by H. Q. Frost
"Don't move," I say with so much threat, her arms curl around herself.
Qara provides me with proper toiletries to wash her and I return to finish the job. Her body trembles hard enough it must be causing pain, but I don't stop scrubbing until she's clean. I hoped to wash away what she just went through, but the haunted look on her face tells me otherwise. As she stands, I plug the tub and the water begins to fill. Instead of giving her a towel, I begin to undress. She doesn't move or take her eyes from me and when I step into the tub next to her, she begins to lower herself. I sit and lean back, sprawling my arms over the tub ledge and stare at her while she sits in a ball, submerged to her shoulders. Words aren't appropriate yet but this distance is uncalled for. After a few moments, she slowly slides to settle between my legs and rests her head on my shoulder. With hesitation I wrap my arms around her. The things she brings out in me are made of nightmares.
"He was going to sell me," she whispers, her voice cracking. I will be a nightmare before I let her endure what's worse than me. "I don't want this life," she cries.
"Your cooperation is the only thing that will keep you alive. I can only do so much. Do you understand what your defiance will do to you?" I grab the tub ledge to keep from digging my fingers into her but the rage I've kept at bay is starting to break its restraints.
"I don't want to be a prisoner," she weeps loud enough that I wrap my arms around her again, trying to offer comfort.
"You're not a prisoner. You have limited options, but I want you to accept this so you can move on."
"Move on." She snorts. "Callum, I have no one anymore. You took my family away from me."
"You will see Poppy soon." I assure her.
"But I'll never be able to see my mother or sister again."
"You know at what price," I growl at her and her grip tightens so I tug her closer. "This is for you. I've killed and manipulated people closest to me all for you."
Talking is seized until she finally stops the tears, releasing a shaky breath. "What's going to happen?" Her head lifts to look at me. "I have to live here?"
"Yes." With a gentle touch, I push the hair off her face.
"And you? What's going to happen to you?"
I don't know anymore. I no longer have a son. No longer have a rightful heir to reign after me. I don't know where I fall on my grandmother's chess board now.
"Anything I do doesn't concern you."
"Then why is it what I do concerns you?" she spitefully retorts and sits up from leaning against my chest.
"Because you are my property."
"I belong to no one." She stands and the water ripples around her legs. My eyes go to her breasts and slowly slide down her body. My Pleasure.
"The document you signed after marriage wasn't forged. You're my property, Pleasure."
"I'm not. And I'm not your fucking pleasure."
She looks like she wants to give a swift kick between my legs, but I don't protect myself. Instead I give her the option I know she won't take. My hands lift in offering and I slightly nod my head. Her teeth grit and leg shifts. In case she's lost her fucking mind, I react first.
"If you weren't my property, you'd be dead by now." I grab her leg and yank, making her slip. Her first mistake was not getting out of the tub. Her second was being the only pleasurable thing I've ever had. I catch her before she lands hard, but the water sloshes out. "Now shut up and give me what's mine." She's under me, nowhere to go without a fight, and I think she's tired of fighting.
"Get the hell off me, Callum," she warns.
"If you actually meant that, I'd possibly listen." In a swift roll, water ramps up the side and sloshes outside of the tub while I get her on top. It takes a little force, but she's straddling me, my hard dick resting at her opening. The pivot of my hips rubs me against her and I see it the minute she caves. Too easy; just the way I like it. "No one fucks me like you do, Pleasure." I coax her to lift so she can sink down over me.
When she does, my eyes close as she moans out my name. I slide my hand to the back of her neck and pull her against me, sinking deep inside her while I steal her lips. If the sounds of splashing water doesn't announce our actions, her moaning pleasure does, but I don't stop. He can try and kill me. He'll only end up how he should have. Dead. Our agreement forbids me to take her, but he's a fool to trust me. That's why he's threatening to end our agreement, because he knows he will never satisfy her in the way I do. Even when I neglect her. I killed four men in front of her, for her, and my actions lately show how unhinged I've become. Yet her pussy is clamping my cock as if she'll die without it. She's mine.
I fill her body with my seed while she fills my mind with disease. I am infatuated with a woman that has no right to be in my world. Forget the children and marriage. Forget the contract and bloodline. The moment I laid eyes on her and my body filled with delight that I could torture her into submission, I knew my life would change forever. She's submitted. Finally.
When she's sated and exhausted, she falls asleep over my chest, but the chilling water doesn't allow us to stay this way. I dry her off and dress her in my shirt before guiding her to a room. Qara has provided a makeshift bed for the time being and against her judgment, she doesn't protest. It's her actions that have caused the discomfort she'll endure until this home is finished. Getting her clothed and comfortable, I stare into her face as she fights to stay awake. Tomorrow, her life's going to change and I'd like her to have a full night's rest.
Walking away from her is hard, because this is where our life could begin, but sadly, my life is over. I've forsaken the Carbon name and I have to accept it as I am or Magdelena will never be safe. She holds my hand until she's asleep and when her grip loosens, my chest aches because it's time for me to go. She's going to accept this life. She saw what awaits her otherwise. There is no sanctity for her elsewhere, especially not if she goes home.
If I could stay longer, I would, but my heart already aches for what had to happen. And now I need to go home and pay off everyone who successfully aided in protecting my son. I have to go home and clear the house of his presence because not having him there anymore, but having the reminder, will be too painful to bear. He'll never understand why I did what I did.
I startle awake, expecting to still be in that room with monstrous men wagering my worth. But what I dreamed was a reality. Callum came and took back his property. He committed heinous acts to protect me and didn't even flinch. Every Carbon is a dangerous person and I wonder what awful acts my son will grow to commit. Will it be out of love? Or maybe the more logical question is will it be out of gaining dominance. I hate what he's caused, yet I love him. No matter how hard I try, I can't make that feeling stop. There's no help for me when my body craves him like I do. Because when he made love to me like I was more than a receptacle I fell deeper down the rabbit hole. I am human slowly turning into a chess piece.
Tucking my hands under my cheek, I stare at the unfamiliar wall, but I don't want to move yet. I can feel that Callum is no longer here. I'm alone in this bed. In Mongolia. He came, saved me, spoke his peace, and he's gone again. Leaving me to Kip. The alliance they formed is confusing, but who am I to question it? I'm still alive.
This is my life now and realizing my family is better off, safer without me, is painful to accept, but it's the truth. As long as Germaine Carbon is alive, we aren't safe. I'll pray for a swift death, but I hope it hurts. How dare she play God with my life. With the lives of the people I love. I don't expect Callum to murder her, but if he gets the chance, I hope he does with vengeance. Callum is not without sin, but I think I understand his motives more now than I ever did before. When I closed my eyes last night, I knew I wouldn't be seeing him again and he'll never give me the satisfaction of an answer why. I don't need answers anymore. I need my daughter back and to focus on what's best for her. Living without worry, and I believe Callum when he tells me here with Kip that's promised. Kip will never get from me what belongs to Callum. I am Callum's property. I
have just found a new home. Once proof shows itself that me and my daughter are truly safe, I will not hesitate to let Kip know his place. He's at my side out of convenience and protection. Just as he was before. What feelings I convinced myself I had for him before are no longer valid. The feelings that allowed me to trust him. Touch him. Fuck him.
Taking a few more minutes, I sit up and look around the room in hope, though I know. Clothing at the end of the bed hold my attention for longer than they warrant. In a languid pace, I stand and lift the shirt, under it is the book, and on top of that is one of the chess pieces. The queen. I curl my fingers around it, glancing the area for the pawn, but it's only the queen. I pull the book to my chest, staring at the bed, and question if this obsession within me will ever subside. Opening the cover to read his inscription, he's added to it and my heart begins to flutter in sick delight.
For My Pleasure. My pawn. My diamond.
Always, -CC-
"Callum," I sigh and wonder if he kept that pawn piece. It was acceptance that I am only a player on his board, and only he can play me.
When I lift the jeans, my wedding necklace sits on the bed missing the stones I've sold to take care of myself and my family. Will I need this anymore?
The clothing hugs my body that feels swollen, abused, old. At twenty-four I feel as if I've lived a lifetime of love's torment. This must have been what Callum's mother felt like. Though it wasn't a Carbon she tortured herself for. It was Kip's dad. How apropos I find myself in a similar situation with their offspring.
The wait is always the most painful. Am I to sit in this room and wait for Kip to collect me? Or bring me a meal. Do something I don't understand the meaning of. I should be free. I've surrendered and that's why Callum's gone. If I continued to act out, would he have stayed longer? There's the possibility, but what's a fact is it would only prolong my reunion with my daughter. And I'm dying without her.
Slowly moving to the door, I expect to find it locked. Air escapes my lungs as my hand rests on the steel, finding this act pointless. But when the knob turns, my brows raise. Eagerness has me dashing into a large open floor plan. It's barren, but looks as if it's in the process of coming together.
Am I free? Trusted? Alone? Perhaps Kip has left too. Perhaps they're leaving me to fend for myself. The shudder that makes my skin prickle has me closing my eyes. I willingly ran to a stranger expecting help. I should have known better. Deception lurks amongst us as shadows. Nothing about that man screamed he'd protect me, but I dove head first into the shallow end. My lesson was learned.
The sound of children's laughter makes my ears perk up as I aimlessly stand in the vast empty room, not sure what to do. To say trying to escape terrifies me is an understatement. Freedom died with me when my car supposedly plunged into the Bronx river. The ache in my chest for what my family must be going through makes me close my eyes and drop my head. Youth, happiness, true freedom jingles in my ears like little bells. Poppy's laughter.
"Poppy!" I call out and run toward the sound. A flight of stairs carries me closer and when I reach the door she's behind, my heart pounds. Power aids me as I push on the door; I will rip it from its hinges if it's locked. But it's not and it bounces open without me having to barrel it down.
There on the floor is my baby girl, rolling around in a giggle fit, wrestling another child and a big cat.
"Cage," I blurt; the children's laughter stops. "Poppy!"
"Mommy." She jumps to her feet and runs into my arms, the cat following, pouncing onto us.
Unsure of my old pet's intentions, I hold her close, trying to protect her but when a sandpaper tongue licks into my mouth, my questions are answered. He remembers me. A head-butt from the animal momentarily makes spots blur my vision. When he's pulled away, I look at the small hand commanding such a big animal.
"Cage, don't be a bad boy," the other child, a little boy, says and playfully wrestles the cat away.
My little boy.
"Cole," I whisper as the tears that pricked my eyes from seeing Poppy spill over like a boiling pot.
The second my grasp on Poppy lets go, she runs toward him and the cat. Cage bounces and dances with them while they squeal in delight, and I can't hold back. I scramble to my feet and run toward him, catching him off guard when I scoop him into my arms. A harrowing scream for help makes sadness fill my gut, but I can't let him go. Ever. He's in my arms for the first time in his life and he's always belonged here.
"Cole," I repeat his name, holding him so tightly until I hear he's crying. I quickly set him on his feet and grab his face, thumbing away tears. "I'm sorry. What's wrong? What's wrong?" I urge for him to tell me what I already know but don't want to accept.
"Daddy," he weakly cries out and his eyes skim the empty room.
Callum. I look around but he's not here. My son doesn't know me. He only knows his father and that…woman. That monster that took him from me. He needs his father to tell him it's okay, but if he's here with me, that means he no longer has a father. If it were possible for a heart to fracture, mine would.
Getting to my feet, I call out for a man that won't come. "Callum!"
Callum doesn't appear but Qara does and Cole runs to her like he knows her. She squats and wraps my son in her arms to be his source of comfort, and jealousy burns all the way to my limbs.
"Is that his mommy?" Poppy gets my attention and I look over at my little girl that's staring at her brother like they're only new friends. "Mommy?" Her hand leaves Cage and tugs on mine.
Wrapping my hand around hers, I shake my head as my tears fall heavier. "No," I tell her, quickly wiping at my face. "She's not his mommy."
"This is his cat," she informs me and pulls away to hug Cage's neck. The docile cat accepts her aggressive hug with a patience I didn't expect, but if he's been Cole's cat, he's probably used to a child's love. "And he's my friend." When I look at her, she's staring at Cole again. "We went on an airplane together with Gee."
"Gee?" The tears slipping from my eyes tickle my cheeks and I shove them away. "You met Gee, baby?"
"I missed you, mommy." She throws both her arms around my leg and it causes me to break down into hard tears.
Explanation isn't needed. I already know.
When Kip steps into the room, I try to compose myself but I can't stop the crying. He stands only feet away, staring at me as if he means to repent. Forgiveness or blame, neither harbor inside me anymore. I'm happy. I have my children as I should. Together finally and in my protection.
"It's my son." My voice is weakly projected as if this isn't something I've always dreamed of.
His gaze is locked on mine as his head nods.
"He's returned him," I whisper through the strain in my throat. "And Poppy." I chuckle when Cage rubs his head across my hand. "Cage." With a sniffle I wipe my face. "Oh god." Laughter expels but I want to sob.
"It's probably not the life you want, Mag." He walks farther into the room and places his hand on Cole's head.
My little boy releases Qara and latches onto him but looks toward the door continuously. The tears slipping down his cheeks makes my sobbing pick up. He's crying for his father.
"But this is our life now. I'll care for you and the children." Kip's eyes drop to Cage and he smirks a smile I taught myself to accept in Callum's absence. "And the cat."
How can the happiest moment in my life also be the saddest? I have everything I need. Both my children and they're not going to be taken from me again. Hell, even my cat is back in my life. There's only one thing I don't have that I want. In its place is Kip. And he can try to be a stand-in, but I will never be his property. And he'll never be my pleasure.
I'm a tired man. For years I've been fighting with a woman who stayed razor sharp. She was wicked up until her last breath that I satisfyingly sat in on. Her security team only grew every year and soon it came out what they were protecting her from.
Me.
My execution was threatened timelessly, but something held her back. S
he speculated I murdered my son to hurt her, but I'm not stupid enough to believe she was capable of possessing those emotions. If the dangerous plan of faking my son’s death ended up the way Dr. Chen feared it could have, his serum actually killing him and not only slowing his heart rate, the estate would have been burned to the ground with everyone in it. There wouldn't have been anything to lose at that point. But those pieces glided across the board, taking out as much as it could, leaving my grandmother on the brink of giving up. She refilled her board with strangers; men that have nothing to do with the Carbon name. The moment she was in the earth was the moment her entire army was released. I don't need protection like she does. I protect myself and the people I love.
Though her death was disappointing; it wasn't painful or caused by anything other than an expiration date for life, I am content this is over. I played a pawn on her board for years, waiting for my piece to fall. I will never be a pawn again. Remaining in power carrying out my reign as Duke was the hardest thing to do when my life felt like it was on hold.
The nation believes my son is dead, along with my ex-wife, and to right the Carbon name, it will all come out. A family that still mourns the loss of their daughter will be rewarded for their patience. The Carbons will move forward nobly, if it's possible at this point. Though I'm exhausted, I'm ready to clean up my life and get back a youth I haven't felt in so long. Lol has stayed by my side, still feeling as if he is the mediator for my sanity, attempting to keep me alive and my days rich with hope. The days may have kept going and age is catching up with me, but I'm not dead. Far from it. And I will get back what belongs to me.
As I approach the yurt I had constructed for her comfort, there are two children, much older children, watching a dog herd sheep. My children. They're eight now and one doesn't know me to be her father. My hope is Cole told her about me, but soon I will have my children and wife in my possession. They will be the Carbon centerpiece.