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I was already through my first cup of coffee by the time my Master appeared, already showered, and dressed…smelling good enough to swoon over. It wasn’t enough to stop the trembling. Perhaps it was nerves. Caffeine. Or…maybe it was the bruising I saw around Mae’s neck. I couldn’t be for sure of that though. I had never seen a dead body before. Whatever it was, I was trying my damn best to get this Master to like me, and I was too awkward and introverted to know what to do. I felt lost. Like I was doing more harm to myself than good. But I was trying to hide it. I just had to find the balance between quiet and pleasant. Maybe even helpful if I were going to survive this nightmare I’d been thrown into.

“Where’s my breakfast?”

The Master spun, scanning the surroundings as I moved deeper into the kitchen.

“I put it in the oven to stay warm. I didn’t want it to get cold.”

“Oh.” He seemed surprised as he fastened his watch. I quickly opened the oven. “Did you already eat?”

I popped up from behind the counter, meeting his eyes as I put the tray on the top of the stove to remove our plates. “I was waiting for you.”

“To eat?”

“Of course.”

“Don’t do that.” A dissatisfied look appeared, but he headed over, meeting me at the small table as I put down his plate and stepped back to the counter with my own. “What are you doing, slave?”

“Eating over here.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Sit.”

Was I making things worse? God, I was. I was overthinking what I should do. I had to stop that.

As I sat down, I kept my head bowed, staring at my food as I began to eat. Two bites in and I remembered the coffee.

“Black?”

“I’m sorry?”

“Your coffee? Do you drink it black, or do you prefer sugar…cream?”

I went to stand but stopped as his hand shot up.

“Eat. I didn’t buy a d ? i . I can get my own coffee.”

And he did. He stood, leaving me at the table as he swept by. I tried to ignore his aggravation as my head lowered again.

“I usually don’t drink coffee here. I’m surprised you even found any. I usually buy my coffee from the cart in the lobby.”

“I’ll remember that.”

“You really don’t have to. Just…” He walked by the table again with his cup, sitting. “Just do what I tell you to. If I don’t ask, don’t do it. It’s very simple.”

I nodded, debating to say more when knocking sounded. The surprise couldn’t be held from my Master’s face.

“Did they already pick up the body?”

“Yes, Master. While you were in the shower.”

“Who the hell is that?”

My hands clutched in my lap as he stood and headed for the door. When he opened it, my lips parted through shock.

“Hale. What are you doing here?”

A tall man in a leather jacket, covered in tattoos, pushed through, walking my way in a quick stride. The moment he saw me, he jolted to a stop.

“Hale. I asked you a question.”

“Who’s this?”

I stood, heading for the giant who couldn’t have been mistaken as anyone other than my Master’s brother. Both had light blond hair. Both had light colored eyes. My Master was tall, but this man dwarfed him. He was easily a few inches shy of seven feet.

“I’m slave eight-forty-two. So nice to meet you, Master.”

“Oh, hell no.” His head gave a hard shake. “Don’t say that.” He glanced over. “She looks like Maggie.”

“No she doesn’t.” My Master angrily shook his head.

“Bullshit. It’s her bone structure. Her jaw and cheekbones.” His eyes squinted as he moved in closer to my face. “Same eye shape. Same hair color. It’s a little eerie, actually. Is that what you’re doing here?”

“You don’t worry about me. Why are you here, Hale?”

The giant scanned my face again, finally turning to my Master.

“Because I’m pissed.” He got quiet, confusion and uncertainty filling his tone. “He did it. He had to of. I keep replaying it over and over again. The bastard fucked with my mind.”

“Elec? No way. We’re immune. Off limits. You know that.”

“Immune? Off limits? Apparently not anymore. I’m telling you. I’ve gone over the last few weeks and I’m…missing shit. Time. I’m missing a check-in while I was here. It was the first night June was moved to the apartment. I was protecting her. I was doing my job. You know me , Sebastian. I wouldn’t forget to report. No way in hell. He got in my head, and I don’t like it. I’d confront him, but…I think that’ll make things worse. I have to make a report.”

Silence played out between them as my Master placed his hand on my lower back, leading me to the table. He didn’t have to tell me to sit. I lowered, dropping my head again as I quietly started eating.

“You’re mistaken, brother. It’s been a rough few weeks for us all. You most certainly have vacation time. I think perhaps you should take it and go somewhere tropical. Don’t rock the boat. Let it go and keep your distance.”

“Are you fucking with me too? You want me to let him get away with breaking one of our laws? I’m off limits. To all of you. Especially him. I warned him that I’d go above his head, and I’m going to. Elec thinks he’s the all-mighty God because he’s the Main Master, but he’s still Elec. He’s not shit. Fuck him. He crossed the line, and he’s going to pay for it.”

My Master’s head shook, and he let out a sigh.

“Are you positive that he’s done this? Do you have evidence? You can’t go to the Uppers and present your case without proof. You know that, Hale. They will laugh you out of there so fast, and you’ll lose all credibility. I know you’re mad at the thought but think rationally. Do this right.”

A growl came from the giant.

“How would I have proof? He controls security. He has access to all the cameras here. Everyone is his fucking puppet.”

“Then let…it…go. Until you have proof, you have nothing. Do not tarnish our name with a temper tantrum in front of the Uppers because you don’t like Elec. You have status most of us don’t because of your job protecting the wives. Your reputation is flawless. You’re smart. Act like it.”

Hale’s head shook as he glared toward my Master.

“I’m not stupid, Sebastian. As my brother, I thought you’d have my back. I should have known.”

“Don’t you fucking pull that shit on me. I do have your back. I’ve stood up for you, protected you. I’ve killed for you!” He roared. “Don’t for one second question my loyalty.”

Hale was quiet as he shifted his feet and seethed.

“Take a vacation. Find a beach and cool off. I will speak to Elec and figure out what’s going on. If he did mess with your head, he’ll suffer the consequences. He’ll have to. Like you said, he knows better. Take a breath, Hale. Take two and calm down. We’ll figure it out.”

The giant pulled his brother in, hugging him before nodding and stepping back.

“I know you don’t want to believe me, but he did get in my head, Sebastian. I may not have proof yet, but explain to me why I suddenly have an invitation to become a Master. Tell me why the fuck it’s killing me not to accept the offer? Alpha status, Seb. Not even Beta.”

Surprise drew in my Master’s face. “Elec would never in a million years invite you to the Gardens. Especially as part of its foundation. I’m not even an Alpha.”

Hale reached into his back pocket, pulling free a paper to hand over. A good minute passed before Sebastian’s eyes rose from whatever he was reading.

“He got in your head.”

“Yes…he did.”

Silence.

“Forget tropical. Go to the villa in Tuscany. Stay there for a few weeks. I’m the head of this family. I’ll deal with this.”

“What will you do?”

“Don’t worry about that.” My Master pulled at his tie. “My breakfast is getting cold. Head out. I’ll call you soon.”

“I want to do it, Seb. Why do you think I’m so pissed? I want this . Every second the need gets worse. I could face him, but I know I’d drop to my knees and beg him to let me in. I can’t stand it. I literally feel sick over not accepting yet.”

“Son of a bitch. God dammit. Find Mistress Two.”

“Melissa LaRoe?”

“That’s right. Find her and get her to take the need away. Make her fix you and then get the fuck out of here. Don’t come back unless you don’t have a choice. Promise me.”

Hale nodded.

“Good. Make them patch you through and call my Master phone when you arrive in Tuscany.”

“I will.” Hale paused, his eyes coming to me. “It was nice meeting you.” He looked back at his brother. “That’s Maggie. I don’t give a shit what you say. You wanted her back. There she is. I love you, brother.”

“I love you too; but get the fuck out of my apartment. You always do this shit. Out. Go.”

But my Master’s words weren’t all anger. There was something underlining them. Almost a playfulness and yet…chaos. The giant waved, and I couldn’t meet my Master’s stare as he shut the door closed behind him. Only when he was sitting back down before me did he speak.

“He’s wrong, you know. You look nothing like her. Not even a little.”

“I believe you. Not if you’re doing what he thinks. I look nothing like Mae. I’m not beautiful like that so he must be mistaken.”

Green eyes rose to meet mine. My Master took a bite of his pancake, chewing as he kept eye contact.

“Maggie wasn’t beautiful in the classic sense, but you didn’t see that when she was around. She radiated this…energy.” His brow creased as his eyes lowered and he dropped his fork. “I don’t want to talk about it. I have to go find the Main Master. Find something to do. I’ll be back later. If you need anything, just call it in. Food. Whatever.”

Sebastian stood, grabbing his wallet from the counter. He didn’t even look back at me as he stormed through the front door. As silence took over, I played out the morning. Mae’s dead body. He and his brother’s conversation. My mind was swirling. None of it made sense to me, but I knew the entire situation wasn’t good. I was the only slave now, and this was the second time the Main Master had been accused of messing with minds. First, when Sebastian thought he’d made me into Maggie, and now with his brother. Was the Main Master so dangerous that he could brainwash people into forgetting things? Losing time? Becoming someone they’re not?

I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. What I did want to do was get out of here. I hadn’t seen much since I was kidnapped from a bar not far from my dorm room, but I had every intention of exploring the place I’d been brought to. I was a slave, but right now I was free. The rumors spoke of dangers at every corner of the Gardens. With as confined as I’d been, I was willing to take that risk.