My office was huge. A large conference tablewith twelve chairs sat at the end of the room while two black leather sofas faced each other overa black Persian rug in the middle of the room. A long, glass coffeetable sat between the two couches with a large glass ashtray placedin the middle. Tall bookshelves adorned my walls to my right and awindow the size of the entire wall gave a perfect view of theocean. My giant black desk rested a few feet away from the windowso all I had to do when I needed a break was turn around and findthe ocean at my feet. The drawer underneath my keyboard containedseveral handguns and loadedmagazines, just in case. All the windows in my house werebulletproof so I could never be assassinated in my own home, but Iwas still never not in reach of an automatic weapon.
I fired up my computer and started replyingto numerous emails that required my immediate attention. Two hoursand several phone calls later, I had put out four fires and secureda new deal with an arms dealer in Texas. I had also received areport from the new manager I selected from the pile my accountant recommended for thewarehouse. Apparently, things were going well and the results ofthe latest auction were currently pending, but I had been informedsales were through the roof.
Scott handled some shit for me here andthere, especially when it came to our soldiers and trainingfacilities. I had a small army at my back to command whenever shitwent down with another organization, and so far, we had never beenmatched. I’d crushed several cartels and other crime families whohad crossed me in the past butmade millionaires out of those who worked with me favorably. Giveme twelve hours, I could easily make you or break you. It all justdepended on how well you could negotiate and follow the rules.
I had also scheduled another appointment forJaden to meet with the Russians to redo her nails. Since I wassuddenly feeling generous, I really would let her choose her nailcolor and I’d even have them throw in a facial and hairtreatment.
I decided to leave Jaden alone for the restof the day and let her rest. She seriously needed it. I said shecould wander the house when I was home so I lengthened theperimeter for her collar so she could get breakfast when she wasready. I kept the screen on mysecurity camera in my room up onin the corner of my desktop so Icould watch her as she slept and know when she woke. Normally, itwas off as I didn’t need my own men watching me, but I could turnit back on whenever I wanted.
I figured it was probably time to startthinking about the strategy Iwould take to eliminate Jaden’s pest of a family, either piece by piece or all at once. Iwould want every single member located before I gave the order tostrike. I’d have my men watch them for a while, study their habitsand routines – the same way we did when selecting new targets forthe auction. The when could very well be determined by Jaden’sbehavior, assuming it improved in the next few days. After today, Ihad a feeling things were going to be very different with her. Thatmoment in the shower today seemed to have clarified something forher and I hoped it would help her to accept her place. The soonershe made peace with that, the better. It would make her life withme a hell of a lot easier … for both us.
I gave Scott the order to start locating allof Jaden’s family. I wanted to, at least, obtain the leveragefirst. It was time to get the wheels of that train in motion.
~*~
I woke up several hours later absolutelystarving. I had missed dinner yesterday as well as breakfast thismorning because, when I looked back over at the clock, it was aftertwo in the afternoon. Holy fuck, I couldn’t believe I had sleptthat long or that Darren had allowed me to sleep that long. I guesshe knew I needed it. I was still sore as fuck, but sleep made mefeel well enough to leave the bed. Darren was nowhere to be foundagain, so I imagined he left me alone to sleep. I looked over athis nightstand and found a note from him.
I’ll be working from my office today.
Go get yourself some breakfast and I willfind you later.
No going outside.
-Darren
It was weird to see his elegant yetcompletely masculine handwriting. Another perfection of his. Igrabbed one of his dress shirts from the closet, wrapped it aroundmyself, and left his room, heading for my own. I used the bathroom,which was not comfortable to use and braided my mop of a head intoa loose braid, draping it to one side so it fell down to the rightside of my neck, covering the bite mark that lingered there. I thenchose a very loose fitting, rosy red high-low dress and put on thelightest amount of makeup possible. I slipped on some black flatsand headed down for “breakfast” or an early dinner, as I shouldhave called it.
When I entered the dining room, it was allbut empty except for one guard who stood next to the window untilPascal hurried through the swinging door that led into thekitchen.
“Ah, good afternoon, mademoiselle,” he saidin a heavy French accent. I gave him a fake smile, shocked that hewas even talking to me, especially in front of a guard. Was thiseven allowed? “What would you like to eat?” he asked me with a widehappy grin.
It was strange having another man actuallyaddress me without Darren shooting daggers at him with his eyes. Itwas so nice for another person to actually acknowledge me foronce.
I gave him a small smirk. “How
