I know what he’s referring to; my escape. Poisoning him. “I did what I had to do in order to escape. I didn’t want to hurt you, even after everything you did to hurt me.”
Monster kisses my forehead again. This time, I only grimace instead of flinching back.
“I know you believe that,” he says. “But we’ll work on changing your beliefs, bit by bit, until you understand.” He touches his forehead to mine. “This isn’t the end, Scarlett. It’s only the beginning.”
He stands up and grabs the empty mug from beside me. “I’ll give you some time alone to settle. I’ll be back soon with food—until then, feel free to contemplate your new reality and get used to the changes in your life. There are many more still to come.”
Chapter Six
Greyson
Ihear Scarlett’s sobs long after I close the door to her soundproofed cell. Her tears satisfied some part of me—I like knowing that getting in her head is as easy as making her drink a cup of fucking tea—but her cries.Fuck,her noises of sheer helplessness and agony. They niggled at my inner protector, a part of me only Scarlett has the power to awaken. I wanted to pluck her out of that room and put her in my bed, hold her until she calmed down and accepted me.
But I know that progress between us will take much more than just holding her close and showing her affection.
I set a timer on my phone for three hours. Enough time for any lingering haziness from the drugs to wear off, enough time for Scarlett to be alone before I return. Soon enough, she’ll look forward to my visits—whether or not she wants to. Isolation does incredible things to the human psyche.
In the meantime, I have shit to do.
I make my way down to the dining hall and place an order with the chefs. Then, I join my unit at our usual table.
Dinner is a combination of organized chaos and rowdiness in HQ. Every Nighthawk has his usual crowd he sticks with, and mine is comprised of the unit Cain poached from Eric nearly a year ago, along with Max.
Toby, the green-eyed tech genius, is absentmindedly cutting up a steak while staring at something on his open laptop. He barely glances up as I take my seat at the table. Bryan, the ex-marine, is far more vigilant of my arrival; he removes his attention from his plate and stares at me, silently asking if I need anything. I give my head a slight shake, and he returns to eating. Elijah, the army brat who was spec-ops for a few years, offers me a smooth wave.
It's only Max who addresses me directly. “How is she?”
“As fine as can be expected. Have you killed the cat?” I entrusted Lucifer—an apt name for such a hellish creature—to Max’s care. When Scarlett’s earned the cat’s return, she’ll get to see him; in the interim, I don’t want to deal with the angry furball.
“Jesus, Greyson,no. I haven’t killed the cat. Lucifer really took to Greg, though Luci’s probably always going to hiss at me whenever I get too close.”
“What kind of dipshit names his dog Greg?” Elijah asks, arching an imperious eyebrow at Max.
“I was hungover,” Max mutters.
“That, or you have an even lower IQ than most of the guys in my old unit,” Bryan quips.
“Will you ever let that shit go—”
“Greyson.” My name isn’t spoken by any of the guys sitting at my table with me; it’s uttered by the motherfucker sitting on his throne. I exhale a long breath and glance over my shoulder. Cain crooks a finger at me, beckoning me over as though I’m a member of his court.
Which I am, I suppose. Everyone here is. Cain runs a tight ship and demands obedience, but he’s not unnecessarily cruel. Not like Boyce was. I still hate the prick, but I respect him enough to work for him.
Besides… it’s not like I have much ofa choice.
I abandon my seat and approach the dais, giving a mock bow to our king.
Cain stares at me head-on. “I heard you caught your chosen.”
“Word travels fast around these parts,” I remark.
“Nothing happens here without my knowledge. You’ll do well to remember that.” Cain tilts his head to the side. “What’s the plan?”
“I’m not going to kill her, if that’s what you’re asking.”
“I’m aware. I still need to hear a plan, even if it’s loose.”
“Plan’s simple.” I cross my arms. “Train her. I’ve been over the specifics with Max.”
