“He’s in his study if you still wish to speak with him. Otherwise, he’ll make time for you tomorrow,” he tells me.
“Now’s fine.” I just want to get this done before I can change my mind. Part of me feels that this is a mistake while the other part knows that I have no other option. Logically, it’s my only chance of ever gaining the life that I crave.
Cassius nods. “Very well.”
I switch off my bedroom light and step out into the living room. We’re completely silent as Cassius leads me through the darkened living room and out into the foyer. He walks to the elevator and enters the code, and a second later, the doors slide open.
We step inside, and the ride down to the first floor is completely silent. I have no idea what time it is, but I can sense that it’s quite late.
When the doors open once more, Cassius leads me down the hall towards Lethe’s study. He knocks curtly on the door and then opens it, motioning me inside.
I cross the threshold and hear the door close behind me.
The room is lit with just the lamp from Lethe’s desk, and he sits behind it, a cigarette in hand. He doesn’t rise for me, and I study him as I walk to the chair situated before him. His mood is different tonight, and he watches me with hooded eyes as I sink into the chair. He kind of reminds me of a lounging predator.
A hint of cheap perfume permeates the air, and I run my eyes over him. His hair looks slightly more tousled, and the look in his eye is satiated. It’s evident that he’s been with a woman all evening.
Something tightens in my gut, and I push it aside. The man is looking at spending the rest of his life having sex with one woman—me. I guess I can’t blame him for wanting to mess around as much as he can until he’s stuck with me.
Lethe straightens in his chair, and he sets his cigarette in the ashtray before his eyes rest on me once more. “I was surprised to hear that you wanted to speak with me yet tonight.”
I give him a tight smile. “I just wanted to get this over with.”
He studies me. “By all means.” He waves a hand at me, looking amused. “I’m listening.”
I’m silent as I gaze at him with cool eyes. Maybe I should have waited until tomorrow.
He lifts an eyebrow, waiting.
I grind my teeth and force myself to begin the conversation. “You said you’d treat our…mating as a business deal?” I ask, wanting verification.
Interest flares in his gaze. “That’s right.”
I fold my arms over my chest. “Then I have plenty of requests. You’d better open that laptop of yours,” I say, nodding to the one on his desk.
He gives it a dismissive glance. “There’s no need for that. What do want?”
“What I want,” I say pointedly, “is a printed contract, and I want it signed by everyone in the clan—except for Tenley and Evie. I already know their opinions won’t count,” I say sardonically.
His eyes narrow, and I now have his full attention. “You want a full contract with signatures?”
“Yes. Because I don’t trust you, and I won’t give you what you want until you agree to my terms. There will be no ‘considering’ them. I want it documented that you agree, and I want everyone in the clan to know that you’ve accepted my terms and plan on following through with them,” I say coolly.
Lethe is silent as he studies me. I can see something shifting in his gaze, and I watch him closely. He looks displeased by my demand, which tells me that there is some truth to what Anton had claimed. Lethe won’t want to go back on his word, not in front of his clan. I feel a hint of relief course through me. Now I know that I have him right where I want him, and I simply wait to see how this is all going to unfold.
He still seems to be thinking, and I watch as he comes to some sort of decision. “Let’s begin negotiations, and we’ll go from there,” he finally says.
“Let me make myself clear, without a contract, there will be no mating,” I clarify.
A muscle begins to tic in his jaw. “Yes, you’ve made yourself clear. So let’s begin.”
I give him a saccharine smile. “You’re going to want to write this down. It’s a long list.”
“I have a good memory,” he clips out.
He’s definitely pissed that I’ve turned the tables on him. Good. “I’m not sharing a room with you,” I tell him, getting straight down to business. “You’ll get your sex,” I say before he can interrupt. “But I want to keep my room on the third floor. I want my own space for privacy.”
He frowns. “You mean you want your room for when I’m gone?”
“If I remember correctly, you already warned me that you’re not the cuddling type. This is a business deal, so you’ll get your sex, and then if I want to go up to my room for the rest of the night, I want to be able to. Your room will not be mine,” I say in a firm voice.
“Mated couples share living quarters.”
“Not this one.”
His face is beginning to darken. “I will not go up to the third floor in search of my mate.”
“Sometimes a person has no choice but to do what someone else wants. Get used to it. I’ve had to.”
He regards me silently with irritated eyes.
I smile, because now I’m beginning to enjoy this conversation. “Like I said, it’s a long list. But, if it’s not worth your precious armor, then we can just forget it.”
I watch as he struggles to hold onto his temper. “I want you in my bed every night. Where you go after that is your concern, not mine,” he agrees. His eyes glint warningly at me. “I’m going to want sex, Arista. You’d better be prepared to follow through with it.”
“I am. But you will also have to understand that I may not want to every single night. And that’s another point I want made in the document. I want the right to say no if I’m not feeling up to it, and you can’t be an ass about it.”
“I will agree to that, but you will also agree to be in my bed most nights unless you have a legitimate excuse.”
“Agreed. And the topic of sex leads right into my third request. I want to be on birth control. I have no intention of getting pregnant so you can have an heir. Maybe someday, but definitely not anytime soon. And by that, I mean years,” I stress pointedly.
Much to my surprise, he nods. “I’m in full agreement. Fatherhood isn’t something that I’m wanting. At least not until I’m ready—if I ever am,” he adds.
“Okay.”
He nods and waits for my next request. At least he’s not glaring anymore.
“I want more control of my life. This means buying my own clothing.”
“I don’t have a problem with that.”
“And I want full freedom to move around the warehouse. I’m sick of being treated like a prisoner up on the third floor.”
“I expected this.” His eyes hold mine. “But if you take advantage of it to cause trouble, there will be consequences,” he warns.
“Give me what I want, and I won’t have a reason to try anything.”
“Very well. Anything else?” he asks dryly.
“We’re just getting started,” I say with false sweetness. “I want to learn how to control my fire, and I want these eventually gone,” I say, holding up my wrists.
His eyes flicker to the bracelets. “I figured as much. I have no problem with you learning how to wield fire so long as you don’t use it against me or anyone else in this clan.”
I nod. “Agreed. And speaking of protecting myself, I want to learn how to fight,” I tell him. “I mean real fighting—with weapons.”
His eyes narrow, and I can tell this is something he’s unwilling to agree with.
“What if something happens and I have these stupid bracelets on? Or I’m in a situation where my fire won’t protect me? I want the skills to protect myself, Lethe,” I insist.
“My men and I will protect you.”
“But what if you’re not there? Furthermore, do I seem like the kind of woman that wants a man to swoop in and save the day
? I want to be able to take care of myself. Besides, what’s the problem? If the situation’s likely to never arise because I’m always protected, then what does it matter?” I challenge.
He levels me with a look. “You use those skills on me; I won’t hesitate to fight back.”
I blink, and the little devil on my shoulder has me asking, “Is that something we can do? Fight?” I wouldn’t mind going a round or two with Lethe as long as I know what I’m doing. He’s sworn that I’ll never be harmed by anyone in the clan, so in reality, I’d have the upper hand.
His eyebrows lift. “You relish the idea of fighting?”
I shoot him a look. “I had a life before you bought me. I had to take care of myself, so it’s not like fighting is new to me. I would just like to be better at it. It’ll give me something to do in my free time.”
Lethe actually looks intrigued by the idea, and I gaze back at him, waiting to see what he’ll say. I want him to know that I’m not afraid of him, and I never will be. I will always hold my own, and I won’t bow down to him, no matter how much he wants me to.
“Agreed,” he finally says. “Is that all?”
I smirk. “What do you think?”
He sighs. “What else?”
“The woman that raised me, she was killed when I was kidnapped. I want to know if her body is still there. She deserves a proper burial,” I tell him as my heart constricts over the thought of Nany’s body slowly decomposing in the apartment.
His eyes search mine, and he nods. “That can be arranged.”
“I also grew close to two women when I was held in captivity before you bought me. I want to know what happened to them,” I tell him determinedly.
Lethe frowns. “That’s not going to be easy.”
“I’m sure you have the resources. I need to know what happened to them, Lethe. This is non-negotiable,” I say flatly.
He’s silent a moment, and then he pulls open his desk drawer and takes out a notepad and pen. “What can you tell me about them?” he asks.
“You’ll find them?”
“I’ll do my best. What can you tell me?”
“Andi, she’s a vastrix. I don’t really know much else about her,” I admit.
He looks at me sharply. “A vastrix?”
I nod. “And Brin, I mean Brinley, I’m not sure what she was. She wasn’t sure, and they couldn’t seem to figure it out, either.”
Lethe nods and writes her name on the paper. “She’s likely a human hybrid.”
“What does that mean?” I ask curiously.
He glances at me. “She’s human for the most part, but some type of ancestral power ascended to her. It can jump generations.”
I’m quiet as Lethe sets aside the paper. So far, things are going according to plan, just as I’d hoped. My last request he’s not going to like, and I brace myself for an argument.
He must note my expression. “Out with it,” he says.
“I want to be your equal,” I say levelly.
He smirks. “You can’t. I lead this clan; you’ll never be my equal.”
I give him a cold look. “I’m referring to our relationship. I won’t tolerate being told what to do, and I certainly have no intention of sitting on my ass waiting for you to spare me a little attention. I want to be a real part of this clan.”
He observes me as he leans back in his chair. “And just how do you think you’re going to accomplish that?” he asks, and I can tell that he’s not taking me seriously.
“I want to know about the business side of things. I want to know about the club you own and your other business dealings. No secrets when it comes to how this clan makes its living. And yes, this means I want to go to the club.” I’m not interested in seeing naked women dancing, but I am curious to know what else goes on there.
Lethe shakes his head. “Not happening.”
“Then neither will the mating,” I say simply.
He gives me a look. “You have no place in any of my business dealings. Do you even know everything that I do?”
“Some. I’d like to know more,” I say steadily.
“It’s drugs, sex, and death, Arista. You have no place in any of that.”
“I’m not surprised about the drugs. From what I’ve learned on the streets, it’s quite lucrative. If you own a strip club, I’m sure prostitution is likely involved. As for death…” I study him. “Death is all around us. It’s a daily occurrence,” I say unflinchingly.
He looks at me coldly. “I like to spill blood. You have no place in that part of my life.”
“Then we can never be equals.”
“I already told you that we couldn’t be.”
I shake my head. “No, you just won’t let me.”
“I’ll agree to everything else, but not this,” he says simply.
“Then this entire conversation was pointless.” I rise to my feet, ready to leave. I won’t give up on what I feel I deserve as a woman. If I don’t get the respect I need, none of this will ever work. I turn and begin walking towards the door.
“Wait,” Lethe barks out.
I turn and give him a glare. “Do I look like a fucking dog?”
“No, you look like a pain in my ass,” he bites out. He’s now standing, and I can see a hint of orange in the depths of his gaze.
“Get used to it. I will never be a Tenley or an Evie. You want me, you have to accept me as I am. I won’t settle for less,” I shoot back.
He moves around his desk and walks towards me as if he’s stalking his prey. Orange flashes in his gaze. “Getting involved in my world outside of these four walls is dangerous. It’s not acceptable for my mate,” he says tightly as he pauses in front of me.
I look up at him steadily. “Are you that oblivious? I thrive on life outside of this building. It’s what makes me want to live. You keep me in this building, I will surely die. And that’s not me being dramatic. I need to be out there, Lethe.”
He studies me. “It’s a dark world that I live in, Arista. Death beckons to me, and I crave it. The club isn’t just a strip club. It’s death. It’s the darkness that this world has become. Do you really want to be a part of that?”
“Yes,” I say unflinchingly.
“I will think on it,” he says reluctantly.
“That’s the entire point of this conversation tonight. Think about my requests, and if you can accept what I want, draw up that contract,” I say quietly.
His eyes search mine. “That’s the end of your requests?”
“The last one is that you keep an open mind about future requests. The ones I’ve stated tonight are the most important. Those I need if I’m going to become your mate.”
He silently regards me.
I look at him questioningly. “Anything else you want when it comes to the contract?” It’s better for me to know now than be blindsided.
“Sex. That’s all I want from you,” he says simply.
I keep my expression unreadable. “We already agreed to that, so that won’t be an issue.”
“Then we’re done here.”
I turn to leave, and my hand is on the doorknob when I hear him say my name. I turn and look at him.
His eyes are hooded now. “We’re already halfway there. We did the ceremonial blood exchange and vows a while back,” he reveals.
My lips part, and I stare at him. “No…”
He nods. “You were drugged. All we need to do now is have sex, and we’ll be mates.”
I recall the odd dream about a ceremony, and I immediately look down at my palm. There was nothing there…
“Anton healed the cut with…a special remedy.”
I blink as his deceit sinks in, and I glare at him with fire in my eyes. “You’re a bastard.”
He gives me a ghost of a smile. “Get used to it.”
I return his smile with one of my own that promises retribution. “You’ll pay for your deceit.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
Without ano
ther word, I yank open the door and step into the hall. Cassius immediately straightens from where he’d been leaning against the wall.
Thirty-one
Lethe
I’m not one to ask anyone for their advice, nor do I ever run anything past anyone before I do it. However, I’ve never drawn up a mating contract before, and I have plenty of doubts about it.
I knock on Maverick’s door for a second time. It’s still quite early, but I want to get this shit sorted.
The door opens, and Maverick stands there, glaring. I’d apparently woken him up, and he’s bare chested with just a pair of jeans on. “It’s way too early for anyone to be knocking on my door, and that includes you.”
Maverick has never been a morning person. “Would I be knocking on your door if it weren’t important?” I ask.
His expression clears, and with a resigned sigh, he turns and leaves the door open as he walks back into his quarters.
I enter the room and close the door behind me.
Maverick rubs his face as he walks to the sofa set situated in the corner of the large room, and he drops down onto one as he yawns. “So what’s going on?”
I settle onto the opposite sofa, holding out a file to him. “This,” I bite out, feeling moody over the entire situation with Arista. It also doesn’t help that I hadn’t slept at all last night. I’d been angry, so I’d beat the shit out of the punching bag in the workout room, and then after I’d calmed, I’d begun typing up the damned contract.
Maverick leans forward and takes the file. “What is it?” he asks.
“A contract.”
“For what?” He opens the file to peer at the documents inside.
“It’s the only way Arista will be my mate,” I tell him.
His eyes lift to mine, and he frowns. “You’re kidding.”
“I wish. She wants me to agree to her demands and have the entire clan sign it to ensure that I’ll follow through with them.”
Maverick looks impressed. “That’s pretty clever. How did she know that a contract like this would be binding?”
“Anton,” I say with irritation. “I spoke with him last night after Arista hit me up with all her demands. He says she was asking plenty of questions yesterday. She must have already had the idea in her head, because she was questioning my loyalty to the clan and all that shit.”
Captive (Igniting the Flame Book 1) Page 19