Total pages in book: 149
Estimated words: 142050 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 710(@200wpm)___ 568(@250wpm)___ 474(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 142050 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 710(@200wpm)___ 568(@250wpm)___ 474(@300wpm)
So much in that house of his he missed, although he reminded himself that his separation from the property was only temporary.
The Brotherhood would of course have taken possession by now. When he returned unto that mansion triumphant, however, he would reclaim it all.
And if they divested his collections? He would buy anew.
One could not afford to be sentimental in matters of material objects when one sought to rule by overthrowing a leader such as Wrath, son of Wrath, sire of Wrath.
Unscrewing the fountain pen’s top, Whestmorel regarded the gold nib. The etching in the metal was so finely done, a reminder that discipline created beautiful things.
He looked up.
Conrahd led the way forth into the room, his suit jacket open, his hand sweeping down his red silk tie as if its unrest irritated him. Behind him, Thermon, in a navy blue blazer and gray flannel slacks, walked with his head down. But the male had never been stupid. That was why he had been chosen from the many who were otherwise qualified by virtue of their bloodlines, finances, and abilities.
“Ah, my friend,” Whestmorel murmured as the pair entered. “Would you care for a drink.”
“No, I would not.” Thermon dipped his torso in a bow, revealing the other character value that had recommended him: There had always been a deference to character that bordered on the subservient. “But I thank you for the kindness.”
And then they all just stood there.
There was no way there would be an invitation to sit. And the fact that Thermon didn’t broach the subject of a chair was appropriate. Yet perhaps he had been a bad choice from the beginning, for all his apparent virtues.
Whestmorel smiled coldly. “There were certain expectations that were placed upon the members of this innermost consortium. When you all came here, unto my safe house, you agreed to the conditions prior to moving in.”
“Forgive me.” The male glanced up, his pale eyes worried. “There has been a… complication within my bloodline. I am simply trying to—”
“We all agreed that we were leaving our families behind.” Whestmorel indicated Conrahd. “He has departed his shellan and young son. Why are you different?”
“I am not breaking our covenant—”
“You already have.” Whestmorel walked over to the view. “You have potentially compromised all of us by—”
“I used a burner phone—”
“You were to have no phone,” he snapped at the reflection of the male. Then he calmed himself. “And we all could make excuses or allowances for those we’ve left behind. But that was the temporary sacrifice we agreed to make, knowing that in our success, our families would vest once again.”
An image of his “daughter” came to mind, the female who had been raised as his own, but who was in fact another male’s. She had possessed beauty and intelligence, and he had permitted her a claim to his bloodline for a while. But she was not his, not really, and thus he had cut her out as this next phase began—and he felt nothing for her departure from his life.
One had to be clear about these things.
And clear about with whom one consorted.
“I saw no one,” Thermon protested. “I communicated—”
“With your shellan.”
“To whom I have been mated these many, many years.” Thermon appeared exhausted with the line of questioning. “I have violated nothing, and if you wish to interrogate her—”
“You do not want me to do that.”
The male’s eyes widened. “Surely you would not harm a female.”
“Surely you would not be so stupid as to procure a cell phone and call out from my property to a female who the Black Dagger Brotherhood could well be monitoring.”
“They know naught of my involvement.”
“And you have decided this based upon what information.” Whestmorel put a hand up. “Do not waste my time answering that. We must assume we are compromised.”
“Is there naught I can say in my defense?” Thermon looked over at Conrahd with entreaty and got absolutely nowhere in his search for a backup. “Shall you just send me out from here after I have been such a loyal supporter of yours for how long the now? Mine was our first donation. I brought the others in.”
“Only to violate the very rules that ensure our safety here. Again, I submit to you, how do you know the Brothers did not get to your mate? You do not.” Whestmorel narrowed his stare. “What, pray tell, was the subject of discussion.”
“My son, he seeks to mate a female who has proven to be unworthy of him.”
“Unworthy how.”
“She has found herself pregnant.” Thermon cleared his throat. “We understand that she went unto her needing, and demanded that he service her. Worse, it appears as if he is following through with the engagement we had previously approved of. My shellan sought my urgent help as they were going for the blessing from the King last night.”