Green
“Thanks, Wilkes,” I muttered, wondering how he’d sensed my wariness.
My head of security had put safety measures in place if I found myself alone or in a compromising position. A coded system of single-worded texts in varying colors held different meanings. Green meant one of his men was tailing me in an unmarked vehicle with the lights off. I'd probably seen the flash from their car between the trees. Regardless, I allowed myself to breathe evenly after the gates closed behind me.
Juliette was at the door with John, my butler, their brows matching frowns of concern. Her gaze fell on the wraith of a girl curled inside the protection of my arms before lifting to meet mine. Juliette knew I trusted her with my life. Now I was asking for that loyalty for this stranger who believed she had no one.
I aimed to change that, whatever it took.
Wordlessly, Juliette followed me. I reached the guest bedroom opposite mine in quick steps. As soon as I laid her down on the bed, Juliette went to work, slipping on latex gloves.
“I wasn’t sure what you wanted, so I brought everything.” She tipped her chin at the medical supplies on the small table John wheeled into the room.
“She tripped over a root, fell, and hit her head. But I’m certain you’ll find other wounds to treat.” I said as John flicked the main light switch, flooding the room with brightness.
When I stood back, Juliette gasped, her eyes roving over the girl’s face and slim body. “Seigneur aie pitié” She shook her head, asking the Lord for mercy.
I followed her gaze. Under the lights, the girl looked weaker, the gaping wound on her brow even more frightful. Her hair had loosened from its plaits during her flight. Its frizzy strands draped almost wreath-like around her face, tightened my chest. However, the purple marks on her left cheek and right jaw locked my hands into white-knuckle fists. Because of the darkness, I hadn’t seen them on the mountaintop.
My breathing turned shallow. “Those are fresh.” I gritted, my body wound tight, desperately screaming to kill the sick fuck that stole this girl’s innocence in every way possible. Never had I felt such anger as the rage consuming my mind right now. How could anyone treat another human with such disregard? “I’m going to kill them,” I muttered under my breath, my gaze on the girl’s twitching eyelids, wondering what dreams lay inside her broken mind. Perhaps she didn’t feel safe from them.
“I’ll make her better, Xavier. Promise.” Juliette’s soft touch on my arm had me looking at her, my chaotic insides wishing for that professional calm she exuded.
I nodded. “Thank you for doing this.”
“Of course.” She smiled. “Fetch me a bowl of warm water and a face cloth,” she said to John, then to me, “Can you get me something clean for her to wear.”
With a quick nod, I headed for my room, stood frowning inside my walk-in dressing room for a moment, then grabbed a flannel button-down. Knowing my trousers would be too big. I left them. Lowering myself to the bottom of the bed, I watched as Juliette cleaned, treated, and wrapped the girl’s wound—a deep gash on her left temple. Next, she untied the makeshift bandage on the girl’s upper arms to reveal several raw slashes.
“Jesus fucking Christ!” I shot up, my body vibrating with anger, my eyes riveted on the open wounds.
Juliette glanced over her shoulder at me. “These aren’t self-inflicted, Xavier. Either defense wounds or possible lashes.” Her tight-lipped smile hinted she was trying to keep her anger on lockdown.
“Who was she fighting off?” I asked, more to myself than out loud. Juliette untied the pink ribbon on the girl’s other hand, reminding me how she’d reacted when I asked for it. “When you’re done, secure that ribbon back on her wrist. I think it’s sentimental.”
Juliette eyed me curiously, her beautiful face marred by silent contemplation before she nodded. I knew she was trying to figure out exactly what my brain couldn’t grasp. Why was this girl affecting me this intensely? I’d worked with abused kids before, yet the strange tug on my heart since that first run-in at the party scared and fascinated me. That moment had set in motion a war between the dormant Dom and the suave gentleman in me with an ease that confused the fuck out of me. I’d let my guard down once before, and it shaped my family’s future.
Could I do it again? Could I let this girl in? If I did, would she survive me, or more importantly, would I survive her?
The answers hid inside my chaotic mind, obscure yet never failing to remind me that I was more familiar with shattered beliefs than I was willing to admit, taunting the clandestine indulgences leading to my son’s exploitation. Perhaps this girl was my reprieve, to right my wrongs, to remind me that falling from grace was worth it when the love for your son took precedence over all else.
“Wake the fuck up,” I muttered under my breath, forcing myself out of past recollections to concentrate on Juliette.
After treating and bandaging those wounds, Juliette ran the wet face cloth over the girl’s face. With haphazard-shaped bangs falling over her forehead, her dry lips parted to release soft, even breaths, she appeared young and vulnerable. When Juliette reached for scissors and snipped the girl’s tunic up the front of her body, John and I walked out onto the balcony, giving them privacy.
“She’s going to be okay, sir.”
Unaware I’d be staring into the garden, John’s soft statement drew my gaze. “I hope so.” I swiped a hand down my face and offered him a smile. “You think I should’ve taken her to the hospital? Called the police?” After twenty-five years in my family’s employ, I trusted this man.
His white-gloved hands clasped in front of a traditional black suit pressed to perfection, he’d refused to change for something less formal, no matter how many times I suggested, he shook his head. “You’re a man of great stature, sir, whose heart is always in the right place. Whether dealing with family, friend, or foe, you’ve always stood true to those decisions borne out of experience, love and intelligence. This is not the time to question your deductive reasoning. She needs you.”
“Thank you.” I always welcomed his candor.
“Are you worried you don’t know who you’re dealing with?”
My elbows resting on the balcony rail, I grazed a knuckle over my bottom lip. “Against sounding arrogant, I’m a Winthrop descendant, John. My family’s been fighting wars since the age of time, and I’ll be damned if I let anyone take her away from me.” That was no empty threat. “Perhaps my unexpected possessiveness might sound laughable, seeing as I don’t know the girl, but I’ve always trusted my gut, and some inner niggle is warning me to stay the path. To protect her, help her heal, help her believe people care for her and maybe help her learn to trust.” Straightening, I let out a mirthless laugh, my ability to reason suddenly lost. What right did I have to offer her these salvations without her permission? “Arrogance indeed.”
“Not arrogance, sir. Dexterity.” Although I was his boss, he was about five years older than me, and there were many times when he’d guided me during moments of indecision. “You’re always in control, and no matter what’s thrown your way, you possess this flair to always come out on top. Saint and Levana being a recent case in point?”
