Chapter 33

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“What do you mean, he’s unavailable? I’ve left three messages. Do you know who this is?”

Bram paused, tapping his pen repeatedly as he glared down at his desk.

“Yes, this is Bram Whitlock. I have an urgent matter to discuss and I expect him to call me back at his earliest convenience. Like, now.”

He hung up the phone, letting a deep sound escape him as he pushed to stand from his desk. “Due to personal circumstances, he’s apparently unavailable to everyone. I’m sure he’ll get back to me soon.” Bram’s anger melted away as he stole another glance in my direction. He crossed his arms and began to pace, once again looking over. “You look great, by the way. I didn’t get to tell you earlier when you came in because I was on the phone, but I like it. The dress, I mean. A little … risqué to wear here, but whatever you’re comfortable with.”

“West seems to think it’ll be okay. He says I need to prove to them that I am no longer a slave.”

“Perhaps, but you saw how they reacted last night. It’ll take a long time, if ever, to view you as anything other than what you’ve been.” I grew silent as my fears resurfaced.

“He’s right, though, in a way,” Bram continued. “You have to be strong if you’re ever going to make it clear to them that you will not be intimidated. I’m not so sure that’s the way, though.”

“What would you suggest?”

His eyebrow rose and a smile tugged at his mouth as he continued his path back and forth.

“You look like arm candy—just another slave to a rich master. There’s nothing wrong with that. There is an elegance about the dress, despite the sexiness. If it were me, I’d suggest slacks and a turtleneck. With the right accessories, you’d look dominant. Powerful, without having to flaunt what you have. They all know what lies beneath that dress. They’ve seen it. Felt it. Don’t remind them of what they lust for. Cover yourself,

Everleigh. You’re beautiful no matter what you wear.”

His words wrapped themselves around my heart, despite that I tried to not let them affect me as strongly as they did. I was afraid to feel anything more for Bram than I already did. After the auction and what he’d done to me in my cell, I wanted to hate him. He had tried proving a point to me, but he went about it the wrong way. I knew the darkness he harbored, but I’d also saw how we were when we were together. He hadn’t tried to hurt me then, not that he probably hadn’t thought about. Just because he had urges didn’t mean he couldn’t sate them in other ways.

“I’ve upset you.”

I glanced up, immediately lowering my eyes back to the floor as I tried to think.

“No, you’re right. I was hesitant about the dress, but I won’t deny I like it. I’ll wear what I feel and if it turns out I do have an inheritance and

I’m a Mistress, I’ll portray myself as you suggested.”

“And if you’re not. If you’re a slave?”

“I told you once my views on that. I will not be a slave to any man.

But … if I’m to play that role, Mr. Harper will be swayed by what I like.” Bram’s jaw flexed repeatedly as he came to a stop and looked at me.

“And if I say no to the two of you?”

“Why would you? You were going to match Mr. Harper’s bid so I could be his. You wanted me to go to him.”

“Maybe I’ve changed my mind.”

My mouth went to open, when I hesitated. My heart was beginning to race and it was so hard to fight the anger and betrayal. I’d known him long enough to understand the bad side of him. It wasn’t like I didn’t think him incapable of what he’d done. The risks with a man like Bram was expected for my previous station. It made me relate to his personality where others might not grasp it. And I loved him. I couldn’t deny that.

“Who would you put me with, then?”

“I don’t know, yet. I’m still thinking over it.”

Moments passed while he kept looking at me. Finally, Bram came to sit on the edge of the couch. “I know I said I wouldn’t have you, but maybe if—”

I gave a hard shake as fear nearly closed my throat. It wasn’t that I was afraid of what he could do to my body, but more my emotional wellbeing. But that was only the beginning. I couldn’t flip the roles on him. I knew that like I knew I had to be very honest, despite what that meant.

Anger set hard into his features. “You’re not even going to let me finish what I was going to say?” Again, my head shook.

“Tough shit. As of right now, you’re still technically a slave. I’ll tell you whatever the hell I want, and I’m letting you know that if you don’t have money to buy your freedom, I’ll keep your ass next door and have my way with you whenever I see fit.” He pushed to stand, glaring over to me as he began to pace again. The anger didn’t last long before his expression softened into worry.

“That came out wrong.”

“No, I think it couldn’t have come out any more truthful. You’d use me as your whore when you know it’s your love and my freedom that I want. As a slave, I’m not supposed to request or want such things. As it turns out, I may not be a slave for much longer so I’ll say whatever I want.”

“Watch it.”

“Or, what? You’re going to punish me for being honest with you?”

He stalked forward, jerking me to stand. “I’ll punish you for your smart mouth. I’ll punish you because I can. Mistress, slave, do you really think it makes a difference to me? You’re still mine regardless of your status. You don’t believe me, push me. Taunt me. I will bend you over my knee so fast and tear into your ass, you’ll be screaming for me to stop. And I bet we already know what will come from your mouth during your pleas.” His palm pushed into my lower back, bringing me in until my body was tightly against his. “Say it, Everleigh. Slave. Who’s your master?”

I jerked against him, but his grip held my arms trapped against his chest.

“Tell me. Let me hear you say it.”

The tone softened and his fingers dug into my bare back while his other hand slid to lace through my hair.

“God, you’re so fucking beautiful. You drive me insane. What I wouldn’t do to tear this dress off of you and—”

The door opened and Bram didn’t break away as West stepped in. I jerked again and only then did his hands drop. The expression Mr. Harper held was enough to leave me shaking. The air felt heavy between all of us and I hated being at the root.

“Did you forget how to knock?” Bram’s rage cut to West, only to disappear as he turned his back to us and walked over to the bar.

“Must have slipped my mind. I won’t forget next time.” He turned to me, dismissing Bram. “Movie starts in two hours. I thought I would give you time to get ready. I got this for you.”

He held up a bag, walking over. “Slaves don’t wear make-up. Although I don’t believe you need it, I figured you’d want to make it known that you were free to do as you pleased with your face. That is, if you decided you wanted to. They’re all natural colors so it’s only an enhancement, but a statement nonetheless.”

“Thank—”

“She’s not going. She’s already made her statement for the day.

She’s still a slave to me until I get the news of her inheritance.” West’s eyes met mine and I lowered my head.

“Perhaps I should return to Slave Row, then. Until you get the news.”

“Bram.” West, turned from me, walking closer to him. “Everleigh has done nothing wrong. Don’t take your frustrations out on her. She’s innocent in all of this. If you’re angry at me for interrupting, fine, but don’t punish her for it.”

The drink disappeared as Bram poured the contents into his mouth.

When he put the glass down, he turned his attention to his friend.

“You’re right. I apologize … to both of you. This situation, the last few weeks, it’s all been stressful, to say the least.

“Agreed.” West glanced between me and Bram, looking between us. “Why don’t we all go see the movie? We can take a break from roles, status, feelings, and just have fun.”

Skepticism flashed on Bram’s face and I saw something register while he studied his friend. After a few seconds, he exhaled, nodding. “I think we sometimes forget ourselves. I know I do. A night away from responsibilities would be nice.”

“It’s settled. I have some things to take care of with the office, but I’ll come back in an hour or so. I’ll let you both get ready.” He headed for the door, pausing when he grabbed the knob. “I’ll be sure to knock next time.”

With that, he was gone. I stood, biting my tongue from asking permission to change. Bram may have still looked at me as a slave, but if I asked, I gave him power. He wouldn’t get that from me. Not as a slave.

That was over for me.

The phone rang and I turned, heading for the room.

“Where are you going?”

I paused in my advance to his bedroom. “To get ready.”

There was no anger as he picked up the receiver. More, contemplation, as he began to talk and write something down. His answers were short, revealing nothing of what the conversation was about. After a few more pauses, he hung up and followed me, pausing at the entrance. His mouth opened, only to shut. I wasn’t sure what he was thinking. “You can dress in the restroom. I’ll take the bedroom.”

I looked at the suit he wore, trying to make the best of the situation. Trying anything to move us over this awkward point of instability, into more of what I wanted. I wouldn’t let things play out this way. I refused.

“What, are you going to change your tie?” The suit was black. The only color I’d ever seen him wear in all of my years as a slave.

Bram paused for what had to have been a good minute as he stared at me. He blinked through my words, catching my teasing question. “I have more than just suits. I’m not working tonight, remember?”

“Are they going to be black, too?”

A smile broke to his face. Just like before when I’d seen it, this was real. It was beautiful.

“Black is authority. As it happens, I do have other colors. Would you like me to wear something special for you? I could do that. There’s almost nothing I wouldn’t do for you, Everleigh.”

He bit his bottom lip, reaching to grip the tip of my index finger. The small traces of his thumb went back and forth, so small and yet powerful in their significance. I stood there, not able to breathe as he brought my finger to his lips. Time left me, and what could have only lasted a second, burned into my brain as he disappeared into the room.

Almost nothing he wouldn’t do … I was about to test exactly what that meant.