Page 46 of Red Captive

16

Steel

I pace up and down. I hate waiting. I can be patient when necessary, when the situation warrants it. This is not one of those times. Unfortunately, I can’t leave the female. I need to protect her…to make sure she doesn’t run again. Bottom line, I need to make sure she is okay. Understandably, she isn’t in the best shape right now. I also need answers from the general and right fucking now.

I pick up the phone on the desk. I dial reception…again. I’m sure that they’re sick of hearing my voice.

“Put me through to the general’s office, please,” I say in a low voice, glancing at the bedroom door. Jen is still sleeping, which is good. She suffered one hell of an ordeal and needs the rest. At this point, I don’t care if she’s a con artist trying to make a quick buck. I don’t care about all of that. No one deserves to be treated in that way.

“Yes, sir.” There is a click as I am transferred.

“The royal offices,” the PA answers, sounding chipper.

“It’s Steel. Is the general in?” I growl under my breath.

There is a pause. It’s too long for my liking. I have to bite my tongue to keep from snarling.

“As I told you the last time you called, Steel – that was twenty-five minutes ago – I told you then, just as I am telling you now, that the general is tied up. I gave him your message. I will be sure to tell him you called as soon as he is available. I can’t help you further.”

With my free hand, I push two fingers into the inner corners of my eyes. “Thank you.” I put the phone down and resume pacing.

It’s been just over two hours since Jen fell asleep. I contemplate getting some room service for when she wakes up, but I think better of it. Then I think of checking on her, but I ditch that idea as well. We still aren’t friends. I still can’t trust her. Nothing has changed. Not really.

I pace for another ten minutes; I’m tempted to call that asshole again when there is a knock at the door.

I rush over and yank it open. “What the f—” I stop myself short, bowing my head. “Your Majesty. My apologies for greeting you in that way.” I clear my throat. “I wasn’t expecting you. I thought you were…someone else.”

“Clearly,” Arctic says. “I didn’t expect to see you, either, Steel. How…um…how are you?” His gaze softens for half a second before he schools it again.

Well, this is awkward. “Just fine and dandy…um…Your Majesty.” Our relationship dynamic has changed, and it feels…wrong. All fucking wrong. “How are you?” My voice breaks a little.

Fuck!

His eyes cloud, and his jaw tightens. He ignores the questions as his face turns impassive once more.

“What are you doing here, Steel? Last I heard, you were fighting in The Pit.” He kept tabs on me. Of course he did. Arcticdoesn’t trust me one iota…not anymore. “Are you going to invite me inside?” He lifts his brows.

“Of course.” I step to the side and gesture for him to come in. “You are most welcome, Your Majesty.” I hold out a hand and even give a flourish.

“Always the smartass.” His mouth twitches, and for half a second, I think he might smile, but he doesn’t. He doesn’t come in, either. “What are you doing here? Is it true that Miss Harris is in this apartment?” He looks inside. “What the hell happened today at the Clifftop Castle?” Then he finally comes inside, closing the door behind him. Leaving his guards out in the hallway, which is highly unorthodox. “Duke Huntington is spitting mad. He’s—”

There is a single knock, and the general enters, looking flustered. “Brother…what a wonderful surprise. How fantastic to see you. I was just at the royal offices, trying to visit with you…to give an update on the situation. So, now you know that I have Steel handling everything to do with the human. I was going to surprise you at a later stage. Isn’t it wonderful? I hand-picked him myself.”

“It certainly is a surprise. You should have discussed your choice of candidate with me. Should have requested permission. I told you I didn’t like this situation with the human and that I wanted to be kept informed of every detail, no matter how small.” Arctic doesn’t look happy. He is frowning, and that, coupled with his bouncing right foot, tells me everything I need to know. Arctic is pissed. If you didn’t know the male, you might not realize it.

We all stand there for a few long moments.

“Who is going to tell me what the hell happened at Clifftop Castle?” Arctic asks, folding his arms. “I can’t wait to hear this.” He looks from me to the general and back again. I keep mymouth shut. I want to hear what the esteemed general has to say on the subject.

“It was nothing, Your Highness.” He laughs; it’s haughty and pretentious. “No,” he flaps a hand, “it was merely a small misunderstanding, that’s all.”

My blood starts to boil.

“The west wing of Clifftop Castle burned to the ground. I wouldn’t call that nothing.”

I want to fucking laugh. Good! That asshole deserves it. I wish the whole fucking castle had burned down and him along with it. The prick!

I want to set light to the general for playing down what happened. He hasn’t even heard what Jen or I have to say on the matter. He is siding with the duke and saving his own ass with a bunch of fucking lies. I realize that I have to tread carefully. Arctic doesn’t want me on this assignment. If I make a move against the general, he’ll remove me for sure. I feel invested. I need to see it through. I don’t trust anyone or anything right now. I smell something nasty, and I’m not sure what it is or who exactly is involved. I want to figure it out, and the only way to do that is to stay on this assignment.

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