Finding Eternal Peace (7 page)

Chapter Seven

The sun shone bright on the pea-sized gravel covering the courtyard. Warm and antsy, Meg clasped Joe’s hand and walked with him around the perimeters. To everyone else, they appeared to be enjoying their after-lunch walk, but for him, it was another mission.

Three days, and Meg’s sister had rejected every attempt at contact with them. No longer did Allison sit and smile during dinner. Even unfamiliar with her former self, Joe could see how having Meg here upset Allison.

“There she is.” Joe squeezed her hand. “Let’s do this exactly like we planned, OK?” He stopped, bent down, and kissed her lips. “Go right back to the room. If Lord Stephen stops you, scream your head off. I won’t take a chance at losing you, not even to save your sister.”

She nodded and hurried away. He continued at the leisurely pace he had set. Having Meg talk to Allison hadn’t worked. That left it all up to him. Maybe he could get through to her how important it was to get her out of here.

Allison sat off in the back corner on a wrought iron bench deep in thought. His feet crunching the gravel didn’t even draw her attention. Whatever she had on her mind, she wasn’t concerned about anyone sneaking up on her.

Afraid the size of him would scare her off, he walked behind her and approached from the other side. He’d use the element of surprise.

“May I sit?” He pointed beside her.

She smiled and lifted her head. Upon recognition, she frowned and moved to stand up.

“No. Please. Sit. I came alone. Your sister is tucked safe in our room where no one can bother her.” He sat down, breathed a sigh of relief, and clasped his hands on his lap. “Feels good outside. Soon it will be too hot, and everyone will stay inside out of the heat.”

“What do you want?” She picked at the folds of her gown.

He shrugged. “To talk.”

“I’m not leaving. I like it here, so you can forget about doing my sister’s dirty work.”

Out of his peripheral vision, he recognized the stubborn tilt of her jaw. He’d seen it a few times on Meg’s face before. “Yeah, my sister did too. She swore she liked it.”

Allison turned away, and her fingers stilled. He waited for that to pique her curiosity. Nothing he accomplished would bring his sister back, but saving even one woman would go a long way toward healing his guilt.

“You said ‘did.’ She’s no longer here?”

He shook his head. “No. She died. Lord Stephen…” He swallowed.

“Lord Stephen what?” Allison turned on the bench and gave him her full attention.

“She believed in what Lord Stephen preached about.” He waved his hand in the air. “Peace, love, harmony, and all that stuff.” He turned his head toward Allison. “She thought he loved her.”

“How did she die?”

“Overdose.” He held up his hand to stop her next question. “Not here. She came home after Lord Stephen replaced her as one of his special lovers. Dejected, she turned to more drugs to find the numbness she received while here. She couldn’t handle the real world any longer without the help of the drugs that Lord Stephen provides you all with.”

“He doesn’t give us drugs.” She sat up straighter. “That’s not what Eternal Peace is about at all. We are here to clean our bodies, to learn about what makes us have good feelings, and to share our love with others.”

“He slips it into the special desserts after each meal.” He stood up. “I better get back.”

“Wait!” She grasped the arm of the bench and lifted her gaze. “Can’t you take my sister out of here? She doesn’t belong here. She’s got a job, a life out there…”

He hooked his finger under her chin. “Meg’s not going anywhere without her sister. She loves you.”

Joe left her sitting alone. Wanting to make sure nothing had happened to Meg as she made her way back to the couples’ area alone, Joe hurried his steps. He damned Lord Stephen and this whole mess. Allison was right. Meg didn’t belong here.

None of the women should be here. The closer he drew to the door, the more determined he was that Meg should not stay here.

He’d go on with his investigation by himself. It might take longer, but he’d not risk another person that he loved by letting—

He arrived at the door, raised his hand, and stopped. Loved? The strength washed right out of him. Damn! It was true. Somehow, spending every waking moment with Red the last week, he’d fallen in love with her.

Opening the door, he stepped inside to find Lord Stephen sitting on the bed with Meg. His fingers dug into the door handle, and he willed himself to calm down. It would put them all in danger if he marched over and body-slammed the asshole.

“Lord Stephen, what a surprise.” He glanced toward Meg and raised his brows.

She nodded and stood to join him in front of the door. Lord Stephen lay back on the bed, clasped his hands behind his head, and smiled. What Joe wouldn’t give to kill the fucking bastard right now and end this nightmare.

“Honey, Lord Stephen came by to ask us to join him after dinner in his private area.” Meg smiled and widened her eyes.

“Yes.” Lord Stephen continued to smile. “I rather enjoyed kissing your partner the other night, and I would like for you two to show my lovers what a love-filled relationship is like. A couple of my women, Lisa and Allison, are rather shy, and they have so much potential. I think they could benefit from your experience.” He laughed high and loud. “I would also enjoy sampling Kathy’s love again. She’s destined for peace, I know it.”

It took Joe two seconds to catch on to the name Kathy and realize Lord Stephen wanted to sample Meg, not his partner from the agency. His arm drew back, and he stepped forward.

“Honey!” Meg stepped in front of him and put her back toward Stephen. “Isn’t that wonderful? Plus we’ll get to meet his special women.” She raised her brows and gave him a look that told him not to fuck this up.

He forced a smile. “Great. That’s…wonderful.” He threw his arm around Meg and clamped her to his side.

Lord Stephen sat up and pushed himself off the bed. “I’ll let you two lovebirds have the room to yourself.” He whistled and strolled between them. Trailing his finger along Meg’s chin, he whispered, “And I’ll see you later.”

The click of the door echoed in the small room. Joe turned and punched the wall. The imprint of his knuckles scarred the sheetrock.

“Aw…” He grabbed his hand and held it between his legs. “Son of a bitch!”

“Oh, Joe.” Meg pulled on his arm. “Let me see.” She inspected his bloody knuckles. “Hang on.” She hurried into the bathroom, came back with a cold, wet towel, and proceeded to wrap it around his fingers.

“Don’t you see?” She squeezed his hand and wrinkled her nose. “Oh, sorry.” She stepped back and paced in front of him. “This is exactly what we needed. We can get the evidence you need to shut this place down, and I can get my sister back.”

He shook his head.

“Yes!” She bounced on her toes. “It’ll work. We can end it tonight. You can call the big guys in on that phone you hide between the mattresses, and they’ll bring this place down.” She laughed. “Finally! Life will get back to normal.”

“No.”

Her whole body lost the excitement she carried, and Meg sank onto the edge of the bed. “What do you mean, no?”

“No. You’re not going to that bastard’s room tonight.” He undid the towel, flexed his fingers, and groaned. “I’m getting you out of here right before dinner.”

“The hell you are!”

“Shh… Lower your voice.” He stepped over and tossed the towel onto the bathroom floor.

She crossed her arms. “You can’t make me go. I won’t. Not without my sister.” Her chin came up. “I’ll do this without you.”

He knelt in front of her on the floor. “Listen, Red. It’s getting too dangerous. Lord Stephen has some kind of weird fascination with you. I’ve got a bad feeling about this.”

She threw up her arms in frustration. “He’s a fucking pervert. I’m no different from any of the other women here. He takes advantage of them all.”

“It’s different.” He stood and sat beside her on the end of the bed.

She shook her head. “I don’t understand. How is it different? He acts the same way with every one of them.”

Joe ignored her question and fiddled with the washcloth. His stomach muscles were sore from the constant turmoil and stress of dealing with the lives of innocent women. His involvement with Meg doubled the pressure.

“Well? Are you going to answer me? How’s it different?” Meg’s mouth hardened into that stubborn expression he had learned came with being a redhead. He hated knowing that he’d put it there. He’d much rather view the soft, voluptuous way she kissed his cock or licked a trail from one nipple to the other.

“You’re mine.” He sighed. “I don’t want him touching you, talking to you, or even thinking about you.” He rubbed his hand. “Dammit, Red. I’m falling in love with you. I want you safe and out of here. It might take a little longer working on my own, but I can’t even think while I’m worrying about your safety every minute of the day. That puts you at a higher risk than I’m willing to live with.”

Tears pooled in the corners of her eyes, and a wobbly smile emerged to light up her face. A wave of relief washed through his chest. There. He’d done it. Stripped his soul bare, made her see reason, and now she’d agree to leave.

“I’m falling in love with you too.” She sniffed. “But…”

The bands constricted once again around his chest, and he found it hard to take a deep breath. “But, nothing. You’re going back home.”

She crawled onto his lap, wrapped her arms around his neck, and pulled his head against her breasts. Her hand combed through his hair. He sighed.
Dammit
.

Somebody should open the door and shoot him. What kind of man let a little wisp of a woman like Meg dictate what he should and shouldn’t do? He closed his eyes and rubbed his cheek against the soft rise of her breast.
One that’s totally infatuated, asshole.

“Please, Joe.” She opened her robe, giving him access to her nipple.

He ran his lips over the hardened bud. “I can’t…”

“Please?” She arched her back.

His lips surrounded the dusky rose tip and sucked. He lavished the sweet, smooth, flawless skin, taking what she offered. The worry, the fear, the hope tangled in his stomach, but in her arms, he found strength to continue with their plans.

“F—” He swallowed. “Fine.” He leaned back, taking her with him. He’d discuss their next plan after he took some lovin’ time to calm down.

Chapter Eight

Lord Stephen led the group of six into his area and locked the door. “Let’s sit in the living room, shall we?” He stood back and held his arm out, directing them to walk in front of him.

Meg tightened her arm around Joe’s waist and shuffled past Lord Stephen. She’d follow Joe’s orders and stay as far away from the bastard as possible. A knot of anxiety formed in her throat, threatening to choke her. She had to stand firm and stay in control of her emotions.

Having Joe rely on Allison’s participation didn’t sit well with her. Not given the doped-up world Allison walked around in every day.
Please, sis, remember what we had together. We’re family. It’s only the two of us now.

Her sister stayed with the other women, Lord Stephen’s favorite lovers, and never once gazed over at Meg. Meg glanced up at Joe. He mouthed,
Stay calm,
and turned his attention to the matter at hand.

“Lisa.” Lord Stephen motioned the dark-haired woman over. “Why don’t you go ahead and retrieve the drinks that I set out earlier in the kitchen. We can all relax and enjoy ourselves before starting the lessons for the night.”

Meg turned her head to follow the woman’s exit. She bit her tongue to keep from asking for her age. She appeared too young and innocent to even think about sleeping with other people, much less drink an alcoholic beverage.
No doubt spiked with a sedative or two.

“Joe, why don’t you tell us some of the things Kathy does in your relationship that please you.” He nodded at his lovers. “Listen up, girls.”

Meg glanced over at Allison. Her sister frowned and opened her mouth. She smiled more than normal in hopes her sister would understand that she wasn’t supposed to comment on their relationship or her name change.