Lily: Captive to the Dark (4 page)

My hands gripped around the glass hard. I was surprised it didn’t shatter in my grasp. “He’s going to try to kill her. Red equals blood in my book.” I was standing before I could even finish. Pressure on my suit jacket pushed me back down.

“If that’s the case, I’ll finish him off myself. You stay,” he snapped.

It took everything I had not to drive my fist into his face over and over again. Lily needed
me
, but I was smart enough to know that now wasn’t the time. Let Slade check on her. I had to get the fuck out of here and put my plan into action early. It was time.

Chapter 4

Lily

“Alec, it’s nice of you to come. Please, take a seat.” I gestured across from my desk and watched the tall, dark haired man drop his hand and nervously sit down.

“Thank you for having me. I know how hard it must be for you each time we meet, given our pasts. Please know I hold nothing against you for how things played out. What my father was mixed up in was wrong.”

My hands wouldn’t stop shaking as I pretended to relax in my chair. Alec and I had met on several occasions due to the world we both worked in, but we’d never actually talked about what I had done. I wasn’t so sure it was a good idea now. “I’m glad there are no hard feelings. What happened…it had to be that way. I’m sorry, but it’s the truth. Your father was a very evil man. And so was your brother. He hurt my sister-in-law very badly that night. I think that may have been what triggered my reaction.”

“I saw the pictures. They…” he cringed. “I was shocked to realize my brother and father lived their lives that way. I never truly knew them. You see, my father wasn’t happy to have kids. I grew up in boarding schools and after that, college. I only ever came home on the holidays, so you can say I really didn’t know them too well. That’s something I’ve wanted to tell you for a while now. There are no hard feelings on my part.”

I sat straighter in my chair, feeling a little relief take over, but still remaining wary. “Thank you for that. I’m not sure how things would be if it were the opposite. We see each other quite often.”

“Yes.” He nodded, scooting further down the chair, closer toward me. “That’s another reason I’m here. We’ve seen a lot of each other off and on for the last few months and I’ve been doing some thinking. Perhaps…” he paused and my brow drew in as I watched him shift uncomfortably. “Would you like to go on a date with me?”

“What?” I blinked at him stupidly. Had I just heard that right?

“A date. You know, mend this bad blood for good. We can start something fresh between our families. A new chapter. Something pure.” He stood, walking back to the roses. I felt myself stand.

Pure…white. “You.”

A smile greeted me as he turned around. “I like you, Lily. You come off as a hard ass, but I don’t think everything is as it appears. How about dinner? If you don’t like the real me outside of work, we walk away and pretend it never happened. I really think you’ll enjoy yourself if you just try. This is could be a good thing. Healing, for both of us. Maybe even our families, too.”

The door flew open and I jumped at Slade barging in. His heavy breaths were combined with a look that made my blood cold. It reminded me of the day I returned. He had pulled my terror stricken body over to face my rapists. While he had his gun on them, he’d made me point them out. That was shortly before I killed them.

“Out. Now.” His voice boomed through my office and I rushed forward, putting myself between them. Alec’s hands rose and I couldn’t ignore how sincere he’d been.

“I’m not here for any trouble, Slade.”

“Explain the roses. Why send them? Why go from white to red? Are you planning on hurting my sister?”

One minute, Alec was a few feet away, the next, Slade was jerking him forward and patting him down.

“Hurt her? Why the hell would I do that? I like your sister. Hell, I just asked her out on a date.”

Slade pushed him back hard, causing him to stumble.

“Enough,” I yelled. “Slade, you have to stop. Alec and I work together. He wanted to meet so we could talk about the past and I agreed it was time. What you’re doing is uncalled for.”

The angry stare was thrown at me. “Uncalled for? You killed his father and brother. You don’t think he wants revenge for that? I do.”

“I
don’t
. He explained he didn’t even grow up with them. If that’s the case, maybe he doesn’t blame me. His family was sick. Surely he can see that. Besides, we’ve never had any negativity toward each other, even when we were battling over accounts. Quite the opposite.” I couldn’t stop the smile from coming. “Getting Wes Corp was actually his doing. He pretty much handed me that one. Didn’t you.” It wasn’t a question.

Alec shrugged and returned my smile. “You worked hard. You deserved it. Plus, I think you would have gotten it anyway. I just eased back some.”

“Jesus fucking Christ,” my brother cursed. “You both can’t be serious. This is so not happening right now. Alec Brighton?” he said, turning to me. “Seriously?”

I looked nervously between both of them. Alec wasn’t my Master, but he was nice in his own way. And I liked him. Besides, I couldn’t have Zain like I wanted. It wasn’t right. Not in the eyes of society, and Slade surely wouldn’t accept that scenario.

“Slade, can you leave now? Everything is okay, really.”

He shook his head. “Not until you tell me whether you’re planning on dating him. I want to know right now. Are you going on this date or can I happily toss him out of my building?”

I rolled my eyes and took a deep breath.

“Slade.” Alec took a step forward. “I understand Lily is your sister, but she
is
old enough to make up her own mind. You’re looking out for her, I see that, but I hope you can look past who I am and give me a chance, if that’s what she wants.”

My brother kept quiet as he continued to stare at me.

Did I want to do this? Date Alec? I’d just told Slade I didn’t have any interest until I turned thirty. Now, here I was, seriously contemplating having a life again. The appeal was there. The guilt over my Master was, too. It felt wrong to say yes. To turn my back on someone I loved and expressed as much.
He’s your enemy, Lilian. He associates with people who deal in selling girls and boys for a living. That is not acceptable.

“I think I would like to go on one date with him. Just to see.”

“Shit.” Slade ran his fingers through his hair and turned to Alec. “Her guards will be there the entire time. You are not to make it past the lobby of her building and she sure as fuck isn’t going to your place. Dinner, movie, whatever. Nothing else. You understand me?”

“Slade!” My hand gripped his jacket. “That’s enough. I’m old enough to make my own decisions concerning that. Now, out,” I snapped.

“I’m serious,” he said, turning back to Alec. “You touch her, you won’t have a hand left when I get done with you. That
is
a threat. Feel free to take it with a grain of salt if you don’t treasure your body parts.”

“Out,” I growled, pushing him toward the door. The moment he was past the barrier, I slammed it shut.

Alec had a smile on his face when I turned back around to face him. “I’m so sorry,” I rushed out. “He’s not serious.”

“Oh, yes he is,” he said, laughing. “I know your brother and I don’t put it past him. He’s dead serious.”

I nodded, knowing what he spoke was the truth. “You still want to go on that date? I don’t blame you if you’re ready to run out of here.”

Three steps and he was before me. “I’ve been dying to ask for months. Threats of missing limbs aren’t going to keep me away now. How about tonight at seven? There’s a restaurant not a block from here called Lucien’s.”

“That’s one of my favorite places to order out from,” I cut in.

“Great. Then you’ll like the food. So, seven?”

All I could do was stare up into his light brown eyes. They weren’t anywhere near as captivating as my Master’s, but they had a certain draw to them. Slowly, I nodded. “Seven.”

“See you then.” He picked up my hand, brushing his lips across my knuckles. The tingling was automatic and I inhaled deeply, unable to stop myself at the shock of contact. Fuck, it had been too long.

“See you,” I breathed out.

As he walked away, I couldn’t stop myself from taking in his wide shoulders and slim waist. Now
that
was appealing. He looked like he was in good shape. His build was definitely just as attractive as his face. Why hadn’t I noticed before?

The door shut and I reached back for my desk. My legs felt like they were going to give out at any moment. Was I ready for this? Suddenly, I wasn’t so sure. Too many questions were going through my head and I couldn’t think straight. A knock had me pushing myself to stand straight.

“Come in.”

Slade strode back through, his arms coming to rest across his chest. “I’m sorry about losing my temper. I realize you’re old enough to make your own decisions and I smother you at times. You understand it’s because I love you, right? I’m just trying to keep you safe. No one will hurt you again. I won’t let them.”

“I love you, too.” I forced myself to hug him again. “Everything is going to be alright. You’ll see.”

“No, you’ll see,” he said, squeezing. “I’ll make it so.”

There was no point in saying anything else. Slade was determined and at this stage, it was pointless to continue. Instead, I stepped away and grabbed my purse. “I’m heading out early. There are some things I need to do before tonight.” I clutched the strap tighter. “I need you to back off some with Alec. You know I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t need this. And I do,” I stressed. “More than you know.”

A groan filled the room as he pushed his hands into his pant pockets. “I don’t like this, Lilian. I don’t. Just…be careful around him. Don’t trust anything he says, and God forbid, if he pushes you too hard on anything you’re uncomfortable with, walk away. Your guards will take care of the rest. You owe this man nothing. You don’t.”

His words hit home and my gaze lowered. Maybe a part of me did feel that way. Even though I’d killed his family because of what they did, I still felt bad that he had to go through that pain. Regardless of whether he denied their closeness or not. And I truly hadn’t killed Jordan. Slade had, but I’d never tell a soul the truth. To the courts, it happened during my mental break, and that was the story I was sticking to.

“I won’t do anything I don’t want to do. You have my word.”

“Good. You have fun shopping or doing whatever it is you’re going to do. I’m about to head out, too. Damn guy in my office already left. He doesn’t listen for shit, but a part of me likes him and I have no idea why.”

“What guy?” I stepped over, walking to the door with Slade.

His eyebrows drew in. “Zane Collins. I’ve met him a few times, but today was different.”

My heart all but stopped at the first name.

“Different how?” I managed.

“He…reminds me a lot of myself. He has balls. Drive. I’m intrigued by the mystery that he is.”

I paused as he turned the handle, pulling open the door. “Mystery?”

Slade laughed. “You wouldn’t understand. It’s a guy thing. Anyway, it doesn’t matter. Maybe I’ll never see him again. I kind of blew him off.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah, no big deal. You better get going. It’s almost four. Your date is in three hours.”

I stopped mid-step and faced him. “How do you know that? Were you listening or something?

The smile I knew Slade by, appeared. “I didn’t miss the kiss across your knuckles, either. Tell him he owes me a hand.”

“You were watching me?” The gasp couldn’t be contained. “Dammit. That’s crossing the line and you know it.” My eyes searched around for a camera, but I didn’t see any.

“Safety first.” He nudged me toward the elevator and I threw him a look as I headed to it.
Damn him
. Nothing I did was private. Well, home technically was, but I had guards outside my door at all times. I knew why, but I thought I’d be on my own by now. It wasn’t as if I didn’t have a security system. Slade installed the best of everything. He’d made that apartment impenetrable from when he lived there. No one was getting in if I didn’t want them to. So, why, after three years, were they still following me everywhere? What did I have to fear anymore? Nothing.

It was time to get rid of my guards and I knew just how to convince my brother.

Chapter 5

Zain

“What…the fuck?” The binoculars slipped from my hand, hitting my chest. I scrambled to bring them back up. “What are you doing, Lily? What…the fuck are you doing?”

Did I really need to be asking? My slave had her leg propped up on the bed, sliding a black stocking up her thigh. Lingerie was something I’d never seen her in and I wasn’t sure what the hell was suddenly going on now, but I knew it wasn’t good. I’d watched her lay a clear plastic bag with what looked to be a black dress down on the bed before she’d taken a shower. The rollers in her long black hair surprised me a bit. When the robe dropped, I was floored. My cock got so hard, I had to reach down to adjust myself.

Black strapless bra. Black thong. Now, stockings.

My hand traveled over the slight growth on my face as I narrowed my eyes even more to take her in. Red lipstick. Pearls.

“Where you going all dressed up, slave? You looking to get fucked?” The last came out through gritted teeth and I pulled the strap from the binoculars over my head, sending pieces sliding across the tile floor at my throw. My gun was suddenly in my hand and I walked closer to the window. The view wasn’t as good, but I could still see her clear enough. And I didn’t like it at all. Curves. By God, those fucking curves hidden under that tight black dress were going to kill me. Or someone else, if that was her plan.

“Calm, Zain. Get a fucking grip. Just wait and watch.” I closed my eyes as I realized I was talking to myself. They didn’t stay shut for long. I surged forward turning on the dim lamp and came to stand right next to the glass. “Look at me, Lily. Look over here.” And just like that…she did. The squint and part of her lips was followed by a slow walk toward me. “That’s right, baby. Get a good look. Take me in. I’m right here.” A smile came to my face at her hand flying to chest, but I quickly stepped out of view, moving over to the next room. Easing the curtains back, I could still see her staring at where I’d been. And crying. I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not.

Minutes went by. Still, she stared. Aching had my chest cramping and breath coming in shallow spells. I knew she was questioning what she’d seen. Hell, she’d probably already talked herself out of the truth.

Slowly, she stepped back, only to return. Nausea threatened at seeing her so upset, but I couldn’t let her forget what we shared. Did she see that, though, or did she see something entirely different? It had been a long time. Had she erased the love we had and replaced it with the fear over her entire situation? It was possible. Damn possible. Shit.

“Soon, baby girl, I’ll remind you why we’re meant to be together. I won’t stop until you see. You
have
to see.”

There it was again — anger. And it only increased as I watched her disappear from the window. I didn’t wait. I grabbed my phone and keys, rushing to the elevator. There was no way I was going to miss where she was going.

Ringing had me blindly answering my cell as I waited for the elevator car. “Yeah?” My finger pushed steadily on the button.

“You’re almost impossible to track down. Almost.”

My body became still as I focused on the voice. “Slade.”

“Surprised? I think you underestimate me.”

I laughed under my breath. “I think you may be right. You shouldn’t have been able to find out my number. Let me guess. Marcio?”

“Brace. He’s a fucking genius when it comes to electronics. That’s beside the point. I told you to fucking stay put. You left.”

I stepped from the elevator, hitting the parking garage. “You said you didn’t need me and I’m not looking to be one of your hired killers or bodyguards. I want a respectable job. I thought I made that clear.”

“You have no experience in an office. What you do have is experience in is getting your hands dirty. Why the sudden change now?”

I let out a deep breath. “I found the woman I want to spend my life with. I’d like that life to last more than a few months or years. Plus, I want to be home every night, not gone for who knows how long.”

“I see. Tell me what you can do. You said something about money.”

The door opened and I unlocked my car, rushing over. “What I know is muscle when it comes to money. I took care of transactions. Deliveries. Picked up payments. That’s not what I’m interested in, though. I know numbers. Put me in accounts.”

“So you can steal my money out from under my nose?”

The groan was automatic. “Believe it or not, I don’t need your money, nor do I technically need a job. I want this because it’s the right thing to do.”

“The right thing? As in, appearances?”

What, did he want my life story? Tough shit, he couldn’t have it. “Yeah. I want to live a normal life. That consists of having a job.”

“You must love her a lot to want to settle down and walk away from a life that has provided a good living.”

The engine purred to life and I headed for the exit. Pausing, I waited for the black Town Car she rode in to exit her own garage.

“My life was nothing until she was in it. Love doesn’t even begin to describe the way I feel for her.”

“I can respect that. So, tell me, if I got you in and tested you out in a few departments, what am I supposed to do with you if you can’t handle the everyday hustle and bustle of being a normal person?”

Technically, I wasn’t going to be working for him, but a part of me almost wished this conversation was real. If he could get to know me before he found out…no. I was taking Lily tonight. There wasn’t time to try to be buddy-buddy with Slade. He’d hate me before this was over with. Lily was my main concern. She needed to love me again, become my slave, like before. Then we could settle into a routine and figure out what we were going to do. After I took care of my past, of course. What I needed to do right now was break ties with Slade.

“You’re probably right. I won’t like it. Maybe I just need to suck it up and realize what I am. Couples sometimes need time apart. It’s for the best. Thanks for the offer, though. I won’t forget it.”

I disconnected just as Lily’s guards drove past with her in the back seat. Her head was lowered, twisting my stomach into a million knots. I let a car pass before I pulled out. Just seeing her so sad made me regret putting her in that place. If only I knew exactly what it was that had her so upset. Didn’t she know I would come? I told her I would. It wasn’t like I could knock on her front door and take my place in her life where I belonged.

Ring. Ring.

Slade, you’re killing me.
I picked up the phone, looking at Unknown Caller on the screen. “Didn’t I make myself clear?”

“No one hangs up on me. I wasn’t finished.”

“What more is there left to say?”

Footsteps sounded and I strained to hear.

“You know more than I’m comfortable with. Work for me, behind the scenes. Show my men what you know so they can place you accordingly. I won’t take you away from your girl more than I have to.”

How tempting his offer was.

“I…can’t. You wouldn’t understand.”

“Try me. I’m more understanding than you think.”

Not
that
understanding. I’d bank on it. But if I did fill him in a little, would it help in the future? After he found out about Lily and me? And he would find out. It was only a matter of time.

“My family is very powerful and corrupt. They’re bad people. I want out. To do that, well…you know what that entails. Right now isn’t a good time. When I came to talk to you, I meant to tell you I would need a few months before I could start. That’s probably longer than you’re comfortable with waiting.”

Silence and then the faint sound of more footsteps. Was he pacing?

“Doesn’t that put your girl in danger?”

I swallowed hard, taking a right turn, leaving enough space between Lily and me.

“Yeah, but she’ll be safe until I can get everything to fall into place.”

“Sounds really risky to me. Don’t you think she’d be better protected if you had people that had your back? My men would.”

Fuck, he was making this impossible. No wonder he was good at what he did.

“Let me think on it.”

“You have three weeks to contact me with the status of where you’re at in your head. If I have to track you down again, so help me, I’m going to be pissed. That’s never a good thing, Zane Collins.”

“Three weeks. Fine.”

“Good. Oh…and Zane. Good luck with your family. I hope you’re around to make things work, for your girl’s sake.”

The line cut out and I pushed the phone back in my pocket. I sure hoped for her sake it worked out, too. If I could remind her of what we shared, open her eyes to the fact that I was still the Master who loved her, she’d wait for me to come back from Afghanistan. And she’d be safe doing that back here with Slade. But then what? Would I be able to convince her brother that we were meant to be? Would he try to keep me away for good? No.

Lily was the one for me, regardless of how we met. I’d fight for her. Kill for her. And I’d be damned if her brother was going to take her away from me again. I’d like to see him try. Slade may have been powerful, but it wouldn’t compare to the wrath I’d bring if he tried to separate us for good. With Lily on my side, I found it hard to believe he would. It all came down to me convincing her.