“Well, this is kinda fucked up,” Bryson said, his eyes lingering on a leather whip hanging from a hook.
Kaydon opened the double closet doors. “I think it’s pretty awesome.”
“What’s wrong, Bryce?” Seth asked.
Bryson looked at Adria, wondering what she thought about all this. “Do you think this is normal? You don’t get to see this guy for twenty years and suddenly you show up, on the run, and he gives you a playroom?”
Her mouth fell open. “I don’t?—”
“You don’t think it’s fucked up?” Bryson said, his voice catching. He ran his fingers along a velvet-lined restraint, then jerked his hand away. “Christ, Adria, whatwoulddisturb you? I mean who is this guy? What is this place?”
Bryson was surprised by his mood. In the grand scheme of things, being gifted an elite sex dungeon wasn’t the worst thing that could have happened to them.
In fact it was the last thing hethoughtwould have happened to them.
“I’m glad we are still alive, together and safe,” she said, sounding unsure.
“For now,” he said, unable to meet her eyes. This guy had power, that much was obvious, but staying in his guest house didn’t extend that power to them. They had no idea who he was or what he was capable of.
CHAPTER 43
CURITIBA PARANÁ
Bryson refused to sit. The meeting room was lined with floor-to-ceiling windows that revealed the emerald canopy of the Brazilian rainforest stretching to the horizon. A mahogany table dominated the center, laden with a decadent array of tropical fruits.
Adria, Seth, Kaydon, and Eric had taken their places in high-backed leather chairs around the table. All of them were eager to hear what Xander had to say.
It seemed that Bryson was the only one not lulled into a false sense of security by the flashy pretenses and colorful objects.
Even Eric was relaxing, despite his usual annoying sentinel behavior.
After about fifteen minutes of nothing, Bryson started pacing around the perimeter. The room had modern decorations with old art.
Bryson hadn’t been to Brazil before, but he had traveled to South America several times. He appreciated the deep colors that were used in the home’s design. With the climate, they were able to have no walls in some instances, so the bold rich colors didn’t confine the space.
A small dresser with faded green paint drew his attention. The item was old, antique even, and it stood out along all its modern counterparts. Bryson moved to get a closer look. It had bronze handles and a small mirror fastened on the top.
Bryson traced a carving of a mountain that was inlaid on the top. The symbol stirred something in him.
“I am so sorry to keep you waiting. Work has been brutal today,” Xander said, strolling into the room.
Bryson trailed his finger along the carving, trying to place it.
“Master Winters?”
Bryson looked up.
“Would you please sit?” Xander said.
Bryson recognized the command and part of him wanted to stay standing, wanted to show this guy that he didn’t control him. But the other part of him saw reason. Trust aside, Xanderwashelping them.
So, he pulled a chair out and sat next to Kaydon.
Xander stood at the head of the table, but he didn’t speak. Instead, he just kept glancing back at the door he had come through.
The tension ate at Bryson.
What was going on?
