Page 9 of Brighter Than Gold

“What exactly is it you want, Callan?” Lazio asked, making a face as though my name tasted sour.

“Just my wife,” I said through gritted teeth.

Lazio looked down at Reyah on the floor. He knelt, and with a finger under her chin, raised her head. “Oh, she isverypretty,” he said looking back up at me. He curled her dark hair around his fingers several times. “Come, let me help you up, little flower,” he said quietly. She rose on shaking legs. “You’re a very brave man, Callan. Brave or stupid.”

The man I held at knife point grimaced as I dug the blade in deeper.

“All you ask for is your wife?” Lazio asked.

“Yes.”

He grinned. “All right. I have a bargain to offer you.” He smiled chipperly and walked before me, placing his hands comfortably in his pockets as he looked up to stare me in the eye. He was about as intimidated by me as a snowball. “I’ll keep my men off of your wife,ifyou come and work for me.”

I ground my teeth at the man’s offer.

“I can see you’re hesitant,” Lazio said, turning his attention back to Reyah. “I understand your reservations, naturally.” He stalked up to her as though he was hunting her, and licked his lips. “You must have heard of us. You must know we do terrible, awful things.”

Ihadheard of him; he was a notorious fucking criminal that had evaded capture for years. He was well known for his misleading and unscrupulous bargains, and infamous for his exceptional cruelty. Somehow he’d remained elusive for nearly a decade.

Reyah trembled as his hand traced up her belly and lightly tugged loose the leather bow affixed to her blouse. The blouse began to pull open over her bust, as a steady rage built up under my skin.

“But the reality is,” Lazio continued, loosening the string further. “We simply allow ourselves to do what most men really want. What they deny themselves.” He brushed a thumb across her lips as a tear rolled down her cheek. Reyah looked up at me terrified, willing me to help her. I did a tally of the men in the room, despite having two of them subdued, there were six others standing closely around me now, and I was the last line of defence between them and the Princess. My mind raced.

Lazio leaned in, pulling her blouse open and revealing a thin lace garment barely covering her breasts. I would cut the man’s hands off before I killed him…

Reyah sobbed quietly, staring at me. She sobbed as Lazio pulled the lace down with a finger, exposing the very edge of her nipples. “We are only animals, after all,” he whispered.

He brushed his hand over the top of her breast before he sunk his fingertips down behind the lace.

It broke me.

“I agree, Lazio!” I yelled. I removed my boot from the man’s neck and tossed his knife onto the floor, freeing the other.

“Just let her go. Please.”

Lazio’s hand halted its progression. He smiled wryly at Reyah. “He must really love you, little flower.” He released her, and she flew into my arms.

“Wonderful turn of events, I’d say! Come have a drink with me Callan, and bring your beautiful wife.” The man sauntered back to his chair by the hearth, he was so smug it enraged me.

I leaned down and whispered to Reyah. “Whatever lies we have to tell, make is as close to the truth as you can.”

I grasped her firmly by the hand as we made our way over to the fire. A lackey pulled up a seat for me, Reyah paused a moment, but I didn’t hesitate and pulled her down onto my lap. I sat back as casually as I could in the chair and rested a hand on her thigh, as if we were well accustomed to this kind of contact.

“What is your name, pretty flower?” Lazio oozed, as he pulled Aurelia back down onto his knee.

“Reyah.” Her delicate voice cracked.

“And how long have the two of you been married, Reyah?” he asked grinning.

She darted a quick look back at me.

“Only four days.”

“Four days! Fuck! We’ve really screwed up your honeymoon then, haven’t we?” he laughed unapologetically.

“You, Callan, you’re military trained. Don’t eventryto lie to me about that.” Lazio let the observation hang in the air.

“Yes,” I replied simply.

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