Page 11 of His Paradise

“Boss left some fresh clothes for you, sunshine.” Percy carries them into the bathroom, getting her towel out and starting the shower.

“He’s so kind,” Olivia mumbles, her eyes popping wide when she notices my clothes.

“Not a word about the dress, Liv. Big blue didn’t do any of that for me, I think he has a soft spot for you.” I eye him warily, not sure if his interest is a good thing. She shakes her head, picking at the skin around her nails as he steps out of the bathroom.

“Can’t imagine anyone has any good in them if they’re in the company of that monster.” Her voice is soft, but I know Percy heard her when he huffs out a breath. I drop onto the bed, peering out the windows to watch the sky darken. My mind begins to drift, imagining what Aden and Leo are doing. Aden must have torn the house apart by now. I really hope Luna will be able to bring him back from the edge.

Tears burn at the back of my throat when I realize how badly I want him to come for me, while praying he stays away. I can’t live in a world without Aden in it, and I would trade my freedom a thousand times to ensure he and our son had long lives.

The door swings open, and I quickly brush away my tears when David walks in. His gaze ripples across my exposed skin, leaving me feeling dirtier than I had before my shower.

“You’re joining me for dinner, wife.” He says, holding his hand out. I glance towards the bathroom, grateful that Percy blocks the entire doorway with his broad frame. David waves a hand, dragging me to the hallway.

“I’ll have something sent up for her meal. Unless you’d prefer I bring her instead?” He offers. I stop struggling against his hold, the fight leaving me in one sudden breath. “Such an obedient little thing.” David snorts a laugh as we round the bottom of the stairs, heading to a part of the house I have not yet seen. I don’t get a grand tour, instead I’m dragged towards the back door that leads to the yard, my bare feet padding over the cold floor. As we step outside, my heart sinks a little at the sight of massive walls surrounding the entire property, topped with barbed wire.

“Even if you escape, you will never be able to get away from me.” Davids leads me towards a small round table that is surrounded by candles.

“What is this?” My voice is more nervous than I intended.

“A romantic dinner with my soon to be wife, obviously.” He pulls my chair out, waving a hand for me to sit. This all felt like a final meal before the end of my life.

Chapter nine

Nina

This is a nightmare. I cradle my arm to my chest, blowing on the welted red skin. David lost his temper when I didn’t eat fast enough, and he held his fork over the flames of a candle, slamming it to my wrist before I could react.

“You do this shit to yourself, Nina. I hate correcting you, but one day you will learn not to push my buttons.” He breathes hard, his knuckles turning white from how hard he grips the table. The only sounds are the waves on the ocean and my soft whimpers. All I can smell is my burnt flesh as I hold my wound close, realizing that I might break sooner than later if this continues.

“Go get her the medical kit. I’ve lost my appetite.” David sighs, crossing his arms as he stares past me. “I was thinking of adding some flowers. This yard feels so bleak, don’t you agree?”

I choose my words carefully, ensuring my voice is steady when I speak. “Flowers are a nice idea,” I say.

“I’ll have some brought in. You and Olivia will plant them tomorrow. Maybe we could get a dog. Would a dog make you happy, baby?”

“Any gift you give me would make me happy,” I grit my teeth, the lie tasting bitter as I bite my pride.

“There’s my good girl. Prove to me that you can take care of this puppy and we’ll start discussing babies. We will have three or four, of course.” He chuckles, rising from his seat and dropping a kiss to my head. I stop myself from flinching away by digging my nails into my arm as he kneels next to me, taking the med kit from his guard when he returns.

“Oh I hope this doesn’t leave a scar, baby. I don’t think I could stand seeing your pretty skin ruined.” He frowns, carefully tending to the injury that he inflicted. I keep my eyes cast down towards his feet. When he’s done, David leaves without another glance in my direction as he answers his phone. I stare up at the dark sky, smiling at one small victory that he apparently doesn’t know about.

Leo was an emergency c-section, and there were complications that ended with a hysterectomy. I wouldn’t be having another child and that was fine for Aden and I. We only wanted our little boy anyway. Another guard comes up, offering me his arm. I take it, peering at him from the corner of my eye as he guides me inside. He’s broad shouldered, his head shaved bald and a skull tattooed on the back of his head.

“My name is Grayson, ma’am. You can call me Gray.” He says, his voice deep and gravely. He opens each door, slowing his pace to match mine as he guides me back to my room. Olivia is sitting on the couch, staring down at her clasped hands when we enter the room.

Percy steps forward, bumping his fist to Grayson’s as he leaves the room.

“Percy said Grayson is kind and that we will be safe with him.” Olivia says, smiling up at the mountain of a man. He sighs, shaking his head as he closes the door.

“Percy is soft. He shouldn’t be here in the first place, he needs to stop running that jaw.” He grumbles.

“Why does he work for somebody like David?” Olivia whispers as if she’s afraid somebody will hear her. Grayson shifts uncomfortably, tilting his head as he listens for any sounds in the hallway.

“We aren’t all beasts, ma’am. Some of us did what we had to for somebody we love.” He looks at me, nodding in respect. I sit on the edge of the bed, searching for the metal cuff. That’s when I notice Olivia isn’t wearing one and they’ve been removed from the room.

“What happened to our chains?” I ask.

“David had them removed. He said that you weren’t going anywhere.” Olivia says, not looking at me.

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