Chapter 27
I woke before the sun had fully risen, my body attuned to years of early mornings and rigorous schedules. For a moment I lay still, allowing my senses to adjust to the quiet of the new day. The sheets whispered against my skin as I turned my head, my gaze falling on the sleeping form beside me.
Her purple hair fanned out across the pillow, a stark contrast against the dark green of the pillowcase. In sleep, her face was more relaxed than I had ever seen. I found myself studying her, taking in every detail of her features as if committing them to memory. She looked so young, so vulnerable. But here, in the soft light of dawn, with her guard completely down, I could see the girl she might have been in another life. A life before I had gotten my hands on her.
I felt a strange tightness in my chest as I watched her sleep. It was an unfamiliar sensation, one that I quickly pushed aside. I couldn't afford to feel anything for her beyond what was necessary for our plans. She was a means to an end, nothing more. And yet…
My mind drifted back to the previous evening, to the meeting at Courts House. Cadence had surprised me there, showing a level of poise and quick thinking that I hadn't expected. When she'd suggested using my father's construction company for the haunted house event, I'd been momentarily taken aback. It was a smart move, one that demonstrated a keen understanding of the politics at play. But it also raised questions. How much did Cadence know about my family's business? About the darker aspects of the Bale empire? And where had she gotten that information? I made a mental note to look into her background more thoroughly, particularly her grandfather. There was more to Cadence Turner than met the eye, and I needed to know everything if I was going to maintain control of the situation.
As if sensing my scrutiny, Cadence stirred slightly in her sleep. She mumbled something unintelligible, her brow furrowing for a moment before smoothing out again. I found myself holding my breath, not wanting to wake her just yet. There was something oddly compelling about watching her like this, unguarded and unaware of my presence.
I allowed my gaze to wander over her form, taking in the curves of her body beneath the thin silk of her chemise. The fabric had ridden up during the night, exposing a tantalising view of her rounded ass. I felt a familiar heat begin to pool in my groin, my dick twitching at the sight of her even as my mind rebelled against the idea.
Memories of the previous night flooded my consciousness. The feel of her skin under my hands, the warm inviting wetness of her pussy against my cock, the soft gasps and whimpers she'd tried so hard to suppress, the way her body had trembled with a mixture of fear and unwanted desire. It had taken every ounce of self-control I possessed not to give in to my baser instincts, to drive myself into her and to claim her fully, to make her mine in every sense of the word.
But I knew that wasn't the way to break her. Not yet. Cadence was strong, stubborn to her core. She wouldn't break under mere physical domination. No, to truly shatter her defences, to mould her into what we needed her to be, I had to be smarter. More patient. I had to make her want it, crave it, beg for it. Only then would she be truly ours.
The thought sent a jolt of anticipation down my spine. I could already imagine it. Cadence on her knees, those fierce blue eyes clouded with need, her voice hoarse as she pleaded for me to fuck her. The image was so intoxicating that I almost spread her legs and climbed on top of her. The vision of her eyes flying open, her voice crying out as I thrust my cock into her no doubt wet pussy was almost too much to ignore. But that would be a hollow victory, a momentary satisfaction that would ultimately set back our plans. I clenched my fists, forcing myself to remain still. No, I had to be patient. Had to play the long game. It would be so much sweeter then.
With that thought firmly in mind, I carefully pulled myself from the bed, moving slowly so as not to disturb her. I padded silently to the bathroom, closing the door behind me with a soft click. The harsh fluorescent light made me squint as I flicked on the switch. I turned on the shower, cranking the temperature as cold as it would go. As the icy water cascaded over my body, subduing the raging heat that raced inside me. I forced myself to focus on the day ahead.
There was work to be done. I couldn't afford to be distracted by Cadence, no matter how tempting she might be. I thought about the job Ryder and I had to do for my father later that day. It was a delicate situation, one that required a personal touch. Nicholas Bale didn't tolerate failure, and the consequences of screwing up would be severe. I needed to be at the top of my game, my mind clear and focused. And Ryder needed space away from our purple haired temptress, a chance to release his frustration in a more profitable way.
By the time I stepped out of the shower, my skin was numb from the cold, but my head felt clearer. I wrapped a towel around my waist and moved to the sink. I quickly went through my morning routine, shaving with precise strokes and styling my hair into its usual artful dishevelment. As I applied my cologne, I heard movement from the bedroom.
Cadence was awake. I took a deep breath, anticipating the prospect of showing her who was in charge. It was time to reinforce the boundaries, to remind her of her place in this new reality we'd created for her. I opened the bathroom door, stepping out into the bedroom with an air of casual indifference. Cadence was sitting up in bed, the sheets pooled around her waist. Her hair was tousled from sleep, and there was a vulnerability in her eyes that made something in my chest tighten. She looked lost, uncertain, and for a brief moment, I wanted nothing more than to go to her, to offer some kind of comfort. I squashed that impulse ruthlessly.
"What the hell are you still doing in my room?" I snapped, letting a hint of irritation colour my tone. "Get out and get ready for class. Now." I saw the hurt flash across her face before she could hide it, quickly replaced by a mixture of fear and resignation. She scrambled out of bed and rushed for the door. I watched her, keeping my expression cold and disinterested even as I felt a twinge of... something. Regret? Disappointment? I couldn't quite place the emotion, and I didn't want to examine it too closely.
She paused at the door, glancing back at me as if she wanted to say something. But whatever words she might have had died on her lips as she met my impassive stare. Without another sound, she slipped out of the room, the door closing behind her with a soft click. The room suddenly felt emptier, colder without her presence. I shook my head, annoyed at myself for even noticing. This was how it had to be. How I needed it to be.
I finished getting dressed, choosing a tailored suit that projected an air of authority and control. As I knotted my tie, I caught sight of myself in the full-length mirror. The man staring back at me was every inch the Regent, the heir to the Bale empire. Cold, composed, in complete command of himself and his surroundings. It was a lie, of course. But it was a lie I'd perfected over years of practice, a mask that had become so familiar it was almost more real than what lay beneath.
I left my room, my footsteps echoing in the quiet hallway. The other residents of Covenant House were likely still asleep, or just beginning to stir. But I had work to do. I made my way to Ryder's room, knowing he'd be awake. Ryder rarely slept well, his mind too active, too full of schemes and desires to allow him much rest.
As I raised my hand to knock, I heard muffled voices from within. So, Cole had spent the night. It wasn't an uncommon occurrence, and I suspected that Ryder would need some sort of release himself last night. I rapped sharply on the door, not bothering to wait for a response before entering. Ryder was already dressed, lounging in an armchair with an air of calculated nonchalance. Cole was just emerging from the bathroom, a towel slung low on his hips, his mismatched eyes wary as they met mine.
"Meeting in the office," I said, keeping my tone brisk and businesslike. "Five minutes." I didn't wait for their acknowledgement before turning on my heel and heading downstairs.
As I descended the grand staircase, I nodded in greeting to a few of the younger Covenant members who were already up and about. They returned my nod with a mixture of respect and fear, their eyes quickly dropping to avoid prolonged eye contact. Good. Fear was a useful tool, one I'd learned to wield with precision. I entered the office, closing the door behind me. I moved to stand behind the massive desk, my fingers trailing over the smooth surface as I waited for Ryder and Cole to join me.
My mind wandered back to Cadence, to the way she'd looked as she fled my room. There had been something in her eyes, a flicker of emotion that I couldn't quite place. Hurt, perhaps? The thought was oddly unsettling. I pushed it aside, focusing instead on the tasks that lay ahead.
The door opened, admitting Ryder and Cole. Ryder's eyes were bright with barely contained energy, a hint of the madness that always seemed to lurk just beneath the surface. Cole, by contrast, was the picture of calm, his face an impassive mask that rivalled my own.
"So," Ryder said, not bothering with pleasantries, "what happened last night?" I raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Ryder's eyes narrowed, a flash of anger crossing his features. He opened his mouth to retort, but I cut him off with a sharp gesture.
"We have more important things to discuss," I said, my tone brooking no argument. "There's the job that needs to be done today. For my father." That got their attention, the mention of Nicholas Bale always had that effect. Cole straightened, his expression becoming more focused. Ryder's anger faded, replaced by a gleam of anticipation.
"What is it this time?" Cole asked, his voice carefully neutral despite the fact that I knew he hated this side of our lives. I leaned back against the desk, crossing my arms over my chest.
"Someone needs a gentle reminder of who the Bale family is. Ryder and I will handle it. Cole, I need you to stay here and keep an eye on things." Cole nodded, accepting the assignment without question. But Ryder wasn't so easily placated.
"Why does he get to stay?" he demanded, jerking his head towards Cole. I fixed Ryder with a hard stare, my patience wearing thin.
"Because I said so. And because we have another problem that needs to be addressed."
"What problem?" Cole asked, his brows furrowing in concern. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the reaction I knew was coming. "Damien McIntyre. He's been sniffing around Cadence. I caught him talking to her in her Maths class yesterday." The effect was immediate. Ryder's face contorted with rage, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. Cole's reaction was more subtle, a tightening around his eyes, a slight tension in his shoulders. But I could see the anger simmering beneath the surface.
"That fucking bastard," Ryder snarled. "After what he did to Luce? And the party last week? I didn't kill him for fucking Cade last year, but he's got some fucking nerve if he thinks that he can just worm his way into her pussy again." I held up a hand, silencing Ryder's tirade before it could really get started.
"I know. But we need to handle this carefully. We can't afford any... incidents. Not with Killingham and the Trivium watching us so closely." Cole nodded, his expression thoughtful.
"What do you want me to do?"
"Keep an eye on Cadence," I said. "Make sure Damien doesn't get any more opportunities to be alone with her. And try to find out what he's up to. I don't trust him."
"None of us do," Cole murmured, his voice laced with an undercurrent of something darker. I made a mental note to look into that later. There was clearly more to the history between Cole and Damien than I'd been aware of.
"What about me?" Ryder demanded, still bristling with barely contained anger. "I want to teach that fucker a lesson he won't forget." I fixed Ryder with a stern glare.
"You'll do nothing without my say-so. We handle this my way, understand? No lone wolf bullshit." Ryder glared at me for a long moment before finally nodding, his jaw clenched tight. I knew it wasn't over. Ryder's temper was like a force of nature, impossible to truly contain. But for now, at least, he'd follow my lead.
"Good," I said, straightening up. "Now, about last night..." Ryder's eyes lit up with renewed interest, his anger momentarily forgotten. "Yeah, about that. Why didn't you fuck her? I thought that was the whole point of having a Consort." I smirked, confirming what I'd already suspected.
"Enjoy the show, did you?" Ryder didn't even have the grace to look embarrassed. He just grinned, a predatory gleam in his eyes.
"It was quite the performance. But you left the poor girl hanging. That's not like you, Logan." I took a moment to gather my thoughts, choosing my words carefully. What I was about to say would set the tone for everything that followed. I needed them to understand, to buy into the plan fully.
"We're not just trying to control her," I said slowly, my gaze moving between Ryder and Cole. "We need to break her. I want her to see the error of her ways, for her to regret ever thinking she was better than us. And for that to work, we need her to want it. To crave it. To beg for it." Understanding dawned in Cole's eyes, but Ryder still looked sceptical.
"And how exactly do you plan to make that happen?" My smirk widened, a cold satisfaction settling in my chest.
"By denying her. By pushing her to the edge and leaving her there, desperate and needy. We'll touch her, tease her, drive her crazy with want. But we won't give her release. Not until she begs for it."
Ryder's eyes widened, a slow grin spreading across his face.
"Oh, I like the sound of that."
Cole looked troubled.
"Is that really necessary? She's already under our control. Why push it further?" I turned to Cole, my expression hardening.
"Because control isn't enough. We need her loyalty, her complete and utter devotion. And the only way to ensure that, is to make her need us more than she needs anything else in the world. She still thinks she can beat us at this. Like every time we force her, she feels superior. But if we have her asking for it, then she is submitting. Not just to us, but to the world that she looks down upon so much." Cole didn't look convinced, but he nodded, accepting my decision even if he didn't agree with it. That was one of the things I appreciated about Cole, he knew when to push and when to fall in line.
"So, what are the rules?" Ryder asked, practically bouncing with excitement. "How far can we go?" I considered his question for a moment before answering.
"You can touch her, tease her, do whatever you want. But no orgasms. Not for her, and not for you. At least, not with her. What you do on your own time is your business." Ryder's face fell slightly at that, but he nodded.
"But my night time rituals? That's my time, right? I mean, she's asleep." I shook my head, trying not to grin. I had to admit, knowing that Ryder was fucking with her while she was asleep was fascinating.
"You recording it?" I asked him and he nodded.
"Good," I said. "When she does submit, I want you to show her, let her see how much you have controlled her." Ryder's eyes lit up, and I even saw a shift in Cole, which was interesting.
"Fine. But when do we get to actually fuck her? I'm not sure how long I can hold out, Logan. She's... intoxicating," Ryder said. I understood the feeling all too well. Cadence had a way of getting under your skin, of making you want things you shouldn't. But I couldn't afford to let that weakness show.
"When she asks for it," I said firmly. "And not a moment before. Are we clear?" Both Ryder and Cole nodded, though I could see the reservations in Cole's eyes. I'd have to keep a close watch on him. His protective instincts towards Cade could become a problem if left unchecked.
"Good," I said, straightening up. "Now, Ryder and I need to prepare for this job. Cole, keep an eye on things here. And remember, no one touches Cadence. Call on Melody to help keep her company." I knew I could trust Melody. She had been an amazing Consort for last year's Regents, and I loved how she had taken care of them. I knew she would take care of our Consort as well. With that, Cole nodded and headed out to get himself ready for a day of school as Ryder and I set about the plans for our outing today.