Chapter 56

West

The internal smile wouldn’t leave me as I kissed Everleigh’s forehead. Tighter, she gripped to me and I couldn’t get enough of it. Her body trembled and each little shake hummed through me like a magnifier to the sadist within.

“Let go,” I said whispered. “It’ll be okay. Just follow Master

Kunken’s orders.”

“But …” She swallowed hard, gazing up with terrified eyes.

“Let. Go.” I pried her hands from my lapels, where they had risen in her fear. I could see my slave changing the longer I projected my authority. The walls inside of her were lifting. The little signs started out with her fists unclenching. Then her shoulders widening. She was either going into shock or numbing out. But I cared not of her mental stability. It was pleasing me to see her squirm. To see her so afraid. “That’s my girl. Shh. Do it. Stand tall, turn, and obey Master Kunken.”

Dark hair rubbed against my jaw as Eveleigh’s gaze went from the master, to the girl’s strung up body. Her arms dropped to her sides and in slow steps, she broke away from me and walked forward. A weird sense of pride began to make my heart beat faster. This was Bram’s sweet Everleigh. The love of his life. And she was mine to destroy or love any way I saw fit.

Master Kunken pointed. “Take her hand and place it in the loop of rope hanging down from her ankle. We want her arms, as well as her legs, spread.”

Shaking shook my wife’s chest, but no sounds left her as she obeyed and lifted Julie’s wrist. Once she had it in the rope, the guard pulled down on the knot, tightening the hemp to the dead girl’s wrist.

“Now, I want you to rub your hands down her leg, toward her head. Like a massage. Can you do that, Mistress?”

A ragged breath left, Everleigh, but she didn’t so much as glance or address the master. Her hands rose and she turned her face away from the body, staring at the wall while she rubbed her way from the top of the calf to her upper thigh. The color dropped from her face, but she stayed erect, going through the motions as the minutes went by. When she reached for Julie’s arm and began doing the same thing, the master threw me an approving smile. She didn’t have to be told, which he seemed to like.

“Very good. Now we’re going to pump the stomach. This will remove more of the blood. Give me your hand and we’ll begin.”

Bloodshot blue eyes turned to stare at me and she held my gaze as her hand came out robotically before her. Master Kunken flattened his palm over hers and placed it against the lower part of the girl’s stomach, pushing in with enough force to have him holding at the small of her back so the body wouldn’t rock. Blood gushed from the mouth and the wound at Julie’s neck making plopping sounds as it rippled the thickening dark liquid.

Lower, Everleigh’s lids dropped. It was as though she was glaring, but something told me she wasn’t here. Over and over the master pressed, lowering toward her head as he did so. When he pulled back, he grabbed the knife from his guard, crouching.

“Now, we remove the head,” he said, looking up at her and drawing her attention. “I’d let you do this part, but I’m afraid you’re not going to have the strength to twist it free.” Silence.

Everleigh swayed as he sawed through. When his fingers weaved through the saturated hair and he began to jerk and twist, I wasn’t even sure my wife noticed. She was still looking down. But … devoid of everything, like a statue.

The crack of bone sounded and blood ran down in a stream as he passed it to the guard.

“Now comes the fun part,” he said, grabbing a smaller knife.

“Although, perhaps this is where we should say goodbye, Mistress.”

“Mrs. Harper,” I corrected. “And, she’s fine. She can go a little while longer. Can’t you, wife?”

Everleigh blinked hard, looking between me and the master. “I can go longer.”

Her hand extended with the monotone words and faster my heart raced. I took a step closer as Master Kunken walked around the body to come stand behind Everleigh. He started the skinning by himself, peeling back the layers until he got it level with her face. When she took the knife, his hand held around hers, moving the blade in slow slicing motions while he worked the skin toward the knee. More and more muscle became exposed and minutes passed as Everleigh’s breathing increased and decreased.

“You’re doing wonderful,” he said, moving their hands toward the dead girl’s inner thigh. “You have a very steady hand. Perhaps … you’d like to come over and help me from now on?”

The softening of the master’s tone had all fascination leaving me. I took in his position and closeness behind her, suddenly seeing the intimacy he was experiencing. The jealousy inside of me raged as I came even closer.

“You’re done,” I ground out. “It’s time to go.”

A grin appeared and Master Kurken went to remove the knife from her hand. Her grip was so tight around the small handle that he had to force her fingers open. She didn’t seem to want to let go of the weapon. When Everleigh turned, I knew she was gone. Her face was pale and the blacks of her eyes were huge. Where it would have worried most people, it didn’t bother me. I’d seen her like this before—after the rape.

“Come, wife. It’s time I get you back home so you can relax.” Seconds went by before she came forward.

“There we go.” I placed her hand around my bicep. “You did great.

I’m very proud of you.” I kissed her head, glaring at the master. “Next time I say to be somewhere, obey. You’re my second. Act like it. I don’t give a shit if you approve, or not. You miss anything else and I’ll kick you from the board so fast, it’ll make your head spin. I don’t give a shit about old policies. I’m the Main Master now, and I make the rules.”

I led Everleigh out, letting my guards who waited outside shut the door behind us. Blood was still covering her hands. Her fingers kept twitching against my arm as we headed down the hall. I couldn’t stop stealing glances at them, or my wife. She’d done it. She proved to be worthy and so much more.

“Slave.”

Blue eyes shot up at the address. I knew that’s where her mindset was. Had I of called her my wife, or by her name, the act would have been drawn out. Right now, she wasn’t Everleigh. She was no one. A shell.

“Yes, husband?”

“Do you want me?”

She blinked slowly and a muscle in her cheek jerked. “If it pleases you.”

“Don’t give me that generic response. I asked you a question. Do you want me?”

“I … I …” Everleigh heaved, grabbing to her stomach as she spun to brace herself to the white wall. Blood smeared and her fingers clawed down the length as she continued to head toward our apartment. “You … know … I do.” She managed. “I’m just … unwell right now.”

Deep breaths left her as I swept her into my arms roughly and stomped toward our door.

“And you were doing so well handling your lesson. I see it’s catching up to you.”

“I …skinned.” She gagged and I cursed under my breath.

“Get over it. It happened and you did beautifully. Your mind is just weak. We’ll fix that, though. You’ll be better than ever by the time I finish with you.”

Our door was opened and I headed straight for the bathroom. The sound of the water hitting the bottom of the tub sent Everleigh flailing in my arms.

“I don’t want t-to. I don’t want—”

“Enough. You will bathe and you will relax.”

For the first time, sobs left her. Her fist swung in my direction and I grasped her wrist, expecting it. I spun her, trapping her arms against my body. At the restraint, her legs went wild, kicking while she screamed. I barely managed to get to the oil before I heard the hard sound of boots rushing in my direction. Eli burst through the door, pausing at my glare.

“Well? What is it?” I snapped.

In jerky movements, his stare went from Everleigh to me. “Your … needed.”

“Where?”

Again he hesitated. “City Center. You’re going to want to see this.”