14. Chapter 14

Chapter 14

-Jared-

Alison drifted off to sleep again in my arms, and as I held her, I couldn't shake the uncertainty lingering within me. Was I proud of my actions, succumbing to her provocation and kissing her so forcefully? While the taste of her was undeniably intoxicating and reclaiming that power was satisfying, I knew we were teetering on a delicate precipice.

Either Alison would shatter irreparably, never to recover, or she would find her way to the other side. Yet, I felt uncertain about how to achieve that balance. It would require a lot of effort from both of us. I wished it were as simple as asserting control over her again, subjecting her to the kind of torment unique to us, but I knew it wouldn't erase the agony.

Gently, I shifted Alison to the side and laid her down on the bed, tucking her in with the blanket before slipping away. She murmured softly, sensing the loss of warmth, but she didn't stir. Locking the door behind me wasn't to confine her, but to ensure her safety as she rested.

As I made my way downstairs, hunger gnawed at me, and I realized how famished I was when I finally sat down to devour some late breakfast. Yet, I wasn't the only one drawn to the food. Astrid entered the room, and the moment our eyes met, I sighed, shaking my head.

"Well, look who's up, and not exactly looking thrilled. Didn't you play your dark games with your slave all night after being apart for so long?" she taunted, helping herself to some food from the fridge.

"Do you truly think so little of me?" I countered.

"I'm not quite sure how to answer that, given your behavior last night," she replied, and I couldn't argue with her observation.

"Have the results come back?" I inquired, eager to shift the conversation.

"Is that all that's on your mind?" she teased, a smirk playing on her lips.

"They don't take long to come through. I'm sure you have a private doctor," I pressed.

"I do, and I will send them to you."

"Good," I replied, focusing on my food, though I could sense Astrid's scrutiny.

I lifted my head. "What?" I asked.

"You really didn't touch her? Has someone finally broken her?" she inquired.

"No," I answered firmly.

"No to what part?"

"Just no, and don't even ask about Alison anymore. From this point on, no one but me has anything to do with her," I declared, my tone leaving no room for argument.

"So possessive," she taunted.

"Very, and I'm not going to pretend otherwise. You don't think about her, you don't ask about her, and you leave her alone," I retorted, my voice steely.

"Very well. She was after all just part of the deal," Astrid pointed out, before leaning closer to the kitchen island. "But do you remember what was also part of our deal?"

I felt a chill creep over me, but I maintained a neutral expression as I met her gaze. "She has just returned," I stated.

"Perfect timing then," she remarked.

Internally cursing, I knew Astrid had waited for this moment. She wanted to assert her dominance and remind me of our arrangement. What better way than to grant me what I desired only to make me submit to her again? But I had anticipated this, and it was only for one night.

"Fine. When?" I asked, resigned.

"Tomorrow night," she replied.

"Okay. I will come to your room tomorrow night," I agreed.

"Then I will start preparing," she teased, before grabbing a spoon and her yogurt bowl. However, before leaving, she turned back to me. "Last night," she began.

"What about it?" I inquired.

"How many cousins do I have left?" she asked, a hint of vulnerability in her tone.

"One," I replied bluntly.

"I see," she nodded, before departing. Despite her defiance against her family, blood ties still held weight. I watched her leave before returning my focus to my food.

After finishing my meal, I retreated to my other room, changing into fresh clothes and tending to my personal needs. I didn't want to disturb Alison's rest. Once ready, I made my way to Astrid's office. She seemed surprised by my presence, but I hadn't come for idle conversation. I needed her to start a new search, and I had valuable information to provide.

"Are you that bored now?" she taunted me.

"No, but Noah informed me that Finn has been named the next heir and is being groomed for the position," I informed her.

"Not surprising," she replied casually, before adding with a smirk, "though, he can't give birth."

"No, but he can get someone pregnant. We need to remove him," I pointed out, and Astrid nodded in agreement, a low curse escaping her lips.

"We do," she affirmed.

"I also need to figure out where Vince is hiding. If Alison was never with him, then I have no lead to him," I said, voicing my concern.

"Interested in spending your day with me?" Astrid teased.

"Not really, but you still hold most of the answers with all your connections to your father," I reminded her.

She smiled knowingly. "You're correct. I do."

"Then let's get to work, shall we?" I proposed.

She extended her hand, and I took a seat in front of her as she handed me a stack of papers.

"What's this?" I asked, eyeing the pile.

"Phone calls," she revealed.

"Jesus," I groaned, overwhelmed by the sheer number of calls before me.

"Maybe one of them might have been Vince's," she suggested optimistically.

"Maybe," I murmured, resigning myself to the task at hand as I reached for a pen. It appeared this was going to take hours.