Page 12 of Master B-0361

“Don’t you fucking pull that shit on me. I do have your back. I’ve stood up for you, protected you.I’ve killed for you!”He roared. “Don’t for one second question my loyalty.”

Hale was quiet as he shifted his feet and seethed.

“Take a vacation. Find a beach and cool off. I will speak to Elec and figure out what’s going on. If he did mess with your head, he’ll suffer the consequences. He’ll have to. Like you said, he knows better. Take a breath, Hale. Take two and calm down. We’ll figure it out.”

The giant pulled his brother in, hugging him before nodding and stepping back.

“I know you don’t want to believe me, but he did get in my head, Sebastian. I may not have proof yet, but explain to me why I suddenly have an invitation to become a Master. Tell me why the fuck it’s killing me not to accept the offer? Alpha status, Seb. Not even Beta.”

Surprise drew in my Master’s face. “Elec would never in a million years invite you to the Gardens. Especially as part of its foundation. I’m not even an Alpha.”

Hale reached into his back pocket, pulling free a paper to hand over. A good minute passed before Sebastian’s eyes rose from whatever he was reading.

“He got in your head.”

“Yes…he did.”

Silence.

“Forget tropical. Go to the villa in Tuscany. Stay there for a few weeks. I’m the head of this family. I’ll deal with this.”

“What will you do?”

“Don’t worry about that.” My Master pulled at his tie. “My breakfast is getting cold. Head out. I’ll call you soon.”

“I want to do it, Seb. Why do you think I’m so pissed?I want this. Every second the need gets worse. I could face him, but Iknow I’d drop to my knees and beg him to let me in. I can’t stand it. I literally feel sick over not accepting yet.”

“Son of a bitch. God dammit. Find Mistress Two.”

“Melissa LaRoe?”

“That’s right. Find her and get her to take the need away. Make her fix you and then get the fuck out of here. Don’t come back unless you don’t have a choice. Promise me.”

Hale nodded.

“Good. Make them patch you through and call my Master phone when you arrive in Tuscany.”

“I will.” Hale paused, his eyes coming to me. “It was nice meeting you.” He looked back at his brother. “That’s Maggie. I don’t give a shit what you say. You wanted her back. There she is. I love you, brother.”

“I love you too; but get the fuck out of my apartment. You always do this shit. Out. Go.”

But my Master’s words weren’t all anger. There was something underlining them. Almost a playfulness and yet…chaos. The giant waved, and I couldn’t meet my Master’s stare as he shut the door closed behind him. Only when he was sitting back down before me did he speak.

“He’s wrong, you know. You look nothing like her. Not even a little.”

“I believe you. Not if you’re doing what he thinks. I look nothing like Mae. I’m not beautiful like that so he must be mistaken.”

Green eyes rose to meet mine. My Master took a bite of his pancake, chewing as he kept eye contact.

“Maggie wasn’t beautiful in the classic sense, but you didn’t see that when she was around. She radiated this…energy.” His brow creased as his eyes lowered and he dropped his fork. “I don’t want to talk about it. I have to go find the Main Master.Find something to do. I’ll be back later. If you need anything, just call it in. Food. Whatever.”

Sebastian stood, grabbing his wallet from the counter. He didn’t even look back at me as he stormed through the front door. As silence took over, I played out the morning. Mae’s dead body. He and his brother’s conversation. My mind was swirling. None of it made sense to me, but I knew the entire situation wasn’t good. I was the only slave now, and this was the second time the Main Master had been accused of messing with minds. First, when Sebastian thought he’d made me into Maggie, and now with his brother. Was the Main Master so dangerous that he could brainwash people into forgetting things? Losing time? Becoming someone they’re not?

I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. What I did want to do was get out of here. I hadn’t seen much since I was kidnapped from a bar not far from my dorm room, but I had every intention of exploring the place I’d been brought to. I was a slave, but right now I was free. The rumors spoke of dangers at every corner of the Gardens. With as confined as I’d been, I was willing to take that risk.

Master B-0361

“Idon’t understand why you’re smiling. It’s not very funny, Elec. Did you or did you not get inside my brother’s head?”