DARIUS POVDarius could see the fear lurking in Brielle’s eyes. It was as clear as day, and even though he had her trapped, he couldn’t bring himself to do what he wanted to do.He wanted to wrap his arms around her, draw her into a warm embrace, and tell her everything was alright, and she was home now. But he couldn't. He didn't want to startle her any further, and he needed to remain calm given her current situation."How are you doing, Brielle?" He asked again, his voice gentler this time, and clearing his throat, he took his hand from the bed headboard and carefully sat down on the bed.“I’m… I'm fine..." She stuttered, hands going to her forehead and rubbing slightly.She flinched when she touched a small wet cloth, and observing the expression of perplexity on her face, he explained, "You were burning hot earlier when we brought you in. I put something there in the hopes that it might reduce the temperature. "Are you all right now?" She nodded, but her face remained frowning
DARIUS POVThe alcohol Darius was gulping down his throat did nothing to alleviate the questions and thoughts racing through his mind.Grumbling angrily as he took another swallow, the rough taste of the whiskey slammed down his throat, and it caused him to cough slightly.Rocky stood alongside him, talking about the aftermath of the fight they had yesterday, and while he appeared to be listening, Darius knew his mind was elsewhere."What about the guard who was injured?" Darius suddenly blurted out, his first words since Rocky started his reporting.His brows wrinkled as he remembered Brielle's request earlier.The guard had been kind to her, and he’d even been against whatever her captor had done to her.He had even released her when the mansion was under assault, and according to Brielle, she owed him her life. ‘How ridiculous.’ Darius scoffed as his thoughts continued spiraling.Also, he didn't tell Brielle that he'd shot the fucker down because Darius knew she'd be upset at him
MADELINE’S POVMadeline couldn't sleep for reasons best known to her.It was already late at night, midnight per se, yet she was boiling with rage as she replayed in her mind the arrival of Lord Darius and Brielle.They'd arrived the day before, and Madeline, who had been standing outside doing nothing, had seen the vehicle entourage come into the compound.Suddenly the cars stopped, and Lord Darius stepped out of his already open jeep with Brielle in his arms.Running like a maniac, he’d belted out orders, giving directives to guards and requesting the presence of a doctor to check on Brielle.He’d ignored the greetings of the maids passing by, as well as her own, and she’d been more than irritated, but there was nothing she could do about it.Not only did he not respond to her greeting, but he did not even look her in the eyes or stop to acknowledge her at all.Instead, he’d hurried inside the castle with an unconscious Brielle in tow, and Madeline’s already fragile heart shattered
BRIELLE’S POVBrielle blinked as the bright rays flowing through the enormous window reflected squarely on her face, irritating her smooth skin.Tossing and moving a little, her hands on her head, she tried to block out the light even though her eyes were closed, but it appeared to be all over her, and she couldn't seem to get away from it.After much struggle, she opened her eyes, the lids shooting open. At the same time, she heard a husky voice by her bedside ask, "Hey, hey, is anything the matter?"“Ahhhh…” She shouted in terror, leaping from the bed, when she noticed Lord Darius by her side.He was seated by her side now, his massive frame shielding the sun's rays, and while this was meant to provide some relaxation for Brielle, she wasn't sure why she felt the opposite."What's the fright about, Brielle? Don't tell me you forgot about yesterday and that you're already at home." Lord Darius rasped out in haste, and her brows furrowed in uncertainty.She distinctly remembered last
DARIUS POVBrielle's jaw dropped open as Darius disclosed that obligatory piece of information. He had expected this kind of reaction, and he wasn’t surprised that she was staring at him in surprise."Wait, what did you just say?" She blurted out, her hands rapidly wiping at her face, intent on getting rid of the tear streaks adorning her cheeks.If he was angry at the late mistress before, seeing Brielle in tears because of her enraged him even more.It didn't help that she was no longer alive, and again just like every other time, he began to wonder why he had killed her so abruptly.His rage had driven him, and he had taken the irreversible decision, cracking her neck in half without thinking. He’d have kept her alive for a long while so that he could torture her. Every day, he’d make her regret crossing him and disobeying his rules.He'd deliver the much-needed anguish she deserved, and jaw clenching slightly, Darius regretted his abrupt solo decision to kill her that day.Thoug
SOME DAYS LATER BRIELLE’S POV Brielle stood on the balcony of Lord Darius's room, orange juice in hand, and looked down at the activities in the mansion.She was feeling active this evening after so many days of merely laying in bed as Lord Darius had ordered, and a smile curled up her lips as she remembered how protective and kind he had been to her these past few days.She couldn't believe he'd changed overnight, and she was suddenly relieved that the events of the previous few days, no matter how gruesome it was, had occurred.Their relationship was more vital than ever, and Brielle now knew without a doubt that Lord Darius would never let her go.To think she had imagined that he’d abandon her in the hands of those people, not realizing she had been wrong all along.Still staring out the window, Brielle sniffed back happy tears as she reflected on the last few days in the mansion.Her entire day was spent indoors, in his room, as per his instructions, with attendants ministering
MADELINE’S POVHow could he? How dare he? Madeline sulked, repeatedly asking herself the same questions.Lord Darius had flared out at her because she had inquired about the well-being of his submissives and how he was denying them their rights.The way he had yelled, glaring at her with dark hooded eyes, communicated the depth of his anger, and the thought of him hating her that way chilled her."But how could he?" She asked herself again, this time speaking the words aloud.She was more than perplexed.He still had no feelings for her despite everything she'd done, including helping him get back that bitch and even cleaning him up on days when he was a shambles.All the things she’d done, and yet he still treated her like trash. What the heck!Madeline's chest clenched as she realized that this was not the first time he was treating her harshly.She remembered how, on their way back from the slave handler's house, he had been aloof, thinking about whatever and worried too. She had a
BRIELLE’S POVBrielle could hear the sturdy footsteps of Lord Darius as he moved down the passage, coming to his room, of course, but she didn't move at all.She lay stiff on the bed, not making a sound and faking a sleep that didn’t want to come.Her mind racing in circles, she reflected on what she had just witnessed a few minutes before.Lord Darius and Madeline... Her heart was constricting again as she recalled Lord Darius smiling at the traitor, and she bit back the hiss threatening to burst out from her lips.What had they talked about? She was more than intrigued, wanting to know if Lord Darius was having affairs with the cunning lady and other submissives.Repressing the stinging tears that burned at the back of her eyelids, Brielle knew that crying over a man who had complete freedom to do whatever he wanted would be ridiculous.He was not loyal to her, and he had never promised to be, so why was she overthinking this? Why was she even bothered? He’d been this way even befor