Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 45971 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45971 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
We were both still fighting for our next breath when I reached down and pulled the covers over us. “Sleep Princess you’re safe from the storm.” The rain had been coming down outside this whole time, but at least I’d taken her mind off her fear.
22
Master Brax
* * *
The next morning I knew I had to go face him. I was sure that he knew she was here and was just playing one of his sick games. There was no other reason for him coming to my rooms. For her sake I knew I had to make him understand, because if he touched her I’d kill him.
I found him on the balcony of his bedroom with a glass of amber liquor in a snifter. It was barley nine o’clock in the morning but here we are.
Was it any wonder I didn’t believe him when he said that he had changed? I’ve been seeing more and more of his old habits return here of late and therein lied the crux of my fear. The reason why I was here now.
We exchanged pleasantries and I went to stand against the rail and look out over the grounds of the place where I’d grown up. “Well I’m here what was it that you wanted?” Yes I’d made him wait this long before getting back to him after he’d made that aborted trip to my rooms the day before.
“Well son, I hear tell you brought home a new filly. When do I get to have a go at her?” The look on his face had my fists clenching at my sides. I didn’t even want her in his fucking head.
“Never.” That knocked the lecherous look of lust off his face. “What, why not? You never minded before.”
“Not this time.” Why would he bring that up now? And where in his twisted mind did he come up with the idea that I’d been sharing with him? Is that how he really remembered that shit? Just how fucked is he?
“I don’t understand what the big deal is. It’s not like I’m not gonna have a go when you’re done. Oh I see, you want her all to yourself for a while then you’ll share eh my boy.” He clapped my shoulder with a wide grin and I shrugged him off.
“I’m not sharing her ever pop.”
“What are you saying? Why are you so touchy about this little slut?”
“She’s not a slut.” I flexed my fingers and tried not to reach for his neck. He stopped and really looked at me and I was hoping he wasn’t too drunk to see what was written in my eyes.
“Wait a minute, you can’t be serious. Who is this girl anyway? Isn’t she from one of the lower classes?”
“I’m not discussing her with you, not now not ever. She’s off limits to you in every way.” Something flashed in his eyes just then and I reminded myself that if I killed him I’d go to jail and she’d be out here all alone; but it was close.
“You can’t mean to marry the girl. I mean I’ve heard the stories and all. I know she’s rumored to be the most beautiful girl hereabouts, but with our money we can surely do better than the daughter of a penniless pauper.”
“What I do with what’s mine is of no concern to you old man leave it alone.” I felt the fiery burn of rage that had started from the moment he mentioned touching her flare out of control.
I didn’t stop to wonder why I had such an aversion to it. It’s not like he hasn’t gone after one of my women before. He’s been doing it since I was sixteen. Sometimes he’d take some of my leavings when I was through with them, others he’d try his luck before then.
I never cared much about it either way before. Not after the first few times anyway. Then I’d learned not to get too attached. He always found a way, and it was not always the most ethical. I’d given up caring about whatever his problem with me was, and pretty much turned a blind eye, but not this time!
“Well can I at least have a look?”
“No.” I gave him the look that I knew he understood only too well. The world might see Thaddeus Stanford as a formidable foe, but he and I both know, that when it comes to wills of steel I win hands down.
“Fine then, let’s talk business.” He clapped me on the shoulder again.
I switched gears but didn’t relax completely. I don’t trust him. For the first time in my life I knew I would take him down if he made the wrong move.
I’ve learned to just ignore him and his petty competitiveness when it came to his only son. Once I became a man and realized that I didn’t want to be like him, I’d pretty much gone my own way. It wasn’t hard after he’d been unmasked and I’d seen the monster he truly is.