Torii fell asleep on the flight, but when she woke, she said, “You’ve seen what I have done since my life with Mom, and you know my sexual proclivities. Are you sure I am the kind of woman you want in your family?”
“I am. You have seen two of my lives, and you may see all whenever you wish. We hide nothing, whether it is termed ‘good’ or ‘bad.’ None of us are perfect, and my wife Misti has sexual tastes that make yours appear tame. Whatever you choose to do, and with whom you choose to do it, so long as it is consensual among adults, is between you and whomever you wish. It is not my concern. One of our primary rules is ‘Never Judge.’ That, and always be on time for breakfast and always, always Kiss the Cook.”
Adam continued, “Tens of millions of couples enjoy your proclivities, and more, around the world. There is no shame in being who you are. Unless you try to kill me, of course. But then, I married two women who were desirous of killing me, so even that rule is pretty weak.”
“Where shall I live?”
“With us, or wherever you want. If you wish to make amends with your Mom and Darii, I will put you in the garden island across the way from them. I will stay with you in the beginning; then you should choose.”
“I do not know men, nor how to be gentle.”
“Then I shall invite Misti who hates men, except me, and knows just exactly what you like.”
“Why are you doing this? I would have killed you.”
“I love your Mom and Darii. You should be given a chance to reconcile.”
“It will be hard.”
“True. But all things are possible under heaven. Even the reconciliation of a broken family.”
“How may I please you.”
“Next lesson. First, a hug and a kiss, then rest. There will be much surprise and excitement when you arrive.”
“May I see Mom and Darii first?”
“Of course. What kind of a monster do you think I am?”
“The best kind. Like in cartoons.”
“I think that’s a compliment.”
“The best.”
Chapter 27
The plane arrived late in Crete, and Adam and Torii were whisked quickly to the Five Islands and dropped off. The two were gently dropped down on the garden Island not occupied by Saldana and Darii, but Adam brought Torii with him to their garden island for a visit. He asked her to remain on shore while he spoke to Saldana and Darii. Torii said it was unnecessary to protect her. She would face Saldana and her sister alone. Darii already knew of Torii’s plan to escape and rejoin them, but kept it from Saldana. The two sisters decided it was safer that way.
Adam knocked on the door.
Saldana and Darii answered the door, and Darii fairly flew into Torii’s arms, hugging and kissing her face. “How did you escape? Was it Adam? Did he rescue you?”
“Yes, he did. And he told me everything.” She turned to Saldana. “Mom, I am sorry for what I have done, and I am sorry that my plan to escape was kept from you.”
Darii said, “If you are angry at Torii, you must be equally angry with me. We decided everything and just knew that Adam would figure this out somehow and save us all.”
“You did, did you? And what say you, Adam St., James? Is this the truth?”
“It is. I already knew it from Darii’s mind but confirmed it with Torii. She loves you, understands if you don’t want her, and will leave. But, if so, I intend to live with her on the other garden Island. I hope that reconciliation is possible. I know both your daughters wish for this to happen. They have missed each other and their family.”
“You know then that Torii is not …”
“As you know the same about the baby Niona carries for me. Let’s worry more about those who love us and worry less about those who don’t. It is your choice.”
“It will not be easy for me to be your mate again. You are too kind for my vindictive inclinations.”
“Then I shall have to love you even more, be humbler and set a better example for our family.”
Darii and Torii asked, “Truly? Can it be so, Mom?”
“If your father wills it, it will be so.”
“Dad?”
“I will do my best, now and forever.”
Chapter 28
Adam returned to Saldana’s Garden Island unannounced weeks later, only to find Torii packing some things for what looked like a short trip. Adam asked what was up and she explained that she wasn’t going anywhere, he had nothing to worry about and said she was going to spend more time with the Professionals and Misti at the labs and the residence on Island One.
“When did this happen?”
“Just yesterday. Misti wants me closer, and I’ve been doing some work with Zoia and Ryu, and they wondered if I could spend more time with them on their projects.”
“Who authorized this?”
“Misti as far as staying at the residence. She said she had found a couple more prospects who are amenable to playing with us.”
“I see.”
“As for the Professionals, they asked and said, if it was all right, I could spend time with them on some projects. I thought it would be fine so I said yes.”
“Who’s going to help with the Liara project?”
“I don’t know. You and Saldana and the other women I guess.”
“Unpack. You’re going nowhere.”
“You order me around as if I have nothing to say in the matter. I wish to reside with Misti and work with the scientists. And I shall.”
“Who do you think is in charge here? And have you forgotten your oath of obedience to me? Yes or no?”
“You said something about it; I wasn’t paying that much attention.”
At that point, Saldana and Darii scurried past them, hurried to the tool shed outside and began working in the back garden some distance away.
Adam was on the phone quickly and called for a meeting of all employees in the morning early. Attendance was mandatory.
Torii said, “I’m going.”
“You have the choice of staying here and doing what you are told or leaving tomorrow morning for any part of the world you desire. But today, you stay here. Go to your room.”
“I will not. I’m twenty-five, not five. You may not order me around.”
Adam grabbed Torii by the collar, threw her in her room and sealed the door. He walked outside. “You can quit hiding. The tempest is now calm.”
“We’ll be out here for a little while longer. Are we coming tomorrow?”
“Everyone, including family, will be on Island One. Tomorrow will be a miserable day. The four new hires were spies for Liara. They admitted it.”
“They will be leaving?”
“No, they’re dead.”
***
The group assembled in the Great Hall down below the residence and Island One; Adam got right to the point. “There are two main projects we have been working on; one you are all involved in and one that concerns my family and me. The two ladies on the Garden Islands help me with the latter project. I had hoped our new guest, Torii Ri, would want to help too, but she has given me orders about what she will be doing apparently in consultation with Zoia’s group and Misti. I will see all of them immediately after this discussion. Torii departs tomorrow. She will be dropped off in Cadiz. She is free as an adult to make or break agreements, and I was informed yesterday that she didn’t pay attention to the rules, and therefore did not consider being bound by them. She decided, on her own, and without discussing the matter with me, to live with Misti and said she had permission from Zoia’s nerds to join them.”
Adam said, “As she pointed out to me, she’s a mature adult who doesn’t give a fuck about our community or have any respect for me. I’m shocked that she was this disrespectful this soon. I will not tolerate this from her; I wouldn’t tolerate it from anyone else either.”
Torii was in tears, not understanding what she had said or done wrong. Misti leaned over
to her and said, “I will fix this.”
“I don’t wish to leave; I’m happy here. I want a little freedom to do things other than talking all day about Liara. It’s not fair.”
“What did you agree to when you came here?”
“I don’t know. I wasn’t listening.”
Adam continued with the crowd.
“I understand that complaints are rife again within our community after just two months. Some wish time away at resorts or short vacations around the Mediterranean. Many complain I am a tyrant and my rules too harsh and strict. More than a few don’t want to work for me anymore, they miss the US, and think I’m an asshole. The latter is very true.”
Someone shouted out that he didn’t all feel that way at all. Adam said, “Hopkins, that may be true, but you aren’t one of them.”
Adam looked around at men and women he had known for the past twelve years, from the very beginning.
“You will all leave tomorrow. I will offer twenty-three positions to stay, but I will understand if they have had enough of me too. I am sorry; this decision is final.”
Many were angry believing they should be able to express dissatisfaction. This dictatorship wasn’t what they agreed to or signed on for.
The twenty-three gathered in Adam’s Study with Saldana, Darii, Torii, and Misti in the kitchen. Adam went to his people in the Study.
Saldana said, “You must change his mind, Misti. Only you can do that.”
Misti said, “Torii was knowingly and offensively disobedient, spoke in insolent terms and lied to Adam.”
Misti touched the heads of both Darii and Saldana. They now knew the exact contents of the conversation between Torii and Adam.
Saldana walked away. “I shall miss you, Torii. But Adam rescued you, and you swore oaths for the protection of us all. You have broken those oaths, lied and misled Adam and behaved disgracefully. I cannot defend you. Perhaps Misti will.”
Darii joined her Mom. “You’re still with Mother, aren’t you? This was one big act.”
“No, no I swear it’s not true. Tell me what I did wrong and I will correct my behavior. Please, you must believe me.”
Darii said, “You lied. How can we ever believe you will stop?” She walked away in tears.
An hour later twenty-three women emerged from Adam’s Study. They were laughing and carrying on as if nothing happened. In fact, it hadn’t. The group had been warned ahead of time and given the reasons for the exodus. They were fine with Adam’s explanation. The remaining groups were now split up with the nerds and Adam’s wives in the Five Islands residence, Saldana and Darii in the garden island. Adam’s Barrows Bay family, now in residence, lived in the second largest island in the Five Islands.
Zoia’s nerds, the Professionals, were stationed on Island One, with Zoia and three other colleagues now sharing the residence with Adam and his women; the rest of the twenty-three remained in their apartments down below the residence.
Zoia had her own announcements in conjunction with Adams announcements and revelations. They breezed through the high points exchanged written reports. They agreed to a long working session the following day, and he would spend his first evening with them alone. There was much to discuss personally too.
***
Adam looked at Misti, Zoia and Torii, “You three, in here.”
They entered his Study and sat down around the circular couch and coffee table.
“Torii lied to me, then dissembled about who you planned to include in your evening soirees. You two, of course, were the organizers of these projects.”
Misti said, “Nothing wrong with that. Always been our way.”
“Who else was coming to the residence?”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“You’re a liar, Misti. Who are Caleb Martin and his three friends?”
“They weren’t invited.”
“The friends or Caleb?”
“The friends. I invited Caleb.”
“To the residence?”
“Yes. I live here too. I can have guests.”
“You know the rules. You cannot; not without my permission. Especially men. You’re dissembling again.”
“You’re opinion, Adam. I shall speak to Caleb.”
“Caleb and his friends are dead. Liara’s spies. Did you know that?”
Misti was shaken. This wasn’t at all what she expected to hear; she just wanted a little harmless fun with a boy for a change — not the deed, of course, but anything else right up to that waters edge.
Adam said, “He was planning to kill all of you, then leave the Island. A boat was waiting offshore. He would have had my computer. All my software, access to the Mainframe, everything we were working on.”
“I thought you would be on the other Islands and it would be harmless.”
“Caleb got past all our security, including Niona. Now we have another problem. The Lord suspects a traitor in his midst. Now we have confirmation.”
“And you Torii, what fresh lies have you prepared?”
“None. What do you intend for us?”
“You will leave. Perhaps together you can start your website for like-minded liars.”
Misti thought fast.
“You need us, at least Torii anyway.”
“Doubtful. Your point?”
“Let us stay in the second garden island under guard. We can help.”
Torii, thinking she had bargaining power, said. “No way. They need me, Misti, but why they need you is a mystery.”
Adam said, “Misti stays in the third island in a cabin alone under guard. No electronics whatsoever, but as many books as you can read. I suggest you take up gardening. Misti is family. I’m sure that surprises you, Torii. You, however, are not.”
“What’s my fate, then? I can help in so many ways; just ask the Professionals and my Mom. They’ll tell you. I know a lot.”
“You, Torii, will be dumped out of an airplane from forty thousand feet somewhere over the Mediterranean. You fooled us and surprisingly well. Test case. That’s how Caleb got in.”
“No, no, no way. I was telling the truth. I want to stay, and I want to be with my Mom and Darii. But I will not submit to your rules.”
“OK. Hope you learn to fly on the way down.”
Misti said, “OK. Let’s make a compromise. You may stay, but you are in chains 24/7. You will do as Adam commands for work, but you are at home with me at all times and within my sight at all times.”
Misti turned to Adam. “She’s right. The Professionals have said she has made amazing contributions and helped Saldana with her Liara work. Don’t waste this resource because she’s a liar and an idiot.”
“I’m not sure I trust you two together. In fact, I’m sure I can’t.”
Misti asked, “You think I would betray you?”
“You already have. More than once. And your recent decisions are suspect and untrustworthy. Every time I trust a woman close to me, I am betrayed. I grow weary of it. You’re a huge pain in the ass and a liar.”
“Point taken.”
Adam said to Torii, “If Misti wants playtime with you, that’s up to her. Only approved toys. I will build you a little chamber of horrors for you adjacent to your cabin on the second Garden Island, where you will remain at all times. Niona will check your mind whenever she pleases. If you fail a test, she will send her Sari to meet your throat. There will be no exceptions this time for either of you. Nothing you say can be trusted. I am most ashamed of you Misti. At the conclusion of the Liara project, you will leave if you are still live.”
Torii said, “Agreed if you agree to one more thing. When Liara and Hanta are dead, and their enterprises disassembled, I to go free.”
“We shall see.”
“I need an answer now.”
“Really. Remember the forty thousand feet? I don’t care what skills you have. I can replace them all. But sure, I will make the same kind and qu
ality of promise to you that you made to me. And if your information is weak, doesn’t prove out, or is false, I will kill you myself.”
Torii was silent.
Then Torii said to Misti, “I won’t stay.”
Misti said, “You will stay and help, or I will kill you myself.”
Chapter 29
The Professionals, Janaia, Zoia, Ryu, and Parinda, met a few days later in the early morning with Adam in the residence on Island One, their new home. They discussed some topics right after a more general meeting with the full twenty-three. Assignments and responsibilities for their project, the nanite program, were handed out along with the new rules of the road. There were few things to discuss, except that no one was to come to the residence who didn’t live there without his express permission.
No men were ever allowed on the island for any reason, except for employees, Octavio, and the Twins, without Adam’s express permission. The cousins weren’t around much anyway, having taken up an assignment for Adam with Noki and Patsy. They were doing something important, but Adam wouldn’t reveal what it was about.
Adam said, “The good news about the residence is I cook, clean and do laundry. Make lists of things you need, like clothing, food, and tech. I do the shopping. When I do laundry, you may keep your delicates separate, and hand wash if you wish.”
Ryu said, “What are ‘delicates’?”
Zoia whispered in her ear.
Ryu said oh, “I don’t normally wear them, so no problem.”
Adam continued, “Plus, all meals are cooked fresh daily and consist of healthy food. No coupons needed; it’s all free.
Janaia asked, “And about our fringe benefits here in residence, what extra goodies do we get?
Adam was puzzled, “Fringe benefits? Wasn’t that in your package when we signed contracts?”
Ryu said, “Not the kind of fringes we’re interested in. We mean residential fringe benefits. Like the other nerd ladies in residence get.”
“Do you want a list or a more hands-on exploration of what you might desire? My deal is simple. No means no for you. Since I never say no, the answer is always yes. I’m open to whatever you want; I’ll let you know what I want, but there has to be some mutuality. I’m not Misti or Torii unless that’s on your wish list. Otherwise, the object of our fringe benefits, at least from my perspective, is pleasure and fun. We stop at ‘stop,’ or ‘no.’”
Patsy Murray Page 24
