“I understand, Sir,” I whispered. Really, I did. His job was on the line; I’dsurvive.
“I don’t want to make you do this, but you will have to show Galvin that you serve me, and only me. I won’t let him touch you in any way, but you will have to be in the same room for just a few minutes. I called Kaleb, and he will be close by in case anything happens, but I don’t think it will. We don’t plan to arrest Galvin until last, so we can get some of the men that would be taking over his place in situations such asthese.”
I wanted to reach out and let him know that I would be okay—that I understood—but I didn’t knowhow. I wasn’t used to trying to soothe someone else, and the feelings scaredme.
“I have a soft pillow by my office chair that you will kneel on. I won’t purposely ignore you, but I have to act a part, so please don’t be upset about anything I say, or how I say it. I will touch you to give you comfort, but nothing in punishment or sexual. Okay?” he continued, hugging me tight tohim.
“Okay,” I said, but it came out mumbled as my face was pressed into his warmchest.
“I want you to ignore him as best as you can, along with anyone he brings with him. I don’t expect him to come alone, I just don’t know who he will bring with him, but I will do my best to keep you safe. I will try to get you out of the room after a few moments after Galvin has whatever he wants from me. When I dismiss you, you will need to go to the spare room, as I don’t want him thinking I view you as an equal,” he said. “I hate having to make you do any of this. I hope you understand I hate myself for even asking you to pretend to be my slave. You are nothing likethat.”
“I’ll be okay, Elijah,” I said, looking up at him. His eyes softened, and he kissed me on my forehead as the ovenbuzzed.
I set the cookie pan on the stove, letting them cool before plating them and wrapping them in tin foil. They’d hopefully make a treat for the men, although I hated the idea of it. I kept my emotions under control, trying to show Elijah I would be okay. I was nervous and scared, but I could do this. I had to forhim.
As the doorbell rang, Elijah told me to wait in his office, and I did as I was told while he answered the door. I found the soft pillow easily and knelt on it. Elijah hadn’t told me the complete position to wait in; I kept my knees together, hands folded in front of me and my head down. At that time, I wished I had my hair down to keep my face hidden from view of the men that had shown up. My stomach was inknots.
It wasn’t a full two minutes before Elijah led the men—at least three—towards the office. I kept my head down as they all entered. He stroked my head as he headed to his chair. I heard the three others take their seats but kept still. I felt a tinge of calm with histouch.
“What I can I do for your gentlemen today?” Elijah asked, brushing his foot up against myknees.
“I haven’t seen you at the warehouse the past few weeks, and I was concerned. It’s not like you,” I heard Galvin answer. His voice was still high-pitched and make me want to shiver and hide away as far as Icould.
“Sorry about that,” Elijah replied, not missing a beat. “I’ve been trying to tie up loose ends with that investigation, as they were getting too close on a fewthings.”
“Ah yes, you have been a wonderful help on that front,” Galvin laughed lightly. “I hope you got all of uscleared?”
“Yes, I have. My ‘boss’ thinks I was stressed, so he took me off, but not before I got a few things taken care of so nothing is traced back to any of us,” Elijah said, leaning back in his chair, actingrelaxed.
“I’m sure you’re enjoying your purchase?” Galvinasked.
“Absolutely,” Elijah replied in asmile.
“Trained to your liking?” Galvin,again.
“For the most part,” Elijah said. “A few things that needed to be fixed to my liking, but nothing I couldn’thandle.”
“Your family maid has been here a lot,” Morgan said. I jumped, not expecting him to be here, but got my fear undercontrol.
“I hired someone to teach her to cook properly,” Elijah said tensely. “I refuse to cook if I have someone able to do soeasily.”
“Home cooked meals are wonderful indeed,” Galvin agreed. “How is thecooking?”
“Lovely,” Elijah said. “Dawn, please get our guests those cookies you made earlier,” he said, turning tome.
“Yes, Sir,” I said, standing up. I was more than happy to escape for a moment, even if for only amoment.
I ignored the men as I left the office, taking my time to get the plate of cookies. I took a few deep breaths and a couple sips of water before turning around to grab the plate. I stopped as I heard heavy footsteps enter the kitchen. I froze, knowing right away it wasn’t the man I was slowly falling in lovewith.
“Well hello, pet,” the man sneered as he took another step towards me. I slowly turned around, keeping my eyes down to the floor, hoping I wouldn’t have to see Erick’s face. I never liked him, and would never be what he wanted me to be. “Aren’t you going to give me agreeting?”
I ignored him, but took a step to the side, hoping I could get around him and to the safety of my ‘room’, and that Elijah would figure out where I was and not worry aboutme.
“Oh, no you don’t,” Erick laughed, moving over and towards me, caging me in against the counter. My heart began to beat faster, but I did my best to keep my panic at bay, at least until he’d either leave or Elijah came to find me before anythinghappened.
“Erick?” Morgan called as he entered the kitchen. “Galvin wants you back in theoffice.”
“Yeah, yeah. Give me a minute, Morgan,” Erick replied, brushing the demand away as he stared at me. He was now close enough to touch me, and I pushed myself back into the countertop as much as I could. I wanted to beinvisible.
