Page 14 of Rule
Laying next to Scarlet, our bodies tangled under the sheets, warmth and satisfaction radiate between us. The sun is high in the sky now as we drift in and out of sleeping and making love slowly. As I run my fingers through her silky hair, I feel a sense of contentment I've never experienced before. She turns to me, her eyes full of love and trust, a small smile playing on her lips. But there's something I need to discuss with her, something that has been weighing heavily on me and the others since her arrest and the vulnerability she is in.
"Baby girl," I begin, my voice serious, "There's something we need to talk about. We’ve been keeping a secret from you."
She tilts her head, curiosity glinting in her eyes. "What kind of secret?" she asks, her voice soft.
I adore that she isn’t worried or angry. Only curious. She trusts us, and that means more to me than I’ll ever be able to express. Taking a deep breath, I steel myself for what I'm about to reveal. "Our end game is near, Scarlet. You asked us before what we really wanted from you, and it is that we want you to rule, to take over Origin as its Overseer, absolute and undeniable." My expression is determined; this isn't a game or a joke, and she must sense that.
Scarlet's eyes widen, her mouth falling open slightly. She stares at me for a moment, processing the information. I can see her mind working, trying to make sense of it all. "You want me to take over Origin? Why?"
"Because we believe in you, Scarlet," I say earnestly. "We've seen the strength and compassion you possess, qualities that are essential for leading such an organization. We know that you have it within you to guide and protect those who count on us. And to be perfectly blunt, this archaic bullshit has to change."
"You mean the doll stuff? But Max..." she hesitates, her voice wavering. "I appreciate you finally telling me your end game, but I don't know if I'm ready for that kind of responsibility. I’m not the person you’re looking for."
"Scarlet, you were born for this," I say passionately, gripping her hand. "You have everything it takes to lead Origin into a better future. You are a queen, and it's time for you to rule and to claim your rightful place at the top. You don’t have to answer me right now, but please," I implore her, "Consider what we're asking. We wouldn't be doing this if we didn't wholeheartedly believe in you and the change you can affect by ridding the Society of all the barbaric, ancient traditions. It’s time to rise anew, and you are the one we choose to achieve this goal."
Scarlet gazes at me, her eyes searching mine for any hint of doubt or deception. But she'll find none; my conviction is unwavering, as are the feelings of Tristan, Miles, Hugo, and, more recently, Adam. We know that she is the one meant to lead us, and we will do everything in our power to support her decision.
As the silence grows thicker, her fingers unconsciously trace the contours of my chest as she struggles with the weight of this revelation. My heart aches for her, wanting to share her burden but knowing I can only offer my unwavering support.
"Max," she whispers, her eyes filled with uncertainty, "This is absurd.”
“Not to us.”
"Scarlet, let me tell you why we believe in you so much," Tristan says from her other side, shifting even closer to her. "First, you possess a rare combination of intelligence and intuition that makes you a natural leader. You have the ability to analyze situations quickly and act decisively, which is crucial for someone at the helm of such an organization."
Miles takes over next. "Second, your compassion and empathy set you apart from others. You genuinely care about people, even those who might be considered expendable by others in power. This means you will always put the well-being of our members first."
Hugo weighs in. "Finally, your strength and resilience are unmatched. You've faced adversity head-on and never backed down. That's the kind of determination we need to reshape Origin into a more just and equitable organization."
"Scarlet, we've been planning this coup for a while, and it's all because we know you are a queen. It's time for you to take your rightful place as new Overseer,” I add.
Her breath hitches, and I feel the tremble of her body against mine. Her mind races, processing everything we've said, searching for the truth within our words. She looks at each of us in turn, reading our expressions, seeking confirmation.
“Adam,” she says softly. “This is what you wanted for yourself.”
“No,” he says, shaking his head. “I wanted this only to remove Fields. The guys and I have spoken at length about this, and I agree with them. This is yours, Scar. Take it in both hands and kick ass, sweetheart.”
Tristan leans forward, his voice steady as he speaks. "Scarlet, we wouldn't ask this of you if we didn't believe in you with every fiber of our being. We're ready to follow you into the future."
Miles nods, his eyes fierce with determination. "We trust you, Scarlet. We know you have what it takes to lead us."
Hugo's voice is gentle but firm. "You have our unwavering loyalty, Scarlet. We'll stand by you every step of the way."
As their words wash over her, I can see the resolve building within her. The seeds of doubt begin to dissipate, and the fierce warrior we all admire starts to emerge.
"I need to think about it. I can’t give you an answer right now," she says, taking a deep breath.
"Of course," I reassure her. “Take all the time you need, baby girl."
Knowing in my heart of hearts that she will come to the decision that this will change so much for so many people, I’m happy to let it drop now. Together, we will usher in a new era for Origin, and I couldn't be prouder to stand beside the woman who will make it all possible.
As we leave the room together, giving her the space she needs, I steal a final glance at Scarlet, her body wrapped in the satin sheets, her dark hair fanned out like a midnight halo around her head. She looks every bit the queen we believe her to be, and I hope that soon she'll embrace her destiny.
Each of us retreats into our own thoughts, contemplating the potential future, with Scarlet leading our Secret Society.
In the quiet solitude of my room, I sink into the cool sheets of my bed, my body still thrumming with residual desire from our earlier encounters. The memory of Scarlet's touch lingers on my skin like a phantom caress, and I close my eyes, replaying the moments of passion we shared.
But even as arousal simmers beneath the surface, the weight of our decision presses down on me, casting a shadow over the pleasure. I know what we've asked of her is monumental, and now that I’m away from her, I worry about the outcome.
