Chapter 41
The door clicks shut at my back, electronic lock sliding into place of its own volition. I’m thoroughly annoyed that someone was watching…well, listening to us, and decide to go in search of Maximus before leaving for the night.
But first, my head falls back against the door, eyes closing. I need a moment to gather my thoughts. My shit’s been rocked, the foundation of my desires jackhammered. Rose created a fissure, and intends to slither herself deep inside it.
The thought isn’t at all detestable.
It concerns me.
Her touch is like fire, but in a way no one else’s has been.
It doesn’t hurt. When the darkness creeped in, she pulled me from it, rescuing me from the monstrous shadows.
Shedding light in the complete absence of it.
The thought of her comforts, warms, sending something new and addictive flowing through my veins.
Rose’s abrupt muffled scream rings through me, snapping me to attention. Something crashes against the door, shattering, as panic swells within me. Is someone in there? Is there another entrance? I wouldn’t put it past Maximus to have a secret passage to every room for emergencies.
Facing the door, I debate whether to break it down or call out for her.
She shrieks, the sound guttural and terrifying. “Fuck you, you slimy, conniving cunt! I fucking hate you! If I ever get out of here, I’ll enjoy every second of watching you choke on your own blood!”
Who is she talking about? And why does it make my dick hard? She’s got a little violent streak, and it makes me tingle.
I don’t think she’s talking about me. Though, she did call me a bitch earlier.
Even if it was, I’d deserve it for leaving her here. She was so hopeful for escape, and I can’t deny I want to take her back to my place and hang her from my chains, but there’s so much more to this than her.
My hand lands on the doorknob, twisting slowly, meeting resistance. “Rose?”
“I assure you, she’s fine.”
Turning, Maximus stands there, phone in hand.
He flips the screen toward me, showing me Rose’s room.
She’s alone, having a rage induced fit. Broken glass from a vase of roses is shattered by the door, the blankets I just replaced are ripped from the mattress.
Her back is bleeding again, the renewed flow soaking the oversized t-shirt that was left out for her to sleep in.
I really should go back in there. Comfort her to some extent, since her touch both soothes and unsettles me.
It’s what a good man would do.
With Maximus here, I have to be emotionless, dark, depraved. “If you can ensure she won’t hang herself, we need to have words.”
“Certainly. Something not to your satisfaction?”
Side by side, we stroll down the hall. “I thought you understood she was to be unsullied after our deal was brokered? Then I find out she wasn’t.”
“Things transpired, but the issues have been rectified. The…offenders have been reprimanded.”
Stopping at the top of the staircase, I resist the urge to push him. Though, I can almost hear how sweet the sound of his snapping spinal cord would be, the crack of his skull off the bannister posts as he tumbled to the solid marble below. “No chance of me taking that into my own hands?”
“No, Mr. Morgan. My men are mine, and mine alone. They have been dealt with accordingly, and I can assure you this won’t happen again.”
“It better not.”
“Mr. Morgan, while I agreed to the deal you presented, don’t think you aren’t disposable. It would be in your best interest to keep your anger checked, and threats caged behind your teeth.”
“Of course,” I reply.
Fucking prick, swinging his mediocre dick like a big dog.
We descend the stairs, a thick, tense silence looming between us. Reid stands poised at the main entrance, hand on the knob, waiting for my dismissal.
“Who is Karson?” I inquire.
“Rose’s handler.”
“Does that job description include plying her with drugs and alcohol?”
“It does not.”
“If Rose wishes to partake to pass the time, I’m not opposed. However, when my arrival is imminent, I’d prefer her to be clear headed. Substance can veil the body’s response to stimuli, pushing the receiver further than they could handle under normal circumstances.”
“Of course, I understand. Won’t happen again. I’m sure Karson just wanted to ease her anxiety.”
“I don’t want her dosed and taken advantage of. She’s off-limits, even if she resides under your roof while I search for the problem.”
“And how is your search going? Making progress?”
“Yes, after our exchange is complete in a few days, I’ll be making plans to head off the island. It’s been said he’s trying to worm his way into the weapons sector, so I intend to track him on the mainland.”
“That’s the last thing I need.”
I nod. If I get ahold of another weapons dealer, Maximus will be thoroughly fucked. Since he’s delaying the current shipment I have in transit. “If it interests you, I’ll throw a few gift boxes into the mix. You can tell me how you feel about them. Yeah?”
“Sounds marvellous.” Maximus extends his hand, offering a shake goodbye.
Reluctantly, I take it, quickly and firmly ending our encounter.
“Mr. Morgan, you needn’t worry about Karson, his interests lie elsewhere.
I can guarantee he wants nothing but the best for Rose.
In fact, I’d bet my life that he’d take a bullet for her. ”
“How can you be so sure about that?”
“I can’t divulge all my intel. But rest assured, she’s very safe with him, and won’t be tainted.”
My face must showcase my unwillingness to believe him. Maximus taps his phone screen, lifting it to his ear. “Karson, go check on Miss Rose, she seems to be having an issue. Wear shoes.” He ends the call, tapping on the screen. Once more, he brings up the feed to my flower’s room.
Within moments, a blond man in a ball cap enters the room.
Hands up like he’s approaching a wild animal.
He looks ridiculous dressed in the sleek tactical uniform Maximus makes his workers wear, with the casual backwards hat.
“Rose,” he murmurs. Her head snaps up, expression feral.
Picking up the item to her right, she whips it across the room.
His hands reach up to catch the pillow before it can hit him, but Rose is bolting across the room while his vision is obstructed.
If my dick wasn’t hard before, it sure as fuck is now. She blindsided the shit out of him, and took him right to the ground.
“What the fuck!” he grunts as Rose scrambles to scratch his eyes out. “Rose, stop! You’re going to hurt yourself!”
“Fuck you,” she growls, landing a loud crack against his cheek.
My whole body tenses when Karson’s expression shifts from gentle to stern.
If he causes her any pain, I’ll wait around until he’s alone, then skin him alive.
She’s mine to hurt.
From below, he wraps his legs around Rose’s middle, squeezing tight. I see the agony scrawl across her face as his grip turns punishing. Straightening his legs, locked at the ankles, he forces her down his body, away from his face.
Quickly, he gets a hold of her wrists, crossing her arms over her chest. He maneuvers them until he’s straddled atop her and she’s scowling something fierce.
It reminds me of the photo her father presented to me, Rose glaring at someone off camera.
She’s stunning with this dark hair, but the bright red is fucking ravishing. Which does she prefer?
Karson leans down close, obstructing Rose from the camera feed. The room is silent, and I half wonder if the feed is compromised.
All the fight leaks out of Rose’s body as Karson rights himself on his feet.
Rose lets loose another scream. This one pained and frustrated.
Her handler extends his hand, and she slips hers into it without an ounce of hesitation. Karson scoops her up, cradling her to his chest, as he moves to the bed, sitting with her in his lap.
He pulls his phone from his pocket, and the one in Maximus’s palm lights up with “K”.
Answering the call, he leaves it on speaker. “Karson?”
“Clean up and first aid are required.”
“Riot gear?” Maximus jokes.
On the phone screen, Karson looks to Rose, who in turn shakes her head. It bothers me like a splinter beneath my skin that I can’t hear what he whispers to her.
“Protective gear isn’t needed at this time.”
“Thank you, Karson.”
“Yes, sir.”
Maximus looks to me, pocketing his phone. “Satisfied?”
“Far from, but okay for now.” Something disgusting twists in my gut. “Thank you for allowing me that peace of mind.”
“As I said previously, I aim to please. Are you opposed to sedation?”
“To tend to her injuries?”
Mr. Smythe nods.
“It’s fine, please inform her I’ll be swinging by again soon.”
“Of course. Have a good night, Mr. Morgan.”
“You as well.”
Reid swings the door open, and I cross the threshold into the chilled tropical air. Dark clouds are rolling in, blocking out the twinkling stars. There wasn’t supposed to be a storm, but the weather here changes quick as a whip.
Reid follows me like a chauffeur to my rental, unnerving me. The headlights blink when I hit the unlock button on the key. “If I may, Mr. Morgan.” Reid leans in, pulling on the door handle.
“Much obliged, Reid, but I can open my own doors from now on.”
“Of course, sir.” He nods, stepping back. “If I may speak out of turn…”
Shocked and questioning whether this is a set-up or not, I reply, “Sure, Reid. What is it?” I feign annoyance, but my heart thunders in my chest. Does he carry a gun? Is he wearing a wire? Does he know who I am? What my plan is?
“I’ve known Mr. Smythe a long time, and while I do not at all agree with his choice of profession, he does run a tight ship. Loyalty is important to him.”
Okay… Is he trying to assuage my trepidation where Rose’s wellbeing is concerned? Or is he trying to get a read on my loyalty to Maximus and our deal?
“I’d have to say I feel the same. Trust is hard to come by in this world.”
“Yes, sir, it is. Which is why it pains me to come to you like this. It breaches my loyalty, turning to another. But not all of us are as faithful as we say. Some of us put our greed, our desires, before the oath to Max.”
I don’t miss his slip-up. The way he talks about Mr. Smythe with a familiarity no one else does.
He will be a problem when I take over.
“Is there someone I need to be worried about, Reid?”
“You? No, sir…”
“What is it, Reid? Spit it out.”
“Your flower risks wilting the longer she’s here.”
Dread unfurls in my gut. I shouldn’t care that a place like this will tear her apart.
Test her limits in ways that I may not even be able to.
But I’m not about to throw away the entire fucking plan to get this woman on my dick twenty-four/seven.
She’s strong. She’ll be okay until I shove Maximus from his untouchable tower.
If not…she was always a means to an end anyway.
“Thank you, Reid. I’ll keep that in mind.” I move to get into the rented Jag.
“You don’t understand.”
“What?” I snap, pausing half way into the vehicle. “What don’t I understand?”
“She may not live long enough for you to finish this deal.”
“Fuck, Reid. Who do I have to kill?”
He shakes his head, denying me. “You can’t. Max would rain hell on you and everything you ever cared about if anything happened to him.”
“Who, Reid?”
He backs away from me slowly, still shaking his head, and I know this conversation is over.
“Thanks for the warning.”
He jerks a nod. “Drive safe, Mr. Morgan.”