Caged (Dark Empire #2)

Twelve.

Ashlee

It was a long journey home which made me even more exhausted than I already was. I'd barely woken up this morning, and then my men had ushered me out of the villa and to the airport.

We boarded the plane, sliding into familiar seats like players in a clandestine game. As the engines roared to life, I gravitated to Ethan, seeking solace in his arms once more, the thrum of the aircraft lulling me into a blissful haze. Last night had been electric, the culmination of desire and longing igniting a fire that consumed us all. Our souls intertwined, bound by an unbreakable thread that defied logic. The honeymoon had been a whirlwind of passion and adventure, each moment etched into memory like an indelible mark. But as we soared through the clouds, reality loomed on the horizon, a spectre of responsibility and duty.

The thought of returning home without Mags by our side filled me with a sense of unease, a void that threatened to swallow me whole. Yet, even in the midst of uncertainty, Ethan's reassuring presence offered a glimmer of hope, a promise of better days to come. I couldn't help but wonder if perhaps this journey was just the beginning. I got the impression that Ethan didn’t mind him sleeping with us. It’s not like the bed wasn't big enough to fit us all comfortably. Hopefully he’d be back with us soon.

I was barely aware of going home, my greeting to Luna almost robotic. My body was too exhausted, even after sleeping almost the entire flight. It was late evening anyway, so after Ethan fed her, I carried her upstairs and got into bed. I'd missed her, but she could have a proper greeting in the morning.

When I opened my eyes, I was alone in bed. I had a quick shower and then slipped into a baggy t-shirt with some sweatpants.

I found Ethan sitting in the kitchen with a mug of coffee while tapping on his phone.

“Hey, beautiful.” He grinned when he saw me in the doorway.

“Hey,” I replied.

“How are you feeling?”

“A lot better.”

“Good. Come and take a seat while I make you a drink.” He soon placed a coffee in front of me, taking his seat once again. “Do you feel more refreshed?”

“Yeah, I was pretty tired.”

He chuckled. “Was the other night too much?”

“Yes and no. You wore my body out, but it was amazing. I loved every second.”

He smiled. “I’m glad. I enjoyed it too, as did Mags.”

My eyes narrowed. “I’m going to miss him not being around all of the time.”

“I know, sweetheart, but he's only down the road. He'll be around often like before.”

I nodded. “Ethan, thank you for everything. Thank you for letting Mags be with us. I've loved everything this week.”

His smile reached his eyes. “It’s my pleasure, my wife. I've loved every second of being married to you so far.”

“Back to reality now though.”

“Unfortunately. Back to work tomorrow. I need to visit my father this afternoon, but rest and take it easy today.”

“Okay,” I muttered.

After having a light breakfast, I laid on the floor playing with Luna until she fell to sleep. It surprised me how much she'd grown in only a week, but at least Mario had taken good care of her.

My head snapped up when I heard the front door opening, more than aware that Ethan had only been gone for an hour. There was no way that he'd be home this quick.

“Hey, Red.”

My eyes lit up when I saw Mags, my body up and rushing into his embrace like lightning.

He chuckled. “I’ve missed you too.”

“Why are you here?”

“Why? Do you want me to leave?” He raised an eyebrow.

“No,” I said quickly. “I just thought you'd be with Ethan.”

“Nah, I'd rather be with you.” He pulled me towards the sofa, taking a seat and pulling me down onto his lap. “Ethan knows I'm here as he came and saw me before going to Stefan's. I want to tell you something, Red. It's time that you knew about my own demons.”

His words took me by surprise. I wasn’t even aware that he had any.

“Ashlee, Ethan's not the only one with a broken soul. I’ve never told anyone, not even him until the other night.”

“What is it?” I whispered.

“Did you know that I was in the military before I met Ethan?”

“Ethan mentioned it to me.”

“Well, I’ve seen things I can’t ever forget. One thing in particular still haunts me,” Mags confessed, his voice raw with emotion.

I leaned in, brushing my lips against his, trying to offer some solace. “I’m here, Mags. Take your time.”

He took a deep breath, his eyes distant. “An IED went off during a patrol while I was on tour. The blast obliterated our vehicle. Everyone died except me and one other guy. I... I have PTSD because of it. The other guy was left with life-changing injuries, while I only had a few burns and cuts. They medically discharged me, said my mental state was unfit for service.”

“Mags,” I whispered, my eyes softening with understanding. I had no idea how much pain he was carrying.

“I was homeless because I drank away my entire savings. Before Ethan found me, I was a drunk, drowning my nightmares in alcohol,” he admitted, his voice breaking.

“You had survivor’s guilt,” I whispered, understanding his torment.

“That’s what my therapist said before I left the military. Ethan offered me a roof over my head and he never made me leave. I started working for his family soon after. Back then, our jobs were more active, and the violence gave me a way to vent my frustration. Everything felt better eventually, so I never told Ethan. I found a coping mechanism and I got my life together. I got it together for Ethan. He would never have allowed me to stay if he knew how much of a broken, useless drunk I was. I only shared the truth with him the other night.”

“Mags, I'm so sorry that you suffered like that,” I said.

“I don't think the demons will ever be fully banished, but I don’t get episodes of anger anymore. Not since you were shot.”

I pressed my lips to his cheek. “I’m okay.”

“I know, but I was so scared seeing you fall at your wedding. I helped Stefan with the hostage which helped vent my anger a little. I didn’t want you to see me like that so I stayed away. I love you, Ashlee. I really fucking love you.”

I stared into his eyes watching them glass over with tears.

“I love you,” he whispered again as one fell.

It hurt that he hid himself from me. “Mags, I love you too. So much. So fucking much. You don’t need to suffer anymore. I'm here for you.”

He cupped my cheek with a sad smile. “I don’t want to ever lose you.”

“You won't. You, me and Ethan, we belong together.”

He grabbed my chin and pushed his lips into mine. “Mine, princess. I can't ever lose you.” He sat back and stared at my eyes. “Pick us a film, Red. I just want to spend some time holding you.”

I kissed him again. “Magnus, thank you for telling me.”

“I want you to know all of me, Red. I love you. I can't say it enough.”

I leaned against him and grabbed the remote to pick a film. I was honoured to get a piece of Magnus that nobody else had. It was a piece that I'd hold in my heart forever.

***

“Are you ready for work, Ashlee?” Ethan called up the stairs.

“Coming,” I shouted. I didn’t want to go back to work, but it was life. We couldn’t live in our own little bubble forever.

Plus when I was there, I did enjoy it. I know Ethan would let me never work again if I asked, but I didn’t want that.

I walked downstairs, smiling when I saw Mags standing beside Ethan. Both of their eyes were intense as they gazed at me.

“What?” I frowned.

“I don’t know how I feel about those clothes,” Ethan muttered.

“You bought them for me to wear at work,” I said. I ran my hands down the material.

“Yeah, well, now we're married.”

“It's just work, Ethan.” I rolled my eyes.

“I won't take my eyes off her,” Mags said.

Ethan nodded, grabbing my coat and holding it out for me to put on. He held my hand tightly as we walked to the car like he never wanted to let me go. It was a possessive vice-grip which made my heart flutter. I was feeling a little anxious about returning to work. Besides our one visit, I hadn't been since the wedding. Things were different now between us.

Ethan led me to the bar, giving me a raw hungry kiss before leaving me with Diana and going to his office without a saying a word.

“How have things been?”

“Good,” I said.

“And your honeymoon?”

“It was amazing. We went to Sicily.’

Diana smiled as she poured a round of drinks. “I'm glad things are better than the last time I saw you.”

“Yeah, they are,” I replied.

She glanced over at Magnus. “And I see he's back to staring at you.”

I chuckled. “Everything's back to normal.”

“Appears so,” Diana said with a chuckle.

My shift went by slowly, but it surprised me how easily I fell back into my role. Ethan didn’t come out and Magnus didn’t move from his seat, slowly sipping is one whisky. Things hadn’t changed.

I was pouring a round of drinks when a crash sounded from the middle of the room. My head snapped up to find Magnus standing over some man having punched him.

“Mags,” I gasped.

He didn’t look up, his eyes venomous and locked his prey in his sights.

“How dare you say that about her. How dare you so much as look at her like that!” He hissed.

My lips parted. This couldn't be about me, surely?

“What's your problem, man?” The guy hissed, standing up straight and glaring at Mags.

“You’re my fucking problem.”

“Cover me. I need to calm him down before this escalates,” I said to Diana.

I rushed out from behind the bar before she could reply, going straight up to Mags and grabbing his arm. “Mags.”

“They're all whores here. That’s why they take their fucking clothes off,” the man said.

He gazed down at me, his eyes flaring with rage. Then he stared at the other man again. “She is not a whore and she isn't available to ‘mess around with.”

“Look, I'm sorry, okay? I didn’t know she was spoken for.”

“No, she’s fucking married to the owner of this club. None of the staff members here are whores. Shall I get her husband so you can say it again and see what happens?”

“Okay, okay.” The man held his hands up in surrender. “Would you like to see how he’d react to those comments?”

I squeezed his arm to stop him from acting further, and he looked down at me again. “Mags.”

“Get out of here,” Mags hissed.

The man didn’t hesitate, rushing out of the club quicker than a lightning bolt.

“Mags, what happened?” I asked, turning and placing my hands on his chest.

“Doesn’t matter what he said, but I won't stand for anyone disrespecting you, Red. You're better than that.”

I released a sigh. “People will always talk. This is a strip club after all.”

“Yeah, well, I don’t like it.”

I wanted to show him how much I appreciated his protectiveness, but now wasn't the time or place. “I’m okay,” I said softly. “You need to relax. Let me get you another drink.”

He released a sigh. “Okay, but sit with me for a little while, princess.”

I gave him a smile before walking to the bar. I got the impression that this protectiveness wasn't going to ease any time soon. Ethan was just as bad.