Page 27 of Claiming Charlotte

I turned to face Thomas. “Could you take over researching?” I paused briefly, raising my eyebrows. “How to better invest our assets. I’ve heard the creative scene is lovely this time of year. You can hire a team of those you trust to scout out charity events and things like that.”

Thomas nodded, but I saw the skepticism in his eyes. I ignored it and moved on.

“Arthur, I need you to put together a separate team that will infiltrate Walker’s auctions. You’re solely tasked with rescuing men and women from being sold into slavery. We need to put an end to this as soon as possible.”

It felt as though lightning shot through my abdomen, and I grabbed it, a small gasp left my lips and I gripped hard onto the edge of the table, but it didn’t go unnoticed as Roe eyed me, silently asking if I was okay. I smiled his way and continued.

Arthur nodded curtly, keeping his eyes forward. I got the sense that he and Thomas were trying to show the new boys how one should act during meetings, and I commended them for it. The last thing I needed was for some unknown person to stand up and cause a problem.

As if on cue, a man stood up. “Excuse me, but I have a question,” he said, his tone apologetic.

I turned to him and nodded, waiting for him to speak.

“Your plan for them is fine and all, but don’t you think we should be hitting them harder? More out in the open? I mean, they overtook your home, killed your father, tortured you. Everything points toward giving them a taste of their own medicine. If we hit them as hard as they hit us physically, then maybe we can win this thing.”

“You’re new, right?” I asked, and he nodded. “You don’t know how this works yet, but we do not stoop to their level. The things they do are sick and twisted, and that is not the Bennett way. We will win this in our own way.”

“But how many more people have to die? I just think some people could see you as a cowardly leader if everything is done behind the scenes,” he countered, pushing back.

I didn’t know what to say. He was right. I was a coward. The people who hurt me were already dead, and so was my father, but I knew what he would say.

Do what you think is right…

Pain twisted my features as another cramp swept through me, then I felt a rush of liquid. Shit, I need to end this soon and go lie down. I started feeling clammy and feverish.

Before I could speak, I caught movement out of the corner of my eye glancing at Rowan, who’s chair squeaked against the floor as he slowly rose from his seat.

My mouth opened, ready to ask if he was okay, and closed quickly. Rowan had his hand entangled in the man’s hair and was dragging him to the center of the room.

“Rowan” I warned, but he ignored me.

He slammed his fist into the man’s face, and he cried out.

“Stop!” But he kept going, almost blindly, taking his rage out on the poor kid.

“Rowan, stop!” I shouted, and this time he hesitated, his bloody fist hovered over the kid's face, shaking under his restraint. I hurried to him and pulled him into a standing position.

“It was an honest assumption, Roe. There's no danger. Stand down,” I commanded.

The rage in his eyes intensified, and he tore himself from me leaving the room. I knew that he was protecting me, and that he would always keep me safe. But he needed to understand that not everybody who opposed me was going to hurt me, it’s okay to have a difference of opinion…right? I watched him walk away with a sad longing welling within me, and I wanted to embrace him as I’d done in the past.

I stared apologetically at the man who lay on the floor clutching his nose. Helping him to his feet.

“Go get that checked out. I’m sorry for that,” I said softly, and pushed him gently toward the door. “As for the rest of you, you’re dismissed.”

The room remained silent except for the shuffle of feet as everyone walked sullenly out the door. Thomas and Arthur hung back, and I motioned for Thomas to come to me as his brother walked out the door with a sigh. Nothing was right, and everyone felt it.

“That was intense,” Thomas remarked, with a raised brow.

“Yeah, it was,” I responded drily. “Can you help me with him? I don’t think he’s coping well, and I’d hate to see him revert to his old habits, if you know what I mean.”

Thomas nodded fervently. “Of course I can help him. I helped him once before. The only thing is, you might not like my methods, if it comes to that.”

I knew what that meant, sort of. But it would have to be a sacrifice to be made if it came to it. I couldn’t let him fall prey to his habit again. No matter what was going on in my own mind, his safety and health was important and I still loved him.

“Do what you have to keep him with me,” I said with a smile, squeezing his shoulder in thanks.

“I will. And you should go take care of yourself.” He said awkwardly.

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