Page 15 of Stockholm (Angel of Mercy #1)

The Keeper

E mma pulls the blanket up over her head, blocking my view of her from the camera that’s hidden in the corner of her room. Sitting back in the computer chair, I continue to watch her until her shaking figure goes still.

She must have fallen asleep.

Pushing away from the desk, I drop my head into my hands, replaying the scene from earlier in my head.

Innocent Emma, hands tied in front of her and kneeling at my feet.

For a moment, I‘d forgotten she was there for my own twisted form of justice and the urge to shove two fingers into her mouth until she choked was almost impossible to resist.

But I managed.

Of course, she’s beautiful. There’s no denying that. She has a sort of modest, wholesome thing going on that I’ve never considered to be attractive before. It’s not my type, and yet?

But it’s affecting me with her. This twisted thing inside me wants to be the one to destroy this act she’s putting on. To ruin her.

It’s a great defense in her situation, to play up her virtuousness to try and get me to see her as a victim. The way she had denied knowing about Lily, though? It had set me off.

I grip my hair, frustration overwhelming me for just a moment.

My lack of control with her is grating me.

Now that I’m alone, I’ll admit that my usual detached nature doesn’t seem to be extending to her.

This was supposed to be extremely clear cut.

Eric took something from me, so I took something from him.

Eye for an eye. But now that I have her, I can’t fight the compulsion to make her admit what they did.

I want to hear the words come from her sweet little mouth.

For someone to take any kind of responsibility for Lily.

I want her to talk, and then I can destroy her husband completely.

But how best to convince her to confess? I’ll give Eric one thing, and it’s that he’s brainwashed his wife into total dedication. Just a pretty, mindless woman that hangs his washed clothes and cooks dinner for him and his various predator associates.

I just need her to crack. A couple days of isolation should do wonders for a soft thing like her. She looks like she’s been catered to her whole life. She’ll break quickly, I’m sure.

With one last glance at the monitor of her room, I leave my office in search of Jesse and find him exactly where I guess he’d be; Bo’s room.

I knock, before I realize I don’t give a shit what’s going on inside and open the door. Bo’s laid on his back, staring up at the ceiling and Jesse stands at the foot of his bed, leaning over the foot board with his hands fisted in the blanket.

His eyes snap to mine as Bo rushes to sit up, and I get the feeling I’ve just interrupted a rather loaded conversation.

“Don’t mind me, just wanted to check on our collateral damage,” I say, going to sit in the chair in the corner. It’s a duplicate setup to Emma’s, designed when this house was built for people staying long term.

“Stop calling him that,” Jesse snaps, brows furrowing in the middle like I’ve offended him.

“Where’s Emma? What have you done with her, you sick fuck,” Bo starts, the shock of seeing me spiraling into anger now that he’s remembered I spit in his friend’s face. He turns to get out of bed like he’s going to do something about it.

Jesse slides between us, his hands going to Bo’s waist and gently forcing him back into bed.

“No, not a good idea, Bo. And like I told you, we are not in the wrong here.” He shrugs.

“I understand you probably don’t agree with that, since you’re here.

” He tilts his head and goes to sit on the bed next to him.

“But you don’t understand yet. We couldn’t just leave you behind, okay? ”

Bo shakes his head, looking at Jesse with frustration.

“Of course I don’t fucking understand. I took you to my home.

I let you—” His eyes cut to me viciously before flicking back to Jesse.

“When are you going to let us go? We didn’t do anything.

Emma didn’t do anything. And you ”—He turns on me again, a snarl on his face—“if I ever see you degrade her like that again, I’ll fucking kill you, do you understand?

You’re a piece of shit for wanting to take out your anger at Eric on her. ”

I let him finish his little speech, his chest heaving with anger. Maybe it’s fear, but he’s brave enough to overcome it.

He’s devoted to her.

He also doesn’t have all the information. “I find it interesting how you protect the both of them so deeply knowing what Eric’s done to you.”

Bo’s mouth falls open, shock setting in. It’s Jesse that jumps up this time. “Not right now, Noah. Not yet. He’s been through a shit day.”

I see Bo glance up at him, eyes narrowing slightly. Being kidnapped by someone who seems smitten by you must be off putting. Especially after the night they had together.

“I just don’t understand your loyalty, Bo. Not after what he did.”

Pain flashes in his eyes, and Jesse can’t handle it. He crawls into the bed, going to sit behind Bo, pulling him back to his chest. “Noah,” he warns.

“We were just kids,” Bo says, voice shaking.

“No,” I say. “ You were just a kid. He was…eight years older? If my math is correct. So you were just a kid, and he knew better. Either way, you shouldn’t waste your breath defending him.”

Jesse’s hand rubs on Bo’s arm, daggers flying at me. But this isn’t playtime. Coddle time. We fucking kidnapped these two, and I don’t have the luxury of tip-toeing around until they’re comfortable talking to me.

“Does Emma know?” I ask, getting to the point.

He shakes his head. “I don’t want her to. She thinks the world of him and I never wanted to ruin that. ”

I nod, absorbing that. “You know who else was just a kid? Jesse’s sister, Lily.”

Bo’s eyes flick back to the man behind him, questions loaded in his stare. Jesse says nothing. Lily’s name always cuts deep.

“What did he do?”

“He hurt my family. So now I’m going to do the same.”

I stand to leave, but Bo panics, trying to escape Jesse’s hold until he stumbles from the bed to stop me.

“No, listen. It’s true, I know Eric is fucked up. I know he’s still fucked up. I get it. You have got to believe me when I say she doesn’t fucking know. Please, just give her a chance. You can’t punish her for whatever he did to your family. Please,” he begs, his hand grabbing my arm.

I stiffen, and he releases me. His earnest expression remains, and I study him for a moment. He’s young. And he’s a victim. It’s not my intention to hurt him more than he has been. That’s not what our organization is about. Mercy and the people who work for it protect victims, and that includes Bo.

But it’s also not my fault he’s here. That would be Jesse’s.

Confirming nothing, I stride from the room, shutting the door behind me. I don’t lock it. This is Jesse’s problem, his captive to control.

I have my own.

Undeniably, my own little fixation is growing, and I head back to the office. I won’t go back to her room, but I need to think. I need to clear my head if I want this to go the way I planned.

I just want to watch her while I do it.