Chapter 65

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Eating was almost impossible. Sitting at the table with the main masters as West’s wife was hard, but not like it should have been. It was the menu. It was what was not three feet from where I was sitting that made me fight the constant need to throw up. I could smell the meat. Practically tasted it as the aroma seemed to stick deep within my lungs. My sweet Julie.

I swallowed back the bile, taking West’s hand as he held his out for me. Cannibalism. West told me not to think about it, but I just wasn’t sure how much longer I could last.

“Tell me more about how your face got all busted up?”

I turned, seeing West smile. One of his eyes still had a dark ring around the bottom, but his lip had pretty much healed. He rubbed his thumb along mine as he spoke to Master Yahn. “Battle.”

“Battling for what? Who?”

“Love.”

Confusion drew in the master’s expressions, but he continued.

“What are you saying? Did you battle your wife? Like, she beat you up?”

He smiled bigger, bringing my hand up to his lips. “Not like that. I allowed her to release her frustrations after I lashed her. You can say she didn’t enjoy getting the scars as much as I did the beating. But that’s okay. Hers on my face will fade. My marks never will. Everleigh is mine now, as much as she can ever be.”

“Wrong,” Master Kurken said, raising his fork.

“Husband.” I moved in, keeping my voice low as I tried not to be ill all over myself. “May I please be excused? I know you all have business to

discuss. I would hate to be in the way of that.”

He nodded, bringing my hand closer. “What will you do?”

My eyes took in the elegance of our new dining room. The wing was like a castle all in itself. I hated being alone anywhere in this place. It was big and cast shadows I wasn’t sure were there. Even now, my mind wasn’t right.

“I planned to read, but … may I please have permission to visit the children? I’d like to read to them instead. Maybe put them to sleep. Their bedtime is coming up.” I looked over toward the door. “Eli can escort me to keep me safe if you’d prefer me not go alone.”

“You never go anywhere alone. You want to go the Cradle?”

I nodded, cautiously. “You know how much I liked being there. We talked about it last night. May I please go?”

Concern flashed within his depths and he glanced up at Eli before coming back to me. “A bedtime story and that’s it. Don’t be long.”

“Thank you.” I threw him a smile, turning to look down the long table. “If you all will please excuse me; I’ll be taking my leave. I’m sure there’s business to discuss. Have a wonderful night, Masters.”

“Husband,” I said, standing and kissing West’s cheek. “I will see you again, soon.”

Fingers gripped my bicep as I went to leave. My eyes shot back to his as he pulled me slowly down. My pulse was racing as he continued to bring me in closer.

“I want a better kiss than that. That’s how you kiss an old man or a child. I am neither.”

My lips met his and I closed my eyes, trying to keep the stiffness from my body. I had to keep telling myself that West had believed me when I said I had feelings for him. I did, but not like he thought. For weeks I put my plan into motion. From the manipulation to the nightmares. I couldn’t afford to screw this up.

“I’ll be back soon. I’ll be waiting for you in the room when you finish.” My teeth tugged against his lip and West pulled me in one last time to press his lips into mine before releasing me. The moment I approached Eli and the door, the smile was long gone from my face.

“It’s cold in the halls, tonight. Maybe you should grab a sweater.”

I didn’t stop or say a word to Eli. I continued to walk until I reached the main door. It was swept open by my guard just before I could arrive. Eli was right at my side. I knew he was excited to help his sister and the children escape. I was as well. I just hoped everything worked out the way I had planned.

“Is it all ready to go?”

The door shut and Eli stayed even with me as we headed deeper into

Whitlock. A chill crept up my spine and I held to my arms. It was indeed cool. Winter was fast approaching and I could feel it in my bones. The frigid chill hadn’t left me since we returned. With the ice running through my veins, maybe it never would.

“Everything’s ready,” he confirmed. “The van is parked on the abandoned road, ready to transport the kids to random locations.”

“Sheree?”

He swallowed hard, staring ahead. “Oklahoma City. I have an aunt there. When her identity is placed, my aunt will be able to go to her. She’ll be there for Sheree until my parents arrive.” He glanced over at me.

“Thank you. Thank you for this. I owe you so much.”

“Don’t thank me until they’re loaded up and leaving.” I kept my voice low as we broke around a turn. “You’re positive the cameras aren’t working there?”

“No way. I made friends with the technician who was supposed to be installing them. He can’t tie them into the main line until the password on Mr. Whitlock’s computer gets broken. Whitlock is running blind until them.”

“Not blind,” I corrected. “Everything’s still being recorded. We just can’t get in to watch it.”

“With Bram dead, we may never be able to.”

My hands shoved into his side on instinct, knocking him into the wall. “Don’t you ever say his name? Ever.”

Regret flashed on his face as he adjusted his shirt. “I’m sorry. Sometimes I forget about your love for Bram. You’re so convincing lately with West. It’s hard to tell it’s a lie.”

“A wise man once told me, you play the game here, or the game plays you. There’s no room amongst the masters for slaves. You are either on the top, or you’re not. I will not be a slave to these savages a moment longer.”

“What about West? He’s going to know you were involved. Even if I do hit you and you knock me out. He’s going to know this was our doing.

He’s not stupid.”