14. Kinsley

14

KINSLEY

There is a chill this morning even though the sun is out. I prefer it this way. Seated on the large landing on the first floor, I look out over the lake in the distance. It’s my favorite place to sit and read or think. Currently, I’m deep in thought, wondering how the dinner Tiberius was summoned to went last night. He returned home late and in a foul mood, judging by the way he slammed the doors.

There is something about the man that draws me to him. The intensity with which he looks at me has something to do with it. I like that look. It makes me feel warm and maybe a little reckless. I was certainly reckless when I watched Tiberius jerk himself off in the shower. His cock felt like silk in my hand. He’s beautiful naked.

I stand and move closer to the window. I rest my forehead against the cold glass and cast my eyes over the lawn at the rear of the property. It extends all the way to the lake, where a three-jetty marina is situated, with forest flanking the property on either side. The private forest stretches for miles in each direction and is part of the estate, making it my property. There are a couple of fire roads around, but they’re probably overgrown by now. I wouldn’t know for sure, as I haven’t gone out there in a while.

There is so much that I don’t know, so much that I thought I knew, only to discover I know nothing. Deep down, I know my parents had only wanted to protect me, but I hate that they hadn’t trusted me with the truth. Surely if my father had known something was going to happen to him and Mom, he’d have been honest with me.

I swipe at a wayward tear and inhale deeply as I pull away from the window. No one else is up and about yet, so I head downstairs to the kitchen.

Marie pauses and glances at the large clock on the wall as I appear.

“I couldn’t sleep.” I shrug. The coffee machine sits, waiting to be used, so I smile at Marie. “Is there a thermos?”

“In the cupboard above the machine.”

“Thanks.”

I find a lovely green one. It reminds me of the Grinch. I place a pod into the machine and get it going. While I wait, I head to the pantry. Marie watches me from under her lashes as she kneads dough on a floured surface. The moment I step inside, my eyes zero in on a box of oatmeal and chocolate bites on a shelf. They’re my favorite, which I haven’t had in forever. I peel the lid back and remove two, shoving them into my pockets.

“Today is going to be a good day, Marie.”

She laughs. “If you say so.”

“I do.” I put another pod into the machine because it’s a large thermos.

“Are you going somewhere?” Marie asks, waving toward the machine.

“I’m going outside for a walk. I love this kind of weather.” I smile. “Is everything all right with you with Martha no longer being here?”

Marie frowns at first, but then a shy smiles spreads across her face. “It’s nice not having to run around at her command. I managed just fine yesterday with the evening meal too. Edgar took me shopping, so the fridge, freezer, and pantry are well stocked.”

“I’m glad.”

When the coffee machine finishes, I add some milk to the thermos, give it a stir, and top it off with the lid.

“I’ll be down by the lake if anyone asks,” I inform her.

“Shouldn’t you wait for Jock?”

“I’ll be fine.” I smile and head out of the kitchen door.

As soon as the door closes behind me, I inhale the fresh scent of morning dew. I take a moment to enjoy the quiet. There is no sound other than the occasional rustle of branches when they get caught up in a strong breeze.

My thick sweatshirt keeps most of the chill from reaching my body, and I just stand there, enjoying the momentary freedom. I step away from the house and stroll along the gravel driveway that circles it. Then I follow the stepping stones my mom insisted on placing here, which lead to the edge of the forest. I look up, trying to see the top of the tall trees, and wonder just how high they are. Moving under the cover of them, I slowly make my way along the footpath that leads to the lake as I sip my coffee.

Overhead, a large bird calls out—more than likely a crow, as there are many around here. Occasionally, I see smaller birds feeding from the feeder I helped my father build. As I near the lake, I hear the gentle lapping of the water and the soft creaking of the trees. My shoes crunch along the gravel shoreline. I set down my thermos and dig through the large storage box for a chair. I drag out a minty green Adirondack chair and set it up.

I settle into the seat with my drink in hand, staring out across the lake and up at the large glass house. The windows are black, and you can’t see inside, which I have tried to do in the past. I often wondered who lived there, and now I know it was Tiberius. I used to wonder why my father was never bothered that the owner of that house could easily see ours.

Sighing, I shift my gaze further north, noticing how the sun reflects beautifully on the water. A tear trickles down my cheek as fond memories pop into my head. Jude Elliott might not have been my biological father, but he was my dad. He loved me and treated me as his own. I never felt anything less from him.

I freeze at the sound of footsteps approaching. Jock? Tiberius? No, it can’t be them. The sound isn’t coming from the direction of the house but from the end of the fire road, about a ten-minute walk away. My heart starts to pound, and blood rushes to my head. I need to move—and quickly.

I gasp and jump from the chair at the sound of a snicker behind me. I turn and come face to face with two men I’ve never seen before.

“Who are you?”

“We just want a little chat, princess.”

I narrow my eyes at the asshole who called me princess. “That isn’t my name,” I hiss.

My feet slowly move toward the jetty, which is visible from the house. Unfortunately, I can’t be seen from my current position.

“This is private property.” I swallow hard as I try to keep my gaze on the two men. It’s difficult to do so when they split up in an attempt to cut off my escape.

“Our boss wants a report about you. I figured as you’re out here alone, you could come back with us. Best report he’d ever get.”

I notice the frown on the man to my left.

“Murray, I don’t think he wants us to kidnap the girl.”

“Shut the fuck up. Of course he wants the girl. Everyone knows that.”

“Who wants me?”

“Edge,” the man identified as Murray says before lunging at me.

I throw my thermos at him, and he curses as it smacks him in the face. I turn tail and run toward the jetty.

As soon as I burst from the tree line, I scream, “Tiberius!” If anyone is up, they’ll be able to see or hear me now. “Tiberius, help me!” I scream again.

I make the mistake of looking over my shoulder. The asshole who did all the talking gains on me. He reaches out and grabs a fistful of my hair. I scream and scream as he whips me around and takes me down to the ground. I dig my nails into his side and receive a punch to my face, which silences me. I manage to get a knee between his legs and, using all my strength, drive it upward. He hisses in pain, but my response only makes him angrier.

I scream again, “Tiberius!”

No sooner does his name leave my lips than the asshole is hauled off me. Jock has the man in a strong grip. I roll over and push to my feet, wincing from the pain in my face and the tremors running through my body. Then I see him. Tiberius comes flying down the lawn in nothing but jeans. I don’t care. I stumble toward him and throw myself into his arms. He scoops me up into his embrace, and I wrap my arms around his neck, burying my face in his shoulder as I sob. My legs fasten around his hips, and I hold on tightly, with no desire to let him go anytime soon.

“I’ve got you,” he says roughly. “What the fuck, Jock?”

“Edge’s man.”

Tiberius curses. “Send him back to Edge with a fucking message.”

With that, Tiberius carries me up to the house. I cling to him, refusing to let him go.

As we enter the house, one of his hands slips up the back of my sweatshirt. I shudder in pleasure at his touch.

“Fuck, Kinsley,” he groans.

We head upstairs. It isn’t until he sits me on the vanity and untangles himself from me that I realize I’m in his bathroom. He gently brushes my hair away from my face. His eyes darken as his jaw tightens.

“Let me clean you up.”

Tiberius turns on the hot water tap and soaks a face cloth in the sink. He wrings it out and gently cleans my face. He rests the warm cloth against both cheeks, and I sigh, feeling a deep sense of comfort as he takes care of me.

“You’re trembling.”

“Shock, I think.”

“You need a bath to warm you up.” With those words, he steps away and turns on the taps in his large bath. He frowns. “Do not move. I will be right back.”

He leaves the bathroom, and I hear him exchange a few words with someone in the hallway. Soon after, he returns with a bottle of bubble bath from my bathroom. He tosses some into the running water and smirks.

“Do not tell anyone this.”