Page 35 of Breaking Sanity

“Not him.”

“Alley,” Baron sighs, rubbing the plastic mask back and forth across his forehead. “I highly suggest you drop the little acts of defiance. It will not help you here, nor will it benefit you on your one-on-one time with Nikolas. He doesn’t respond well to it.”

“Well that’s between him and I then. Next question.”

“What happened in the shower yesterday, before you attacked Mel?”

“I was thinking and she rudely interrupted.”

“What were you thinking about?”

“Things.”

“Vaughn,” Baron turns to me. “It seems Alley isn’t wanting to have a civil conversation today. We will try again tomorrow after she sees Nikolas.”

“Hall now,” I bark. She dashes for the door but jumps back when she opens it. Still standing there is Gunner.

“That was quick.” That smug look on his face makes me want to put my fist through it. Since he got back, he has done nothing but tell us she won’t submit anytime soon. Then proceeds to try and make bets. I’ve already lost to him twice.

“Baron and I need a minute.” I swiftly close the door, leaving a very pissed off Alley in the hands of my brother.

“He was right. She isn’t going to make this easy,” Baron says, taking off his mask.

“I know, but don’t tell him he was right. It’ll only boost his ego more, Baron.”

“I think it is too late for that.”

“Why did you end the session?”

“I have self-control and know when to walk away.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning Vaughn, she was trying to push my buttons to the point of getting me to snap. She is smart and will test boundaries.”

Baron picks up the side lamp on his desk and throws it straight at the wall. He doesn’t usually have outbursts of rage and break things. So for him to be smashing one of his lamps means she struck a nerve.

“So instead of smashing her face like I just did to that lamp, I let her go.”

“I see.”

“I need you to put her in solitary. Only let her out tomorrow morning to shower and clean herself up, then let Nikolas have at her. He’ll probably end up putting her in medical, so once she is out, stick her back in solitary for a week.”

“You want to isolate her?”

“Yes.”

“Well then, if it curbs that attitude of hers, I am all in.”

“We need to keep her fed.”

“It looks as if she could skip a few meals.”

“You are starting to sound like Melinda.”

“Do not say that again,” I warn, getting in his face. His response is to smile in triumph. And he accuses Alley of being an antagonist.

“Boss,” my guy interrupts.