Page 118 of Petite Fleur

I will request blood panels from the facility after I handle these men. It isn't like her being pregnant would somehow save them. No, they're destined to die, have been since the moment that young girl came into my office in full tears.

Their remorse or lack of is all that will affect how brutally I kill them.

I breeze through my day pretty quickly. Thankfully, I was overbooked since I missed yesterday for Maeve's exams. She really did amazing, I'm so proud of her, and I hope she knows it.

By the time my last patient of the day leaves, it's far past sunset and I know on any other day my girl would be getting ready for bed at this hour, but I think she's either nervous or excited about our plans tonight.

I hate that I have to be cautious that she doesn't run, I hope soon I can take the collar off and we can just exist. That I can buy her a car and trust that she won't go anywhere, that she'll always come home to me, but I'm confident we will get there.

Maeve is in the living room when I get home; she's curled up under a blanket and looking like a fucking goddess in my sweatpants and a ratty tank top; it’s addicting.

"I missed you all day today." I tell her, rounding the couch to give her a kiss. It surprises me that she willingly reciprocates my affection, but I'm not going to make her feel insecure about it. I cup her face in my hand, stroking her smooth skin with my thumb.

This gorgeous woman smiles up at me, a smile I'm not sure I deserve, but I want it anyway.

I want every smile, every tear, every moan, every yawn; I want everything. I want her.

"Go get dressed, ma fleur. Something black and not too flashy." I instruct.

I smack her ass roughly when she goes to walk away from me and she jumps at the contact, squealing in surprise, but her glare towards me isn't as convincing as she thinks it is. She even blushes when I wink at her.

I grab the few things I need from the basement, lorazepam, rope, duct tape, a hunting knife, and unfortunately, the leash for Maeve.

It's a special leash that will connect to her collar and can not be disconnected without the key. I will keep the handle of her leash clipped to my belt for security.

I know she won't like that, I know it will hurt her that I don't trust her, but I can't, not yet. She's already tried to run once and I won't lose her. I can't lose her.

When I head back upstairs, Maeve is just coming back out of our bedroom. She's wearing a black pair of flared leggings that hugs her perfect ass so well I want to bite it. She's also sporting black boots and a black tank top, her hair is braided and hanging down her back. "You look flawless, fleur." I tell her genuinely.

I love the little blush she does when I compliment her, like she's not used to hearing it.

I offer my hand to her, smiling when she takes it. I know she's surprised we're leaving the house, but she looks afraid. "I turned the fence off. I won't let you get hurt." I promise her as I help her into my second car, my SUV.

I have too many bodies to collect tonight and won't fit in my car.

I know it’s sleazy, but I decide to hold off telling Maeve about the leash until we get to the first house. I can’t risk her asking to go back home.

I need her to see this.

Once we get to the first man's house, I turn to face her, staring at her apologetically. "I need you not to be upset with me, okay?" I plead.

She stares at me lost but slowly nods and I hate that I can see her heart break the second I pull the leash out of my pocket. She doesn't even say anything. She just drops her head and moves her braid so I have access to her collar.

I don't know if she's upset because I don't trust her, upset because she was trying to run, or simply humiliated, but I don't like the broken look in her eye.

I grasp a hold of her chin, tilting her face to look at me. "I know, fleur, I'm sorry." I say sincerely.

She breaks eye contact with me the second I let go of her chin, a gesture that destroys me.

I wait to clasp the leash to my pants until we're both out of the car, but she doesn't say a word. She doesn't even look around. She keeps her eyes at her feet and walks somewhat behind me up to this guy's door.

I don't have time to focus on her hating me right now, I have four college jocks to abduct, but I can't shut my mind off, I'm desperately looking for all the ways I can make this up to Maeve later.

Can I even make this up to her? Or have I just broken the little bit of trust that I’ve worked so hard to establish?

I knock loudly, gaining a few shouts from the other side of the door before one of these asshole jocks opens up and his eyes instantly lock onto Maeve.

“Ayye, Mark! I think someone brought you a party favor!” The guy at the door shouts without even greeting us, but he does walk inside and leave the door open for us to come in.

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