Page 69 of His Toy

CHAPTER 18

Zaid

Lake Mead glimmered in the sunrise, reminding me of Heather’s eyes. That pure, vibrant loyalty was present in every choice she made. I had been relieved that she had come back, and filled with aching regret. She was a fool to come back anywhere near this place, but damn it, at least if she was here, I could protect her with my life.

“Heather asked about the cells,” I said. Dr. Evans nodded, staring at the water. A few gray hairs were scattered through his dark, trimmed beard. Sometimes I forgot that he was older than I was.

“Your answer?” he asked.

“There’s no prison in the house.” He chuckled to himself, still staring at the water. “What?”

He scratched his chin. “Technically, that’s true.”

Dr. Evans and I had been friends for years. At a dominants-only party I had attended as complementary security for the Afterglow, we found a similar interest in breaking strong women. Finding their submissive streaks. Using their strength against them. And when he learned what I was planning to do to Eric, he volunteered to be an ear. Some of the Afterglow members questioned his motivations. But I wasn’t one to judge.

“Say it,” Dr. Evans said. “There’s something on your mind. Is it about her?”

In a way, I guessed it was. She had put the thoughts in my mind. “Her name is Heather,” I said. “I’m thinking of letting those people go.” Saying the words aloud made it feel real. Strange. “Why kill them too?”

“It’s too late for that,” Dr. Evans said.

But as the words sat on my tongue, my conviction grew stronger. I knew it was the right thing to do. “I’m not going to kill them. Not anymore.”

“Fine,” Dr. Evans said. “But letting them go is suicide.”

He was right. They would rush to their master, and their master would demand my head on a platter, or theirs. I had the combat and martial arts training to defend myself, but that didn’t mean the night wouldn’t end in bloodshed.

“You doubt my abilities?” I asked.

“Once Eric finds out, he won’t only send the ones that were trapped.” He turned, his jaw clenched. “He’ll send the fucking militia.” He shook his head. “Stick with the plan. At least, wait until he’s dead to release them.” He looked around at the lakehouse. “I can keep them here, or at the cabin in Tahoe.”

It was a kind gesture, but one that would lead to unnecessary transport and security issues. “Thanks anyway,” I said. For now, those people would stay on my property. And if Heather stayed with me, it was only a matter of time before she found the cells. I had purposefully left the key next to the one for her collar. There was no doubt that she would find it soon.

And if she stayed, if she found those cells, would she ever be able to love me?

Love me.Could Heather ever truly love me?

I couldn’t answer that question. It was hers alone to decide. And if she wasn’t able to face me after finding the cells, then maybe she would leave. Leave Eric. Leave the monsters. Leave this life in the darkness. A life of bloodshed. Maybe she would leave me.

I thanked Dr. Evans, then drove back. The sun shined down, the city bursting from a metallic shadow. I tried to focus on what I could control. I could tell Heather the truth. I could let those people go. But I couldn’t force Heather to leave, and I couldn’t force her to stay with me. It had to be her decision.

I let myself into the house, navigating to the surveillance room. Everyone was awake, busy with their days. But Heather was perched in the sitting room, looking out the front window. It was her usual habit, but it was off too. She was not in the fireplace room,her room, with a better view of the woods. Had she gone to sleep and awoken already?

As I hiked to the cells, I wondered if I should take Heather with me. Explain the situation, that I no longer planned to torture these people anymore, not more than I already had. I could explain that they were safer with me than with Eric. Cells and chains aside, they were taken care of. Food. Toilets. Medical. Hygiene. Nothing would harm them, not for spilled scotch or broken glass, not for anything. Not even me.

Chattering mixed with yells came up the ladder when I opened the hatch. I walked slowly through the cells, inspecting each of them closely. Everyone was in chains. Everyone was intact. No one was out of place.

A man about my age leaned against his cell walls, his wiry shoulders slumped.

“Tell me,” I said. “If I let you go, what will you do?”

“Please don’t kill me,” he said. “I’ll do anything.”

It wasn’t about what I wanted, but what he would want to do. What his instincts would make him do.

“If I let you go,” I repeated, “where would you run?”

“To Eric,” another shouted. “Eric will save us.”