My new pet is fast asleep on the back seat. I strapped her in, just like any decent gentleman would but as I keep glancing at her in the rearview mirror, there’s a part of me that’s so tempted to pull over, to find some quiet little place and have my way with her while no one can witness, no one can see.
But that’s not part of the plan, is it? Not part of my carefully thought-out strategy.
This entire thing has been four years in the making, and I sure as hell won’t let anything as reckless as my own impatience ruin this.
She’s wearing a shirt - my shirt. Her pierced nipples are poking through enough to be more than tempting, and with the way I laid her legs out, I get the most perfect view of paradise.
Beside me on the passenger seat are the signed papers. My lips quirk a little at the trick I’ve played, at the ruse. I had to give up a lot for our Grand Master to agree to this, but I’m certain in time and with enough training, Grace will prove herself worth the effort.
And if she doesn’t… well, no one else knows. If Grace proves to be a liability, then she will be dealt with in a manner that resolves all future issues.
My phone buzzes to life. I narrow my eyes, seeing the name flash up on the screen. It’s not gone 6am yet his time. What the fuck does he want with me so early?
“What do you want, Conrad?” I ask.
“Just checking you’re happy with your end of the agreement.” He drawls, in that arrogant tone I’ve gotten used to.
I roll my eyes, “We agreed she’d be mine, remember? I don’t recall me saying I’d spend a fortune on ensuring that.”
“What’s a few million between friends?” He laughs.
I snort back. “Only problem there is, we’re not friends.”
Silence is the reply I get. He knows not to push too far. He knows that his continued good fortune lies solely in keeping me happy.
“Tell me Antonio, was she worth it?” He asks.
I look back, seeing the way Grace’s head has lolled to the side, the way her golden hair falls, half-obscuring her face. She looks so much like her mother right now, so much like the woman I once loved and lost.
“What do you want?” I repeat again.
“You got the girl. I got my wife, we’re even as far as I’m concerned.” He states with all that Blake bravado.
My lips curl, and I let out a laugh. “We’re so far from even.” I reply before hanging up.
She doesn’t wake as we pull up to the house, doesn’t wake as I unclip her and carry her out.
My butler is waiting for me at the door, just as instructed. I murmur for him to bring me a stiff drink as I make my way down to the pet quarters.
This house has been in my family for longer than most dynasties have lasted. Certainly, longer than most European royal families have ruled. While the outside and upper floors attest to its heritage, I had an entire suite built underneath, carved out from the very rocks themselves. Rooms where I can be myself, where I can indulge without the concern of onlookers or escapees.
I walk through the doghouse, past the cages I use as a form of discipline if one of my pets plays up. They’re a generous size, big enough to stretch and crawl, but not big enough to stand. I’ve been kind enough to ensure my pets have a workable toilet – even though normal dogs are not granted such a luxury.
Grace shifts in my arms and I adjust her weight, ensuring I don’t drop her.
She isn’t ready for this place yet. She isn’t ready to be pampered and loved.
She needs to be trained, tamed, broken in before she’s allowed anywhere near this.
I walk through the door at the very end, down a silent corridor where my footsteps echo with every step. This part of my home always feels haunted, as if the ghosts of my ancestors still lurk here.
Issac is waiting for me as I approach the room. The door is solid, almost half a metre thick and soundproofed. I don’t want my new pet to disturb the pack while she’s learning her place and in turn, I don’t want her to hear anything beyond the four walls she’s being locked inside.
I want her isolated, alone.
I want her to wake and have no fucking clue what is going on.
“She’s bigger than the others.” Issac comments as I lay her down on the freezing cold concrete.
