Page 48 of His Toy
“And who is this?” Eric asked. He grabbed Heather’s hand, patting her on the arm, bringing her in tight. I didn’t move, keeping my firm grip around her. She opened her mouth to speak, but I stopped her before she could say anything.
“Forgive my slave,” I said. “She doesn’t have a name. She has yet to earn one, nor the privilege to speak.”
Heather looked at the floor and I knew she knew what I meant. This wasn’t about what she was allowed or not allowed; this was about keeping her safe. The less she said to Eric, the less she was in danger.
“Your slave looks familiar,” Eric said, rubbing her hand. “I once had a slave who looked like her. Lighter hair. But the same eyes.” Eric turned to me. “It’s the bright eyes that always stand out to dark eyes like ours, isn’t it, Zaid?”
I clenched my grip around Heather’s arm. “We are drawn to what isn’t ours.”
He raised an eyebrow, then gestured behind him and said, “Follow me.”
We entered a lounge area with long seats curved into circular booths. An indoor pool was to the side, with a few women, still in their slave garments, in the water. An armed man in a suit and sunglasses stood off to the side. His chin was angular, like a hook.
“One of the reasons I was interested in your company,” Eric started, patting me on the back as we walked, “was the knowledge that you, the owner, are a connoisseur of slaves too. The Afterglow speaks very highly of you.”
I pretended for a moment that that information made me pause. But we had a member, an old friend of mine, Dr. Nathan Evans, who was willing to play both sides to see Eric dead. That meant planting seeds of knowledge in Eric’s head about who I was. A ruthless killer. And yet it was all true.
With mock hesitation in my voice, I said, “It’s my understanding that you haven’t renewed your membership in years.”
“You mean since I had my membership revoked?” Eric laughed, his teeth stained. “I still have my contacts.” How much did he know? Not many people of the Afterglow were fond of Eric anymore. Was he bluffing? “You are very well received there.”
“I donate my services to those who need it.”
“Which is why I am unconvinced that I need your services,” Eric said. We took seats in the booth, and Eric grimaced when Heather took a seat beside me. He didn’t approve. I could take a cue.
“Get us drinks,” I said to Heather.
“Scotch,” Eric said. He nodded towards the bar. “Lina will help you.”
Heather left, and the two of us negotiated. He wanted my services, but didn’t see the point when his current team was more than adequate.
“My men can provide the opportunity for you to leave the Great Pleasures Palace,” I said. “Your men are suitable defenses for the penthouse and should stay here. But my men can provide you with safety elsewhere.”
“I haven’t left my palace in years,” Eric said. He leaned back, resting his arms on the back of the sofa. “There’s no need.”
“You can’t leave the safety of the nest,” I said.
It was a bold move, to mock his lack of mobility, but negotiations needed to move to the next level. Being called out on his lack of courage was one of his only weaknesses.
“Are you calling me a coward, Zaid?” Eric asked. He squinted, a sadistic warning in his eyes. I remembered that stare. “I knew someone with a name like that once. A whore.” He gestured at the women in the pool and laughed. I grit my teeth, forcing myself to remain pleasant.
“The name is more common than you’d think,” I said.
“Not here,” Eric scoffed.
I needed to secure his presence at my house, anywhere but the Great Pleasures Palace. It would be far trickier here than elsewhere.
“I can offer you sanctuary,” I said. “Freedom. The ability to move again.”
“And what? I’m supposed to believe you? I don’t leave the palace. My business comes to me.”
“You are right. I came to you,” I said. “If you are not a coward, then come to my house. I will show you the extent of the protection I can provide.”
Eric would not let anyone test him. He clenched his fists, sneering at me. His gut reaction wanted to retaliate, to teach me a lesson in brute force. But he knew my men had the building surrounded, that I was armed too. It was that, and stupid luck, that he wanted to prove that he wasn’t a coward, by leaving the penthouse to kill me. But at least that bought us time.Us.
“I will consider it,” Eric said. Heather returned with a round tray, stacked with three short tumblers with dark liquor and whiskey stones. One for each of us. What would Eric think of Heather joining us for a drink?
“This isn’t the fucking scotch I asked for,” Eric growled. He threw the glass on the ground and it shattered. His voice screamed through the air: “Where the fuck is Lina?”