Page 10 of His to Possess
I stood by the window, my reflection a dark silhouette against Chicago's fading light over the skyline. The city sprawled before me, a canvas of colors and shadows, much like the intricate game I was about to play. I heard the soft whoosh of my private elevator, followed by measured footsteps. Nolan and Remy had arrived.
I turned, my movements deliberate, controlled. "My friends," I greeted them, my voice low and steady. They nodded in response, settling into the leather chairs I had positioned for this meeting. With a simple command, I engaged the AI assistant. "Activate privacy protocols." A soft beep confirmed our conversation was now secure.
No one needed to know about this. No one but these two, at least. It had been a while since I last felt an attraction like this toward someone. Laurel Bowers was everything I had been searching for. Captivating, smart, and, most importantly, sheseemed to reach into the most primal part of me. The one who enjoyed the chase beyond anything else.
Therefore, I followed my standard protocol in cases like these. I wanted to know everything about her. I wanted to study her habits, learn her preferences, and be her second shadow. One thing was certain, this was a hunt, and she was my prey. I had no intention of letting go.
Nolan didn't waste time. He produced a thick file, placing it on the glass coffee table between us. "Everything you wanted to know about Laurel Bowers," he said, his tone businesslike.
I leaned forward, my interest piqued. "Go on."
Nolan opened the file, his eyes scanning the first page. "She left Paris in a hurry six months ago. There was a scandal involving forged artwork at the gallery where she worked."
My eyebrow arched. "Was she implicated?"
"Not directly," Nolan replied. "But her reputation took a hit. She chose Chicago to start over, although her family lives on the West Coast."
I processed this information, feeling a mix of intrigue and something else. Disappointment? No, that wasn't quite right. Challenge, perhaps. I had always enjoyed molding imperfection into something exquisite. And I'd always managed to succeed, one way or another.
Remy leaned forward, his eyes sharp. "She's been careful since arriving here. Keeping a low profile and rebuilding her reputation slowly. She's involved with quite a few influential figures in her circle. Likely trying to stay relevant in her profession."
I nodded, appreciating her strategic approach. It was exactly what I would have done in her position. But then Nolan's next words snapped me back to attention.
"There's one more thing," he said, his tone carefully neutral. "She's been seeing someone. A coworker at the Art Institute. It's new, but…"
I felt my jaw tighten, an involuntary reaction that I quickly masked. But I knew Nolan and Remy had noticed. They were too observant to miss such details. When they exchanged glances, I didn't like it.
"What? Tell me," I commanded. I felt my muscles tense as Remy leaned forward. I recognized the expression he wore, the same one from when he tried to talk me out of acquiring the Monet last year. But this wasn't about art. This was about Laurel.
"Rex," Remy began, his voice low and measured, "I think we need to discuss your interest in Ms. Bowers."
I raised an eyebrow, silently challenging him to continue. He didn't disappoint.
Remy sighed, exchanging a glance with Nolan. "We've seen this before. Your 'collections' leave a trail of devastation. Not to mention that you tend to get slightly… obsessed. And with that, you abandon everything else that interests you."
The room grew silent, the weight of his words hanging in the air. I remained still, my face a mask of indifference, but inside, I felt a storm brewing.
"Remember Amanda?" Remy pressed on. "After you discarded her, she spiraled into depression. Lost her job and her apartment. Last I heard, she was in rehab. Not to mention that she kept talking about you, and a lot had to be invested to ensure she doesn't point an actual finger in your direction."
I clenched my jaw, memories of Amanda flashing through my mind. She had been exquisite, a perfect addition to my collection. Until she wasn't. It was unfortunate, but I always considered it just part of life. Nothing more, nothing less.
"Or Sophia," Nolan chimed in, his voice gruff. "She moved back to her hometown and couldn't handle being in the cityanymore. She ended up suicidal. Imagine if she had taken her own life, and if the police looked into it. Do you really want your name dragged across the news?"
My posture stiffened, the tension in the room growing thick enough to cut with a knife. But Remy wasn't finished.
"Laurel's already struggling," he said, his tone softening slightly. "If you pursue her now, in her current state… the consequences could be severe. For her career, her mental health, everything. Something could happen to her, and sooner or later, you'll find yourself involved in a mess you can't escape."
I stood abruptly, unable to sit still any longer. I paced to the window, staring out at the city below. Part of me wanted to lash out, to remind them of their own obsessions and dark desires. I never judged them for it. I couldn't believe they had the audacity to judge me for mine, like they were better than me. But I knew they were right. I had always known the aftermath of my collections. I had just never cared. I still didn't.
I turned back to face Remy and Nolan, my lips curling into a cold smile. "Your concern is touching," I said, my voice low and controlled. "But entirely misplaced." I strode back to my chair, settling into it with deliberate grace. "You speak of devastation, of lives ruined. But tell me, what exactly do you think happened to these women after they left my collection?"
Remy opened his mouth to respond, but I raised a hand, silencing him. "No, let me enlighten you both." My eyes gleamed with a dangerous light as I leaned forward, my words dripping with a mix of indignation and pride.
"Amanda, whom you so kindly brought up, left my employ with a substantial severance package. Enough to fund her recovery and set her up comfortably for years to come. As for Sophia, she chose to return to her hometown. With my connections, she secured a position at a prestigious firm there. Hardly the picture of ruin you paint."
I stood again, unable to contain the energy coursing through me. "Every woman who has been part of my collection benefited from the experience. Financial support, career advancements, connections in high places—these were not trifling matters. I ensured they were well taken care of, even after our arrangement ended."
My voice rose slightly, passion seeping into my words. "The Cartier bracelet for Elizabeth, the penthouse apartment for Claire, the all-expenses-paid year in London for Vivian—these were not the actions of someone leaving devastation in his wake." I may be fucked up—that was certain—but I was also generous. I rewarded those who deserved it and gave credit where it was due.
