I say alone – although all around us, Peter’s remaining men groan as they lie dying, or crawl away clutching their crippled or severed limbs.
Draven strides from one corner of the room to the other, and coldly slits the throats of any men left breathing – perhaps an act of mercy for the dying scumbags, but one he definitely takes an icy satisfaction from.
I run to Evander and he scoops me up effortlessly, crushing me in his huge arms. He pulls me close against him, and I feel so small, and safe, and protected in his embrace.
“You came for me,” I sob, my eyes wide.
“I made you a promise, Ashley,” Evander growls. “I’ll never lie to you, for as long as you know me.”
When he sets me down, we both hear the sound of pounding boots. I turn just in time to see a set of side doors burst open. Through them, one of Peter’s top men staggers through…
…and then comes to an abrupt halt.
He stands there, stunned – peering at the scene of death and destruction in front of him.
His face goes white. The pistol falls from his hands, clattering to the flagstones.
His decision not to fight probably saved the man’s life.
In fact, Augustus walks right past him – as if he’s no more threatening or dangerous than a housecat. Instead, Augustus strides to the huge, carved seat that Peter used to sit in – a veritable throne, from which he used to address his men.
Now seated, Augustus turns to the terrified new arrival, and crooks his finger to the man. “Who are you?”
“T-Thomas, sir.”
I know Thomas. In fact, I know many of the men who lie dead all around me. Many – if not most – deserved their fate…
…but not all of them.
As Thomas stands in the doorway, I walk slowly towards him.
For all his sins, this man – Thomas – was never cruel. He was the Head of Security for the manor, dealing only in protecting Peter and of all of us who worked for him from external threats.
In fact, I even know Thomas has a wife and kids.
“Augustus,” I turn to the Aurelian, “this one isn’t like the others. He’s not a cruel man.”
Thomas’ eyes are wide with fear. Augustus looks down at him from his throne like a Roman Emperor.
“You’ve failed your master. You did not protect him.”
Thomas nods solemnly, accepting responsibility for his failure.
Then Augustus raises an eyebrow.
“But perhaps your master didn’t deserve to be protected. How do you feel about having a new master? A worthy one?” The Aurelian pauses. “Nay, three of them.”
Thomas glances over at Evander and Conan, and then back to Augustus.
I can see the resolve harden inside him.
“Yes… Yes, sir,” he states, still trembling – but meeting Augustus’ glare.
“Good. Your first task will be to bring me detailed records of all Peter Paradooli’s holdings. They’re ours now. Protection payments made to him will now come to us. I’ll need a full, detailed breakdown of his entire operation.”
A shudder runs through my body as I watch Augustus take the crime lord’s throne as though he was born to it. A dark premonition burns in the back of my mind. These are violent men – powerful men. They may be protective of me, but at their core they’re dominant, alpha-males.
They view the city of Lipa as a jungle to be conquered – and I can’t let myself be blinded by the kind and gentle way they treat me. These are no choirboys – and their kindness to me was clearly not matched by the ruthlessness with which they cut down Peter Paradooli’s men.
Thomas nods, and backs nervously from the room to get the information Augustus demanded.
I wrap my arms around myself, looking at the scene of death and devastation surrounding me.
“P-Please,” I stammer. “I don’t want to be here anymore.”
Evander looks over at me.
“I’m sorry, my angel – but when there’s a change of leadership, it’s always best to keep everything the same. This is our home now.”
He steps forward and places a reassuring hand on my cheek.
“But rest assured, it’s no longer the place that enslaved you.”
Then Evander turns.
“Danielle!”
My best friend rushes to him.
“Yes, sir?”
“Spread the word to the other slaves here,” Evander commands. “They may stay here, and work for us, in exchange for room, board, and protection. Each will be given a salary of twenty credits a day – to be used as they see fit. Or, if they wish to, they may leave our protection to find their own way.”
Danielle eyes widen as she hears this.
A huge smile a joy stretches across her face, and then she wheels around – practically running out of the room to tell the other slaves we lived and worked with that they’re free.
As soon as she’s gone, Evander turns back to me – looking down at me with a rare warmth to his slate-grey eyes.
He runs those huge fingers against my cheek and I instantly feel a shudder of lust. Evander – just like Augustus and Conan – is kind to me. Considerate. All three of them risked everything, with no reward promised, to save my friend.
And yet, at the same time, I know Evander will not blindly obey my orders. He is his own man, and he’s a born leader.
Evander allows the corner of his lips to gently curl.
“You see, pet? Things are different now. Do not be beholden by the past. It’s over – as dead as Peter Paradooli is.”
He called me ‘pet’ again. I’d thought he was calling only me that because of the ruse that I was his pleasure slave.
I gulp dryly, gazing up at the towering warrior who just slew a dozen men to save me. I am his pet. I may have the freedom to come and go, but in choosing to remain I am his pleasure slave. It feels so natural to be his.
Evander grabs me by the hips, easily lifting me up. His mouth finds mine, snarling with raw hunger
