The Boss (Chateau 3)

I opened my eyes and looked at him, tears on my cheeks, my lips, in the corners of my eyes. “She’s there because of me. She wouldn’t let me leave alone because she loves me so much…and she would do it again even if she knew what would happen. She would give up her life for mine in a heartbeat.” I shook my head, my voice cracking with tears. “And I shit all over that. What kind of person am I? I’m living in this fucking palace and fucking the guy who keeps her there. I just abandoned her… She would never abandon me.”

He watched me with those dark eyes, his features expressionless. For the first time ever, he dropped his gaze and looked at the cushion between us. The intensity was gone from his gaze. He looked like a different person—just for an instant.

I looked at the coffee table and forced the tears to slow, forced myself to calm. Otherwise, I would get a migraine from this grief.

“Chérie.” His voice was cloaked in such affection, it was like he physically touched me, physically reached his hand out and grabbed mine.

I turned back to him.

“People think life is complicated, that we wind up in situations because of a series of decisions. People think they happen to life. But in reality, it happens to us. Life happened to both of you, Melanie. You can blame it on yourself, but you were targeted before you even knew it, and it was going to happen, regardless. Maybe that would have included her. Maybe it wouldn’t have. No way to know. Because life isn’t complicated. It’s very simple—and random. To assign guilt is pointless.”

“It’s more than that—”

“If Raven were in your position now, here with me, do you think her behavior would be any different?”

“Yes. She never would have slept with you. She never would have—”

“She’s sleeping with Magnus, so I don’t believe that. There’s literally nothing you can do for her. You can’t run. You can’t go to the police. All you can do is accept your reality. And you aren’t a bad person for enjoying it too.”

I dropped my gaze. “But I’m weak. I’m a weak person.” I was just baggage to her when we tried to escape. If I were smart, I would have understood my surroundings and not had been captured in the first place. If I were strong like Raven, I wouldn’t need Fender to make a fire.

“I don’t see what you see, chérie. I see a beautiful, kind, lovely woman. If you were anyone else, Gilbert would be unemployed right now. If you could die by your sister’s side, you would. You’re a woman who likes to be taken care of, and you shouldn’t apologize for it. You don’t deserve to feel guilty for being who you are. I love taking care of you. I want to take care of you every single day. I want to give you a life that you deserve. I wouldn’t want you any other way. That’s just how I am—and I won’t apologize for it.”

I looked at him again, seeing the confidence in his gaze, seeing a man who overwhelmed me with sincere compliments. “You’re the only one who has nice things to say about me.”

His eyes softened until they turned sympathetic. “Because I’m the only one who really knows you, chérie.”

My eyes started to water as I looked at him, for a variety of reasons. “If you really feel that way about me…please do this for me. You were right when you said I can’t run to her. I can’t go to the police. My sister would never give up on me if the situations were reversed, and the only way I can save her is if you agree to do this for me. So, if you feel anything for me…please.”

He held my gaze for a long time, his eyes still, his breathing nearly unnoticeable.

“I will always feel this way. I will always suffer. I will always wake up with nightmares of her with that rope around her neck. She will always be in the back of my mind, consuming my thoughts anytime I’m alone…even when I’m not alone.” My hand reached out to his, and I squeezed it between both of mine. Two tears dripped from my eyes and down my cheeks simultaneously. “Please…I beg you.”

His eyes slowly shifted away, looking at another point in the living room.

“You’re the boss. You can do whatever you want—”

“I told you I don’t negotiate. I don’t make exceptions—”

“You took me.”

“That’s different. The guards know exactly why I did that. To take her is a different scenario, especially after all the grief she’s caused—”

“The exception is not for her. It’s for me.” I squeezed his hand tighter. “She’s always going to fight. She’s always going to cause grief. Your life will be easier when she’s gone—think about it that way.”