Chapter 7
JOSEPH
This was exactly what I needed. Su Yin is always exactly what I need, and as I hand her the usual envelope, she disappears into the bustle of the city to her next victim.
My mind has been rebalanced, and I can breathe easier now. I almost have a spring in my step that only one woman can give me.
I head to my den and Spencer meets me halfway, and something in his expression stops me in my tracks.
“What is it?”
He jerks his head toward the staircase. “Your guest was detected on the security camera spying on you.”
My heart stills as his meaning becomes clear. Irritation washes away my euphoria that a visit from Su Yin always gives me, and my anger sharpens.
“How long?”
“Fifteen minutes.”
“Fuck.”
I’m aware she won’t have seen anything, but she may have heard something, and I’m not okay with that.
I notice Mrs. Harrington heading for the staircase and intercept her.
“Where are you going?”
“To collect Miss Zaferelli. Her meal is ready.”
“Leave her.”
My tone is ominous, and rather than ask, she nods, her head bowed as she turns back to the kitchen.
Spencer appears anxious. “Remember the plan.”
“I’m fully aware of the plan, Spencer. How can I possibly forget it, but this, well, it must not go unpunished.”
The slight shake of his head doesn’t change my decision, and I turn away from him and head up the stairs, determination in every step.
She will learn my rules sooner rather than later, and if that means I must lock her in the room, so be it.
It doesn’t take long, probably because I am taking the stairs two at a time, such is my fury and as I burst into her room, I note her huddled on the bed, her face pressed against the iron bars, her knees hugged by her arms as she closes the world off.
I recognize the defensive pose, and it stops me for a moment, and as her haunted eyes find mine, any fury inside me diminishes in a heartbeat.
I know her.
Our gazes collide, and an understanding is reached. As I perch on the edge of the bed, something passes between us.
“What did you see?”
There is no point in pretending, and she whispers sadly, “Nothing. I saw you enter the room and then I heard your pain.”
“My pain.”
I shake my head.
“You heard pleasure, Tiffany. You see, in my world, pain is pleasure.”
“How?”
Her stricken gaze finds mine, and for some reason, I want to reassure her.
“I will show you.”
If anything, she shrinks back against the bars, the fear in her eyes almost an aphrodisiac.
“No.”
“Come. I won’t hurt you.”
My hand reaches for hers, and for some reason, she allows me to take it. As I guide her from the room, I wonder why I am doing this.
* * *
We reach the door and I’m already second-guessing my decision. Nobody comes in here. Not even Mrs. Harrington. Su Yin does a good job of keeping the room sterile, and there is no need to alert the rest of the household to my proclivities.
Until Tiffany came to live here.
I’m unsure why I’m affording her the courtesy of peering into my world because she hasn’t earned that right.
It was the haunted expression in her eyes.
It reached out and gripped my heart hard because I share that look.
She falters as I turn the handle, and I take her hand. As we enter the room, her soft gasp does little to reassure me.
“What is this place?”
“Sanctuary.”
I breathe deeply, the scent of Su Yin and her potions still prevalent in the air.
Tiffany has no words, and I don’t blame her because there is nothing in this room to give any insight into what goes on here.
The room is entirely black. The walls, the blinds at the window, and the marble floor.
The ceiling is also painted black, and there are no mirrors.
No art on the walls and only black candles intermittently set around the room.
“Do you worship the devil in here?”
Tiffany gasps as she grips my hand a little tighter, causing me to chuckle.
“Would it matter if I did?”
“Of course. Nun—remember.”
“You are not a nun yet. There is still time to corrupt your soul.”
She throws me a questioning glance and rolls her eyes, and for some reason, that reassures me. She’s not running for the exit yet and appears mesmerized more than anything.
“What happens in here?”
The blush on her cheeks tells me what she is thinking, and I can’t argue with that. I entered this room with a woman; it’s the first guess anyone would make.
“Pain.”
I shrug. “Pleasure and release.”
“I see.”
Her heavy breathing is erratic, and her eyes bright, and I wonder whether to leave it there. Perhaps it’s best if she believes I use the room for sex. The truth is far worse, and I’m not certain she can deal with that.
“You, um, said you would show me.”
I admire her bravery and guide her to the black wooden bench set in the middle of the room.
As I sit, I drag her beside me and say coolly, “You would have to be naked for that.”
“Then I’d rather not know.”
“You believe I use Su Yin for sex.”
I state the obvious, and she blushes, her voice faltering as she whispers, “Don’t you?”
“No.”
“Then what, because I’m all out of ideas, quite frankly.”
“It’s better if I show you, and you are not ready for that.”
“Show me.”
I turn and grip her face between my hands, loving how I’ve surprised her. She is like a startled fawn, and as I run my thumb over her lips, I whisper, “Tell me what gives you nightmares, little one.”
“I, I don’t…” Her words fade as I lean in closer, her breathing intensifying as my lips brush against hers.
“Tell me your biggest fear; let it out in this room.”
She attempts to shake her head, and I grip her harder.
“Tell me.”
I increase the pressure, mindful that my restraint may be fleeting, and her eyes fill with tears as she whispers, “I can’t.”
It would be so easy to crush her, to squeeze a little harder and as my hands slip to her fragile neck, I circle it with sadistic intent.
“What are you …?”
The wild spark in her eyes is interestingly not one of fear, and as I apply pressure, her breathing is shallow as I hold her life in my hand.
“Tell me, angel, unburden your soul to me. Fight your demons in this room and allow them to fly.”
“I can’t.”
Once again, I increase the pressure, and she openly sobs, terror filling her eyes, telling me she’s balancing on the edge of hell right now.
“I’m waiting.”
My eyes flash as I hold her life in my hands, and she nods slowly, causing me to ease the pressure a little.
“I fear…”
Once again, her voice trails off as the tears slide down her face, and her whisper is almost silent as the words fall. “Morgan. I fear Morgan.”