Chapter 38

West

“You find out everything you can on what Bram knew. The high leader mentioned he suspected something would happen, and the evidence shows as much. From the changed password to the surgeon being alive after I was told she was dead, to a plan to get him away from here if he was injured … it doesn’t look good. I want to know if it was me he suspected.” I loosened my tie as I glanced down the hall to the loveseat where I had Everleigh sitting. “And find me someone who can hack into that fucking system. The guy who does it for Bram is suddenly nowhere to be found. There’s no telling if Bram gave someone else the password. If he did, I

want that shit erased before they get in.”

“If they haven’t already.” Eli crossed his arms, peering down the other side of the hall that led to the meeting room.

The main masters would be here soon. Although I was excited to display my new authority, I was agitated that I’d been taken away from trying to break the password, myself. I didn’t like there being proof of my involvement in Bram’s attack. What if he lived …? No, it was impossible.

“There’s been no other word on his condition?”

Eli gave a quick shake at my question, still keeping his attention down the hall. “If there has been, no one’s told me. Not that they would. The whispers are all but quiet right now. No one trusts anyone. Especially after the high leader gave his replacement, Jarrett, the order to kill anyone who sways from Mr. Whitlock. As long as the Master lives, I don’t think anyone will talk.”

“Dammit. I still can’t believe that motherfucker told me he’d get back to me with an appointment time. I, taking an appointment from a temporary high leader. Fucking unheard of.”

“He’s cautious around everyone right now. The less that gets out, the easier the situation will be managed. To them, Bram’s life may still be in jeopardy. Or maybe he’s already dead and they’re trying to maintain control until they can slip in a replacement. There’s no telling.”

“I’m the replacement,” I snapped. “Me. I was the closest thing to family concerning the Whitlock name.”

“Maybe it’s not blood they’re wanting anymore. Maybe one of the main masters will take over.”

“Why, because they have money? I have money.”

Eli glanced at Everleigh. “How much was it?”

“Enough to be a main master. No wonder Bram didn’t mention it before the movie. The bastard probably wanted to keep it for himself. Well, it’s mine now. It’s enough to give me just as much right as any of them to take over this place. The thing is, I’m in with the Whitlocks’. That makes me rightful heir.”

“I guess we’ll see.”

Voices broke through in the far distance, just in time for a group of men to walk around the corner and come into view. I snapped my fingers and Everleigh stood, coming to stand behind me. The closer the men got to us, the more their stares focused on her.

“What’s this?”

Offense filled Master Leone’s tone and he turned to me with anger I expected.

“This is my slave. What does it look like?”

“She’s supposed to be a Mistress. Why is it she’s your slave?”

I reached over, turned the knob, and swung the he meeting door open. The men filed in, taking their seats as I took Bram’s. Their hesitancy was one I wasn’t going to take. I snapped my fingers again and Everleigh rushed to my side as I sat down. When my finger pointed to the ground, she glanced at the other men, slowly easing to her knees to kneel at my side.

“Everleigh is my slave because Mr. Whitlock willed it so. She proved herself not to be a fitting mistress so he stripped her of the rank. It’s that simple. She needed a master and I needed a slave.”

“How convenient.” One of Master Yahn’s eyebrows rose. “And her inheritance?”

“Is now mine.”

Everleigh’s head shot up and anger met me as she slowly stood.

“You lied to me. You said I didn’t have an inheritance.”

I stood, angling my chair away as I towered over her. “You don’t. I do. You are a slave.”

“But Bram—”

Whack!

Her head spun to the side at my slap.

“That’s Mr. Whitlock to you. Don’t you forget it?”

“Mr. Whitlock didn’t strip my rank, you did! Mr. Whitlock also made it clear not an hour before his attack that he was keeping me for himself. He loved me, and the last person he wanted to have me was you.” She spun to the table, wiping her escaping tears as she faced the main members. “I have money and I have status. Don’t let this man take it away. Mr. Whitlock is not dead, and he’s not going to die. You have to stop Mr. Harper from overstepping what is not rightfully his. You—”

“Oh, slave. You just don’t learn.” My fingers buried in her hair while my other latched to her throat. I jerked her eyes inches from mine and every ounce of my hate and rage collided inside of me from her words.

From Bram’s claim on her that I knew nothing about.

Her weight grew heavier as I squeezed, and fear had her trying to jerk and fight in my hold. “Do you think these men are going to let you have a status you don’t deserve? You came here a slave. You will die here a slave. No one cares about what you want, or even what happens to you.” I gave her a hard shake. “Do you hear me? No one cares about you!

You are nothing more than what I decide to make of you.” Whack!

“Back on your knees.”

Everleigh collapsed to the ground, coughing and trying to catch her breath. The nearly silent crying that followed was enough to grate my nerves. I grabbed my chair, looking from it to her. I couldn’t have this emotional slave distracting the main masters with sobs and claims she said I didn’t deserve. I may have asserted my real personality to gain their respect, but it wasn’t enough. If they were going to take my lead, I had to show them who I truly was. The real me.

“Enough.”

My fingers went back to her hair as I dragged her to the door. Her legs were kicking behind her, trying to get a footing, but I didn’t allow her. Eli looked at me for direction, opening the glass barrier when I nodded.

“We’ll be fine in here. Watch her outside. I can’t listen to that shit anymore. If the tears don’t stop in two minutes, give her another reason to cry. If she doesn’t stop after that, hit her again. She’ll learn.”

Everleigh was fighting to stand when Eli snatched her up and shut them outside. The instant silence had me taking a deep breath as I turned around.

“Sorry about that. Where were we?” The men looked at each other while I pulled out a cigar and lit it. “If no one remembers, we can start with our current dilemma. Our Master, Mr. Whitlock, is in critical condition at an unknown hospital. I’m told he’s getting the best care possible and had a long surgery overnight. He pulled through, but it didn’t appear hopeful. Due to the circumstances and my relationship with Mr. Whitlock, I’ve taken on his responsibilities temporarily until we know how he fares.”

“How exactly did that go down?” Master Yahn’s fingers steepled on the table while he stared at me suspiciously. “You were there at the attack, weren’t you, Mr. Harper?”

“Master Harper,” I corrected. “And yes, I was. Mr. Whitlock was helping me. For some strange reason,” I said glaring, “I suddenly became ill. It was odd. It came out of nowhere. He was helping me to the restroom when all of a sudden a former guard attacked us. He stabbed Mr. Whitlock in the chest three times before I could recover enough to break his fucking neck.”

Some of the men shifted as they looked between us, but I never broke my gaze from Master Yahn.

“Interesting you mention that, Master Harper. You see, I too recently fell ill like that. Did you go get checked out at Medical?”

“No. Why would I? My best friend had just been stabbed. I could deal with the sickness. What I can’t deal with is not being able to be there for my family. He’s barely hanging on and I can’t even see how he’s doing. I can’t call or even get updates. You’re the main masters. One of you has to know how to get ahold of the high leader.”

Heads shook all around the table. Five men—all holding their position due to money and their power in the outside world. Alone, they were dangerous. Together, bound into one force by Whitlock, they were equivalent to God in the outside world. We could make anything possible, anyone or anything disappear. Their force and influence were pivotal. And all claimed to know nothing about Lyle.

“I would hate to think any of you are lying to me. Mr. Whitlock’s life could depend on this. Who are we to know what kind of care he’s really in? None of you, with all of your connections, don’t know how to find your

Master?”

Again, they shook their heads.

“Alright.” I tightened my jaw repeatedly. “Let’s talk worst-case scenario. If Mr. Whitlock doesn’t make it, we’re going to need a new Master. It’ll have to be a smooth transition. If there’s any debate or argument, all hell is going to break loose here. We all know we can’t afford that.”

“Let me guess. You think you’re the person we should look to?” Again, Master Yahn taunted me.

“It makes the most sense. I was Mr. Whitlock’s partner in the outside world and his right-hand man here at Whitlock. I shadowed him; I fucking grew up with him. I’m family. He’s my brother and I know I can pick up where he left off.”

“What if not all of us like the way things run here?” Master Kunken, Bram’s second, leaned forward, placing his forearms on the desk.

“I won’t lie,” I said, tilting my head as my plans barreled through. “There will be some changes if I become Master. Some that might be to some of your liking. More … the old way. I don’t want to go into too much detail now because I don’t want to disrespect our main master. That’s not my intention here, today. But who takes his position has to be discussed.”

Master Leone’s fingers tapped along the desk as he took in the men around him. “Banker, trust fund baby, Senator, analyst, and me, Oil Tycoon. With Master Kurken’s political background, he’d be my pick out of all of us, but let’s face it, he doesn’t have the time. Neither does Master Barclane, the analyst. That leaves me, Master Kain, and Master Yahn. No, to both. You, though, are here all the time anyway. You grew up within these walls with Master Whitlock. You have my vote.”

The silence lasted until Master Kain pushed his chair back. “I may have the time being the trust fund baby, but I don’t fucking want it. I’m only here for the fun. You won’t get any argument from me. Master Harper for my vote,” he mumbled.

“Well, I think I could do the job better than anyone. I’m rich; I’m successful. I own banks. I have the time.”

“No offense, Master Yahn, but no.” Master Kurken gave a shake of his head and pushed his chair out, too. “It has to be majority and majority pretty much has already agreed.” He looked at me. “I’m late for lunch.

Being second in command, I’d like to be contacted with an update of the

Main Master when you get it. If you’ll all excuse me.”

He nodded leaving the room without so much as waiting for the go. It was breaking formality, but this wasn’t formal. Besides, I had his vote. I had most of their votes. That’s all I cared about.