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“I just wanted a moment of your time. I don’t have long, I need to get back to my guests.”
“Yes, of course. Please, do come in,” she says, prying Seven’s fingers away from the doorframe. I pretend not to notice how difficult that appeared to have been.
“Can I get you a drink?” Three asks.
“No, thank you,” I say, standing in the middle of their living area, feeling more awkward than I ever have in my life. This castle might belong to my brothers and I, but these rooms are their home, the place where they can be themselves behind closed doors…
Or perhaps they’re nothing more than a well-decorated prison.
“A seat then?” Three rushes towards the small two-seater, plumping up the cushions.
“I don’t need to sit. This won’t take long.”
“Why are you here then…Master?” Seven adds with as much disgust as he can muster.
“Seven,” Three whispers, reaching for his hand but he snatches it away, unable to see the hurt look on her face because he’s too busy glaring at me. My stomach roils at the wedge I’ve placed between them, guilt spreads like acid in my gut.
“I wanted to give you this,” I say. Reaching into my pocket, I pull out an envelope, handing it to Three. She takes it from me, frowning.
“What’s this?”
“A cheque for one million pounds.”
She snaps her head up, her eyes widening. “W—what?” she stammers, her hands trembling as she opens up the envelope. On the cheque is her real name. Cassidy King.
“It’s a cheque for one million pounds, Cassidy,” I repeat, using her real name. Giving her the respect she deserves.
“Why?” Her eyes brim with tears as she shakes her head.
“Because I owe you at least a better future than the past I’ve given you.”
“This is bullshit!” Seven snaps.
“Seven don’t,” Three whispers, reaching for him, her slim fingers wrapping around his forearm.
“You think you can pay her off for all the damage you’ve done, is that it?” Seven accuses, his anger spilling over as he takes a step towards me.
“Sevenstop!” she shouts, the cheque crumpled up in her hand as she grabs his arm.
He shakes her off, his anger a feral thing as he strides towards me. Gripping the lapel of my jacket, he bares his teeth at me. “You forced me to hurt the woman I love, you piece of shit!”
“Seven! Please, STOP!” Cassidy screams, her fear punching a hole in my heart. She thinks I’m going to punish him for his reaction. I won’t. I deserve his anger and he deserves an outlet for it.
“I did,” I agree, nodding my head. “And I’m sorry for it.”
“Sorry? You’re sorry?!” he spits, raising his fist, his whole body trembling with rage as he pulls back his arms. “Do you have any fucking idea what you’ve done? I can’t look at Cassy without wanting to rip my own heart out for what I did to her. I can’t sleep from the guilt. Can’t fucking eat. I should’ve fought for her!”
“Yousavedme,” she cries, her tears streaming down her cheeks. “You saved us!”
Fuck, her pain is more powerful than any punch, any kick. I fucking feel it shred at my insides. I never ever want to be that man again. Fucking never.
“I should’ve killed you. I want to kill you!” Seven seethes.
“I know,” I reply, understanding only too well how it feels to be forced to hurt someone at the whim of a twisted bastard. The guilt, the rage, the pain and anguish. I get it.
“He’s trying to make amends, Seven. Let him go,” Cassidy begs, pulling at his top.
“Amends?” He laughs, letting me go with a shove and rounding on her. “It’s just a piece of paper, Cassy. It meansnothing. This is our prison, remember? Prisoners don’t have the freedom to deposit a cheque in a bank let alone fucking spend any money.”
