Page 90 of Ruthless Keeper
She stirs when I return from putting away the toys, eyes fluttering.
“Monster,” she murmurs, eyes cracking open. When she doesn’t see me immediately, they widen with panic. “Monster!”
“I’m right here, Flower,” I say, quickly making my way to the couch. I take a seat and pull her onto the lap, cradling her close. "I'm right here. I was just cleaning up.” I kiss her nose. “Okay?”
She blinks repeatedly. “Okay.” Then, she snuggles into my chest, and passes right out.
I hold her close, a small smile teasing my lips. Praying that everything goes well, and I can keep Scarlett in my arms forever.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Scarlett
The next days are a flurry of anxiety at the fortress. Greyson spends most of his time with Cain, Max, and a few other Nighthawks, putting together a thorough attack plan and creating as many contingencies as possible.
I speak with my brother every day, and while he refuses to divulge the exact details of what he’s planning, he does give me tidbits on how he intends to attack and remove our father from existence.
Greyson’s notably irate around the apartment, though he’s careful not to take his mood out on me. He does, however, fuck me every morning and night until I’m sobbing and begging for mercy… and I drink up every drop of the attention. I never thought the sort of sex he offers—restraints, toys, pleasure so acute it blends the line with pain—would appeal to me, but I’m learning many new things about myself. I get lost in the sensations he creates, I get lost on the meteoric rise to every orgasm, and then, I get lost in Greyson’s arms as he holds me and tells me how much he adores me.
He now hastwomen accompany me to the greenhouse every day—usually Tobias and Max. Max is perfectly friendly, but no longer seems to have a hint of interest in me as anything other than a friend.He seems more preoccupied with the new task he’s been given… a task of finding his own Chosen within the next few months. When I hear about it, I don’t know how to feel… though my heart does drop straight down into my stomach.
Another captive woman here. Another person taken from their life and dropped into this place. Another human being ripped from everything they know, chained, and disassembled until they bend or break…
Max asks me to be a friend to whomever he chooses. Asks me to try to make her comfortable.
I don’t have it in my heart to say no, so I agree, but it undeniably leaves a sour taste in my mouth.
I’ve found a place for myself here, but that’s largely due to Greyson fulfilling my calling and vocation—I get to work in my greenhouse. I’ll have the opportunity to do world-changing research here, without the constraints of the rules of academia and hierarchies I’d need to respect in the outside world.
I’ve also found comfort and a kindred spirit in Greyson… but that was a long, twisted,painfulroad that I don’t wish on anyone else.
“Just promise me you’ll be kind to her,” I tell Max. “Please, be kind to her. I can’t stomach the thought of another woman enduring what I had to…”
Max gives me an incredulous, almostpained, look. “Scarlett, if you think I have it in me to ever do what Greyson did…” he trails off, shaking his head. “Then you don’t know me at all.”
Finally, the day of reckoning comes. While Greyson and I usually eat breakfast in our apartment and sometimes make our way to the dining hall for dinner, we’re in the dining hall for breakfast today.
The atmosphere is tense. There’s no banter between the guys, no jokes or jabs being tossed about… and that’s how I know today’s the day.
My stomach is so filled with anxiety that I can barely eat anything. Today is the day my father dies—ifEric does his job properly.
There aresomany things that could go wrong. My father is such a dangerous person… and many men are about to venture out tohisplaygrounds.
Halfway through breakfast, Greyson forgoes any social niceties and pulls me onto his lap. He starts lifting forkfuls of food to my mouth, but I’m too anxious to indulge. I end up hiding my face in his chest, and while he murmurs admonishments, he lets me get away with it today.
I don’t care that I’m acting childish or petulant; right now, I need his comfort, and from the way he wraps his arms around my waist and rests his chin on my head, I think he’s more than happy to provide it.
“Precious Flower,” he murmurs. “Everything will be okay. I promise.”
A moment later, the aura in the room shifts from quiet to tense. I know without even having to look that Cain has entered the premises—any existing chatter falls silent, and the only noise filling the dining hall is the sounds of Cain’s footsteps carrying him up to the dais.
I force myself to lift my head from Greyson’s chest and shift sideways on his lap, watching as Cain ascends the final few steps to his throne and takes a seat on it.
The fact that hesits on a throne… the narcissism in that man is unbelievable.
“Today is the day many of us have awaited,” Cain says after a few beats, observing the room like a king surveying his court. “Luther Sharpe and The Widowers will all die today. Thiswill leave the Nighthawks as the uncontested leaders in the underground circles of assassins. Our expansion won’t be met with any resistance; operatives will be scrambling over each other to earn a place here… but the selection process will be extremely exclusive. I will also be talking with leadership about a program regarding Chosens, which will offer more structure to Nighthawks as they become eligible to select their lifelong partner.” Cain pauses, sweeping a blank gaze over the room. His eyes settle on me and linger for a few beats; my pulse speeds, fluttering away in my neck.
“Everyone knows their assignments,” Cain drawls after a few moments, still staring at me. “Finish your breakfasts and go get ready. Today, we remove the thorn that’s been stuck in our side for far too long.” A terrifying smile spreads on his lips. “And we do sopainfully.”
