by Izzy Slam
Natasha licks her lips and Selena steps behind her, gently placing her chin on her shoulder before speaking. “It was what you said. We probably misinterpreted. So … James is safe, Master?”
“Of course he’s safe. It’s not James I’m eliminating.”
“Then who is it?” Natasha pleads with me.
“Your owner, Evan Addams.”
Natasha blinks several times, then slides her hands up my chest. “Daddy. You’re doing the right thing. That man, he’s nothing but pure evil.”
“I know about that man, darling. He’s scheduled to be here tomorrow. But I won’t let him past my front door.”
“He’s coming for me?” she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.
I turn around and run my fingers through my beard, contemplating. I’m not sure if I should tell her everything in Selena’s presence. She’s a bit more delicate than Natasha and the details may upset her.
“I believe he knows you’re here, and that part of his plan is to take you back to his home, yes.”
“But?” Natasha’s hand is on my shoulder.
I turn to face her. “But … as you know, he wants to overthrow me as State Master. And I will not allow that. So I have solidified some plans to prevent that from happening.”
“You’re going to kill him, aren’t you?” Selena’s question feels like a slap, coming from way out of left field. “Personally, I think you should. We don’t need any traitors around here.”
I can’t help but start chuckling. The whole notion that I’ve managed to let two of my servants get close enough to me that I actually allow them to give me advice is downright comical. Not that they’re technically giving me advice. It’s more of an approval.
And I love it to no end.
Selena and Natasha look at each other, but then they break out in soft laughter. Natasha wraps her arms around my waist and holds me tightly.
“I don’t know why we’re laughing, but I think we should do it more often.”
Selena comes up behind Natasha and hugs her, and we’re all standing there hugging each other when it occurs to me that I haven’t given them one of the most critical pieces of information. But I don’t want to do that because then they will be looking over their shoulder constantly.
“I agree we should do this more often. But girls, you really need to get downstairs and help plan for the banquet tomorrow. It’s not only a fundraiser, but it’s going to become a celebration, and I want everything to be perfect.”
Natasha and Selena give me a kiss on the cheek and start to walk away. I take Natasha by the hand but look at Selena. “You go on ahead. Natasha will be down momentarily.”
Her smile fades, but she nods quickly and disappears, pulling the door closed behind her.
“What is it, daddy? Is there a problem?”
I pull her face to me and give her a deep kiss, feeling her body melt into mine and her hands glide up my front. She moans softly as our tongues dart around one another.
After, we’re both breathless, and I’m desperate to have her in my bed, taking her innocence once and for all. But I want everything to be perfect for that.
And by perfect, I want to know her owner is completely out of the picture and is no longer a threat.
“That was nice,” she murmurs, sucking her lower lip between her teeth.
“I agree. I think we need to laugh and make out more often.”
Her face lights up with a smile. “You’ll get no arguments from me.”
“I need you to do something for me, little one.”
“Anything, daddy. Just name it.”
“We’ve a spy among us. I need you to be my eyes and ears downstairs today.”
Her lips part and her upper body stiffens. I can tell she’s frightened. “Who is it?”
“I don’t know, that’s the thing. I’m conducting an investigation, and I will find out who Evan has sent here, but until then, I need your help too. I’m counting on you, little one.”
She nods and searches my face and I feel as though I need to offer her more reassurance. I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her close, and she sucks in a rush of air.
“Don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to you or Selena. If anyone even looks at you funny, you come straight to me, understood?” My voice is a growl as I give her instructions.
“Yes, daddy. I will.”
“And don’t let Selena know. This is just between us. She isn’t strong enough to handle all this. And soon enough, she and James will be together and he will look out for her.”
“She’ll like that.” When I see the tiny smile creep upon her face, I kiss her once more.
“That’s my good girl. Now go downstairs and make the dinner hall look beautiful for our dinner tomorrow.”
“Yes, sir.”
I wait until she’s out of sight to make the call.
Within the next twelve hours, Evan will be gone.
And Natasha will permanently belong to me.
Natasha
On the way downstairs, I pull the rubber bands from my hair and think about what daddy said. It’s disturbing to think that Sir Evan sent one of his men here to gather intel, or whatever. But most people here know that I share a bed with the State Master. I seriously doubt they will talk openly around me. If anything, they’ll probably watch what they say more closely. Nevertheless, I will follow my orders and observe everything like a hawk.
As soon as I get to the banquet hall, I see Selena standing at the long table of flowers, snipping the stems before sliding them in a vase. I’ve always been good at keeping secrets, but this one is so big, I know it will be challenging. Plus, she’ll probably notice that something isn’t right. Maybe I should keep my distance for a while.
I scan the room and see Doris, one of the head servants for the cleaning crew, and decide to ask her if there’s somewhere else she needs me, at least until I think I can keep my mouth shut around Selena.
“Actually, it would be nice to have a little help with the outdoor decorations,” Doris tells me. “Do you think you can handle the heat out there?”
“I think so. I’m used to this weather.”
“Wonderful. Why don’t you head out back and let them know I sent you. If they’re fully staffed, I can probably use you in the kitchen.”
“Great. Thank you, Doris.”
That’s the other thing about sharing a bed with the State Master: it seems to earn me more respect. In the short amount of time I’ve been here, I rarely hear the word ‘no.’ I don’t think it’s fair. I mean, everyone around here works so hard. But in this situation, I’m grateful.
I walk to the table of flowers to let Selena know I’m needed outdoors, and she looks surprised. “Oh, I was hoping we could work together. Oh well.”
I can tell she’s disappointed, so I pull her to my side for a hug, right as I see James walk in. His gaze immediately drifts our way, his eyes focusing on Selena.
“Don’t look now, but we have company arriving.”
“Huh?” She asks, scrunching her face and smiling.
“Afternoon, ladies.” I can’t help but notice that James is resting his hand on the gun attached to his belt.
“Hello, sir,” Selena says.
I smile softly at him, feeling suddenly like a third wheel. “Well, I’m needed outside. I’ll catch up with you later.”
Before pushing the door open to the back yard, I look back and see that James is tucking some hair behind Selena’s ear. It would be so amazing if she and he were to fall in love. I know how crazy she is for him, and it’s so rare for a man and his servant to have chemistry like those two seem to have.
Once I’m outside, the heat and humidity slams in to me. I hadn’t realized how much it had warmed up today. But they’ll have coolers out here with plenty of refreshments. My main goal is to keep my word and let daddy know if anything seems suspicious.
I don’t know everyone here, but those I do know seem loyal beyond words. I can’t imagi
ne what kind of man would betray our ruler, who would take the chance. But if they’re working for Evan, he’s probably promised them a secure place here. The thought of that man running this state makes me shudder. He wants to go backwards, making the laws more archaic than anyone wants. And god only knows what would happen to me if he does overthrow Master Rogue.
I have to help him find out who the traitor is among us.
After spending an hour helping one of the servants hang dozens of paper lanterns around the garden, we both take a break and find a place in the shade to rest with a large glass of lemonade. There are so many people milling about, landscapers cleaning up the grass clippings and cutting back some of the bushes, as well as others setting up tables and chairs, but I haven’t heard or seen a single thing that seems offbeat. In the distance, Seven and Eight seem to be engaged in a heated discussion, and I half consider making my way down the hill and asking them if they’ve caught wind of something.
But I don’t think daddy would like that. He may not want any of his men knowing what’s going on, outside of whoever is conducting the investigation he spoke of.
I finish off my lemonade when I hear scuffling behind me. Several gasps and cries of concern cause me to feel sudden panic, and when I turn around, I see that one of the servants has passed out.
“Someone help me get her in the shade please!”
I start to make my way over there, but four others jump in, holding the woman by the arms and legs and dragging her under a tree close by.
I turn around to wave Seven and Eight over, thinking that they might be needed to alert the medics, but they’re already on the way, running in my direction.
One of the men hovers over her, touching her flushed cheeks. “She must have overheated. Can you go inside and get a cup of ice?” he asks, turning to one of the other girls I’ve been working with all morning.
“Yes, sir. Right away.”
I feel like a bump on a log, just standing there, but when I hear the sound of Seven and Eight approaching from behind, I turn around, only to find them focused on me.
Holy hell. They’re running toward me?
My heart hammers like a drill inside my chest, and when Seven gets to me, his hand comes across my face so hard, everything goes black faster than I can register what’s happening.
Rogue
I pace my office floor as I wait on the call from Sal. Once I’ve heard from him, and I know we can proceed, all I will need to do is get Selena and Natasha in my safe room so that I can take care of Evan. I just got word that he plans to leave tonight, and I’ll be damned if I let him get anywhere near me or my loved ones.
Yeah. My fucking loved ones.
Selena will be turned over to James, and Natasha will rightfully belong to me. I’ll make sure no harm ever comes her way, and she will bear my children. Finally, I will have a woman that I not only cherish, but who will also give me an heir to the throne.
But before my phone rings, James bursts into my office, his face pale and drenched with sweat.
“Rogue,” he says, holding his chest.
“James, are you alright?”
“Yes,” he nods, catching his breath. “It’s Natasha … she’s missing.”
The room starts to spin as my blood runs ice cold. “Missing? What do you mean? I sent her downstairs a while ago to work on the banquet preparations.”
“I know. I saw her, right before she went outside to help with the garden decorations. But then someone fainted from heat exhaustion. Moments later, Breanna came bursting into the banquet hall and said that Natasha was being carried across the river, and it looked as though she was unconscious.”
I grip the edge of my desk as James continues.
“Sir, Natasha is nowhere to be found. We’ve searched everywhere but all that was discovered was this.” James hands me one of the buttons from Natasha’s dress as fear grips me.
Just then, Selena barges in and bursts into tears, throwing herself into James’ arms.
“Jesus,” I mutter, holding the button and inspecting it closely, as if it holds some clues.
“That’s not all,” he says, trying to console Selena as he conveys such awful news.
I narrow my eyes at him as my blood begins to boil. I don’t even know what he’s about to say but I know it isn’t good. “What?” I grit out.
“Seven and Eight are missing, too.”
An angry growl climbs up my throat. I slide the button in my pocket and pick up my phone, dialing Sal’s number. I press the phone to my ear as it rings, looking at James.
“Get the men together. We’re leaving now.”
James nods and cups Selena’s face, giving her a soft kiss on the forehead. “Go to the safe room and wait for me there. I’ll be back. I promise.”
With a quivering chin, she looks my way, right as he darts out of the room. She still needs my permission. Such a good girl. I have to protect her.
“Listen to James, Selena. Do as he says.”
“Yes, Master.” She nods and sniffles before disappearing. My safe room has a bed and enough food and other supplies to last a week. But Selena won’t need to be in there any longer than twelve hours if I have my way.
It takes nearly forty-five minutes to gather my men and all the needed ammunition before heading out. Some of my militia are on foot, spreading out around the perimeter of the estate while the rest of my force loads up in the trucks. Evan’s home is thirty miles from here, and we’re going to come at him from all directions so the son of a bitch has no chance at escaping.
My insides twist as I drive down the highway towards his home, thinking about what he might do to Natasha. I can’t believe I even let her out of my sight, knowing that there was a dirty seed planted among us. Two as it turns out. I should have at least kept her locked up in the master suite, away from the crowds and the danger. I’ll never forgive myself if anything happens to her. I may not ever forgive myself anyway.
It seems almost unreal that I was going to use her and send her back to Evan, that she was nothing more than a tool to me. A tool to be used and discarded.
I shudder at my own disgusting behavior, and I think about all the beautiful women I’ve had over the years and never really appreciated. It has taken someone like Natasha to make me see the error of my ways.
Maybe it’s because of the way my father was with my mother. He never treated her properly. Even to this day I think she craves his love and affection. My heart aches. Once all this bullshit with Evan washes over, I plan to go visit them in the highlands where they’ve lived for the last five years. I want to talk some sense into my father, and tell my mother how wonderful she is, even if my father doesn’t show it.
James is quiet as he sits by my side in the truck, but I need something to distract me from my thoughts right now. Something to keep me from letting this rage flooding through my veins take over.
“Talk to me,” I say to James. “Tell me what’s going on with you and Selena.”
“Right now?”
“Yes, right now.”
“Nothing happened between us, Rogue. You have my word on that.”
“I don’t presume that anything happened. I know you wouldn’t betray me like that.”
He takes a deep breath and runs a hand through his thick hair. “Well, I’ve noticed her looking at me a lot lately, and—I don’t know. I find her attractive, sweet. Right before Natasha disappeared, I struck up a conversation with her. I … told her I would speak to you about letting us spend some time together.”
I nod slowly, feeling a little bit of this weight shift away from me. “I was actually going to give her to you, send you two away for a short while. You’ve worked hard, and you deserve a little time off.”
“Honestly, that would be fucking awesome. Thank you.”
“Loyalty should be rewarded,” I tell him as we turn down the gravel road that leads to Evan’s home. I happen to know he’s got cameras set up, but not for a few more miles, so I pull the truck of
f road and drive for about a quarter mile, my caravan not far behind. We’ll have to finish the hunt on foot. I park the truck behind an abandoned barn and twist the keys, killing the ignition.
“Now, let’s get rid of this fucker once and for all.”
Natasha
I wake up with a pounding in my head, my face pressed against cold dirt. It’s quiet, though, and I’m grateful for that. Until I open my eyes and see the reason for the silence.
I’m back in Sir Evan’s cellar once again, but this time, I’m chained to the wall and completely naked. Shackles bind my ankles and wrists, but the tightness I feel is in my chest. Memories collide inside my mind—getting set up for daddy’s banquet, seeing Selena and James together before heading outside, hanging paper lanterns everywhere, heat sinking into my bones, a stir of commotion, and then…
Seven and Eight running in my direction.
I don’t remember anything after that. But I think that the commotion I heard had something to do with me getting here.
Nausea creeps up my throat as I push up off the floor and wipe my face. A small amount of light filters through the tiny window above me, so at least it’s still light outside. It doesn’t look as though Sir Evan has changed anything about the cellar, except it feels even colder down here than it did before.
I can hear voices above me, but there’s a thudding in my ears, so I can’t tell what they’re saying. I lean against the wall and try to take in a few calming breaths, telling myself that daddy will find me. He has to know I’m here. With everything that’s been going on, the rivalry between the two men, where else would I be?
I can only hope he doesn’t think I’ve run away. He knows I’m headstrong, but he also should know how much I care about him at this point.
How much I love him.
My mouth feels tacky, so I look around the room to see if there are any bottles of water within reach. But they’re all stacked up against the far wall. Tears scorch my eyes, feeling as though I’m sinking into a pit of cold, dark hopelessness.