“It doesn’t matter. The underworld serves its purpose. Time is ticking Kai. How long do you think it will take to find it and return?”
“I don’t know. A week maybe two.”
“Then you had better get started.”
“And Emma will be unharmed.”
“Yes.”
“Can I have a few minutes alone to say goodbye?”
“No.”
“Fine.” It was worth a try. Of course Garrick didn't trust Kai to honor their agreements if Kai had Emma away from his watchful eye for even a second. Garrick knew the only leverage he had was with Emma firmly in his possession. And Garrick was right. Kai would have no reason to follow through with their bargain if he could get Emma alone. If he was within touching distance, he could protect her, and if he could protect her, Garrick had nothing to bargain with.
“I’ll be back as soon as I can,” Kai promised Emma.
“Don't do it. Don’t give it to him Kai. He doesn’t deserve it.”
“You know I’ll do whatever it takes to protect you. I promised you.” He caught her eye and held her gaze. He hoped Emma understood. It killed him to leave her behind.
“Don't. It’s not worth it. I'm not worth it.” Emma's self-depreciating words pierced like a dagger to his heart.
Kai ignored her plea and turned his glare at Garrick. “Not one hair on her head is to be touched. You got me?”
“Of course. We have an agreement.” Garrick said smoothly.
“That's never mattered to you before. I'm warning you right now, it’d better matter this time!” Kai looked pointedly at Emma, “It's gonna take me some time. I may be away for a week or two, but I’ll check in. I'll be back as soon as I can.”
“I know you will. Just hurry back.”
“Yes. Do hurry. As touching as this is, don't think you should be on your way? The sooner you leave, the sooner you’re back, and we all get what we want,” Garrick cut their goodbyes short.
“You just stick to our agreement. I'll stick to mine.” Kai's gaze never wavered from Emma’s as he shot the warning to Garrick.
“Just remember if you double-cross me in any way, I will make her suffer more than anything you can imagine before she dies.”
Kai shot Garrick a murderous glare. He looked to Emma. He could see fear hovering in her eyes. She tried to hide it from him but her watery eyes gave her away. They were full and bright with unshed tears. To her credit, she didn't flinch or cry. She’d bravely told him she wasn't worth giving in to Garrick. If only she understood how wrong she was. Emma was worth everything to him. Could he risk it all for her sake?
“Don't worry Emma, I'll be back soon, and this nightmare will be over.” He hoped he sounded more confident than he felt. In this game between him and Garrick there were no guarantees, too many variables were beyond the players’ control.
“Kai don't do it! He’ll never honor an agreement. He has no honor. He’ll kill me as soon as he gets what he wants.”
“No, I won't let that happen. I have no choice. I have to leave you with him. Just remember your safety is the only thing he has to ensure my cooperation.”
“Enough!” Garrick commanded. “Say goodbye Emma. Like I said, the sooner he leaves the sooner he returns with my future.”
“Em, I’ve gotta go now. I promise you I’ll be back soon.”
“I love you.” She silently mouthed the words. A single tear clung to her lashes then spilled over and splashed onto her cheek. Kai reached to brush it from her cheek. The guard holding her jerked her away while another shoved Kai in the direction of the door. Without a second thought, Kai whirled around bringing his elbow up as he did and delivered a sharp jab to the jaw, the guy behind him crumpled to the ground out cold.
Garrick chuckled and cautioned his remaining guards. “Let that be a lesson to you. Never underestimate the Hunter and never let him get close. He can turn lethal in an instant. Hurry back, Hunter. Your precious Emma is waiting.” He taunted. He flicked his head towards Emma. On cue the guard holding her dragged her from the room.
Kai exited through the front door and stalked across the compound. Sabine’s slim figure detached from the shadows and moved toward him.
“What happened?”
“You should have told me Sabine!”
“Told you what?”
“Don’t play games Sabine . You know what I’m talking about.”
“Garrick.”
“Yes Garrick. What were you thinking?”
“I didn’t know. When I met him he charmed me into thinking he was something else. I thought we were in love.” She looked at Kai. Her eyes begged him for understanding. “I know now he was just using me. Back then I believed him. He hid his true nature from me. I regretted helping him immediately. He changed in a heartbeat, showing his true colors. I escaped him but couldn’t get close enough to undo the spell. Certain elements are required.”
“How could you not at least tell me? You’re the one who insists we’re friends. And you didn’t think this was important enough to tell me?”
“I’m sorry. I was too ashamed. Do you think I haven’t suffered over the terrible mistake I’ve made?”
“Not enough.”
“How can you say that?”
“Because he has Emma.” Kai left Sabine standing there watching as he walked away.
Chapter 24
Emma lifted her head from her pillow. Who the heck was banging on her door? The knocking persisted “Go away!” She shouted.
“That's no way to speak to your host,” Garrick’s silky voice chilled her. He pushed her door open and strode into the room without waiting for an invitation. “Are you not happy with your accommodations?” He asked as if she were a guest instead of a prisoner.
“I'm not happy being here period. A prison is a prison regardless of how you dress it.”
“I have provided you with one of the finest rooms in my home. It is hardly a prison. Surely you could muster some sign of appreciation.”
“Let me leave, and I’ll thank you for that.”
“Feisty! I like your fire but you know I can’t do that. After all I am responsible for your safety.”
Emma spared a brief glance around the room. The room was bright with a row of windows along the eastern wall. The furnishings were lavish in varying shades of purple, mauve and lavender with white accents. A large four-poster bed dominated the room with elegant fabrics draped artfully over the posts and rails making the bed seem like a cozy, semi-private oasis.
Earlier, one of Garrick's henchmen had shoved Emma into the decorous room and locked the door. She didn’t have time for a pity party. Instead, she scoured the room for any possible means of escape. She couldn’t care less about the luxurious trappings of her prison cell. She discovered a small windowless en-suite bathroom in her frantic search for a viable escape route. There were no windows other than the bright wall of windows in the central part of the bedroom. It was no surprise that the windows slid up and down with ease. Sealing or locking the windows would’ve been redundant. Iron bars crisscrossed the outside of the window frame blocking any possibility of escape. She’d bet this room had imprisoned more than one unwilling guest.
“Here are the ground rules,” Garrick told her as if she were a rebellious teenager. “You may leave your room as you wish provided two of my guards accompany you at all times. There is a library on the main floor and an indoor pool which you may also use. The gym, the kitchens and the grounds outside are off limits. I expect you to dine with me each evening. Supper is at seven o'clock sharp. We dress for the evening meal.”
“I would rather eat in my room, thank you.” Emma immediately rejected his edict. She crossed her arms in front of her chest.
“That is not an option. You will eat your meals with me, or you won't eat at all.” His expression hardened.
“Fine! But I can hardly dress for dinner when this is all I have,” Emma swept her hand down the front of her to indicate the western clothes she stil
l wore.
Garrick strode to the wardrobe closet standing against the wall and flung the doors open. Expensive fabrics from exclusive designers cascaded over padded hangers. Apparently the finer things of life were important to Garrick judging by the expensive clothes. “You may make use of anything you find in this room. The clothes will be a bit large for you as the predecessor had a much sturdier frame, but they will suffice. Now you have no more excuses. I will expect you dressed for dinner in one hour.” He turned on his heel and exited the room before she could argue.
Emma sat on the corner of the bed. How would she get through meals with that monster? She hoped it wouldn't take long for Kai to return. She was confident he’d succeed. He didn’t know how to lose. He’d return with water from the spring. However, she had no idea how long it would take. She didn’t know how far he had to go? She didn't even know which continent he originated from. She’d never thought to ask. Then again he might not even remember it was so long ago.
Emma rose from the bed and went to the closet. She flipped through the garments. Many well-known designer labels caught her eye confirming what she’d already figured out. Appearances were important to Garrick. He was cruel, he threatened others and did awful things. For the outside world he strove to project a veneer of civility, as if he conducted regular business transactions. He was a monster masquerading as a gentleman. His silky smooth polished voice and demeanor probably fooled a lot of people. Few outsiders knew an evil nature lurked behind the handsome façade.
Emma reached into the closet and randomly selected a simple black pantsuit from the cabinet. She couldn't help wonder to whom the clothing belonged and where was the mystery woman now? Was the former occupant Garrick’s mistress or was she like Emma, a prisoner, held there against her will? Emma thought it was probably the latter. She was likely collateral held for ransom or leverage. Emma shuddered at the thought of what happened to the poor woman. She couldn't imagine a woman would choose to be with a man like Garrick. Sure, some might find him handsome on the outside. Eventually, a lover would notice that he was not at all what he appeared to be. Perhaps Emma was naïve to think that his wealth wouldn’t be incentive enough to sway a gold digger. Too late they’d realize it wasn’t worth the money.
Emma stripped off her jeans and shirt then tried on the black suit. Garrick was out of his mind if he thought the clothing in the closet would fit her. The pants were about three sizes too big and about half a foot too long. Not to mention she had no shoes. She had nothing to wear but her cowboy boots. She felt ridiculous in the oversized clothing. She re-dressed in her own clothes and went to the door. The handle turned without effort. She stepped through the door and she realized why. Two burly guards stood outside her door. The moment she stepped over the threshold they moved into position flanking her on either side.
Garrick sat at the head of the table. He looked up when Emma entered the dining room. Fury burned in his eyes. He shot out of his chair. It fell over as he stormed over to her. “I told you we dress for dinner. I will not tolerate defiance!” His hand clamed over her upper arm and he marched her down the hall to her room.
“The clothing didn't fit!” Emma defended her attire. She dug her heels into the hall carpet as he dragged her behind him.
“I find that hard to believe,” Garrick sneered. He shoved her onto the bed and flung open the closet doors. He rifled through the designer clothing until he found a simple sapphire colored cocktail dress. He ripped it off the hanger and threw it at Emma. “Put it on!”
Emma hopped off the bed with the dress in hand. She tried to dart around him and into the washroom, but Garrick barred her path. “I said put it on now,” he growled.
Humiliated and more than a little afraid, Emma started to turn her back to him and remove her shirt. One look at his glowering face stopped her in her tracks. Emma shed her shirt and pulled the dress over her head, pulling it down to cover herself as fast as possible. She adjusted it over her hips before removing her jeans, socks and boots. He watched it all. His steady stare added to her discomfort. She contorted and struggled to zip the dress at the back, mortification stained her cheeks. She cringed as Garrick stepped forward and shoved her hands out of the way. He completed the task “Turn around.” He stepped back to examine the final result.
The dress, tailored for a statuesque figure, hung loosely from Emma’s shoulders, its deep v-neckline plunged further than she was comfortable with and its waistline drooped at her hips. The flowing skirt should have come to her knees but instead brushed the fullest part of her calves. Emma thought the elegant dress was beautiful. It just didn’t fit her petite frame.
“As I said, with all of these to choose from, it was difficult to believe there was nothing you could wear other than what you came in. The fit is not perfect however it will do for now.” As if he hadn’t just humiliated her and forced her to strip in front of him, he offered her his arm in a gentlemanly fashion.
Emma fumed. He’d purposely embarrassed her. She glared at the proffered arm and flipped her hair and turned her head away.
“I’ve had enough of your defiance for one evening!” He grasped her hand and yanked her close. He placed her hand in the crook of his elbow then strode out of the room with her clamped firmly to his side. He escorted her back to the dining room in her bare feet as if nothing unusual had happened. Defeated, she sank into the chair he held out for her without comment.
They finished the evening meal with no further incident. Emma was quiet and if he noticed he chose not to make an issue of it. He made a few attempts to engage her in conversation. She responded only with short, polite responses. She would've preferred to maintain a mutinous silence but what other choice did she have? She ate very little. With Garrick as her dinner companion, she’d lost her appetite. After the meal, Garrick escorted her back to her room. “I trust you will be properly attired for our next meal.” He bowed politely, turned and walked away. Emma found his behavior peculiar. His temper was all over the place and he persisted in presenting this odd air of formality. Bizarre. Emma collapsed on the bed. She’d held back her frustration and tears all evening. Finally alone, she let it all go.
Emma awoke early the next morning. A dour middle-aged woman dressed in black and white entered the room and threw open the drapes. “You'd best get up Miss. Your breakfast is on its way, and the seamstress has arrived.” She began plumping pillows and twitching the sheets straight with Emma still under the covers.
Emma sat up straight. “What seamstress?”
“I don't ask. All I know is that the master sent the seamstress to you for a fitting.”
“The master? What century do you think we're in?” The maid shot a stony glare her way. She continued opening drapes and fussing with the already spotless room. “Well, that's ridiculous. I don't plan on being here long. He can shove his new clothes up his a-”
“That'll be all Ingrid.” Garrick commanded from the doorway. "Leave us." The woman's eyes widened. She fiddled her hands nervously as she bobbed a curtsy and scurried out of the room like her rear was on fire. Apparently, Emma wasn't the only one chilled by his presence. Maybe detachment was her coping mechanism.
“You are not to speak with my staff other than to assist them in fulfilling their functions. They are here to complete specific duties. I forbid you to be a distraction in any way. You will restrict your conversation with the servants to what pertains to the tasks they are performing. You will find no allies here. The consequences for them disobeying my orders are grave.” He made the emphasis on 'grave' sound like a threat. “Do you want their punishment on your head?"
“No. Fine, I’ll keep to myself.” He intimidated the hell out of her but she gave him attitude anyway. “Do you have a reason for being here?”
“As a matter of fact, I do. I’ve arranged for someone to make adjustments to the garments in the wardrobe so you can have no more excuses. I will not tolerate another refusal like last night. Are we clear?”
“Crystal,”
Emma snapped. She resented his temporary power over her. Until Kai returned, she was at Garrick's mercy.
“Good. Now get up. Eat your breakfast and I will have the staff bring the seamstress to you. You may call her Kate or Frau Schneider. She's not a regular employee of the household so you may only engage in limited conversation. I trust you understand what I consider off limits?” Emma nodded. “Your guards will be outside. Do not test my patience. I may not be able to touch you but others can suffer the consequences in your stead. Understand?”
“I understand!” Under her breath she finished with, “That you’re an asshole.” Garrick turned on his heel and stopped.
“What was that?”
“Nothing.”
“I thought so.” Smug prick. Garrick left the room.
As soon as he was gone, Emma hopped from the bed and raced to the shower. When she came out of the bathroom, the seamstress had arrived. The older woman fluttered about arranging different fabrics on the bed. A single wisp of grey streaked blonde hair escaped the tight chignon at the back of her head.
She pulled garments from the closet and hung them on the open closet doors. She looked Emma over as she approached. “You are very tiny.” The woman spoke with a German accent. Emma wasn’t sure whether she believed the accent was real or exaggerated for effect. “Zis clozing vas not made for you, but zere are a few items zat vee can make verk. I vill get started right avay.” She tossed a blouse and a pair of slim dress pants at Emma. “You put zees on, and vee get started, ja?”
Hours later, Frau Schneider departed. She’d left Emma with three altered sets of clothing, tailored perfectly to her petite size and shape. The woman indeed was a marvel with a needle and thread. Friendly she was not. Now Emma knew why Garrick wasn’t concerned she’d find an ally in the seamstress. The woman's manner was brisk at best. She took the outfits she’d deemed suitable for alteration, with her when she left.
Out of Darkness Page 17
