Page 23 of Redemption

Gawain

Dressed in my standard uniform of biker boots, jeans, and a t-shirt, I stride confidently into Arthur’s mansion to meet with my leader.

“You lost the tights then?” Bors shouts out as I pass him lounging on a sofa.

I don’t answer, just flip him off and continue on my way. I know I’ll be the brunt of jokes from the other guys for a while, but I don’t care. It was all worth it to see the look of happiness on Megan’s face. She’s facing her fears and growing in confidence every day. What happened to her will be a part of her life until the day she dies, but she’s learning she can have freedom from the darkness. It’s like watching a butterfly emerging from its cocoon.

I knock on Arthur’s office door and wait for him to grant me permission to enter. You don’t just barge into his room.

“Enter.” The deep baritone voice comes from the other side of the heavy wooden door.

Walking into the room, I greet my uncle and take a seat in front of his desk while he sits regally on his throne-like chair behind it. “Good afternoon.”

Arthur places his phone on the desk. There in its full glory is the picture Lance took. I can’t help but think I look good.

“Do I need to worry?” the distinguished older gentleman asks me.

“I’m the woman’s champion. I’m just giving her what she needs to heal. It’s not going to be my new outfit for jobs.”

“I’ll accept that answer. Do you think maybe she should move to my mansion now?”

“No.” My answer is blunt. I fold my arms across my chest and stare down the man opposite me.

Arthur looks back at me for a few moments before letting out a grunt of air and turning the phone over.

“I have a job for you.”

“Ok,” I reply, hoping that it isn’t one that sends me away for a while. I’m not prepared to leave Megan alone while this M is still loose. To bring her with me presents problems as well.

“It’s in the Bowels.”

A smirk crosses my face. The Bowels is a part of Arthur’s house where people once taken, very rarely get out alive, except for the Cavalieri of course.

“I thought that would please you. You’ll be even more excited to learn that the man down there is the head of the smuggling ring who stole Megan and sold her.”

I rub my hands together in glee. I’m not a man who gets off on killing like some of the other guys. I get off on the fact I’m doing the world a service by ridding it of a person who doesn’t deserve to live. The man in the Bowels will be screaming for mercy by the time I’ve finished with him.

“What do you need to get out of him before I really have fun?”

“Details of M would be helpful. We’ve shut down most of the smuggling ring. There are a few loose ends to tie up, but I don’t think he’ll be able to give us much more other than where to find the man who bought Megan.”

“I’ll bring you the details later,” I confirm as I stand up. I can feel my whole body vibrating with a need to get started. I want to find out where M is so I can give Megan her freedom.

“Gawain,” Arthur calls out to me as I open the door to his office.

“Yes?” I turn back to face him.

“Bring me his hands.” A grim look crosses over my uncle’s face. Very rarely does he show emotion…it’s part of his power and strength, but I see compassion flitter across his face for a split second before it dies again behind his hard eyes.

“Sure thing, boss.”

With renewed vigor, I make my way down to the Bowels. A pained shout comes from deep within this hidden area of the house, and I know someone is already working the prisoner over. I’m glad to discover it’s Kay. His hands are covered in blood when I find him outside the cell. That tells me our captive has already been questioned a few times and isn’t breaking.

“A tough one?” I ask, and he shakes his head.

“I got a few things out of him. I’ll clean up and go tell Arthur.”

“Did you get details of M?” I watch Kay as he washes his hands and see the water turning crimson and disappearing down the drain.

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