Dom paced the small area in front of his desk, where he could look out the window and see the cars coming and going in the small parking lot outside his apartment. Maybe it had been a mistake, having Paul bring her to him. He should've gotten his ass in his own car and gotten her. But no, that made no sense. The club was closer to their apartments than her office, and he had phone calls to make. His phone buzzed. Paul was on his way.

Club Fucking Black Box. Her sister!

Dom and Matteo had ventured into the dark recesses of that club just once, on a cold night when Matteo had broken it off with a high-strung, completely plastered submissive who made returning to their usual club a momentary impossibility. Matteo hadn't wanted to go home, and had heard of Black Box from one of his cronies. Dom had gone reluctantly, curiosity pushing him past his initial reticence.

It was a dark place, secret and hidden, accessed only by invitation, which Matteo had secured via text shortly before their arrival. All members wore masks, per club regulations, and there was a heavier feel of secrecy than at the D/s hotspot Matteo and Dom preferred, an institution so well-known and well-respected that it was known simply as The Club. The Club maintained privacy and discretion. Consent and legality prevailed. It was a completely different story at Black Box.

Dom was not at all surprised when Black Box had been given a hefty fine and temporary shut-down orders a few months prior when an undercover agent had revealed the club's insidious allowance of underage activity. But they brought in ample profit, had a top-notch legal team, and had reopened their doors after a mere slap-on-the-wrist.

His phone rang. Matteo. He breathed a sigh of relief, vowing to himself he'd never again tell Matteo he was a pain in the ass if he could pull through this one night.

"Dom. What the hell is going on?" There was none of his usual teasing. Dom's text had been straightforward and urgent.

"Don't know much yet," he continued, pacing quickly before he glanced out the window again. He needed to get the hell out and walk off his nervous energy. He grabbed the spare set of keys Heidi had given him, and decided he'd take Princess for her walk and give her dinner, so Heidi could have the evening free. As he made his way over to her apartment, he filled Matteo in. "Heidi's sister Hillary, younger sister, still in college. Wrapped up with some asshole from Black Box. She's gone in as of last night and no one's seen or heard from her since. Police won't get involved. She's of age and apparently consented."

Matteo swore. "You got a name on the guy?"

"Marauder. You familiar?"

"No, but it'll help when I make some calls."

Dom pushed the door to Heidi's apartment open, snapped his fingers as Princess reared back to greet him with a flying leap, and quickly snapped the leash on her. He patted her head obligingly, and took her back out to the front yard, his stern look commanding her to do her business and be quick about it. She got the message.

"Good," Dom said. "You've got an in there, right?"

"Yeah, there's a guy I went through basic training with who's a bouncer there now. Goes by Slay. He's not into that shit but stays on the outskirts. He owes me a favor. I'll reach out. If that doesn't work, I've got a few more people I can try to connect with."

After a quick walk around the lot, filling Matteo in with all he knew, he brought Princess back to the apartment, made sure her food and water was filled, and walked into Heidi's room.

"Much appreciated, man."

"Yeah, I've got this. I'm on my way over there now. You've got Heidi?"

Dom was just finishing putting her clean clothes in an overnight bag. He didn't want her running back to her place, not tonight.

He saw Paul's blue pickup swerve into the parking lot.

"She just got here."

"Keep your phone on. I'll want to ask her questions. What her sister looks like, shit like that."

"Got it."

"You owe me Roadhouse burgers for this."

Dom quirked a smile. "You get her sister outta there, I'll even let you get the onion rings this time."

Matteo chuckled in return.

Dom knew he thrived on this—the adrenaline pumping through his veins, the chance at a rescue. He also knew the joking didn't mean for a minute Matteo didn't take this seriously. Quite the opposite. He was fortifying himself for what very well could be a throw-down. He would get this shit done. It might not be pretty, but he'd do it.

Dom disconnected, shoved his phone in his back pocket, slung the bag over his shoulder, gave Princess a quick pat on the head, and ordered low, "You stay here and be a good girl and I'll get you some of those fake bacon things." Princess obediently lay on the floor as Dom left and locked the door behind him.

Paul pulled into a parking space and the passenger door flew open before he'd come to a complete halt. Dom clenched his jaw. Had she even been wearing a seat belt? Jesus. But he took a deep breath. Heidi needed calm right now, and it was not the time for him to get on her case about smaller matters. She took one look at him and ran.

"Oh my God, Dom," she said. He reached his arms for her as she crashed into him, her blue eyes panic-stricken. He hated seeing her like this. He felt his temperature rise. He wanted to beat the man who'd accosted her sister, the man responsible for the fear in his girl's eyes. God, he hoped Matteo would do a thorough job of it.

"I read the emails," she said, her voice dropping to a whisper. "He's a seducer. I can read right through it. He fed her every line! And what he planned to do to her. Oh my God! And Dom! It gets worse!" she said, her voice raising as she lifted her cell phone. "She sent me a text, while we were on the way over here, asking me to help her! I replied but then didn't hear back from her. He must have realized she had access to her phone and taken it."

He took the phone from Heidi's hands as Paul came around the car, hands stuck in his pockets. He watched Dom and Heidi with an odd look, as if he were pleased to see them together, but guarded.

"Let's go to my apartment," Dom said.

"Go to your apartment!" she fairly shouted. To his surprise, she pulled back, her hands pushing him off her so hard they slapped against his chest. "I'm not going to sit here while my sister is kidnapped and tortured! We need to go there, and we need to go there now!" Her eyes flashed, and she took a step backward, in the direction of Paul's truck. "There are two of you guys and one of me, and I'm so pissed off I could kill him myself. I swear to God! Let's go! Now!"

Dom knew in the moment that she was half-crazed with worry, and he knew he couldn't allow her emotions to rule her reason. Dom's eyes met Paul's, and Paul nodded. He clicked the lock on his keys, and his truck beeped. Heidi's eyes flew to Paul, furious. She fruitlessly tried to open the door. "Unlock your goddamn truck!"

Dom marched over to Heidi and took her hand. "Come with me," he ordered firmly.

"Dom!" she said, trying to pull her hand away from him, turning back to the truck. "No! I'm not going with you! We need to go get her!"

He quickly overpowered her in one move, letting go of her hand and grasping her wrist. He knew she was beyond reason. He also knew what she needed from him now was clear direction. Still, she pulled and twisted, refusing to go. Dom looked at Paul, took the bag off his shoulder, and Paul braced for the catch. Dom swung the bag over to Paul, and Paul caught it. Before she could realize what he was doing, Dom swept Heidi off her feet and into his arms. She pushed, struggling, but he leaned in and whispered low as he marched with firm, deliberate strides to his doorway.

"You will do what I say, and you will do what I say now. Stop causing a scene. We will get your sister. You are not going to that club. You will come with me to my apartment and act reasonably. You will stop acting like a child, before I treat you like one. Am I clear?"

She looked at him, her eyes wide and tear-filled. She nodded. "But my sister," she said, her voice catching. He could hear the fight going out of her as he reached his apartment and opened the door.

"Your sister will be fine, baby," he crooned. "We'll do everything we can." He walked over to the couch and gently released her. She curled up into a corner, as Paul came into the apartment and shut and locked the door behind him. Dom skewered her with a look. "Do. Not. Move." She looked at her hands, swallowed, and nodded.

Dom went to his entryway, took the bag from Paul, and thanked him with a nod.

"She ever lose her shit like this before?" Dom whispered, too low for her to hear.

"Never seen her do this," Paul responded in a whisper. "She's tight with her sister, though, and scared shitless. God, I'm glad you got her under control. I was about ready to take her in hand myself."

Dom chuckled. He liked this guy.

Paul's voice dropped even lower. "What are we going to do about this?"

"I'll tell you," Dom said. "But let's make sure Heidi knows everything that's going on."

He returned to the living room, where Heidi was rocking back and forth. She'd responded to his commands, and now he needed to reassure her. He bent and scooped her back into his arms.

"Stop picking me up like I'm a sack of potatoes," she muttered irritably. He momentarily ignored the rudeness, sat back on the couch, and nestled her in his lap. He looked at Paul.

"Do me a favor? Grab a few bottles of water from the fridge." Paul nodded.

The minute Paul stepped out of the room, Dom leaned over, fisted her hair firmly but gently, and tipped her head back, leaning in to whisper.

"You listen, and you listen well, little girl," he said sternly. He felt her grow still. "You've already earned yourself a spanking for that display out there. I know you're worried about your sister, and I get that. Believe me, I do, and this is going to work out. But there's never been a more important time for you to obey me. I need you to trust me. Now, unless you want to earn yourself a much harder spanking than I'm already planning on giving you, you'll do what you're told and drop the attitude. Am I clear?"

Her eyes met his, and she was searching, hoping. He knew she found what she was looking for when she nodded, her whispered, "Yes, sir. I'm sorry, Dom. I'm just so scared," catching on the last word.

He put a single finger under her chin. "I know, baby. But acting recklessly isn't going to help your sister. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, sir," she said again, as Paul entered the room with the waters. He could see his words had both chastened and reassured her.

"Good girl," Dom murmured. He took a bottle of water from Paul, opened it, and offered it to Heidi. She took a few long pulls from the bottle, and when she was done, she sighed.

He settled her on his lap, as Paul leaned against Dom's desk. Dom began.

"I've called my brother. He has an in with Black Box, and is on his way over there now. No doubt, this guy secured a private room, but I know my brother, and he won't stop until he's found her."

Heidi sighed. "Thank God," she said.

"Show me the messages," he said. She wordlessly handed him the phone. As he read over the emails, he could see why she'd been so panicked.

Do you like the idea of being powerless, Hillary? Tonight, I plan on showing you how erotic that can be. You'll be my slave, from the minute you set foot into the club until I give you leave. Everything of yours belongs to me, from your sweet tits to your sweet pussy. I'll cuff you when you enter the club, and you are not to raise your eyes or talk to anyone unless I give you permission. Once you enter, my word is law. Your entering nulls any safeword. Arrive on time, or we'll begin with a caning that will make sitting for the evening an impossibility.

"Shit," Dom muttered.

"It gets worse," Paul said. "You familiar with rape fantasy, Dom?"

Dom's stomach tightened. "Yeah," he said reluctantly.

Heidi tucked her head into Dom's chest. "I can't. I can't even think about it!" she said.

"Don't, baby," he said.

"Is there any way for her to escape? Can she get out?"

Dom sighed. "I'm not very familiar with their club by-laws, but I can tell you this, his forbidding safewording already puts him on rocky ground consensually. How is she supposed to tell him what she likes and what she doesn't? She's new to this, you say?"

Heidi nodded. "When I first read the messages, I thought maybe it was possible she had been into this for a while and I didn't know it. But, the emails only go back a month or so, so she couldn't have been into it for very long."

Dom swore. He wanted to go in himself, get that Marauder asshole and teach him a lesson. The mere idea of an innocent girl being taken into that place, forbidden to safeword, and used… the adrenaline surged through him, as his phone rang. Matteo.

"Yeah?" he asked. He put his finger to his lips to indicate Heidi was to remain quiet. She sat back meekly, but was clearly on alert.

"I'm here," Matteo said. "Slay's here and I've filled him in. We've got the owner notified, and he's joining us now. Thank God after that legal fiasco, he's not having any illegal activity."

"Good," Dom said. "You know what room she's in?"

"That's what we're trying to locate now," he said. "There are two dozen private rooms, and most are occupied tonight. Some shit convention or something."

"Dammit." Heidi's eyes widened, but he shook his head. "I'm putting you on speaker, Matt." He pushed the button. "Matteo, Heidi's here, and Paul, her assistant."

"Hi, guys. I'm here with Slay, my friend the bouncer, and Mr. Gentry, the owner. Problem, Dom. There's no 'Marauder' on file. We need more information. No reservations last night from Marauder."

Paul looked thoughtful. "We could check her email for more information," he murmured. "There might even be a time-stamped message that would—" he froze, as if something clicked in his mind, then he shook his head as if to dismiss the idea. "In any event, the room wasn't reserved for tonight," Paul said. "It was last night. Whoever's got her, if he's still there, is going on day two."

"That narrows it down," Matteo replied. In the background, they could hear a woman's low scream, and Heidi gasped. "That's someone else, Heidi," Matteo said. "It's all good. That was a good scream."

Another voice came on. "Heidi? What does your sister look like? Give height and weight estimations, and any identifying marks. All women were masked when they entered, and several were hooded."

She closed her eyes, but when they opened she was determined. "She's about 5'4", about 130 pounds."

"Could be anyone. Dammit."

"Oh! She has two matching star tattoos she got on spring break last year. One under her left ear and the other on her right wrist." Muffled voices on the other end of the line, low swearing, then Matteo's voice.

"I'm gonna hang-up for now. That was a good clue, there, Heidi. Slay saw only one girl enter with tattoos that match that description, but we think she's been taken to the Sanctuary. We can't get in there easily. I'll fill you in later. But I need to be on my game. I'm hanging up now."

"Thanks, man," Dom said. Heidi was crying quietly.

"All right. I'll call you as soon as I have any news. Heidi, hang in there, honey." They could hear him running, and muffled voices before his phone clicked.

Heidi's head fell against Dom's chest as the phone disconnected.

"I know about the Sanctuary," Paul said quietly. Dom and Heidi both looked to him. "I knew a Master who used it for training purposes a few years back." Heidi winced. "It's a private suite traveling masters are allowed to rent for their slaves. It was above all other rooms, and extremely expensive because of the privacy and location. It's sound-proof."

The sat in silence for a few minutes, Heidi's shuddering breaths setting Dom on edge. He smoothed her hair with his hand and rubbed her shoulders. Paul looked awkwardly at the two of them.

"Glad to see you're being a good girl, now, Heids," Paul murmured. He smirked at her and gave Dom a knowing look. "That was some very interesting behavior there, wouldn't you say, Dom?"

Dom heard the emphasis on his name, and stifled a chuckle. He knew exactly what Paul was doing, and he was grateful for the attempt at lightening the situation.

"Shut. Up," Heidi hissed at Paul. Paul raised his eyebrows. His eyes went to Dom.

"You let her speak to people that way?" his lips pressed together in an attempt not to grin.

Dom shook his head from side to side. "She gets naughtier and naughtier by the minute. I might need to do something about that."

Her eyes widened and mouth dropped open. "You guys!"

Dom chuckled, but as he did, his phone buzzed. They all stilled.

Found her in the Sanctuary. Bastard did her over bad, but she's safe. I've got her now. He got away. I've got her in the office, medics are arriving. She's okay.

Dom put his phone out of Heidi's reach. He didn't want her to see.

"They've got her. Matteo has her, and she's safe now."

She put her head on his chest and burst into tears.

* * *

Heidi lay next to him, running her fingers through the curly tufts of hair on his bare chest, a delicate fingernail tracing his hardened abs. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

"Shhh," he said, running his fingers through her hair. "I know you were overwhelmed. I know why you behaved that way. Over time, you'll learn to trust me more and it will become habitual to obey me."

Matteo had called, assured Dom that Hillary was okay, and said that she'd fallen asleep, crashing after the events of the night. He'd suggested it would be best for Heidi to wait to see her until the morning. Heidi had called her mom, and assured her Hillary was safe. Her mother had insisted she wanted to see her daughter, and gotten Heidi so near tears again, Dom had taken the phone from her and spoken to her mother himself.

"This is Heidi's boyfriend, Dom," he'd said. "I understand your concern, but Heidi's had a long and trying evening and needs to get some rest now. In the morning, we can all see Hillary. She's in good hands."

Her mother had been livid. "Dom! Dom who? I don't know you! Put my daughter back on the phone!"

"I can't do that," he'd insisted, his voice taking on the stern headmaster's immovable tone. "As I said, she needs rest and you'll see her in the morning."

"And how do I know Hillary is okay?"

"It was my brother who got her out," he'd said. "I know you've had a trying night yourself, but I'm going to ask you one final time to please let Heidi rest, and trust me that Hillary is safe and resting herself."

She'd sighed. "Your brother rescued her?"

"Yes, ma'am."

And after a bit more persuasion, she'd agreed to his terms.

He'd given her no alternative.

They'd ordered pizza with Paul, who finally gave her a goodnight hug as the wee hours of morning approached. "I'll check in on you in the morning, sweetie," he'd said. He'd given Dom a firm handshake. As the door shut behind him, Heidi had turned to Dom.

"Thank you," she'd whispered, putting her arms around his neck and squeezing. He'd lifted her, arms under her legs, carrying her to the bedroom. And now, as she lay with him, she was beginning to relax. Suddenly, she sat up.

"Princess!"

"I fed her, and took her out, and told her if she behaved I'd get her those gross bacon things," he said, pushing out of bed.

"You did?" she asked, her eyes softening. He turned, leaning back against his dresser.

"Yep."

"Oh! I need some clean clothes," she said. "I haven't done laundry this week, and—"

"Done," he said, gesturing to the bag he'd instructed Paul to leave by the door. Her eyes traveled to the bag, as if seeing it for the first time. "But you won't need anything to wear until the morning." She flushed and her eyes went to her hands. Her voice dropped.

"Am I… are you going to spank me?" she asked. He pursed his lips and crossed his arms.

"Mmm-hmmm," he stated.

She sighed. "I was kinda awful," she whispered.

"You weren't awful," he said kindly. "But you know you need a spanking for behaving that way." She nodded, as he continued. "But you're very tired and should get some rest now. We can deal with this in morning."

She twisted her hands in her lap and bit her lip. "Please… sir?" she asked quietly. He nodded. "Could we get it over with? I feel…" she twisted her hand into a knot and tapped it up against her chest. "All—like this—inside," she whispered, her voice catching and her eyes filling with tears. "And… I want it over with."

He thought for a minute. Poor girl. She'd had a trying evening, between dealing with her mother, and worrying about her sister. She was right. She did need a spanking, and he knew that consistency, the relief of having her punishment over, and the stress relief the rush of being spanked would give her, would help. He wouldn't allow her to control this, but a meek request was certainly allowed. He nodded slowly.

"I understand," he said. He pushed himself off the dresser, and moved to the edge of the bed. He rolled up his sleeves, as he turned sideways to address her. "Go get out of your clothes and into one of my t-shirts," he said. "Then come to me and bring your hairbrush." She blinked, but nodded and stood, and it pleased him to see her obeying his instructions. When she returned to him, dressed in one of his t-shirts that just hit the top of her thighs, with the brush in hand, he patted his lap. "Come here and lie over my lap," he murmured. She took a deep breath and obeyed. He positioned her over his lap.

His tone was gentle, his touch firm but sensual, as he raised the edge of his t-shirt and bared her. "Why are you getting a spanking, little girl?" he asked in a husky voice. He could feel it already, the desire for her. Despite his exhaustion, despite the fact he was administering punishment, the desire to take her and claim her was as instinctive and natural as his desire to breathe.

"I was rude to you," she whispered. "I told you no, and yelled at Paul, and tried to disobey you, and didn't do what you told me to."

"That's right," he said, his voice just above a whisper, as he ran his hand down the smooth curve of her bare skin. "And why is it important to obey me?"

"Because you look out for me," she whispered, and her voice caught. "Because you… want what's best for me," she said.

"Yes, baby," he said. "I'm going to spank you now, Heidi, and I want you count with each stroke."

"Yes, sir," she said. He raised the brush and brought it down with a solid crack. She winced, but didn't cry out.

"One, sir."

He brought it down again, and again, and when she choked out a whispered, "Twenty," he dropped the brush to the bed and massaged her reddened skin.

"Keep counting," he commanded evenly, and after he rubbed the sting out, he raised his hand and brought it down again, feeling the sting on his own hand as he gave her a hard swat.

"Twenty-one, sir," she whispered, and that's when her tears began.

"Let it out," he directed, raising his hand and bringing it down again, "And no need to count anymore, baby." The tears flowed as his hand raised and came down again, softer, but with enough sting that the breath hissed out of her. He could her the soft catch of her cries, as he spanked her, but he knew she needed this, he knew she needed him, and that his taking control this way would bring her relief, comfort, and reassurance.

"You're a good girl, Heidi," he said, delivering another stinging slap, "and you try so hard. So hard." He knew she was done when she lay over his lap as limp as a rag doll. He lifted her up and she slid to the floor between his legs, her head on his knee, as he picked up the brush and ran it through her hair again. "Such a good girl," he murmured. When she looked so calm she looked as if she were asleep, he raised her chin.

"Feeling better, honey?" he asked.

"Yes," she said. He could see the relief written in her features, the weariness taking over now. He placed a tentative finger on her chest.

"That gone?" he asked. "That knot?"

"All gone," she whispered.

"Good girl," he said. "Now come up to bed." She crept up onto the bed and he pulled the blanket up around her. "I'm going to get ready for bed myself, now," he said. "I'll be back in a minute." And two minutes later, when he came back to her, she was already dead asleep. He watched her quietly for a minute. It pleased him to know he'd helped her relax, and gotten them back to where they needed to be—him in charge, her under his obedience, both content, and ready to put the night's events to rest.

* * *

Dom drummed his fingers across the gleaming surface of his desk as his phone buzzed. He picked it up automatically, ready to respond if it was Heidi needing him. Although he'd left her safely tucked away at her apartment with her sister, a platter of brownies, and a pile of chick flicks, he still worried.

Hey. Just checking in. Everything okay?

He nodded at the dark corner of his office, and glanced out the large window just in time to see Jay's car pull in next to his in the parking lot. Everything was perfect.

Yep. All in place, ready to go. Will update. You good, babe?

It took a few seconds for her response to come, and he could picture the scene—Heidi sitting on the couch as she always did, one leg tucked under her, phone in her hand.

We're great. Just about to start 'The Notebook', bowl of popcorn at the ready. Just miss my man.

He smiled to himself.

I'll be back as soon as we're done here. Hang tight and be good.

I'm always good.

The hell she was. He dropped his phone back on the desk with a smirk when a knock came at the door.

"Come in," he said, using his deepest, most authoritative headmaster voice.

All Jay knew was that he'd been summoned to the headmaster's office on a Saturday. Dom hoped to hell he'd been sweating it out ever since he'd gotten the call.

Dom strategically folded his hands on his desk as the door swung open. Jay entered, his eyes wide and innocent-looking.

Bastard.

After the incident with Hillary, Paul hadn't hesitated in sharing the 'evidence' he'd discovered during the financial audit—money transferred in Dom's name, on his laptop, meant to incriminate him in the scandal that had almost brought the school to ruin. Dom had denied it, and they'd quickly found proof that Dom couldn't have made the transfer—he'd been checked into the gym with Heidi at the time, and they had the gym record to prove it. It had been easy enough to put two and two together after that. Jay had access, he had the opportunity, and he'd been seen in Dom's office.

Did Jay think he was stupid?

Dom held the record in front of him, the printout from the gym with the dated stamp on it.

"How are things, Jay?" he asked smoothly.

Jay merely nodded, and stood with his hands in his pockets.

"What gives, Dom?" he blustered. "Why'd you call me in here on a Saturday?"

"Sit down."

Jay blinked, as if deciding on whether or not to push the issue, before he shrugged and obeyed, folding himself into the chair opposite Dom.

"I think you know why."

Dom had already decided on his approach before he came. He would be straightforward, cut to the chase, but give Jay just enough rope to hang himself.

Jay folded his arms across his chest, as his arrogant facade wore off and his eyes took on a hard edge. "I don't. Why don't you tell me?"

Dom coolly placed the papers he held in front of Jay.

"You know what these are?" he asked evenly.

"Nope."

"The first, is a transfer into the alumni donation account, requested in my name. Odd, considering you know I didn't make that transfer, and it was a large enough sum to cause our consultants to easily point out a major discrepancy."

Jay shook his head. "Tsk tsk."

The gall! Dom wanted to grab him by his scrawny neck and—he paused, and took a deep, cleansing breath. It wouldn't do to lose his shit now.

He pointed to the second paper. "And this, a time-stamped record of my arrival at my gym, corresponding exactly at the time I supposedly had my ass in this chair making the transfer."

Jay shrugged. "Your point?"

Dom narrowed his eyes and whispered, "You know you were the one responsible for that transfer. You were in here that afternoon when I came to retrieve Heidi's thumb drive—both of us saw you. I can't believe you had the nerve to use my name and incriminate me in this!"

Jay shook his head, but Dom persisted, knowing it was only a matter of time before he got what he needed.

"Your father would be appalled," he said. "Such a way to shame the Divris name."

That hit where it hurt. Jay's cheeks flushed.

"You'll never prove it!" he hissed.

"Prove what?" Dom asked low.

"You know what! That I transferred the money. And even if you do try to bring that stupid paper in, my father will hear about this, and—"

Dom turned to the corner of the room and nodded.

"You got enough?"

Jay jumped to his feet, his eyes bulging, as Paul stepped out of the shadow.

"Got every word," he said smoothly, piercing Jay with a look. He handed the phone to Dom, and Dom nodded.

"Thanks, Paul. Time to make some phone calls."