banned.” Mandi laughed. Panam looked at Nova and Vega again. “Not matching.” They blinked. Nova smiled. “We didn't ask for matching.” “Good.” Vega nodded. “We're not a package.” “Exactly.” Panam pointed between them. “You get your own.” Nova's smile softened. Vega's did too. Panam continued. “Your own collar.” Nova nodded. “Your own leash.” Vega nodded. “Different.” Both: “Yes, owner.” Panam stared. Four fucking voices were going to kill her. Mandi leaned against her arm. “Leadership.” Panam turned. “What?” “You asked what happened to your weekend.” Mandi smiled brightly. “Leadership.” Panam stared at her. “Quiet.” Mandi's mouth closed. Immediately. Panam looked at her. Mandi looked back. Then smiled around the silence. Panam sighed. Birgitta laughed. Nova laughed. Vega laughed. Dalia raised her glass. “To Madame.” “No.” Suzie lifted hers. “To the stable.” “Absolutely fucking not.” Deja raised hers. “To four.” Panam looked around. Everyone was smiling. Mandi attached to one hand. Birgitta attached to the other. Nova and Vega standing in front of her. Waiting for collars Panam would choose. Four women. Four separate choices. Four different reasons. Four responsibilities. Panam looked at Mandi. “This is your fault.” Mandi smiled. “Yes, owner.” Panam frowned. “That wasn't an admission.” “I know.” “Then why did you agree?” “Because arguing would be disrespectful.” Silence. Dalia spat her drink back into the glass. Suzie folded over the bar. Deja screamed laughing. Nova grabbed Vega. Birgitta leaned against Panam. Panam stared at Mandi. Mandi held the expression for three heroic seconds. Then broke. Panam started laughing despite herself. “You fucking menace.” Mandi smiled. “Your fucking menace.” Panam looked down at the leash in her hand. Then at Nova. Vega. Birgitta. Mandi. Four. Almost. Panam sighed. “Tomorrow.” Nova blinked. “What?” “Collars.” Mandi's smile returned. Panam pointed at her. “You're not coming.” Mandi's face fell. “What?” “No.” “Owner.” “No.” “I can help.” “No.” “I have excellent taste.” “Exactly why you're not coming.” Birgitta laughed. Mandi looked personally betrayed. “Birgitta?” “No.” Mandi gasped. “You too?” Birgitta smiled. “Her decision.” Mandi looked at Panam. Panam smiled. “My decision.” Mandi stared. Then slowly— very slowly— smiled. “Yes, owner.” Panam tugged both leashes. “Come on.” Birgitta moved. Mandi moved. Nova and Vega watched. Tomorrow they would have leashes too. Panam made it three steps. Then stopped. Looked over her shoulder. Nova and Vega looked back. Panam sighed. “Come on.” Their smiles appeared simultaneously. They followed. No collars yet. No leashes yet. Still— three and four. --- ## CHAPTER 18 — FOUR COLLARS Mandi objected to being excluded from shopping. At length. Panam had expected this. What she had not expected was Mandi beginning before breakfast. “This is discrimination.” Panam continued drinking coffee. “Against what?” “Pets.” Birgitta looked up from her breakfast. Panam didn't. “No.” “Specifically experienced pets.” “No.” “Experienced premium joytoy pets.” “No.” “Experienced premium joytoy pets with excellent fashion sense.” Panam looked at her. Mandi smiled. Panam drank. “No.” Mandi leaned across the table. “I could be useful.” “You could be quiet.” “I could be both.” Birgitta laughed. Panam looked at her. “Don't.” “I didn't say anything.” “You're encouraging her.” “I ate toast.” “Encouragingly.” Mandi pointed at Birgitta. “Exactly.” Panam closed her eyes. It was too early. Far too early. Mandi continued. “I know Nova.” “No.” “I know Vega.” “No.” “I know collars.” Panam opened her eyes. “That is precisely why you're not coming.” Mandi blinked. “That makes no sense.” “It makes perfect sense.” “How?” “Because I don't want what you'd choose.” Mandi put one hand dramatically over her chest. “Owner.” Panam stared. “That hurt.” “You'll survive.” “Barely.” Birgitta took another bite. Mandi looked at her. “Help me.” “No.” “Traitor.” “Her decision.” Mandi stared. Birgitta smiled. Mandi looked back at Panam. “Fine.” Panam raised an eyebrow. “Fine?” “Yes.” “That easy?” “No.” Mandi smiled. “I'm going to complain for the rest of the morning.” “There she is.” Panam took Nova and Vega. Nobody else. Not Birgitta. Not Mandi. Not Dalia. Especially not Mandi. Nova and Vega met her outside the same discreet shop where Panam had chosen Mandi's collar. Nova looked at the entrance. Then at Panam. “This is where you got hers.” “Yes.” Vega smiled. “Mandi told us.” Panam sighed. “Of course she did.” “She gave us a full review.” “Of course she did.” Nova grinned. “She particularly liked the part where you told her final means final.” Panam looked at her. Nova's grin weakened. “I'm going to stop talking now.” “Good.” Vega laughed. Panam opened the door. “Inside.” Both women moved. Immediately. Panam stopped. Nova stopped. Vega stopped. Panam looked at them. They looked back. Panam sighed. “I'm going to have to get used to that.” Nova smiled. “Yes, owner.” Panam stared. Vega's smile appeared. Panam pointed inside. “Go.” They went. The woman behind the counter recognized Panam. That was irritating. Her gaze moved from Panam— to Nova— to Vega. Then back. She smiled professionally. “Two today?” Panam closed her eyes. Nova bit her lip. Vega looked toward a display. Panam opened her eyes. “Yes.” The woman nodded as if this were completely normal. In Night City, perhaps it was. “Same requirements?” “Some.” Panam looked at Nova. Then Vega. “Different people.” “Of course.” “No matching set.” The woman nodded. “No paired design.” “No.” “No mirrored hardware.” “No.” “No matching-duo theme.” Nova laughed. Panam looked at her. “What?” “Nothing.” “Banned.” Nova smiled. The woman behind the counter maintained heroic professionalism. Vega looked at Panam. “You thought about this.” “Yes.” “How much?” Panam frowned. “What?” “How much did you think about it?” Panam stared. Nova smiled. Vega smiled. Panam turned toward the displays. “Let's start.” Nova was easier. Not because Panam cared less. Because Panam had seen it quickly. The first collar she picked up was wrong. Too ornamental. The second too heavy. The third looked beautiful until Panam held it against Nova's throat. Then she frowned. “No.” Nova looked down. “What?” “Too formal.” “You don't like formal?” “On you?” Panam shook her head. “No.” Nova smiled. Panam saw it. “What?” “You said on me.” “Yes.” “You're choosing for me.” “That is literally why we're here.” “I know.” Nova's smile softened. Panam stared for a moment. Then looked away. “Don't make it weird.” “Wouldn't dream of it.” “Bullshit.” “Yes.” Panam continued. She found the right one twelve minutes later. Dark. Not black. A deep muted blue-grey leather that changed subtly beneath different light. Narrow enough to remain elegant. Wide enough to feel present. The inside was soft. The hardware brushed silver. Minimal. But the clasp had a small asymmetrical curve instead of the usual straight geometry. Nova touched it. Panam slapped her fingers lightly away. Nova stared. Panam stared back. “My choice.” Nova's eyebrows rose. Then she smiled. “Yes, owner.” Panam picked it up. Turned it over. Checked the lining. The clasp. The quick release. The attachment point. Stitching. Nova watched. “You really do this.” Panam looked up. “What?” “Mandi said you inspected hers like equipment.” “It is equipment.” Nova smiled. “Right.” “It sits against your skin for hours.” “Yes.” “You work in it.” “Yes.” “You sweat in it.” “Yes.” “You might sleep in it.” Nova's smile changed. Panam noticed. “What?” “Nothing.” Panam stared. Nova laughed. “Sorry.” Panam looked back at the collar. “It needs to be right.” Nova became quiet. Panam held it against her neck. The blue-grey worked. Not loud. Not shy. It changed with Nova. Panam nodded. “This one.” Nova looked into the mirror. Then at Panam. “Yes.” Panam's eyebrows rose. Nova corrected herself. “Yes, owner.” “Better.” Nova smiled. Panam froze. Nova's smile widened. “You liked that.” “Don't.” “You did.” “Nova.” “Yes, owner.” Panam sighed. One. Vega took forty-three minutes. Not because Vega was difficult. Panam was. “No.” The shopkeeper put another collar aside. Nova sat nearby, enjoying this far too much. Vega stood patiently. Panam examined another. “No.” Another. “No.” Nova leaned toward Vega. “She has the face.” Vega whispered: “What face?” “The collar face.” Panam turned. Both stopped. “Mandi told you that.” Nova smiled. “Yes.” Panam stared. Vega covered her mouth. Panam pointed. “Neither of you is ever allowed to repeat anything Mandi tells you.” Nova laughed. “That seems impractical.” “It is essential for civilization.” Vega nodded gravely. “Yes, owner.” Panam turned back. Then stopped. She looked again. Vega was smiling. Not teasing. Just— happy. Panam exhaled. “Fuck.” Vega tilted her head. “What?” “Nothing.” Nova gasped. Panam looked at her. Nova smiled brilliantly. “You used the banned word.” “I will leave you here.” “No, you won't.” Panam stared. Nova's smile became cautious. “Responsibility?” Panam closed her eyes. “Goddammit, Mandi.” Vega's collar appeared almost by accident. The shopkeeper brought out another tray. Panam saw it immediately. She picked it up. Vega noticed. Nova noticed. Nobody spoke. Warm brown leather. Not bright. Not reddish. Deep and soft, with a slight golden undertone under direct light. The hardware was dark brushed metal. The collar itself slightly wider than Nova's. Cleaner geometry. Stable. Quiet. At the center, beside the attachment point, a tiny inset line of pale metallic material caught the light. Not decoration exactly. A detail. Something you noticed only when close. Panam ran her thumb over the inside. Soft. Very soft. She checked the edges. Clasp. Release. Hardware. Then looked at Vega. “Come here.” Vega stepped closer. Panam held it around her throat without closing it. Looked. Vega watched Panam rather than the mirror. Panam frowned. Not because it was wrong. Because it wasn't. “This one.” Vega smiled. “Yes.” Panam looked at her. Vega's smile warmed. “Yes, owner.” Panam nodded. Two. Then came the leashes. Nova and Vega both made the mistake of assuming this would be faster. It was not. Panam rejected Nova's first leash because the handle was too narrow. The second because the clasp was unnecessarily heavy. The third because the leather didn't match closely enough. Nova watched. “You know Mandi is going to be unbearable when she hears about this.” “She doesn't have to hear about it.” Nova and Vega stared. Panam stared back. Vega smiled. “You know Mandi.” Panam sighed. “Yes.” The fourth matched. Same blue-grey. Same silver hardware. Comfortable hand loop. Secondary grip point closer to the clasp. Enough length for ordinary movement. Not enough to become annoying in a crowded bar. Panam tested the hardware. “Good.” Nova looked at it. Then at Panam. “My leash.” Panam glanced at her. “Yes.” Nova smiled. Panam handed it to the shopkeeper. “Set.” Vega's came faster. Matching warm brown. Dark hardware. Slightly softer construction. Same practical length. Secondary grip positioned differently. Nova noticed. “Hers isn't identical.” Panam looked at her. “I said different.” “I know.” “But?” Nova smiled. “You meant it.” Panam frowned. “Of course I fucking meant it.” Vega touched Panam's arm. “Thank you.” Panam looked at her. Then at the two sets waiting on the counter. Four pieces. Two collars. Two leashes. Different. Personal. Hers to choose. Theirs to wear. Panam exhaled. “Let's fit them.” Nova went first. Panam took the blue-grey collar. Nova stood in front of her. For the first time since entering the shop, she wasn't smiling. Not because she was unhappy. Because it mattered. Panam saw. She held the collar. “Still yes?” Nova looked directly at her. “Yes.” Panam waited. Nova smiled softly. “Yes, owner.” Panam lifted the collar. Placed it around Nova's neck. Closed it. Click. Nova inhaled. Panam adjusted the fit. One finger. Two. Checked. Then stepped back. Nova looked at herself in the mirror. Her fingers rose. Stopped before touching. She looked at Panam. Panam smiled. “Go ahead.” Nova touched it. Slowly. Her expression changed. Quiet. There it was. The thing she'd asked for. Not silence. Not obedience. Quiet. Panam picked up the matching leash. Nova watched. Panam clipped it on. Click. Nova looked down. Then followed the line to Panam's hand. Panam saw her breathe out. “My pet.” Nova looked up. “My owner.” Panam tugged lightly. Nova stepped closer. Easy. Natural. Three. Vega watched. Not impatient. Not jealous. Just waiting for her own. Panam unclipped Nova's leash. Nova blinked. “Temporary.” Panam handed it to her. “Hold this.” Nova took it. “Yes, owner.” Panam picked up Vega's collar. Warm brown. Dark hardware. Tiny pale detail. Vega stepped forward without being asked. Panam smiled faintly. “Still yes?” “Yes.” Panam waited. Vega understood. “Yes, owner.” Panam placed the collar around her neck. Closed it. Click. Vega's eyes shut. Just for a second. Panam adjusted it. Checked the fit. Then picked up the leash. Vega opened her eyes. Panam clipped it on. Click. For several seconds, Vega simply watched Panam's hand around the loop. Panam didn't rush her. Then Vega smiled. “Now you're counting.” Panam's expression softened. “Yes.” Vega swallowed. “My owner.” Panam tugged gently. “My pet.” Vega stepped closer. Four. Panam paid. It was expensive. Very expensive. Nova saw the total. Her eyebrows rose. Vega saw it too. “Panam—” “No.” Vega stopped. Panam authorized payment. Nova looked at her. “You didn't even let her finish.” “I know what she was going to say.” “What?” “That it was too much.” Vega smiled. “It is.” Panam looked at her. “No.” “Owner—” “My choice.” Vega stopped. Panam picked up Nova's leash. Nova gave it to her. Now Panam held both. Blue-grey. Warm brown. Two new lines from her hands to two new collars. Panam looked down. Then at Nova. Then Vega. “Fuck.” Nova laughed. Vega smiled. “What?” Panam shook her head. “Nothing.” Nova's eyes widened. “Again.” “Shut up.” “Yes, owner.” Vega laughed. They headed for the door. Panam opened it this time. Nova looked at Vega. Vega looked at Nova. Panam saw. “What?” Nova smiled. “You solved the door problem.” Panam stared. Vega laughed. Panam walked outside. Both followed. Mandi was waiting at Lizzie's. Of course she was. Not casually. Not coincidentally. Waiting. She had Birgitta beside her. Dalia beside Birgitta. Deja beside Dalia. Suzie behind the bar. Panam entered first. Nova followed on her left. Vega on her right. Two new collars. Two new leashes. Panam holding both. Mandi's mouth fell open. For once— nothing came out. Panam stopped. Looked at her. Smiled. “Well?” Mandi pointed at Nova. Then Vega. Then Panam. Still nothing. Dalia turned toward her. “Holy shit.” Birgitta laughed. Deja leaned closer. “Is she broken?” Panam smiled. “Apparently.” Mandi finally found language. “You chose those.” “Yes.” “Both.” “Yes.” “Different.” “Yes.” “I told you she'd—” Panam pointed. Mandi stopped. Then looked at Nova's collar. “Fuck.” Nova smiled. Mandi looked at Vega's. “Oh, fuck.” Vega smiled. Mandi looked at Panam. “Owner.” “What?” “You're good at this.” Panam's expression changed. The joke vanished. Mandi meant it. Panam looked at the two women beside her. Then at Birgitta. Then Mandi. Four collars. Hers. Four pets. Almost all leashed. Panam exhaled. “Yeah.” Mandi smiled. Then ruined it. “Nice stable.” Panam closed her eyes. Dalia exploded laughing. Suzie slapped the bar. Deja bent forward. Nova laughed. Vega laughed. Birgitta covered her mouth. Panam opened her eyes. “Mandi.” Mandi smiled. “Yes, owner?” “Come here.” Mandi's smile faltered. “Oh.” Panam held out one hand. Mandi looked at Birgitta. Birgitta immediately handed over Mandi's leash. Traitor. Mandi took it. Walked to Panam. Placed it in her hand. Panam clipped it onto Mandi's collar. Click. Then looked at Birgitta. Birgitta was already holding out hers. Panam took it. Click. Four. The room changed. Just slightly. Panam felt the weight first. Not heavy. Four loops distributed between her hands. Four different leashes. Four different collars. Four women. Birgitta. Mandi. Nova. Vega. Mandi looked around. Then at Panam. Panam saw the sentence coming. “No.” Mandi smiled. “I haven't said anything.” “You're going to.” “Yes.” “No.” Mandi looked at the four leashes. Then at Suzie. Suzie was openly grinning. Dalia had stopped laughing and was simply staring now. Deja looked fascinated. Clients nearby were noticing. One whispered something to another. Nova heard. Her smile widened. Vega looked around. Then back at Panam. Mandi took a breath. Panam tugged her leash. Mandi closed her mouth. Panam smiled. “Not one fucking word.” Mandi nodded. “Yes, owner.” Panam looked at Birgitta. Birgitta smiled. Nova. Smiled. Vega. Smiled. Panam shook her head. Then gathered all four leashes comfortably. “Come on.” Four women moved. Together. Suzie watched them cross Lizzie's. Dalia watched. Deja watched. Half the fucking room watched. Mandi lasted seven steps. Then, very quietly: “Stable.” Panam stopped. Everyone stopped. Panam slowly turned her head. Mandi smiled. Panam stared. Mandi's smile became smaller. “Sorry.” Panam raised an eyebrow. Mandi corrected herself. “Nice stable, owner.” Panam closed her eyes. The room exploded. --- ## CHAPTER 19 — FOUR LEASHES The first person to understand was a bartender. Not Suzie. Suzie already understood. That didn't count. It was a bartender three blocks from Jig-Jig Street who happened to be outside on a break when Panam walked past. She had four women with her. That alone meant nothing. Night City had seen stranger groups before breakfast. Four women wearing collars meant slightly more. Four women wearing different expensive collars meant something. Four matching leashes— not matching each other, but matching the individual collars— meant considerably more. And all four leashes ended in one woman's hands. The bartender stopped smoking. Panam noticed. She looked at him. He looked away. Mandi smiled. “No.” Mandi blinked. “I didn't say anything.” “You were going to.” “I was going to say hello.” “Bullshit.” Mandi laughed. Beside her, Birgitta smiled. Nova and Vega walked on Panam's other side. Panam had spent the first two blocks learning how not to tangle four leashes. This was apparently a skill. She resented having acquired it. Birgitta naturally stayed slightly closer. Mandi wandered. Nova changed sides twice before realizing this made Panam swear. Vega had somehow discovered exactly how much distance Panam preferred without being told. Four different people. Four different rhythms. Four different fucking leashes. Panam adjusted Mandi's. “Closer.” Mandi moved closer. “Yes, owner.” The bartender looked back. Panam saw him. “Keep walking.” Mandi grinned. “I am.” “I wasn't talking to you.” “Oh.” Nova laughed. Panam looked at her. Nova immediately became interested in the street. Panam sighed. They continued. By the time they reached Lizzie's, three people had stared. Two had whispered. One had openly pointed. Mandi had behaved through all of it. Mostly. Panam was suspicious. Suzie saw them enter. Her expression did not change. That was impressive. Dalia's did. Dalia was sitting at the bar with Deja. She looked toward the door. Saw Panam. Saw Birgitta. Mandi. Nova. Vega. Then the leashes. She slowly put down her drink. Deja turned. “Oh.” Panam kept walking. Mandi smiled at them. Dalia looked at Suzie. Suzie looked back. Neither spoke. Panam reached the bar. “Don't.” Suzie raised one eyebrow. “I haven't said anything.” “Good.” Dalia lifted one hand. Panam looked at her. Dalia lowered it. Deja was openly counting. Panam saw. “No.” Deja blinked. “What?” “You're counting.” “No.” “You are.” Deja looked at the leashes. Then Panam. “Four.” Panam closed her eyes. Mandi laughed. Panam opened them. “Thank you, Deja.” “You're welcome.” “That wasn't gratitude.” “I know.” Dalia looked at the four collars. Then Panam. “You actually did it.” Panam frowned. “Did what?” Dalia gestured. “This.” Panam looked down. Four leashes. Then at four women. Then back. “They asked.” Dalia stared. Mandi smiled. “That's her defense.” “It is not a defense.” “It absolutely is.” Panam tugged Mandi's leash. Mandi moved closer. “Yes, owner.” Dalia's eyes followed the movement. Then she laughed. “Jesus Christ.” Suzie finally spoke. “Drinks?” “Yes,” Panam said. Four voices followed with four different answers. Suzie paused. Panam paused. Everyone looked at everyone. Then Mandi laughed. “Oh, this is going to be fantastic.” The first logistical problem was seating. Panam had not anticipated seating. This annoyed her. Their usual arrangement worked for three people. Sometimes four. Five required strategy. Mandi wanted beside Panam. Birgitta usually sat beside Panam. Nova did not particularly care. Vega wanted a position where she could see the room. Panam looked at the available space. Then at them. “Birgitta.” “Yes?” “There.” Birgitta sat. “Mandi.” Mandi smiled. “Yes, owner?” “Other side.” Mandi sat. “Vega.” Panam pointed. Vega understood immediately. “Thank you.” She took the seat with the clearest room view. Nova looked at the remaining seat. Then Panam. Panam looked back. Nova smiled. “I can solve this myself.” “Good.” Nova sat. Panam looked at the arrangement. Worked. She sat between Birgitta and Mandi. Then realized she still had four leashes. Mandi noticed. Her smile appeared. Panam looked at her. “No.” Mandi said nothing. Panam arranged the loops. Birgitta's and Mandi's in her left hand. Nova's and Vega's in her right. Mandi looked down. Then up. Panam stared. Mandi smiled. “Efficient.” Panam sighed. “Thank you.” Mandi blinked. “That worked?” “Don't ruin it.” Mandi shut up. For nearly thirty seconds. The first client approached Birgitta. He knew her. Birgitta knew him. They talked. Panam listened only enough to know whether she was needed. Birgitta looked at her. “Yes,” Birgitta said. Panam nodded. The client turned to Panam. “One hour?” “Thirty-two.” He paid. Panam checked. Then unclipped Birgitta. “Hour.” “Yes, owner.” Birgitta left. The client glanced once at the remaining three leashes. Then followed. Mandi watched him go. Panam looked at her. “What?” “Nothing.” “No.” “I was thinking.” “Dangerous.” “Very.” Mandi smiled. Panam sighed. Nova was next. A woman approached. Nova liked her immediately. Panam could tell. Not because she knew Nova well yet. Because Nova made absolutely no attempt to hide it. The woman smiled. “Working?” Nova looked at Panam. Then stopped herself. Panam noticed. Nova looked back at the woman. “Yes.” Good. Then she looked at Panam. Panam smiled faintly. “Thirty-two. One hour.” The woman paid. Panam checked. Reached for Nova's leash. Then paused. Nova looked at her. “First one.” Nova smiled. “With you.” “Yes.” Panam unclipped her. Click. Nova's fingers touched her collar. Then she looked at Panam. “My owner.” Panam's expression softened. “My pet.” Nova left. Mandi made a tiny sound. Panam turned. “What?” Mandi shook her head. “Nothing.” Panam stared. Mandi smiled. “Fine. That was cute.” Panam rolled her eyes. Vega smiled. Vega's first booking under Panam came eleven minutes later. Different client. Different interaction. Vega took longer. Asked more questions. Panam stayed out of it. That mattered. The client glanced at Panam twice. Panam said nothing. Vega decided. “Yes.” Only then did Panam become involved. “Thirty-two.” The client nodded. “Ninety minutes?” Panam looked at Vega. Vega thought. Then shook her head. “One.” Panam looked back. “One hour.” The client accepted. Payment. Panam unclipped Vega. Before Vega left, Panam touched her arm. Vega looked back. “Good?” Vega smiled. “Yes.” Panam nodded. “Go.” Vega left. Now Panam held one leash. Mandi's. Mandi looked at it. Then at Panam. Then around. “Don't.” “I didn't—” “You were going to.” Mandi smiled. “Just us.” Panam stared. Mandi leaned closer. “Romantic.” Panam tugged the leash. Mandi laughed. Dalia came over. She looked at the empty seats. Then Mandi. Then Panam. “Busy.” “Yes.” “How's management?” Panam stared. Dalia smiled. “Sorry.” “No, you're not.” “No.” Mandi lifted her drink. “Madame needs her cut.” Panam tugged the leash. Mandi nearly spilled it. “Owner!” “Drink your water.” Mandi looked at the glass. Then at Panam. “This is not water.” Panam looked. It wasn't. She looked toward Suzie. Suzie shrugged. “She ordered it.” Panam looked at Mandi. Mandi smiled. Panam sighed. “Fine.” Dalia laughed. “What?” “You checked.” “Yes.” “You actually checked.” Panam frowned. “Of course I checked.” Dalia's smile changed. Not mocking now. “I know.” Panam looked at her. Then away. Mandi leaned gently against Panam's shoulder. Panam let her. Dalia watched. That was the thing. The leashes were visible. The collars were visible. The authority was obvious. But the part underneath— that took longer to see. Dalia saw it. Mandi got a booking. A regular. He approached. Smiled. Looked at her collar. Then the leash. Then Panam. “Working?” Mandi looked at him. Considered. “Yes.” Then she smiled. “You know the drill.” He looked at Panam. “Thirty-two?” “Yes.” “One hour?” “Yes.” He paid. Panam checked. Mandi stood. Panam reached for her leash. Mandi waited. Panam unclipped it. Then caught Mandi's wrist before she could move. Mandi looked back. “You've had two drinks.” “Yes.” “Water when you come back.” Mandi smiled. “Yes, owner.” “And you're done after this.” Mandi blinked. “Am I?” Panam looked at her. Mandi considered herself. Actually considered. Then: “Yes.” Panam nodded. “Good.” Mandi kissed her. Quick. Warm. Then left. Panam watched her go. Dalia sat down beside her. Panam now held no leashes. She looked at her empty hands. Dalia saw. “Feels weird?” Panam frowned. “No.” Dalia waited. Panam looked at her. “Fuck you.” Dalia laughed. The first pet returned after fifty-eight minutes. Birgitta. Panam saw her before Birgitta reached the table. She stood. Birgitta smiled. Client thanked her. Panam nodded. Client left. Panam took Birgitta's leash. Click. “Good?” “Yes.” “Water?” “Yes.” “Quiet?” Birgitta thought. “A little.” Panam nodded. “Sit.” Birgitta sat beside her. Panam put water in front of her. No questions. No conversation. Birgitta drank. Then leaned gently against Panam. Panam held the leash loosely. Dalia watched. A few minutes later Nova returned. Different energy. Bright. Talking. Her client looked equally pleased. “She's wonderful.” “I know,” Panam said. Nova froze. Panam froze. Dalia's eyebrows rose. The client smiled and left. Nova looked at Panam. “You know?” Panam sighed. “Don't.” Nova smiled. Panam clipped her leash. Click. “Good?” “Very.” “Water.” “Yes, owner.” “Ten minutes.” Nova sat. Immediately started telling Dalia something ridiculous her client had said. Panam smiled. Different. Vega returned exactly on time. Panam clipped her in. Checked. Good. Water. Vega wanted to sit where she could see the room again. Panam remembered. She moved a chair slightly before Vega asked. Vega noticed. Stopped. Then smiled. “You remembered.” Panam looked at her. “Yes.” Vega sat. Her expression remained soft for a long time. Three leashes. Then Mandi returned. Laughing. Of course. Her client said something in her ear before leaving. Mandi slapped his arm. He laughed. Then looked at Panam. “She behaved.” Panam stared. Mandi stared. Dalia stared. The client realized. Too late. Mandi slowly turned toward him. “Run.” He did. Panam laughed. Mandi pointed after him. “Fucking asshole.” Panam held out the leash. Mandi gave her a suspicious look. Panam smiled. Mandi stepped closer. Click. Four again. “Good?” “Yes.” “Water.” Mandi took the glass. “Done?” Mandi sighed. “Yes.” “Good.” Mandi drank. Then sat beside Panam. Four pets returned. Four collars. Four leashes. Different states. Birgitta quiet. Nova still talking. Vega watching. Mandi pretending she wasn't tired. Panam looked at Mandi. Mandi saw. “I'm fine.” “Didn't ask.” “You were going to.” “Yes.” Mandi sighed. “A little tired.” “Thought so.” Panam pulled her slightly closer by the leash. Mandi came. No resistance. No performance. She leaned against Panam. Four. That was when the room began understanding. Not everyone. Not all at once. But enough. A client approached Nova. Nova was interested. Panam said no. Not because Panam disliked the client. Because Nova had just worked. “Twenty minutes.” The client offered more. Panam shook her head. “Twenty.” Nova smiled. “Come back in twenty.” The client did. Another approached Birgitta. Birgitta wasn't interested. She said no. Panam never spoke. Another asked Vega about two hours. Vega wanted one. Panam enforced one. Another offered Mandi fifty thousand. Mandi looked tempted. Panam looked at her. Mandi thought. Then sighed. “No.” The client increased it. Panam didn't react. Mandi smiled. “Still no.” No one was being sold. No one was being assigned. No one was being ordered into a room. They chose interest. Panam controlled the structure around the choice. Access. Time. Money. Rest. Return. Care. Night City understood structures. Especially profitable ones. By midnight, people had stopped asking what the leashes meant. They knew. Suzie approached during a quiet stretch. Panam looked at her. “What?” Suzie looked at the four pets. Then the four leashes. Then Panam. “Nothing.” Panam stared. Suzie smiled. Panam sighed. “Say it.” “It's working.” Panam looked around. Birgitta was talking quietly with Vega. Nova and Mandi were arguing about something meaningless. All four were drinking water. All four were done for the moment. “Yeah.” Suzie leaned against the bar. “You know people are talking.” “I noticed.” “They're calling it the stable.” Panam closed her eyes. Mandi's head snapped around. Panam pointed without looking. “No.” Mandi froze. Panam opened her eyes. Suzie smiled. “Wasn't her.” “I know.” Mandi looked delighted. Panam glared at her. Mandi drank water. Suzie continued. “And they're calling you Madame.” “They already did that.” “More now.” Panam sighed. “Fantastic.” “You could stop.” Panam looked at her. Suzie looked toward the four women. Panam followed. Birgitta. Mandi. Nova. Vega. All collared. All hers because they'd asked to be. Panam looked back. “No.” Suzie nodded. “Thought so.” Near closing, Panam stood. Four heads turned. That was new. She hated how much she liked it. “Done.” Birgitta stood. Mandi stood. Nova stood. Vega stood. Four immediate movements. Panam gathered the leashes. Mandi smiled. Panam looked at her. “No.” “I didn't say anything.” “You're going to.” Mandi smiled wider. Panam started toward the exit. The four followed. Dalia watched them. Deja watched them. Suzie watched from behind the bar. Then Deja called: “Good night, Madame!” Panam raised one hand without turning around. “Fuck you.” Deja laughed. Dalia called: “Good night, stable!” Panam stopped. Four pets stopped. Panam turned. Dalia smiled. Mandi's shoulders were shaking. Panam pointed at Dalia. “You're banned.” “From Lizzie's?” “From words.” Dalia laughed. Suzie leaned against the bar. “Night, Panam.” Panam nodded. “Night.” Suzie smiled. “Girls.” Four responses. Then Panam turned again. They left. Outside, Night City was still awake. Of course. Panam stood on the sidewalk. Four women around her. Four leashes in her hands. She looked left. Birgitta. Right. Mandi. Nova. Vega. Mandi looked up. Panam saw it. “No.” Mandi smiled. “Owner.” “What?” “Nice stable.” Panam sighed. “I still hate that word.” Birgitta smiled. “Madame?” “I hate that one too.” Nova laughed. Vega smiled. Panam adjusted the four loops in her hands. Then looked at them. “Come on.” Four pets moved. Mandi waited three steps. “Madame?” Panam looked at her. Mandi smiled. Panam narrowed her eyes. Mandi corrected herself. “Owner.” “Better.” Birgitta laughed. Nova laughed. Vega joined them. Mandi leaned closer to Panam as they walked. And Night City watched Madame Panam take her stable home. --- ## CHAPTER 20 — COME ON They made it two blocks before Mandi spoke. Panam had known she would. That was the problem with Mandi. Silence from her was not peace. It was loading time. Panam had four leashes distributed between her hands. Birgitta walked naturally close on her left. Mandi drifted whenever the sidewalk widened, apparently testing exactly how much line Panam would give her before— Panam shortened the leash. Mandi came back closer without breaking stride. “Yes, owner.” “I didn't say anything.” “You didn't have to.” Nova laughed. Vega smiled. Panam looked at both of them. Nova immediately looked ahead. Vega somehow managed to look innocent while very obviously not being innocent. Panam sighed. Four collars. Four leashes. Four different women. Four completely different ways of being attached to the same fucking pair of hands. She had already learned that Birgitta unconsciously adjusted herself around Panam. Mandi required occasional physical reminders that a leash was not an invitation to explore the full radius of a circle. Nova still sometimes forgot that moving behind Panam to switch sides created chaos. Vega had apparently solved leash geometry as a mathematical problem and had not made a single mistake since leaving Lizzie's. Panam hated that she knew all of this already. Mandi looked up. Panam caught it. “No.” Mandi blinked. “I haven't said anything.” “You're going to.” “I might have been about to say something nice.” “No.” Mandi smiled. They continued. Ten seconds. Twenty. Thirty. Panam looked at her. Mandi looked ahead. Forty. Panam's suspicion deepened. Then Mandi said: “Nice stable.” Panam closed her eyes. Birgitta laughed. Nova made a small choking sound. Vega gave up and laughed too. Panam opened her eyes and tugged Mandi closer. Mandi came willingly. “Yes, owner?” “I still hate that word.” “Stable?” “Yes.” Mandi considered. “Madame?” “I hate that too.” “Owner?” Panam looked at her. Mandi smiled. “That one's fine.” Panam's annoyance lost some of its force. “Yes.” Mandi's smile softened. “Good.” For nearly another block, she behaved. Panam considered that a victory. --- The split happened at an intersection without anyone needing to discuss it. Safehouse one direction. Panam's apartment another. Mandi looked toward the first route. Nova did the same. Vega had already checked the crossing. Birgitta remained beside Panam. Nobody asked where she was going. Birgitta had been going home with Panam before there had been four pets. Before there had been a stable. Before Mandi had decided that observing someone else's relationship was apparently an excellent way to reorganize half of Night City's joytoy economy. Panam stopped. Four women stopped. She looked at the leashes. “Right.” Mandi smiled. “Logistics.” Panam pointed at her. “Don't.” “Yes, owner.” Panam started with Nova. “Come here.” Nova stepped closer. Panam unclipped her leash. Click. The blue-grey collar remained. Panam gathered the leash once and held it out. Nova reached for it. Panam kept hold. Nova looked at her. “Food.” Nova smiled. “Yes, owner.” “Water.” “Yes, owner.” “You're done working.” “Yes.” “Sleep.” Nova's smile widened. “I know how sleep works.” Panam raised an eyebrow. Nova paused. Then nodded solemnly. “Yes, owner.” Panam released the leash. Nova took it. She looked down at it for a second. Then back at Panam. Something quiet passed through her expression. Panam saw it. “Good?” Nova nodded. “Very.” Panam touched her arm once. “Good.” Then Vega. Click. Panam removed the leash. Vega waited. “You tired?” “A little.” “Actually a little, or Mandi a little?” Mandi looked offended. “Excuse me.” Vega laughed. “Actually a little.” “Food. Water. Done for tonight.” “Yes, owner.” Panam held the leash out. Vega took it. Then she hesitated. “Tomorrow?” Panam frowned. “What about it?” Vega lifted the leash slightly. Panam understood. “Bring it.” Vega smiled. “Yes, owner.” Mandi made an audible happy noise. Panam looked at her. “What?” “Nothing.” “No.” “I just enjoy competent administration.” “Your turn.” Mandi stepped forward immediately. “Finally.” Panam stared at her. Mandi smiled. “Sorry.” Panam unclipped her. Click. The graphite collar remained around Mandi's throat. That thin orange edge caught a passing wash of neon. Panam looked at her. Mandi looked back. “Good?” “Yes.” “Tired?” Mandi opened her mouth. Panam waited. Mandi closed it. Thought. Then: “Yes.” Panam nodded. That answer mattered more than the first one would have. “Done?” “Yes.” “No extra booking because somebody sends you a ridiculous offer.” Mandi smiled. “I wasn't planning to.” “No disappearing back out.” “I wasn't planning that either.” “Water.” “Yes.” “Food.” “Yes.” “Sleep.” Mandi sighed dramatically. “Yes, owner.” Panam held out the leash. Mandi reached. Panam didn't release it. Mandi's smile faded into something warmer. “What?” Panam looked at her. “Nothing.” Mandi raised an eyebrow. Panam sighed. “You did good.” Mandi went still. Nova smiled. Vega looked away with suspicious politeness. Birgitta watched quietly. Mandi's voice lost every trace of comedy. “Thank you.” Panam released the leash. Mandi gathered it. Then stepped forward and kissed Panam. Not a performance. Not for the sidewalk. Quick. Warm. Familiar already. “Good night, owner.” Panam's hand touched her waist briefly. “Night, pet.” Mandi stepped away. Then looked at Birgitta. “She's yours again.” Birgitta smiled. “She was never not.” Mandi paused. Then slowly nodded. “Fair.” Panam looked between them. “Are you two finished?” “No,” Mandi said. “Yes,” Birgitta said at exactly the same time. Nova laughed. Vega turned toward the safehouse route. “Come on.” Mandi looked at her. Then at Panam. Then at Vega. “Oh, that's dangerous.” Vega frowned. “What?” “You said it.” “Said what?” Mandi grinned. “Come on.” Panam closed her eyes. “Go home, Mandi.” “Yes, owner.” The three started across the intersection. Nova first. Vega beside her. Mandi took three steps. Four. Five. Then turned. Panam saw it happen. “Mandi.” Mandi walked backward. “Good night, Madame!” “Mandi.” “I'M GOING!” Nova grabbed one of her arms. Vega took the other. Mandi laughed as they pulled her around. “THIS IS OPPRESSION!” “Go home!” “YES, OWNER!” They disappeared around the corner. Panam stood there. Silent. Birgitta leaned gently against her shoulder. Panam looked down. One leash. Birgitta's. The original. Birgitta followed her gaze. For a moment, neither said anything. Then Birgitta smiled. “Quiet.” Panam looked at her. “Yeah.” “Better?” Panam thought. “No.” Birgitta raised an eyebrow. “Worse?” “No.” “Different?” Panam looked back toward the intersection. Then down at the single leash again. “Different.” Birgitta smiled. “Good.” Panam wrapped the leash once around her hand. Gently pulled. “Come on.” Birgitta stepped with her. “Yes, owner.” --- Dalia had apparently beaten them to the safehouse. Mandi decided this was offensive. The upper bell had barely finished sounding before the door opened. Dalia stood there. Still Dalia. Neon pink hair. Green reflective contacts. Menthol lollipop at one corner of her mouth. She looked at Mandi. Then Nova. Then Vega. Then at the three collars. Then at the three neatly gathered leashes each woman carried herself. Dalia very slowly removed the lollipop. “Oh.” Mandi smiled. Dalia looked at Nova's blue-grey collar. Vega's warm brown. Mandi's graphite and orange. Then back at Mandi. “You actually fucking did it.” Mandi put a hand against her chest. “Why does everyone keep blaming me?” Dalia stared. Nova coughed. Vega looked away. Mandi looked between them. “Oh, fuck all of you.” Dalia stepped aside. “Inside.” The three entered. Dalia shut the door behind them. Then immediately turned back. “Where's Birgitta?” Mandi looked at her as if the answer should have been obvious. “With her owner.” Dalia nodded once. “Of course.” Then she looked at the three of them again. “Three.” Mandi pointed. “Do not start.” Dalia's eyebrows rose. Mandi froze. Nova saw it. Vega saw it. Dalia smiled slowly. “What?” Mandi stared at her. “You sounded like Panam.” Dalia put the lollipop back into her mouth. “That bad?” “Yes.” “Good.” Nova laughed. Mandi looked betrayed. Dalia walked farther inside. The others followed. She glanced back once more. “Those staying on?” Mandi touched her collar. “Yes.” Nova did the same. “Yes.” Vega nodded. Dalia smiled faintly. “All right.” No questions. No jokes. Not about that. Mandi noticed. Her expression softened. Then Dalia ruined it. “So.” Mandi narrowed her eyes. “No.” “I haven't asked anything.” “You're about to.” Dalia smiled. “Does Madame have visiting hours?” Nova folded instantly. Vega laughed. Mandi pointed at Dalia. “You fucking bitch.” Dalia removed the lollipop again. “Interesting.” “What?” “Apparently Panam really is infecting people.” Mandi stared. Dalia smiled. “Food?” Mandi's outrage disappeared. “Yes.” Nova nodded. Vega did too. Dalia turned toward the kitchen. “Good. Because if I send three of Madame Panam's pets to bed hungry, she'll probably invoice me.” Mandi followed. “She takes fifty percent.” Dalia stopped. Turned. Stared. Mandi smiled brightly. “Madame needs her cut.” Dalia closed her eyes. Nova leaned against the wall laughing. Vega covered her face. Dalia put the lollipop back into her mouth and continued toward the kitchen. “I regret opening the door.” Mandi followed happily. “No, you don't.” “No.” --- Panam's apartment door closed behind them. The lock engaged. And Night City stayed outside. Panam stood with one hand still around Birgitta's leash. Birgitta stood a few steps away. No Lizzie's. No clients. No Suzie. No people staring in the street. No Mandi saying stable every forty seconds. Just the two of them. Panam looked at her. Birgitta smiled. “What?” “Nothing.” “Bullshit.” Panam stared. Birgitta's smile widened. “Oh.” “What?” “That worked.” Panam groaned. “Fuck.” Birgitta laughed. “You've been around Mandi too long.” “She's contagious.” “I've heard.” Panam shortened the leash. Birgitta came closer. One step. Then another. Until she stood directly in front of Panam. Panam touched her cheek. Birgitta leaned into it. “My pet.” The words landed differently here. They always did. Birgitta's expression softened. “My owner.” Not Madame. Never Madame when it was just this. Panam kissed her. Slowly. No rush left in either of them. Birgitta's hands settled around Panam's waist. Panam kept one hand on the leash. When they separated, neither moved away. Panam rested her forehead against Birgitta's. For several seconds, they simply stood there. Then Panam said: “Four.” Birgitta smiled. “Four.” “What the fuck happened?” “You said yes.” Panam pulled back enough to look at her. “That is not an explanation.” “It explains most of it.” “No.” Birgitta counted against Panam's chest with one finger. “One.” Panam narrowed her eyes. “Don't.” “Mandi asked.” “Yes.” “You said yes.” “Yes.” “Nova asked.” “Yes.” “You said yes.” “Yes.” “Vega asked.” “Yes.” “You said yes.” Panam stared. Birgitta smiled. “Four.” “You're missing one.” Birgitta's eyebrows rose. Panam touched the leash. “You.” Birgitta's smile changed. Softer. “Oh.” Panam nodded. “You asked first.” “Yes.” “And I said yes.” “Yes.” “So this is partly your fault.” Birgitta laughed. “There she is.” “Fuck you.” “Maybe later.” Panam stared. Birgitta smiled innocently. Panam kissed her again. --- They ended up on the couch. Birgitta curled against Panam. The leash stayed attached. Panam still held it. Birgitta noticed. Of course she did. “You can take that off.” “I know.” “You aren't.” “No.” “Why?” Panam looked at the loop around her hand. Then at Birgitta. “Want it there.” Birgitta nodded. “Okay.” Nothing more. That was one of the things Panam liked about her. Birgitta could talk. God, she could talk. She could flirt with a wall until the wall developed self-esteem. But when something needed no explanation— she could leave it alone. Panam settled deeper into the couch. Birgitta rested her head against her shoulder. Quiet. Not empty. Quiet. Panam looked at her collar. The first one she'd carried. The first leash she'd learned. The first time someone had called her owner and made the word feel like responsibility instead of performance. Then Panam's holo pinged. She closed her eyes. Birgitta laughed. “You don't know it's Mandi.” “Yes, I do.” Panam looked. Mandi. Of course. One message. **SAFEHOUSE.** Second. **FED.** Third. **DALIA SAYS WE ARE AN ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN.** Panam smiled despite herself. Birgitta leaned over to read. Another arrived. **NOVA AND VEGA CLAIM INNOCENCE. THEY ARE LYING.** Then: **NICE STABLE.** Panam sighed. Birgitta was already laughing. Panam typed. **Go to sleep.** Three dots appeared immediately. **YES MADAME** Panam stared. Typed: **MANDI.** Pause. Then: **Sorry.** Another pause. **Yes, owner. ❤️** Panam looked at the heart. Birgitta looked at the heart. Panam locked the holo. “Menace.” Birgitta smiled. “You like her.” “Yes.” Immediate. No reason to deny it. Birgitta smiled wider. Panam pointed at her. “Don't.” “I didn't say anything.” “You were going to.” “Yes.” Panam groaned. “Fuck. She really is contagious.” Birgitta laughed. --- They sat quietly for a while. Eventually Panam spoke. “You okay?” Birgitta didn't ask with what. “Yes.” “With four.” “Yes.” Panam looked down at her. “Really.” Birgitta shifted enough to face her. “Really.” “You don't have to be.” “I know.” “You don't have to protect this because you were first.” “I know.” “And if something changes—” “I tell you.” Panam nodded. Birgitta watched her. Then touched Panam's hand around the leash. “You're worried about getting it wrong.” Panam frowned. “I'm responsible for getting it right.” Birgitta smiled. “There.” “What?” “That.” Panam waited. Birgitta looked toward the window. “Mandi saw that.” Panam sighed. “Of course she did.” “Nova saw it in Mandi.” “Apparently.” “Vega saw it in all of us.” Panam looked at her. “And now I have a stable.” Birgitta smiled. “You said it.” Panam froze. Birgitta's eyes widened. Panam's narrowed. “No.” “Yes.” “No.” “You absolutely said it.” “I was quoting you.” “You weren't.” “Birgitta.” “You have a stable.” “I hate that word.” “I know.” Panam pointed at her. “Don't make me regret keeping this leash on.” Birgitta looked down at it. Then back up. Her smile became wicked. “My owner.” Panam's expression failed. Birgitta laughed. “That's cheating.” “Yes.” Panam tugged her gently closer. Birgitta came. “Brat.” “Pet.” Panam stared. Then laughed. “Fair.” --- Later, Panam stood. Birgitta looked up. “Bed?” “Yeah.” Panam still held the leash. Birgitta looked at it. Then at Panam. Panam raised an eyebrow. “What?” “Nothing.” “Good.” Birgitta rose. Panam turned toward the bedroom. Took two steps. Stopped. Looked back. Birgitta waited. Collared. Leashed. Smiling. The first pet. Not the only one anymore. But still the woman who had shown Panam what the word *owner* could mean before Night City turned it into Madame. Before Mandi turned it into a stable. Before Nova wanted quiet. Before Vega wanted someone else counting too. Panam gave the leash a gentle pull. “Come on.” Birgitta stepped toward her. “Yes, owner.” Panam smiled. “Come on, pet.” Birgitta followed. And for tonight, the stable could sleep wherever its pets called home. Panam only needed to count one.