Page 37 of Promise of Punishment

I hook the mask back on my wrist and nod. “Yes. Sorry.”

“This area is off limits. I’m sure you were told.”

Yep. I was told. I just didn’t listen, but I can’t say that. The authoritative way this guy talks makes me think he’s a Lord. From what I remember, the security team was all American, which means this man must be one of the owners, but not the one I was with last night—the Scottish Lord who left me hanging.

Noah said that’s what they do after I gave a brief rundown of what happened in my room.

I wait for him to say more.

“Why are you here?”

“I was out walking, saw it, and curiosity got the best of me.” I give him a sweet smile, certain it won’t matter to this guy, but why not try? “It won’t happen again.”

He shoves off the wall and strolls towards me in a predatory manner. “What kind of curiosity attracts a tiny thing like you to a place of danger?”

I shrug, debating whether to reply. “Maybe I’ve known worse dangers.”

“You like feeling vulnerable then?” He circles me slowly, his gaze on me.

I inhale a deep breath and let my eyes wander around the enchanting space. “There's a kind of peace here, a beauty. Nature is incredible—how it reclaims what’s been abandoned. It doesn’t care; it just settles in and thrives, without anyone’s help.”

“Not from people, but it still depends on things—rain, snow, sunlight, shade, and the temperature, whatever each plant needs. Take all that away, and you're left with an environment that needs to be managed, reliant on systems or people to help it survive.”

Like working here. A giggle escapes, and I snap my mouth shut.

He stops and faces me directly. “Did I say something funny?”

“Not at all.” I shake my head at the dirty floor.

“What is it then? Tell me.”

“I don’t want to offend anyone.” I lift my face to find him close enough to touch his sculpted chest.

“Tell me anyway.” He towers over me, his deep, smoky voice similar to the man from last night. Could it be the same person, and he’s faking his accent now, or was he before?

“And risk getting fired…” I gesture to his imposing body. “You’re obviously one of the Lords.” Are you the one who kissed me and made me come for the first time? Thinking about it has wetness pooling between my legs. I squeeze my thighs together. One orgasm and I’m an addict in need.

He stares at me, his head unmoving, but I can feel his eyes assessing every inch of me. “You should go back to your room and stay there until the party tonight.” Anger seeps into his voice.

What did I do? We were fine, having a nice little Q&A. Maybe not nice, but civil, and then bam, he’s ordering me to my room.

I don’t want to leave. I’m not even close to being done here, but I can’t risk upsetting this Lord. He could tell my Lord, and the deal is off. No job for Fable.

“Yes, sir.” I lower my head and leave the beautiful, condemned wing, reminding myself that I need this position. I’m not a person with options. I’m not a bluebell growing in the wild. I’m a plant locked in a greenhouse, reliant on assistance to survive.

16

DON’T TOUCH HER

Wes

I watch Fable leave and walk across the stretch of grass with her hood pulled over her gorgeous hair. I told her last night she could only be mine, and she was just flirting with another man—Lord! Flirting might be extreme, but she was turned on. I saw it when her thighs squeezed together the same way they did last night. At the time, I was talking dirty to her. What on earth could have turned her on a moment ago?

If another Lord or staff member advances on her, I will beat them to a pulp and then do it again for good measure. As much as I wanted to avoid this, I’ll have to make an announcement to the Lords that she’s mine.

It will stir shit up because I’ve never done it. They’ll want to know if Camila is fair game now. I’ll have to say yes. She’ll need a distraction while I’m occupied. If things don’t go well with Fable, naturally I’ll want Camila back. She might not like being tossed aside for another staff member. I’ve never done it before. That could cause friction between them. I don’t want that for Fable. I talked her into working here full-time, planning to keep her a secret from Camila. But since I won’t be sleeping with her anymore, the truth will have to come out.

If I don’t handle this carefully, it will turn into a damn mess.