I looked down at the girl’s body, now covered in goosebumps. She’d passed out. “Get me a towel, please, she’s shivering.” When Beth returned with a large towel, John shut off the water. I stood and stepped out. Beth covered the girl then draped another one over my shoulders. “Thank you,” I said before they followed me into the bedroom, where Beth laid a few towels on the mattress.
“We need to tend to those, sir.” She pointed to the scratches on my arms and chest that I barely felt. “Go change into dry clothes. I’ll wipe her down.”
I set the girl on the towels and left the room.
Dressed in tracksuit bottoms and a T-shirt, with a towel around my neck to dry my hair, I walked out of my room to Juliette coming down the landing.
“Looks like another sleepless night for you, mon chérie.”She smiled sadly as I followed her into the girl’s room. “Want to fill me in,” she said. I relayed what happened while she treated the cuts on the girl’s hands and arms. “So, you’re not sure what brought it on.”
“She kept saying not his, and go away. Something she saw in that mirror triggered this entire episode.”
Juliette looked up at me. “That bathroom had mirrors facing each other, right?” I nodded. Slowly, she turned the girl on her stomach.
Beth gasped, John turned his face to hide his emotions, and I cursed.
“I think this set her off.” She pointed to the word ‘mine’ sliced into the girl’s back.
Stuffing both hands into my hair, I exhaled hard as I paced the room. Now I knew what he was doing in that video recording. “That sick fuck,” I cursed. She hadn’t even cried out when he carved her body. Either she was too numb or used to his brand of torture.
“Have this, sir,” John’s voice thick with tears, he brought me a cup of tea from the tray he’d fetched on Juliette’s arrival.
“The first time I saw it, I didn’t realize it was a word, or maybe my emotions had gotten the better of me.” Juliette sighed.
I gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. “We’re all on an emotional high right now, Jules.” After I finished the drink, Beth took the cup from me. I looked at her and John. “I want every single mirror in this castle either removed or covered. That girl will never see anything that reflects her face or body until she can look at herself without being forced. Servant’s quarters, unused hallways, submissive classrooms, the training rooms, and the ballroom. All of them. Any employee caught breaking my rule will answer to me. Understood.”
“Yes, sir,” they replied in unison.
“You think it will help,” Juliette asked, her fingers applying a balm to the cleaned wound.
I moved to sit on the opposite side of the bed to watch her work. “Right now, I don’t know what will work or not. But I’m going to try everything I can, including catching that bastard,” I growled the last part.
She looked at me, her brow creased, but she said nothing. I had no idea whether the scowl I wore or the determination in my words stopped her.
Once the girl was under the blankets and sleeping, John and Beth left while Juliette moved to where I sat and inspected my arms. “She certainly did a number on you,” she tsked, shaking her head.
“It’s nothing.”
She rolled her eyes. “Men. Always have to act like nothing hurts them,” she muttered and treated the cuts.
“Right now, I am hurting, Jules.” My gaze strayed to the sleeping girl.
“I know.” She patted my arm lightly. “Lift.” She pointed to my T-shirt. Beth probably mentioned the scratches on my chest. I pulled off my T-shirt, and her eyes rounded. “I’m not sure which I find more intriguing.” At my frown, she chuckled. “How this silver fox I’m tending keeps his chest toned and mouth-watering, or that a girl more than half your size did this.”
“Anger can be debilitating.” I shrugged.
“I’m sure you must work these lovelies hard.” She poked my pecs. I knew she was trying to distract me, and I gave her a grateful smile. “Je me suis toujours demandé pourquoi nous n'avions jamais baisé.” She wondered why we never fucked.
I grinned. “Because we’ve respected each other too much to bother dominating the other.” I smacked the hand, tweaking my nipple. “And redheads don’t do it for me.”
Colorful French spilled from her mouth, and she jabbed a deeper cut making me wince. “Just admit it, you’re scared I’ll make you my little pet.” She added the last bit of tape and straightened.
Laughing, I stood. Then the girl groaned, yanking both our gazes, killing our hilarity. Juliette crossed the room to check on her while I pulled on my t-shirt.
After, I walked her out. “Thank you, Jules.” I dragged a hand through my hair. “I—”
“Hey.” She squeezed my hand. “There’s no need for thanks. I’m here any time you need me. You know that.” I nodded. “I’ve given her a stronger sedation than the last time. She’s going to be out of it for a few days. The more we allow her to sleep, the more likely her wounds will heal without disturbance. I’ve given John and Beth instructions on how to check on the IV drip and change her dressing. I’ll come by in the morning and fit her with a catheter.”
That tightened the growing knot at my nape. “It’s killing me that I don’t know how else to help her. That there’s no family we can contact. Or something...” I trailed off, trying to bite down on my anger.
