The Boss (Chateau 3)

He came with a loud groan, filling the condom that separated us, shoving himself as far as he could go without hurting me as he finished. His forehead rested against mine until he was completely finished, the gentle rock of his hips coming to a standstill. His moans died away, and all that was left behind were breaths.

My nails released his scratched skin.

He opened his eyes and gave me a passionate kiss like he still had a little bit left in his engine. It had tongue, breath, possessiveness. He pulled himself out of me and rolled off me.

I winced when he left my body, aware of the soreness now that the passion was gone.

He pulled off the condom and tossed it aside before he immediately got dressed, like he had no intention of sleeping beside me.

I was so tired that all I did was turn over and pull the sheets over me. I didn’t even care about the stain that my wetness had left behind. My body and mind were both exhausted, and I just needed sleep.

He didn’t seem to have brought a shirt or a jacket, so he pulled on his boots and prepared to leave. But he hesitated.

I heard him stop, my eyes on the dead fire, unsure if he was looking at me or had something to say.

His bootsteps sounded as he moved to the fireplace. He kneeled, added more logs, lit them on fire, and made the cabin brighten once more so I would stay warm for the rest of the night. “Goodnight, chérie.”

Six

Soft Graves

Fender

I stepped into the infirmary and stared down the only doctor I had on duty.

He looked at me from his chair then quickly rose to his feet. “What do you need, Boss?” He approached the table between us, his eyes slightly fearful like he didn’t know if I was there to berate him for something.

“Birth control.”

He didn’t have any reaction at all, even though I’d never made that request before, and the only people who did were the guards that had relationships with the girls. Not romantic relationships. Barter relationships. They gave them medicine, desserts, books in exchange for pussy. It was the only currency used in the camp. Wordlessly, he unlocked one of the cabinets and pulled out a pack before he set it on the table between us.

Footsteps sounded behind me from the door that I’d left open.

I took the pack and slipped it into the pocket of my jacket before I turned around.

Magnus stood there, his hood up and his face unseen.

I didn’t need to see his face to recognize him. I could feel him, could discern him based on his energy alone. His emotions and thoughts were like visible words in the air, and they were palpable, absorbing directly into my skin.

He knew exactly what I’d placed in my pocket.

And he disapproved.

A wordless conversation passed between us. I stared at where his eyes were located, and his invisible stare drummed into my face. When he didn’t speak, I stepped around him and exited the cabin.

He came after me and joined my stride, but he didn’t address what he’d seen.

I didn’t give her the pills beforehand because I knew she wouldn’t take them. Pills were unreliable unless she wanted to take them. After last night, I knew what she would do. We walked past Alix, and I stopped to look at him.

He immediately stilled and waited for orders.

I pulled the pack out of my pocket and extended it. “Cabin #44.”

Alix took the pack and walked off without questioning me.

Magnus and I continued on our way. “What is it?” I asked the question as we walked side by side.

He was quiet as he headed into the headquarters.

I stopped in my tracks and stared him down.

He looked at me through the darkness of his hood.

“Have something to say to me? I have shit to do today.”

Magnus looked away and continued to walk.

I joined him.

“The Hunters want a bigger shipment since we don’t need their services for the time being.”

Business. All I wanted to talk about was business. “Alright.”

“How much can I distribute?”

“Double.”

“We don’t have enough for double.”

I halted again and looked at him. “I told you to increase the shipments.”

“And you know that’s not easy.”

“Then make it easy, Magnus. When I leave, I will speak with Bartholomew.”

Magnus nodded.

“And when I return, I expect the shipments to have been increased. Do whatever is necessary.” I moved forward.

“We can’t compromise the quality of the product. If we demand—”

“Then don’t compromise.” I stopped again and stared him down more aggressively, because he was wasting my goddamn time with these excuses. “We don’t negotiate, Magnus. Get it done.”

When I headed to her cabin, I went alone.

I didn’t need my men anymore.

I didn’t need them to stand outside and listen to her come.

I unlocked the door and stepped inside.