Page 34 of Red Captive

This bozo could be her father. What was Ice thinking introducing them? Perhaps Miss Harris doesn’t care about age.

As expected, Augustine ignores me flat. I am just the staff. He doesn’t protest when I tag along. Hopefully, the general briefed this male that I would be accompanying them at all times. We go on a tour of his mansion. The rooms are huge. There are a ton of them. All the bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms. There’s a movie room. Who needs one? An indoor pool. A gym with a sauna and a cold plunge pool. A bar area. An outdoor pool. A formal lounge and a regular living room. A dining room. A conference room. The list goes on and on and on. I’m sure Jen – the human – will be happy with all the steps she’s getting in.

As predicted, he has a huge garage and no less than twelve impressive-as-shit vehicles, but Miss Harris doesn’t look impressed. She looks a little bored.

“Now, this vehicle is my baby.” Count Augustine runs his hand lovingly down the sleek hood of a black Corvette. “It’s a work of art, isn’t it?”

Jen nods and takes a deep breath before finally replying, “Yes, it’s... impressive.” She smiles, running her eye over the various cars, all lined up.

“See those two open spaces at the end?” The count points. “Those would be for your cars, Jen. You can pick anything you’d like, although I would suggest an SUV for running the kids around and a sports car…just because you can.” He winks at her.

Jen keeps the smile plastered on her face. “It’s a little soon to be talking about kids. You’re the first bachelor I’m meeting.”

“I suppose you are right, although, in a mere two short weeks, you will be expected to choose between all of us. The mating ceremony will follow soon after. I’m not getting anyyounger, Jen. It’s been my dream to have a mate and children to continue my legacy. I would not want to wait.” His eyes are bright with excitement. “I would want you pregnant on our wedding night. I know that many of the males taking part will feel the same. Never fear; you would want for nothing. Your every whim, every desire, will be met. I would cherish you.”

He carries on talking. I don’t really listen. I notice how shocked Miss Harris is, although she tries to hide it. She didn’t know any of this. I would go so far as to say that she didn’t know about having to get pregnant straight away. It probably interferes with her plans of escape. That would be my guess. If she can’t get away between now and the ceremony, then she’ll run once she’s married. That’ll be more difficult once she is pregnant. I’m just guessing but I’ll bet I’m right on the money.

“Are you alright?” the count asks. “You look a little pale. Are you hungry? Maybe even thirsty, as well? My manners.” He puts a hand to his chest. “Come this way. We’ll get you off your feet. My chef has prepared beef wellington with black mushrooms and truffles. As accompaniments, he’s prepared creamed spinach and fondant potatoes. Then, for appetizers, there are scallops with a pea puree. The best is the dessert. It’s my personal favorite, a chai panna cotta with a honey crumb. You’re going to love it. Come with me, my dear.” He takes her by the arm.

“Sounds wonderful.”

Only Miss Harris doesn’t eat fancy food. She doesn’t eat such rich meals. I don’t think it bodes well that he didn’t even ask what she wanted.

Once we reach the dining hall, I note that two places have been set out. The count pulls the chair out for Miss Harris, who looks only too happy to finally be able to take a seat. I note that she doesn’t look around much. We’ve passed several pieces of artby well-known painters, but she hasn’t so much as looked. Is she really this good? Is she playing it down? Or is it something else?

“I want to tell you a little about my family. About our history and…” He pours Miss Harris a glass of chilled white wine without asking if she wants it. Then he drones on and on and on until my ears start to bleed. It’s clear that Count Augustine loves himself.

The scallops are served. The human makes a valiant effort to eat her entrée. She smiles and nods, but I can tell that she’s bored to tears. I keep looking at my watch. When will this end? The count talks the hind legs off of several donkeys. It’s all about his family tree. His family crest and how important they are.

“My cousin Hector’s mate just had a female child. We have two female children in our family.” He sounds animated. “There is a good chance that I will sire a female, too. I want a big family, Jen. Five or six children.”

“Five or six…wow. That’s…it’s…” She licks her lips. I note that she hasn’t touched the glass of red wine he poured for her once the wellington was served.

“It’s something we can talk about,” he finally says around a smile, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “It would be a partnership. Of that, you can be assured. We would make an excellent team.”

Yeah, right! Partnership. Team. He doesn’t know the meaning of these words. This male isn’t used to being told no about anything ever. He is the type who always gets what he wants.

My cellphone starts to vibrate. I step out of the room, keeping my eye on the only exit. I’m pretty sure that the count will start yelling if Miss Harris jumps out of a window. I smile because Miss Harris isn’t going anywhere in those shoes.

I see that it’s the general calling. I walk a little farther away, keeping half an eye on the female.

“Hello,” I say, keeping my voice down.

“How is it going?” the general snaps.

“Fine,” I say. “All good.”

“And Miss Harris? Does she look the part? Did she put in the effort?” he asks.

I frown. “Yes, she looks the part.”Why would he ask such a thing?“She wants the money and to be a part of this arrangement, so why wouldn’t she look the part?”

“Just checking. Miss Harris is not like us. She’s um…” He pauses. “From the other side of the tracks. I don’t fully trust her and don’t want her to embarrass me.”

“She isn’t. She needs the money. Said her family on the Mainland isn’t doing very well. Something about a sick mother.”

He laughs. “Miss Harris doesn’t have a sick mother. Her parents are deadbeats. Her older brother, too. They’re all perfectly fine. Her mother looks like an older version of Miss Harris.”

“Older brother.” I pull in a breath. “I was under the impression that her brother was much younger than her. She called him her baby brother.”

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