Chapter 10 - Joseph
It’s still dark when I leave for the safe house.
I can’t hang around waiting anymore while my thoughts run away with me.
The mansion was exceptionally quiet yesterday, and it felt cold and empty last night.
It’s odd because I’ve lived alone all this time, but after having them stay with me…
I got used to it quickly. Especially Maria.
Her softness adds warmth to the mansion.
I enjoy the sound of her voice and the scent of her body lotion when I walk from room to room.
I’ve been worried about her. What happened to her last night wasn’t fair. She must be terrified. We put her in this position. We trapped her in this situation. It’s our fault she felt the need to escape and ended up being attacked by someone who is most likely one of our rivals.
They must have found out that she’s our wife. Now there is a massive target on her back, and it’s because we were reckless with her by forcing her into this. And we didn’t take the time to consider all the dangers she might face.
The sun isn’t up yet, so the summer heat is still at bay. But even now it’s too hot to wear my jacket, so I’ve got a white shirt on, unbuttoned at the top because I can’t stand the feeling of being smothered by the humidity.
I’m looking forward to the cooler months.
I tug my car door open and duck inside. The engine starts, and with it, the radio comes on, playing an old classic that I don’t recognize.
I flick from the radio to Bluetooth and press play on one of my podcasts.
I enjoy the motivational discussions, telling people not to hold back.
To chase what they want. To stand their ground.
The estate’s security gates open, and I pull out into the street, glancing toward the dark lake with glitters of light shining on its surface.
There was absolute panic in the mansion after we searched the house for Maria when we realized she wasn’t there. It was the guard who told us she’d gone to the beach, and I went to look for her, but again, there was no sign of her apart from her discarded beach bag.
I followed her fresh footprints along the sand and up to the road, realizing she’d escaped.
Artur started shouting and blaming everyone else but himself. Benedikt, for the first time ever, completely lost his cool with Artur.
I sent Ben and Kaz out to search for her because I needed to separate Artur from both of them.
The city is quiet at this time of morning. Driving through the streets, I only see a few cars coming and going before the morning traffic rush begins. It’s peaceful, and I have plenty of time to think about things.
Like her.
The tension I felt when we realized she was gone was intense.
Oddly intense. On some levels, it could have been a relief that she left us, that my guilt could be over.
I thought maybe her brother had come to get her.
But then on another level, the idea of not having her around agitated me in surprising ways.
It’s strange how quickly we get used to someone’s company.
I arrive at the safe house around five thirty and punch in the code on the outside door.
It clicks unlocked, and I push it open. The house is dark and quiet.
I pull the door closed behind me, ensuring it’s locked securely.
I don’t know my way around. Kazimir sent me the code to get in, in case there was an emergency. It’s his place.
It’s minimalist, with open spaces and large windows with heavy one-way tinting to block anyone from seeing inside.
I wander through the downstairs areas, finding no bedrooms. They must all be upstairs.
I want to see Maria. I just need to see that she’s okay.
She’ll still be sleeping, but if I can look in on her and just see her, it will settle the anxious tension that’s been knotted in my stomach since she left.
As I climb the stairs, I hear voices.
First hers, then Kazimir’s. Soft laughter and friendly banter.
I pause outside the room, listening and peeking through the open door, curious about why they’re in the same bed. She’s lying on her side, snuggled close against him. His hands are around her waist. It’s intimate.
“Let me finish things for you,” he says suggestively, brushing his hand over her waist.
She giggles and shakes her head. “I don’t know if it’s a good idea. I mean, you aren’t interested in commitment or marriage, so maybe you should keep things separate?” she says.
“What does that matter? You are my wife either way. And I assure you, you will feel too good to have regrets.”
“Kazimir…” she sighs, still smiling softly.
I lean closer, intently caught up in the scene, wanting to know if she’ll give in to his seduction or push him away.
“Baby bird, don’t be shy. I’ve been dreaming of touching you all night. You’re the reason I couldn’t sleep. Let me do this for you. Let me feel your skin and taste you,” he growls, low and husky.
I tense, wondering how she will respond.
She stays quiet.
He brushes his fingers along the edge of her jaw and lifts her face toward his.
In the dim lighting, I see Benedikt coming down the passage, and he scowls when he spots me. I press my finger to my lips to warn him to stay quiet. He creeps closer and peeks through the door as well, wondering what I’m so intently caught up in.
“Are they…” he whispers, barely audible.
I wave my hand to hush him.
Both of us stand watching, riveted to the scene. Kazimir and Maria are too caught up in their moment to even glance in our direction.
We watch as Kazimir hooks his finger under the thin strap of her cami top and slowly pulls it down her arm, slipping it off her shoulder. She watches him, her eyes bright and glimmering in the soft light.
The cami falls away from her breast, and I clench my jaw as he cups his hand over her breast and squeezes it, lifting it as he leans closer and hovers his mouth over her dark, pert nipple.
Next to me, Benedikt groans.
Kazimir sucks her nipple into his mouth, and she gasps softly, a beautiful sound of pleasure and surprise. She arches her breasts toward him and digs her fingers into his arm as desire steals through her body.
My cock is rock-hard, pressing against my pants.
Kazimir pushes Maria onto her back and climbs on top of her, pushing her legs apart and thrusting his cock against her. He grabs her jaw and pulls her lips onto his as he rubs himself over her.
She runs her hands up his back and drags her nails over his shirt.
He growls and thrusts harder, pushing his hard-on against her.
“What the fuck is this?!” Artur shouts, raging.
I spin around in fright. How the hell did he manage to sneak up on me? I’m usually so hyper-aware of my surroundings.
In the bedroom, Kazimir and Maria are fumbling. A light comes on and illuminates the doorway where Benedikt and I are standing with hard-ons. The silent voyeurs.
“Are you fucking kidding me? What is this? A fuck fest?” Artur snaps at everyone. “She’s got all of you so intoxicated by her fake fucking charm. Look at you! You’re all fucking weak!”
He’s so angry the veins are popping up over his temple, and his neck is taut and tense.
“Calm the hell down,” I snap. I want to escape the suddenly claustrophobic hallway.
Benedikt raises his hands and grumbles, “Nothing actually happened. We all need to calm down.”
From the room, Kazimir is walking toward us, straightening his clothing. “It seems that Artur is the only one who actually needs to calm down. The rest of us were apparently having fun,” he smirks, looking proud of himself.
Maria has pulled the sheet over her head and is refusing to face any of this.
This is a disaster.