Page 29

Maeve

The garden and the playroom were my two favourite places.

I loved Saul’s house not because it was beautiful but because every single room held memories of us in them.

After that night, he had taken to fucking me where ever he found me.

It made my cooking lessons difficult and unsanitary. However, it might have had something to do with my new wardrobe and my teasing.

I fluffed up his pillow and moved Bear to my side.

He never said anything but the way he looked at him sometimes I feared for Bear’s stuffing.

I frowned as I stroked Bear’s belly all the murderous looks were when I was affectionate with Bear.

Who would hate Bear when he wore the cutest red sweater?

I smiled when I heard his footsteps on the stairs.

We usually came up together, but he said he wanted to double-check the house's security system.

As he opened the door, I realised he was a flawless liar.

He carried a large tray toward the bed, but I squirmed in embarrassment when he reached me.

“I take it you don't want me to sing you happy birthday?”

he said with a cocked eyebrow.

“God, no. Please do not sing it,”

I said, already feeling overwhelmed.

“Maeve, it’s a cupcake with a candle in it. How much more low-key can I get?”

he exclaimed, setting the tray on the nightstand.

“I know. I’m not used to the attention,”

I said, smiling awkwardly at him but stifling a groan when I saw the love-heart-wrapped presents.

“So you can violate my credit cards as much as you want, but I can't do this?”

he asked, scratching his head in confusion.

“You make a valid point, sir. I love the internet,”

I said, thinking of the clothes, shoes, and books that I’d bought. I might have a problem.

I lifted the cupcake, looking at the flickering flame flutter.

“Thank you,”

I said before closing my eyes to make my wish.

His hand rested on my thigh, and I reached out to him until he held my hand. I wished for him to be with me on every birthday I had.

I blew on the cupcake. My favourite. Chocolate, fresh vanilla cream and strawberries.

“Happy Birthday, Maeve,”

he said as I opened my eyes to his expectant green ones.

Before I could say anything, he handed me a present and put the cake on the tray.

I thought it was a book, but when I ripped open the white and red paper, I saw a framed picture of me, my dad, and Bear.

It was taken in the hospital when Bear was new and when I was innocent. I touched my Dad’s face through the glass as hints of memories sneaked back.

“Why did she do it? What did I do? How can a mother—”

I asked, stopping before my tears fell. She didn't get to spoil our time.

“Addiction, selfishness or some people are simply evil,”

he said softly.

“I would eat out of rubbish bins and work harder before I sold children,”

I snapped at him angrily.

He took the photo frame out of my hand to place it on the tray before he pulled me onto his lap. I swung my legs around to dangle them between his and held onto him. My anchor. His arms closed around me, and he rocked his leg.

“You always know how to calm me down before I burst,” I sighed.

“Usually, I just stick my dick inside you,”

he said, his words rumbling in his chest, but he made me smile.

“I cannot thank you enough for what you are doing,”

I said, knowing he would continue to eliminate the men who prayed on vulnerable women and children.

“Uh, part of your gift is some good news,”

he said, and I sat up at the hesitance in his voice.

“We found another girl.”

My mouth fell open, and I gasped.

“Alive?”

I asked, wincing when I remembered the girl’s dead eyes.

“Alive. She is being looked after, and I've heard that recovery is going well.”

“God, it never occurred to me that the evil bastard would get another girl. Do you know her name?”

He pushed my hair back, glancing at my scar before kissing my forehead.

“Daisy,”

he said, and I beamed at him.

“Daisy,”

I said, repeating her name with a smile.

There would be no more nameless girls dying in that horrid grey basement.

I hooked my arms around Master’s neck and pulled him down for a kiss. His gift and cake were perfect, and I wanted to show him how much his efforts meant to me. I caught sight of his hand, reaching behind us to toss Bear off the bed.

The magnificent, jealous, crazy man.

Who was I kidding?

I loved that he was jealous of a stuffed animal.

**

The rest of my presents were jewellery.

I inspected the beautiful princess-cut diamond engagement ring under the sun’s rays, watching it sparkle.

There was a gold heart pendant with a tiny key encased in glass inside.

The pendant's chain was short and rested above all my scars. The man was certifiably insane, but he chose everything with so much care that he put me to shame.

He thought I couldn't see him in the windows following me around with binoculars.

Cameras, sensors and barbed wire surrounded the house.

I wasn't going anywhere—even if I wanted to.

His crazy antics were endearing.

I breathed the warm air into my lungs, relishing the sounds of the bees buzzing, the gentle breeze rushing through the leaves and the chirping of various birds.

I hoped to always appreciate the smaller things in life because they made me grateful for everything and everyone that I was blessed with.

I sat under the giant oak tree, waiting for him to come out and join me.

The man with a thorn in his name yet never caused me pain.

I smiled.

The only pain he gave me was the one that heightened my pleasure. I leaned back on the rough bark and closed my eyes, thinking of Saul.

My soon-to-be husband, lover, protector and the Master of my fragile heart.