Darren showed me all around the mansion,keeping my handinhis the entiretime. Even when I pulled to get a better look at something, herefused to let go or even let me walk any farther away from him. Ifelt like a dog on a leash.
The house had about a dozenbedrooms, fourteen bathrooms, and four offices.I learned that my room was on the east wing of the mansion andDarren’s was on the west wing. He did not show me which room washis,though. I guess I would haveto wait to find out. As we walkedthroughthe halls, I found it difficult to keep up withwhere we were. I had a feeling if I hadn't stayed close to Darren,I would have gotten lost. I also noticed how masculine all thefurnishings and decorwas,as ifthe entire house was created in Darren's image. I was glad that myroom was lacking in that department.
The upstairs also had a built-inmovietheater with lots of comfy couches andchairs. I was allowed to watch any movie or TV show I wanted, andif the selectionswerelacking, Icould make requests. There was even a little snack bar forpopcorn.
Every now and then, I would see one or twomen walking around the house dressed in black fitted military gear.Seeing them made me a little nervous for some reason, but I madesure Darren didn’t catch me staring at them by attempting to lookthe other way. No need to cause trouble at the moment.
As we went downstairs, I was finally able totake in the large living room with a spectacular view of the oceanfrom the wall of windows. A massive cobblestone fireplace stood offagainst the wall with sleek black leather couches, glass coffeetables, a large flat-screen TV, and a white Persian rug completingthe scene. The kitchen was a chef’s dream withall stainlesssteel appliances, dark marblecountertops, and dark wood cabinets.
There was a basement down the hall that ledoff from the living room containing a fully stocked bar andkitchen, pool table, entertainment system, anotherfireplace,and brown leather couches.
Downstairs also contained a weight room withmany punching bags, exercise machines, weights, and plenty ofmirrors everywhere. There was even an octagonal fighting cage inthe corner of the room along with grappling mats covering a goodtwenty square feet. Damn. As we entered the gym, we passed severalmengrapplingand lifting weights,but they paid no attention to us and Darren paid no attention tothem. I guess this was also where his guards trained when they wereoff duty. Darren showed me the locker room, showers, and sauna thatwas all attached. As we left, I noticed another door at theopposite end of the room that he had yet to show me.
“What about that door?” I asked. I assumedit was a closet, but I wanted to be sure of everything in thishouse.
He sighed heavily atmebut gave in to my demand.
“I’m only showing you this to put yourcuriosity at ease.” He tugged me along to the door and stoppedright in front of it. “But know this. If I ever catch you in hereor lingering at the door for too long, you will be punishedseverely, do you understand?”
“Yes,” I said a little confused. Jesus, whatthe fuck was he keeping in there?
He gave me one last warning look, and I knewhe was serious. He opened the door with a fingerprint scanner andled me inside, tightening his grip on my hand. Inside was a verybarren room with glossy wooden floors, mats, more mirroredwalls,and more hanging punchingbags. There were also several variations of Wing Chun dummies andat least five cork dart boards screwed into the walls. But then Inoticed what was hanging on the wall closest to me and my jawnearly hit the floor.
Weapons. Lots of them. Not guns or rifles,no, these were weapons for a martial artist and my mouth dropped inenvy at the vast selection he had in his possession. There wereseveral sets of katanas strategically placed on the walls andvarious bo staffs standing tall in a beautiful woodenrack, some for show and some for actual battle.There were even sais, commas, arnis, nunchakus,shurikens and small throwing knivesall hangingfrom the walls. I could feel my hands twitching to get a hold ofone of them. It all looked so beautiful and tempting.
“Wow,” I whispered under my breath, taking asmall step forward, true appreciation seeping through. “Now, thisis impressive.”
Darren coughed, and I was brought back frommy trance. I turned to look at him, realizing he had been studyingmy reaction the entire time.
“Did you ever train with weapons?” he askedin a very serious tone. I thought about lying, but maybe he wouldbelieve a partial truth.
“Only a little.” I shrugged. “I've had sometraining with thebo, but that’sabout it.”
I had a lot more than “some” training. I hadbeen practicing it since I was eleven years old, and it was one ofmy favorite weapons. I had dominated in competition with it andhoped none of those videos were online. I had also dabbled a littlewith thesaisand the sword, butthat really was the extent of my weapons training. The rest of mylife got in the way.
Darren nodded at my answer, thankfullyseeming satisfied. “This is where I like to train, and you are notever to disturb me when I am in here. Do you understand?”
“Yes, I understand.”
I didn't know why he was so nervous about meknowing about this room. Obviously, he did still see me as quite athreat should the right weapon ever come into my hands, but in allhonesty, when it came to my escape, I wouldn't be going for aJapanese sword. I’d be going for a goddamn gun.
“But there is one contradiction I can’t helpbut point out,” I dared.
“And what is that,” he asked narrowing hiseyesatme. This was his warningstare; I had that much figured out.
“You do see me as athreat. Otherwise, you wouldn't forbid me from thisroom.”
I didn’t know why I was provoking him, butif ever there was an opportunity to build myself up, I would takeit, even if it meant Darren’s retaliation.
His sigh was heavy and filled with annoyanceas he rolled his eyes. He took both of my hands in his and strokedhis thumbs over my still bruised knuckles and fingers, examining myfreshly manicured nails and lingering on the busted knuckle frompunching him in the mouth this morning. I noticed the swelling inhis lip had gone down a lot since then.
“These are going to break,” he whisperedunder his breath.
“Huh?” I replied, confused.
“Okay, Jaden,” he said. “I’m going toindulge the little fantasy you have where you think you can beatme. I’ll warn you right now, you can’t, but I’m fine with lettingyou try so that you can see for yourself which one of us is thesuperior fighter. If this is what it will take for you to realizethere is no escaping me, then so be it.”
He let go of me and walked to the center ofthe room, his hands fucking with his phone before taking off hisjacket, shirt, and tie and tossing them to the floor by the wall.All he had on now was the black tank top he wore under his clothesand his dress pants and shoes.
