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“Fair point,” I say to him. “You’ve got to understand. I grew up without guidance for twenty-five years. Every natural impulse I had was slapped down. Thanks to you, I’m just learning what I am now.”
The ass-kissing works because his gaze softens.
And this time, I keep my thoughts to myself.
You think you’re strong, but there are different types of strength. You’re weak as shit in more ways than you realize. You’re a sucker for flattery. I’ll use that against you.
“If I won,” I say, “are you saying I would be in charge here?”
“Yes, the charter commands it. But you would be required to enforce the Franklin Family Charter, and God help you if you stray. I’m going to teach you all the rules over the next couple of days so you can be a legitimate contender.”
If I win, I’d like to see any of them try to stop the changes I will make.
“I assume there are rules that stop you from eliminating everyone who challenges you by using the GPS capsules,” I say. I wonder where in my body mine is. I have to give them credit. I don’t feel a thing. Never have.
“Of course.” He bristles at the insult. “I would never dishonor the charter in such a way. And if any coward committed such a transgression, the others would rise against them. They would not live to see another day.”
“Naturally.” I manage to keep all traces of sarcasm from my voice.
His eyes drift to the screen where Senator Franklin has just finished with the young woman. She’s crying, pulling her pants up. He’s returned to some paperwork on his desk and ignores her completely as she limps from the room. A little smile curls Artemis’s lips as he watches.
“You can stay here on the property, where it’s safer, for the next month,” he says to me. “Being strong doesn’t mean taking unnecessary risks.”
“I have some other business I’m dealing with,” I tell him.
“Are you talking about your company, or the clubs that you own, or Camille?” I widen my eyes and pretend to look surprised, and I’m rewarded by his smug look.
Oh yeah.Overestimate yourself, and underestimate me, motherfucker. It’ll catch up to you soon enough.
“Mostly Camille. Trusted associates of mine run my company and the clubs. You’re welcome to visit the clubs anytime, although I’m afraid the entertainment is tame compared to what can be found here.”
“You can grab Camille and bring her here,” he says. “The only rule is that she must be available to any man here unless you intend to marry her. We can keep our wives to ourselves, although most of us enjoy sharing them too.”
The idea of anyone else’s hands, mouth, or dick coming near Camille makes my vision swim red. Yes, I’m going to psychologically destroy her and then end her life, but the ghost of jealousy still flares inside me.
“That’s a deal-breaker for me,” I said. “I’m just getting used to your ways, and maybe someday that will change, but my general feeling is what I capture is mine.”
“I hope you’re not putting a woman ahead of the family,” he says with a hint of a scowl.
“No, this is my personal belief system. If anyone comes after me, I am the one to take them down. I don’t call for help. If I want something, I take it myself. Call me old-fashioned, but when I kidnap a woman and mentally break her down to be my slave, then that set of holes belongs to me and me alone. I don’t share.”
“A shame,” he says. “Then I’ll fill you in on what I can this weekend, but you’ll have to leave on Monday.”
I consider asking if that’s in the rulebook, but I suspect it’s more a matter of injured pride.
“I would appreciate any wisdom you can impart, then,” I say, and I see that smug look again.
When I roll my eyes, I make sure I only do it in my head.
Weak as shit.
CHAPTER13
Camille
I no longer trust myalarm system. I’m seriously considering staying in a hotel, but that would only be a temporary solution. Instead, I spent a lot of money having a locksmith put heavy-duty bolt locks on every door in the house, and I nail every single window shut. If there were a fire, I’d be screwed, but at least nobody can break in.
For now, I’ve let Landon talk me into not postponing the wedding. More accurately, I let him guilt me into it. He called me up and sounded so utterly miserable that I caved.
