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F lowers. Always so many pretty flowers. I may have missed seeing my Master, but he always made sure I knew he was here. Even if we did see each other every day. Still, had this been the third time we’d missed each other this week? Had he come recently? Earlier this morning?

I hated how I was constantly being taken to different rooms, but it was needed to help me heal. Not just physically, but mentally as well. I had my Master to thank for that, not that I was enjoying working through my life with a stranger. Still, Sebastian said it was for the best, and maybe he was right. I wasn’t completely okay. It’d only been a little over a week. Although my body was healing and nowhere near as injured as it could have been, it was the nightmares and the fear that kept me in this hospital room. But not for long. My Master was coming to get me, and I was looking forward to that. The odd pull to be with him hadn’t wavered. Not after the care he showed when I was injured. Had anyone been so protective over me? Had anyone shown such possessiveness or anger over someone harming me? Hurting me? Definitely not my mother. Never any man I’d ever known.

“All set, eight-forty-two. Is there anything else you need?”

I pushed from the wheelchair, standing without so much as a wince. I really was fine, despite the lacerations. They were healing. I only had a few stitches in my stomach, but they’d dissolve in time. I wanted to leave. I wanted to go home.

“I’m great. My Master brought more flowers. Do you know if he left me a message on when he’d return?”

“I’ll check for you.”

“Thanks.”

I lowered to sit on the edge of the bed, smiling as Sebastian peeked through the door. He was in a dark suit today as he stepped in.

“You’re here. We were just going to check to see if you left a message. Are we going home now?”

At Elec and another man following him in, my smile fell.

“We’re going home. They just have some questions for you first.”

“Alright.”

“How are you, eight-forty-two?”

I tried to bring my smile back as I looked between the men.

“I’m better. Thank you, Main Master.”

“Great. This is Master One. He’s the head of the board and will be recording this conversation.” Just as the Main Master said that, the man lifted a device, hitting a button. “We wanted to talk to you about Jett LaRoe. We just need some clarification as we wrap things up for his trial.”

I nodded, looking between them. “I’ll tell you everything I know.”

“Excellent. Master One, go ahead.”

A man with brown hair and green eyes stepped forward. He appeared older than the Main Master and Sebastian, but not by much. Where the other two wore dark suits, Master One’s was a medium gray.

“Hello, Margaret.”

“Hello, Master One.”

“I want you to think back to the first time you remember seeing Jett LaRoe. Where were you?”

“At the door, when I thought he was the slave delivering the coffee.”

“You told your Master that he mentioned seeing you in the city. Is that correct?”

“Yes.” I laced my fingers, twisting them through the memories. “He said he saw me by Ashley’s Boutique. He noticed that I liked that place, so he was waiting for me to go back. That we could have…had fun sooner if my Master wouldn’t have shown up on the elevator.”

Master One nodded. “Did you let him in your apartment?”

“No. He asked if my Master was home. I told him he was busy, to come back later. That’s when he pushed his way in.”

Sebastian shifted, clearly still angry as he continued.

“Master Three-sixty-one claims you were incapacitated and unresponsive when he arrived. Did Jett LaRoe cause this?”

“He did. He used my Master’s code word to shut me down.”

“Did he tell you how he got it?”

“He did.”

The Main Master’s gaze lifted from his phone as I shifted on the edge of my bed. His lips tugged back on one side, and he watched me as I continued.

“The man, Jett, he said the guards should take better care when it comes to their tablets.”

The men looked back and forth at each other. Satisfied?

“Did he happen to mention when he broke into the tablet?”

“No. Just that he did.”

“Thank you, Margaret. Is there anything else you’d like to add?”

My eyes met my Master’s encouraging gaze, lowering as I nodded.

“He planned the attack. He told me the plan. He mentioned how the rooms had cameras, but all anyone would see was how.” I stopped.

“Go ahead, Margaret.” Sebastian stepped forward, taking my hand. “Keep going. Tell us everything. Try not to leave anything out.”

“He said…he said all the stupid Main Master would see was how a slut slave was fucking his replacement. That’s when he went into his plan. He said he was going to say that we met in the city, and that I wanted this. I didn’t. I swear I don’t know that man. I never saw him before he pushed his way through the door. He just attacked me. He said I was supposed to be his. He…kept stabbing me with that thing. He.” My voice was shaking so badly, I could barely continue. “He said he was going to come back to me after he finished dinner with the Main Master and his mother. He mentioned tricks. He had tricks, and he was going to get me to do things to myself. He had that thing…thing…at the bottom of my eye, tracing the lower lid. I thought. I was so sure he was going to.” My head shook, trying to block out the images that wouldn’t stop playing. “That’s when he heard my Master and ran.”

The Main Master nodded, and the recorder was clicked off.

“That couldn’t have gone any more perfect. We have it. Her story will corroborate the footage to the T. We have his confession recorded but to have her on tape validating it is better. We’ll get the board together this evening and let you know a date for the trial. It’ll have to be fast. The world is about to come to a stop. This isn’t done. It’s never been done. Not to anyone so deep in the circle.” The Main Master looked at me but went back to Sebastian. “We all need to hold on tight. The death is easy. What comes after will not be.”

My Master nodded, glancing between the two men as he talked in a hushed voice. “When has life ever been easy for any of us? We wanted a change, and if this isn’t a hell of a beginning to one, I don’t know what is. We have to set an example. That kid is a risk to everything we’re building. A solution solved early is a problem prevented. There’s no hope that kid’s mindset doesn’t leak into the outside world. I don’t want to imagine the damage he’s already caused. Sparing his life is not worth the risk. How would one of you like him as the betrothed to your future daughter, because someday he will have to marry. With ‘who’ he is, it’ll be someone’s daughter in the circle. We’re all pretty damn close. It’s a sickening thought. There’s no way it should happen. Our families are everything. The wives. The children . No fucking way in hell I can let what he did slide. He’s not safe. Your replacement, Elec? That’s his mindset?”

The Main Master looked at Master One, and they both nodded.

“You’re right.” Elec let out a breath. “It has to be done. He can’t be trusted. Not at the Gardens. Not with a chosen. I won’t risk it. What’s the word on Hale?”

Sebastian’s hand flexed as he held to mine.

“He’s waiting for my call. He’ll be here through the trial to show his support of our family, for me, and…to take his place as a Master. He’ll be here. And if I want to be honest, I think maybe you were right with him needing this. I don’t know what happened to my brother. He won’t tell me, but whatever it was, it wasn’t good.”

“No, it wasn’t .” The Main Master slid his phone into his pocket. “Have him report to me when he’s ready. I’m busy this morning so if anyone needs anything, call. In the meantime, keep low and quiet. Don’t talk to anyone.” His stare came to me. “I’m glad you’re okay, slave. Take good care of your Master.”

I glanced at Sebastian, nodding. “Always, Main Master.”

“Good.”

As he and Master One left the room, Sebastian lowered to sit next to me on the bed.

“How are you feeling today?”

“Better. I’m good.”

“Good enough to leave here?”

I smiled. “Yes.”

“Excellent. I figured we’d head home and make some coffee.” His green eyes softened. “Maybe even watch a movie or two. I got you this...” He laughed under his breath. “It’s stupid, really. Nothing big. It’s just this really soft, fluffy blanket for when you’re watching your shows. I thought it might help you feel better and…calm things inside of you.”

Was I smiling too?

“I like coffee and fluffy blankets.”

“Good. But we’re really going to have to talk about the shows you watch. If I have to sit through another episode of Pieces , I’ll lose my mind.”

I laughed, standing as he did.

“I was getting a little tired of it anyway. I’m open to suggestions.”

“We’ll find something.”

My Master held out his arm, and I took it, following him out of the hospital room. Walking was slow but steady. It was nice to finally see a different side of him. I knew his demons. I knew his darkest desires. I also knew it wasn’t everything he was. Here, he didn’t have to hide his true nature, and although that put me at risk, I was praying our slave and Master relationship was taking a turn for the better. At least enough to keep me alive. But I was smart to know the truth.

There were no guarantees for happiness at the Gardens. Today’s good mood could be followed by tomorrow’s worst nightmare.

“Ugh, I have to stop laughing. I just… can’t .”

“One more episode,” my Master chuckled. “This is great. It’s just getting good.”

“I’m going to pay for this later. I just know it. My poor stomach.”

The smile faded from Sebastian’s face, taken over by a seriousness. He was sitting on the other side of the sofa, and there’d been such a comfortable companionship between us as we shared popcorn and started a new comedy series, but that was over now as he leaned closer to my curled, propped up body.

“I didn’t consider your injuries. Are you okay?”

“I’m a little sore. I just need a quick breather before we start the next. It’s okay. The injuries weren’t bad, really. I probably could have come home the second day.”

“It’s true. They could have been worse. We were lucky.”

At his change, I couldn’t help but sit higher against the arm of the sofa.

“Would it have truly mattered if he would have killed me? I mean—I know my time is limited anyway. I just wonder if maybe.” I grew quiet, shaking my head. “Sorry. What a downer. Let’s not go there. Dinner’s in a few hours. Are you the least bit hungry? If we have time, I can try to make us something to eat. I’m not sure what we have, but I can put together a small grocery list if you’d like me to cook for you.”

Green eyes blinked through my words.

“You don’t have to do that, Margaret.”

“What if I want to?”

“You want to cook for me? You just got out of the hospital.”

I shrugged. “I’m not incapable. You can help me if you want.”

He smiled, his lips pursed together as he looked down, only to bring his focus back on me.

“I have to confess; I have no idea how to cook. I’ve never tried.”

“You don’t know how to cook?” I laughed, leaning over and taking his hand. “Oh, this is brilliant. We’re going to cook, and we’re going to have fun doing it. Do you like music?”

“We’re cooking with music?”

“We are.” I let go of his hand, easing to stand as I headed to the counter. “What would you like for dinner, my good Sir. Anything you desire.”

Sebastian let out a bellowing laugh. “I like Mexican food.”

“You don’t say.” My head tilted as I gave him a dazzling smile. “I grew up in the deep South. We are going to make a meal you’ll never forget. So, let me see.” I grabbed a piece of paper and a pen. “For this, we will make the tortillas. We’ll need some flour. Some?—”

“Wait.” Sebastian stood. “You’re going to make them from scratch?”

“Of course.” I wrote down the ingredients, glancing back up. “We can make carne guisada. Carne Asada. Hmm. Arroz con Pollo. Tacos, of course. Or, we can try our hand at homemade burritos.” My lips peeled back in a cringe to expose my teeth. “I’m not going to lie, mine always come out a bit greasy, but oh so crispy. I wouldn’t say they’re the best though.”

He laughed. “I love your honesty. Well, let’s play it safe and go with carne guisada.”

“With Spanish rice, beans, and tortillas?”

“That sounds like heaven.”

“Great.” I added them to the list. “We used to let our beans cook throughout the day, but we have a few hours. It should be okay if we put them on soon.”

“You grew up making food like this?”

I shrugged, swallowing through my past. “My stepfather expected it.”

“I see.”

“Yeah. He wasn’t the nicest guy.”

“Margaret.” Sebastian walked over, grabbing one of the bar stools to sit on. “I read through your slave file while you were in the hospital.”

“My slave file?”

He nodded. “All slaves have them. It covers the medical screenings and bloodwork all slaves have to undergo. It also has family history if anything is triggered in the system concerning you or those closest to you.”

“Like police records and stuff?”

“Yeah.”

“So, you know.”

“He wasn’t a good guy.”

At Sebastian repeating me, all I could do was nod and agree.

“He hurt my mom a lot.”

“And you.”

“Yeah.” I pulled out the other stool, easing to sit as I stared at him.

“You left there though. You went to college. You were finishing up your bachelor’s in health sciences. You applied to Med School. You’re really smart.”

Tears blurred my vision as I spun back to look down at the list, taking glances at him.

“So close but so far. Story of my life.”

“You had a softball scholarship.”

I laughed, more out of surprise at hearing him say it than him actually knowing. It was so odd to hear about who I used to be. It felt like another life entirely.

“I was really good.”

“I believe it.”

His gaze kept scanning my face as he looked for whatever words he wanted to say.

“Margaret, I’ll be honest. I can’t quite put my finger on why I bought you. I needed a new slave, yes, but when our eyes locked as you passed...” He stopped. “Maybe it’s true and you do look like her. Maybe it’s so close, my mind refuses to see just how much. All I know is, I like you. I didn’t expect that. I didn’t want it, truthfully. When I shut you down, you weren’t meant to come back. Not more than a few minutes at a time. And now that you’re here, and this ,” he gestured to the television and the list, “I need to go with my gut on this one, and that’s that you’re not safe to stay here with me.”

“Wait.” My head shook and that ping of my past roared its head. It was a twist of loneliness, of pain and loss, and a weird slash of losing Sebastian. It made zero sense. “You don’t want me anymore?”

“It’s not that I don’t want you. I have things I need that I can’t get from you.”

“Dead things?”

He gave me a dry look. “Maybe.”

“I told you…I know ways. We can replicate what you need. Can’t you at least see if you like my ideas?”

“Are you aware that you’re offering me a sexual proposal?”

My mouth opened at my pause. “I like sex.”

“With me?”

Was my face red? It was on fire because it was the truth. I coped with sex. I used it to help me work my way through my hardest times. Maybe it was wrong, but to me it just worked.

“Did I give you the impression that I didn’t? If I recall, Master…I couldn’t get enough.”

Sebastian cupped the side of my throat, bringing me forward, just inches from his mouth. For seconds he didn’t move. He just kept looking between my eyes and lips.

“No.” He let go, grabbing his phone. “Is this your list?”

“You didn’t like being with me?”

He snatched the paper, not returning my stare.

“I fucking loved it. You are not healed enough to have this conversation and by the time you are, you’ll be safe with Hale.”

“ What? You’re giving me to the giant?”

That did bring his eyes up.

“He protects women. That’s his job. He’ll look after you while you work at the hospital. I’ve already cleared it with the Main Master. He’s fine with you learning under the staff and working there.” His brow creased. “This is a good thing, Margaret. The best life you can lead down here. When you’re finished with whatever training they provide and they move you up to being a doctor, or whatever you choose, they’ll provide you your own apartment. When that time comes, I’ll grant you your freedom, here at the Gardens.”

“Why can’t I do that living here?”

“We both know you can’t.”

My head shook. “Of course I can. What about Hale? Does he not have needs too? Isn’t that why he’s here? I’m supposed to just…impose? Have him tiptoe around me as he’s trying to figure out his own issues?”

Sebastian’s face hardened.

“I suppose you’re right. I’ll figure it out. Even if I have to somehow rent another apartment. I’m sure that’s possible.”

“So, then I’m alone, navigating this place by myself? Did you forget how that turned out last time? Whatever. I think I’m seeing the bigger picture now. Rent me my own apartment, Sebastian. …I’ll be fine.” I stood from the counter knowing I hadn’t hidden the hurt in my voice. I was not well enough to think rationally. I was terrified of facing strangers. Afraid of someone hurting me again. Hell, I was traumatized from the evil violence I’d undergone. And now I’d be alone with no protection ? With no Sebastian?

Who was I kidding? I knew the truth. Sebastian thought he lost me, and to him, I resembled Maggie. He’d lost one. He couldn’t lose another, and cutting ties with me was the safest thing he could do. I should have been elated. I should have been praising God that I was being set up with an actual life here. And a part of me was. But I was sad, too, and even though I shouldn’t want to stay with him, the feelings were impossible to ignore.