Page 60 of Enslaved

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I thought my emotions would turn on with a flip of a switch.

On.

Off. On or off?

It never occurred to me there would be an in-between. Tiny flickers lit up my heart. It was her. Always her that kindled my flame.

She’s more than a man could ever dare to dream of. And she was falling in love with me, a man with no soul, or a black one at best. You see, I only told her half of the truth. Sure, I might develop emotions, genuine feelings, processing them like a normal human. But personality and emotions are separate things entirely. My personality might not change even if the floodlights turned on.

I knew I was ruthless, dangerous, selfish—a man with needs that surpass most. I’d always crave sweet pain, get high from a bout of rough sex, and demand things from her she might not always give. She surprised me, how soft her heart is, how much passion was hidden inside. I unleashed a wildcat, worthy of being my mate. I gave her my trust, something only Alex and Dimitri have outside of my Jin and George. My circle is five. Five people in this whole world who I consider family and in turn, have my back. I’m a lucky bastard for sure, for finding them.

Taking the steps two at a time, I whistle, eager to see my girl. I left her here at the villa so that I could clear off my desk. I spent all day returning emails, phone calls, pissing off people and it made me grin. I loved being me. I almost fell out of my chair when the person on the other end hung up on me. I smiled. Smiled and felt it inside. My barren heart was sowing seeds, and it’s all because of my dove. My love, maybe someday…my wife. If it wasn’t for her, I might not have ever taken the pills.

“Where are you,agape mou?” The house was silent. We made love in every room, so I dismissed my housekeeper and chef. I knew it was hard on Freya seeing us, hearing us…so I sent her to Oasis. I told her she could partake in Alex’s games; at her choice, not his. She was eager to go, and Alex phoned to personally thank me for his “gift.”

I’m glad that worked out because now Jessie and I have been holed up in a lover’s nest for over a week. Sharing more and more with each other every day.

Happy.

A word I never understood, is now all I am.

“Jessie? Sweeting? Where are you?” My heart beat faster. Surely, she wouldn’t run? Leave me now, would she?

I opened door after door, finding nothing but empty rooms. Frowning, I went back to our bedroom. Then I heard her soft laugh. I shuddered with relief. She was here, in my secret office adjoining our room. I froze in shock.

She had gone through my files. Her phone was connected to my computer with a USB cable, transferring files. A browser was open to Ciao! The sleaziest, tabloid in Italy. I had given her the password to login to the Internet never guessing she’d betray my trust like this. She was selling me out. Giving the paparazzi the life story I refused to give them. If I had a fear, this was the worst one coming true.

“Jessie?!” I roared, “What the hell are you doing?”

She spun around, facing me the smile dying on her lips, “I’ll call you back, Andre. It was good catching up. Thank you for helping me…see you soon.”

My hands felt like wrapping around her neck. Instead, I yanked the USB cord from her phone, so roughly, the hard drive crashed to the floor. I checked her phone. She’s guilty. All my medical files were there, saved in her documents. But her email damned her. She sent my records to someone. Probably the editor of Ciao!

When I read her texts, I knew I was going to kill him.Possibly herand some nameless person.

Andre.

Ifired him weeks ago, but here he was in her phone, sniffing around what was mine and worse—she let him.

Then there were dozens of texts from an unknown contact…telling her the secret ingredients to my “magic pills.”

The diamond collar she wore glistened at her throat. She was dressed up in a beautiful strapless coral-colored gown, with her hair in soft waves down her back. Tonight was Alex’s dirty stag party.

The monster in me reared his ugly head. It’s past time he came out to play. I overturned the desk, flipped it straight back on the floor. The computer monitor smashed. Papers went flying. I picked up the office chair, throwing it across the room.

Lamps crashed.

Vases toppled.

My dark heart broke.

“Stop! Christos, please, just listen. My best friend in California’s mother, is a world-renowned scientist at a global pharmaceutical company. She specializes in neuro-psych. I-I didn’t know why it never occurred to me before. She can help you—help us. I’ve been researching every day while you’ve been at work. You need more help…there’s more we can do—”

“I don’t need your help,” I growled, grabbing fistfuls of her hair. “My lights are blinking on,agape. Thank you for showing me what blinding rage feels like. Thank you for the lesson in betrayal—how it burns.”

“I haven’t betrayed you, Christos.”

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