Chapter 39

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“Please, come in.”

West widened the door, waving in Jarrett, the temporary high leader. The guard looked around the living room, glancing at me before he came to stand only a few feet inside.

“What’s the news? How’s our Main Master? How’s Bram?”

The emotion lacing West’s voice seemed genuine, but I knew better. He wasn’t concerned over Bram’s condition. All he wanted to do was take his place.

“Mr. Whitlock hangs on, but it’s not good. They’ve had to bring him back twice so far. He hasn’t woken up. The high leader says the doctors don’t believe he will.”

My fists clenched as the fire burned my eyes. “Can we not see him?” West surprisingly stayed quiet as he waited for the guard’s response.

“I wasn’t told where they are. I don’t believe so, no.”

I glanced at West but braved my next question anyway. “Will you please tell Lyle that I would like to speak with him when he calls you again?”

“Slave.” The threat was clear in West’s voice. Regardless, I turned back to the guard.

“I beg you. Please tell him I need to speak with him, that it’s urgent.”

West’s death glare was enough to cause the slave in me to shake. I knew it wasn’t going to be good when we were alone again, but I needed help. I needed someone on my side.

The guard kept quiet as he turned his attention to my new master.

“Is there anything you’d like me to relay to the high leader?”

“I want to see Bram. I have to see him. He’s the only family I have left. If the high leader doesn’t allow that, at least tell him I’d like to speak with him.”

“I’ll relay your message the next time he calls.”

“Can I not call him, myself? Do you not have the number?”

“No. For securities purposes, no one does.”

West nodded, licking his lips. “What of the surgeon who accompanied Bram to the hospital? Where is she? She’s a liability outside of these walls.”

“I have no idea, Master Harper. I wasn’t made aware of her whereabouts. I’m sure our high leader has everything under control.”

“You’re right. Of course.”

“If that’s all, I should be getting back.”

“Thank you for the update,” West said, sincerely. “Please, pass along my requests when you get the chance. I want to see my brother. He needs me there.”

The guard nodded, glancing back at me again before leaving Bram’s apartment. The moment the door closed, I eased to my feet. Fear engulfed me and for good reason. West was already heading forward. Pure malice lined his features while he matched my steps toward the bedroom door. I had nowhere to go. Nowhere to hide.

“Lyle? You and the high leader are on a first-name basis? Why is that, slave? What have you done? Did you fuck him, too?”

“No.” My head shook as I passed the threshold of Bram’s bedroom. I didn’t think, I grabbed the door trying to slam it closed. The weight that crashed into it sent me stumbling back. I spun, heading for the bathroom when West’s arms hooked around my waist. I screamed, kicking and twisting my body as he wrestled me down on the bed. The first hit connected harder than any of the others he’d done so far. The impact sent a high pitch noise ringing in my ears as he hit me with the back of his hand, again.

“I thought after the meeting you would have learned.” Whack! “Do I need to beat you harder? Do I need to pound it into your head to keep your mouth shut unless it is me who is speaking to you?”

“N-no! No! Master, please.”

Fingers squeezed into my throbbing face and I could feel blood streaming from my nose. The metallic flavor exploded over my tongue as I swallowed, struggling to catch my breath. West smiled, lowering to run his tongue over the blood racing down my cheek. A sob left me as I cringed at his nearness.

“That’s better, slave. Tell me who owns you again.”

A whimper came and for the life of me, I couldn’t answer.

More of West’s weight lowered to me and again his tongue licked the warmth trailing down my face. Kisses moved over the throbbing flesh and I clutched to the comforter trying to imagine I was anywhere but lying on Bram’s bed with West on top of me.

“Did Bram fuck you good? Did you like it? Hmm?” His fingers pushed back in, turning my face as his lips moved to my ear. The tugs against my ear lobe had me trying to shake my head to try to get him away.

“Slave, you wouldn’t be lying to me, would you? I think you liked it. I think you begged him for more. And I bet he gave it. How was it? Did he fuck you hard? Use you like the whore you are? Or was he slow and passionate? Did his love manage to seep through his pitch-black soul? He loved you, you know? He’s loved you for years. There were times he’d sit here all day and night just watching you. I couldn’t make him leave. The look on his face as he stared at the screen … I knew he adored you. He’d smile and sometimes laugh. But there was always that darkness. Always that greed and lust shining through his eyes as I’d sit on the couch and watch. You were his obsession. It didn’t take long of me watching you, myself, to figure out why.”

His arm lowered, pulling up the side of my dress. Instinct had me wanting to swing, regardless that I knew he’d hit me again. My fist rose, only for West’s other hand to shoot up, pinning it down.

“Don’t be stupid. I know you want him, but aren’t you going to at least give me a chance? You once chose me as your master. I can make you like this. You could come to enjoy what we share.” He gripped my wrist tighter. “All you have to do is see your place. Be my slave in every sense and I will treat you like a queen. I do have feelings for you. Our match could be a good one.”

Higher his fingers began to travel on my thigh. The hold on my hand eased and I squeezed my lids shut as his face buried in my neck. The brush of his lips had my fingers balling into fists. I knew the slave in me should return. That I should just let this pedestal Bram placed me on crumble beneath me. Go back to no status—no rights. But I couldn’t accept this fall. Bram didn’t want me with West. He’d wanted me for himself.

“Stop.”