Chapter 40

When I expected him to hit me again, a laugh vibrated my lower throat. He lifted, smiling down at me. “I was hoping you’d resist. It’s going to make this relationship so much better. Compliant is boring.” His hand rose and I braced myself. The loud knocking had him pausing. Within seconds boots stomped against the floor. West was barely lifting from me when Jarett, the temporary high leader, appeared in the doorway. He looked between us, letting nothing appear for an expression as he motioned for me.

“You must come.”

I scrambled the rest of the way out from West, nearly falling as I bound from the bottom of the bed.

“She’s my slave. Where do you think it is that you’re taking her?

The man’s eyes peered to West, but his arm came out to me.

“The high leader is on the phone. He wishes to speak with her.”

“And me? What about me? I asked to speak with him as well.”

The guard steadied me, keeping his hand on my bicep. “I’ll transfer him to this line when she’s finished.”

“And then you’ll bring her back.”

West wasn’t asking. He came closer and with his advance, I moved more into the guard’s side.

“I will do as I’m instructed by the high leader. If he wishes her back in your care, I will return her.”

I was turned and I couldn’t keep in the tears as they strolled down my cheeks. Relief nearly had me collapsing. Three guards moved in behind us and we left Bram’s apartment at a swift pace. No one spoke through the maze of curved halls. When I was walking into a long open area, the temporary high leader, broke us away from the other guards and we went into a big office. He sat me in one of the two chairs before a large oak desk, kneeling before me.

A box of tissues sat not very far away and he grabbed one, wiping the blood still coming from my nose. When he patted my lip I jerked back at the pain. His mouth twisted and he shook his head, standing.

“You’re not like the others,” I said, lowly.

He grabbed the phone, pausing, but lifted the receiver. “I have her.”

My whole body was trembling as I reached out and placed the phone to my ear. “High leader.” I swallowed hard. “Lyle …?”

“How are you holding up, Mistress?”

I sobbed, wiping the tears the moment they fell. “Not good. How’s

Mr. Whitlock? Please tell me he’s okay.”

My voice cracked and there was hesitation on his end.

“I’m afraid it’s not good. That’s not why I’m calling you, though. I had specific orders if something like this happened. I’m afraid in all the commotion and chaos, I failed on your end. You were meant to go into holding. Mr. Whitlock wanted you protected if something were to happen to him. I’m sorry about anything you may have endured in the meantime. Did anything happen? How are you?”

I grabbed another tissue, sniffling through the new tears. “Fine. Just a few beatings to get me back into being a slave. It could have been a lot worse.”

“Things are about to get bad. You have to know that. But you’ll be safe from here on out.”

I nodded, letting out a pent-up breath I wasn’t even aware I was holding. “Please tell me more about Mr. Whitlock. Has he woken up at all?

Said anything? I don’t trust Mr. Harper,” I rushed out. “He wants Whitlock.

He’s said so.”

Silence. “Mr. Whitlock suspected, but that doesn’t matter. The worst has happened and now we must let things play out.  Mr. Harper may be responding or not. Time will reveal all. For now, we go by our Master’s instructions and what happens, happens. If the Main Master wakes up and wishes you to know, I will inform you.”

“Thank you, High Leader.”

“Lyle. And, Mistress, head up. Stay strong. When I get back, you will have your status again. That’s where he left you and I will see his wishes through.”

A sad grin tugged at my mouth and I handed the phone back to Jarrett.

“Sir.” He paused, looking over at me. “Busted lip. Her nose is still bleeding a little. I believe he was in the process of rape when I entered. Yes, sir. Right away.”

The guard hit a button on the phone, hanging it up.

“I just transferred him to Mr. Harper. I’m afraid he’s not going to be happy with what our high leader has to say, but you have nothing to be afraid of. You’re to stay in a safe room so we can monitor you.”

“Here?” I glanced toward the door having flashbacks of the guards attacking me in the shower room. “Some don’t like me. I—”

“Will not be harmed. I give you my word. You’ll not be staying here. There’s a room for you in The Cradle. You’ll be protected at all times.

We have two guards posted at the main door at all times. If anyone so much as touches you so much, the person or persons involved will die. They know this. They know who you are to our main master. They won’t touch you.” “Who I am to him? Did he say?” The guard stood from behind the desk.

“You were in his instructions. He made them in the early hours after the auction. I was here when he hem to the high leader. You were to be a Mistress. He … had plans for the two of you I believe. The high leader didn’t elaborate on what they were, but it was clear that you were Mr. Whitlock’s. No one else’s unless he gave the word. I was told to tell you that it was mentioned that if in the event something happened and the Master didn’t make it, everything of his was to be yours.

Except for Whitlock. That was to go to Mr. Harper upon his innocence.”

“Even if,” the guard’s eyebrows drew in and he hesitated. “Say our Main Master passes and for some reason, you are to go to another … like Mr. Harper, if he becomes Master. Unlike your previous owner, your funds are not to be obtainable by him or anyone else. Only you. There’s power in that if you know how to use it. It’s all about wealth here. If—”

“I don’t care about the money,” I snapped. “If something happens to Mr. Whitlock, Mistress or not, Mr. Harper will take me. And he will have the right to be Master of Whitlock. Money will do nothing to save me in that situation. His intentions for me are not good. Neither are his intentions for Whitlock. He plans to revert to the old ways. What about the children?”

Slowly, the guard’s eyes dropped. “You have a lot to learn, Mistress. You see an end. I’m here to tell you that it’s not. Not concerning you. As for the old ways or the children … If the time comes it will be out of our hands. He has the right to change whatever he likes. I pray that isn’t the case, but the Master’s word is law to us guards. Our hands will be tied.