by Nancy Glynn
Some called it the Devil’s headquarters.
The guards let him through the gates, waving at him. He put on a mask of smiles for them. He jumped out of his truck and ran to the double steel doors and banged. He yanked the heavy rope that rang the bell, giving a thunderous gong.
Jack opened the door and smiled. “Christian! So nice to see you. Look, I’m a little busy right now so can we chat later?”
He stuck his foot in the door. “No. Where is she?”
“Who? Oh, Daisy you mean? I think she’s taking a bubble bath. You see, Eric is coming to take her out today. They might be a better match than you were." His head fell back, sardonic laughter filling the air.
“You son of a bitch!”
“Go get Charlotte. She’s a good fuck." He slammed the door, pushing his foot out of the way.
Christian turned to leave and bumped into Eric.
“Christian, I’m so sorry, man. I never intended for this–”
His fist already cocked and hit Eric in the jaw. “I swear to God if you touch her I will kill you, you understand me?”
Eric rubbed his jaw and shook to clear his head. He searched for his glasses that flew off.
Christian kicked his glasses over to Eric’s wandering hand.
“What the hell, Christian,” he jumped up and glared at him. “I said I’m sorry, but you should be the sorry one. You told her you didn’t want her anymore? You’re a fool. She’s the best thing that’s ever come to this town. If she’s willing to love me, I’m all hers,” he said, staring him down.
“You want my status, Eric? Please, take it! I can finally get out of this town then. When is your birthday?”
“November,” he answered.
“Great, so now you can be Jack’s bitch. Thanks, man! I’ve been waiting for someone like you. And by the way, Daisy will never love you, not in a million years. I own her heart. Even if Jack owns her soul and even if you lay your slimy hands on her, she’ll always belong to me." He spit near Eric’s feet and smiled, leaving him with that thought.
As he opened his truck’s door, he glanced up at the house and saw Daisy standing at the window. Their eyes locked and then she let the curtain fall back.
“Daisy,” he whispered.
***
Daisy came down the stairs emotionless. She forced a smile for Eric and allowed him to kiss her cheek. “How’re you, Eric?" The bruise on his face caught her eye. “What happened?”
“Oh, it’s nothing. Christian caught me off guard.”
“What? I’m so sorry, Eric.”
“Seeing you stand there, Daisy, it was well worth it. My God, you’re beautiful." He stuck his arm out for her to hold.
“Thank you." She smiled and took his offered arm.
Jack walked out from his office. “Have fun, kids. Get to know each other well. It’s on me,” he winked, grinning.
Eric allowed Daisy to go ahead of him and turned back to Jack. “Thanks again, Jack. But I’m a gentleman, and I don’t like that kind of talk in front of a lady.”
Daisy stood by the door waiting, listening to Eric defend her honor. She was touched but scared for him.
“Well, all I have to say is when your gentlemanly ways disappear, and they will, my friend, you will enjoy her. I know I have,” he admitted, winking.
Eric took a step toward Jack, but Daisy walked back and touched his arm.
“Let’s go, Eric. It’s fine. He’s only teasing you, okay?" She smiled, glancing at Jack, fear gripping her heart. She knew what he was capable of doing and would not let Eric die for her.
Jack laughed. “Yes, take Daisy on a nice picnic. Enjoy the woods. It’s nice and quiet there." He waved and returned to his office.
“That was sweet of you, Eric, really, but don’t go against Jack again. You don’t mess with him.”
They walked down the steps and to his Camaro. He opened her door and then got in on his side.
“Fine. I just don’t like that kind of talk. I’ve really grown fond of you, Daisy." He took her hand and kissed it. “I would be so proud to have you by my side at my birthday ball...for eternity if you would have me.”
She smiled and felt a lump in her throat. She swallowed hard and turned away, hiding the tears that threatened to flow.
Seeing Christian by his truck earlier practically killed her. She ached to run to him, feel his strong arms around her, his lips on hers. But then Jack had called out to her.
“Do you think you could ever love me, Daisy?” he whispered. “Even a little?”
She smiled. “Can we have our first date, please?” she said, laughing.
“I would love nothing more,” he responded, and drove to the woods for their picnic.
They set up their picnic on a blanket Eric brought and sat down.
“Wow, did you make all this food?” she asked.
“I wish I could say yes and impress you, but, no. Our maid did. Rosa’s the best.”
That reminded her of Lucinda. She would miss her so much. It hurt her heart to say goodbye to her.
He opened the wooden basket and pulled out grapes and blueberries, chicken salad and crackers, a bottle of fine wine. The works.
She lay on her side and leaned on her hand, picking grapes off the stem.
“Let me feed you,” he said, grabbing the grapes and putting them in her mouth.
“I’ve never had anyone feed me before,” she admitted.
“Not even Christian?" He caught the look in her eyes and apologized. “I shouldn’t have said that. It’s just that for some reason I’m crazy with jealousy of you being with him.”
“It’s okay, I get it.”
“No, I mean I feel rage at the thought. I don’t know what’s come over me." He stared down at her, a look she knew well.
“Tell me more about yourself, Eric. I don’t really know all that much. Any siblings? Tell me it all.”
He cleared his throat and lay on his back next to her with arms folded behind his head, staring at the cobalt sky. “I used to have a sister. Her name was Allison,” he said in a dry tone.
“Please don’t tell me anymore." She fell on her back, mimicking his pose, and closed her eyes. This was her life now.
She had turned her back on God, and now she was evil like the rest of the town. She had allowed Jack to corrupt her.
Her choice.
It was all for Christian. All for love. And now she was dead. She could see the look in Eric’s eyes, his desire for her.
He had wanted her after their first innocent kiss in his car that night. He had that same wild look then and now.
Nothing mattered anymore. Christian was gone.
He turned to her and pushed her hair away from her face. “Daisy,” he whispered. He bent to kiss her so softly at first and then his tongue slid in, touching, stroking, turning more urgent. He took his glasses off and placed them on the blanket.
Daisy allowed him to push against her, rolling on top, and consuming her. Eric’s lips trailed down her neck as he moaned her name.
Christian’s face formed in her mind, but she pushed it away. She grabbed Eric’s face and pressed it against her chest. She squeezed her eyes shut.
“Oh, God. I want you so much, Daisy!" He pushed her top and bra up and kissed her breasts. His hand ran down her bare leg, over her skirt, feeling like silk against her skin.
Christian didn’t want her anymore, didn’t love her anymore. Remember that. Eric wanted her now and forever. She would be Eric’s immortal wife.
Her mind whispered these things, but her heart screamed something else.
“No. No. No!" She would allow only one person to make her feel that way.
Eric’s head snapped up and realized what he was doing. He pulled himself away. “Please forgive me, Daisy!" He adjusted her skirt and top back into position and sat her up after grabbing his glasses.
She hugged him. “It’s okay, Eric." Her heart started to slow back to its normal rhythm. “We’ll get through this. Just not this
fast, okay?”
He rocked her in his arms and kissed her temple. “I don’t know what the hell got into me. I won’t ever do that again unless you truly want that of me. I would love for you to allow it on my birthday night.”
Birthday. Christian’s would be soon and he would be taking Charlotte. She allowed the tears to fall this time into Eric’s shoulder.
Chapter Sixteen
Daisy went on a few dates with Eric since the picnic, none of which have resulted in losing control. He stayed the perfect gentleman. For that, she was grateful. She began to enjoy his company, enjoyed the intellectual conversations they shared. A light began to burn bright in her again.
It wasn’t a love for Eric but a love for herself. She began to love herself again through Eric’s eyes, even with the contract.
He took her sightseeing and even visited Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. She loved the stores, especially Macy’s. They appeared to be the perfect couple on the outside.
However, Daisy lay in her bed after Eric dropped her off following a night of dancing, wondering how she got to this place in her life. Where did she go wrong? Was it really worth it all, even for love?
Seeing Christian at the nightclub solidified the damage done. He barely glanced at her, and when he did, it was through slitted stares.
Charlotte made it very clear when she threw herself at him. He belonged to her now.
And every night, Jack still came to her room with an insatiable appetite, more than the night prior. As soon as he would leave, she would find herself bent over the toilet. She couldn’t allow it anymore, or wouldn’t.
She slid out of bed and bent to her knees in prayer position, steepling her hands together. Closing her eyes, she spoke to God in a shaky voice. “Please forgive me. I need you more than ever in my life now. I can’t do this, can’t be with...that man anymore. He’s not even a man. Oh, my God. What have I done? I just wanted Christian, but now I just want myself back!" Hot tears rolled down her face as she pressed her hands to her forehead. “Please help me,” she pleaded.
She slid back into bed and laid her hand on her heart, just listening to it beat. A thought came to her in that stillness.
Her cross still in its pouch, she pulled it out and smiled. She unclasped it and re-clasped it around her neck, knowing all would be fine.
Lifting it to see if the burn was still there, she felt nothing. Smooth skin under her touch. She ran to the mirror to see and it was gone.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
She jumped back into bed, holding her cross, when she heard the door open right at midnight.
“Hello, my love." Jack walked in and sat on the edge, possessively rubbing her leg through the blankets.
“No, Jack,” she said curtly.
“No?" He clicked his tongue a few times and gave a mocking smile. “But you have no choice…never did." His hand moved to the center above her legs. Claws poked through the thin blanket.
“I said no,” she said in a resounding tone. She sat up, allowing the cross to dangle.
He glanced at it and arched his eyebrows. A look of defeat briefly crossed his expression. “You’re mine now, Daisy. I don’t care what your god says or does. You’ll also give me a child at Eric’s birthday ball. I have no plans of letting you go.”
Daisy leaned forward in his face. “Then kiss me now, Jack. Slide that long tongue down my throat. What’re you afraid of?" She smirked, feeling victorious.
His steely, blue eyes transformed into a glassy green. As he reached out to grab her cross, he snatched his hand back in obvious pain, smoke billowing from it. He tried again, and the same thing happened.
“Damn you,” he hissed. “I want your power, Daisy! That’s why I want you to be the mother of my son. He would be the most powerful man in the world! You won’t deny me that!”
She laughed, feeling his fear...of what? But she knew of what. “This is over for me,” she said dryly. “I’m done playing your games, Jack. You don’t scare me anymore. I’m going home tomorrow and don’t try to stop me.”
His eyes penetrated hers, grinning. “Even at home, I will infiltrate your mind. Your god can’t stop me from doing that. You’ll see...you’ll end up coming back. I will live in your dreams and haunt you. You’ll think you’re losing your mind. You’ll be back in November just in time to be mine forever, body and soul,” he said, standing to leave. “So go ahead, my dear, run home. You have no idea what you’re in for.”
After watching him leave, she felt something lift from her. “No, Jack, you have no idea what you’re in for.”
Scooting out of bed, she packed all her bags and belongings. “I’m free,” she whispered, caressing her cross. Tears sprang to her eyes as she looked around at her final prison.
It occurred to her to let Eric know as they had made plans for tomorrow. She texted him even though it was after midnight to tell him everything.
1:36 AM
Me: I’m free!
Eric: What?
Me: I’m leaving here. I told Jack I’m done and I’m going home. I’ll miss you Eric, but I had to let you know.
Eric: I’m going with
Me: What? You can’t leave your home and you have another year left of school!
Eric: I said I’m coming. If you don’t want to stay in your place with your dad, we can get a hotel. I’ll pay for everything, separate rooms, of course. As long as I tell my parents I’ll be back for my birthday party, they’ll let me do anything I want.
Me: You would do that for me?
Eric: Don’t you realize that by now?
Me: Thank you, Eric. You’re my best friend.
Eric: Will you be saying goodbye to Christian?
Me: It’s probably better I don’t say anything, I mean why? He has his life now with Charlotte. We’ve seen them together. I can also start my teaching job on time. I’m so happy right now! :)
Eric: lol! Ok, I’ll follow you in your car and get a hotel on Michigan Avenue, maybe The Chicago Lakeshore? My parents have stayed there many times when I was growing up.
Me: lol you think of everything. My prince charming.
Eric: That’s what I do ;)
Me: :)
Eric: You’ll have to tell me everything that happened to bring this on. I’m dying to know.
Me: Oh, I will. Meet me out front of the gates at 8 a.m. then, ok?
Eric: You got it
She was so excited she ended up getting dressed and sleeping that way. Her bags sat at the door ready for her escape.
***
Christian stepped out of his room to get some coffee. He was exhausted from fighting Charlotte off another night. She was relentless! No matter how hard he tried to let Daisy go in his heart, it was a losing battle. His body couldn’t forget, either.
And Lord knew Charlotte tried fiercely to make him forget. That girl definitely had her ways, but it was useless. Seeing Daisy the other night at Jack’s Prime and Tender nightclub with Eric brought up a rage he never knew. He tried getting her attention, but she purposely looked the other way.
Charlotte had acted like a jealous wife, draping her arms all over him, but he always rebuffed. All he felt for Charlotte now was pure pity. When Charlotte slipped and fell at one point, Christian glanced at Daisy, wondering if she had something to do with that.
But Daisy stared straight ahead with a smirk on her face as if Eric had put it there. Christian knew better. Just as he knew when that light fixture fell and had almost hit Dane that day in their house.
And when he saw Eric holding Daisy’s hand, his heart dropped. Translation: Get over her. She’s not yours anymore, buddy. So many nights he wanted to text her just to see if she was okay, texting a few words and then deleting them every time.
However, every once in a while he would catch her glancing over at him and then shyly turning away. She had to still love him. No matter how Eric charmed her, she still belonged to him.
The incomprehensible thought
of her not loving him anymore nearly broke him in half. He pushed that thought aside. He knew what he felt that night in the garden, what she felt. It was visceral in every way.
Out of the corner of his eye, he had painstakingly watched her dance with Eric, moving her body to the fast tempo. Eric would pull her in and they would laugh at some unknown joke. But he would also see her gently push Eric away, bringing a smile to Christian’s lips.
He just wanted her to be happy. Knowing she lived under Jack’s roof terrified him. Did he enter her room at night still? If Eric kept her safe, that was all he could ask for. No matter how much he despised him.
As he walked past his father’s room, William stepped out.
“Son, did you hear?”
Christian stopped and turned back. His curiosity peaked. “Hear what?”
His father seemed amused. He wiped his face of shaving cream with the towel and draped his arm over the doorframe. “Daisy went back home. She actually did it, left Jack,” he grinned. “Boy, is he pissed. I guess she’s stronger than I ever thought." He threw the towel over his shoulder.
Christian tried absorbing what his father told him. “Are you sure?” he crinkled his brows together.
“Oh, yeah. Sure as I’ve been around for a couple of centuries,” he said, chuckling. He shrugged. “You’re better off. I guess Jack still has plans of bringing her back for Eric’s birthday. He wants that son with her, and it has to be made at Black Twenty-One, so don’t get any funny ideas in your head. She still belongs to Jack.”
“He talks a good game, Dad, but something tells me old Jacky boy has his doubts, which is why he’s angry. He knows Daisy’s too special and in for a fight. I’m glad she got out. It’s what I’ve always wanted for her. It was worth letting her go,” he said smugly. “I’m not selfish like you were with Mom.”
His father stood there with mouth gaped open to which Christian smiled and sauntered down the stairs.
“Good for you, Daisy. I knew you could do it,” he said under his breath.
