Free Reads!! Wednesday Briefs – Innocence & Carnality Part 46

Just a reminder: Part One of Innocence & Carnality will  be coming to a close soon, and later pulled from the blog for future publication purposes. Part Two will be part of the finished novel. I will keep you up to date. Promise.

There will be future stories with the Wednesday Briefers and some version of I&C will still be found on Gay Authors.org along with most of my written work. Be sure to check it out.

Now… onto the next installment.

More ramifications from running away.

Click here to start from the beginning

Part 46

Sunlight filtered into my consciousness and dragged me to surface, yet it couldn’t burn away the fog. My attempt to roll over stopped at the burning pain in my neck. I hissed as I reached to find the source.

An enormous hand engulfed my own. “Don’t touch it. It needs to heal.”

I cracked my eyes open to find Blythe holding me still. My murky thoughts began to clear at the sight of bruises lining both my wrists. When I resisted, he released me without effort. I pulled at the edges of my sleeves, covering the marks in spite he’d already seen them.

“Why am I so groggy?” With a cautious touch, I felt around my neck, finding the wide bandage edge. I started buttoning up my collar to my chin, the ache bringing me closer to lucid.

“Doc fixed you up, and gave you some medicine. Said you might sleep hard.”

I was in my bed, fully dressed, and the clock said it was late afternoon. Blythe sat in a chair at my bedside, his gruff face a mixture of anger and sorrow. Glancing around proved Rother was nowhere nearby.

“What are you doing here?”

“No one’s allowed in. And I wanted to be sure you were all right.”

“Ever the watchful bodyguard.”

Blythe’s features darkened. “I should have let you run. Looked the other way and pretended I never saw you.”

“No. If he found out, he could use his leverage against you. If you hung because of me, I’d never forgive myself.”

“He wouldn’t do that to me.”

I narrowed my eyes to make my point. “Last night was all about Rother binding me to him beyond our marriage. It’s what he does. You’re no safer than I am.”

Blythe didn’t say a word as he mulled it over. It appeared Rother held insurance over everyone he was involved with. Why should I be any different?

My musing was interrupted by overlapping voices outside my door that were escalating into shouts. The argument was partly Rother and the other was Harston.

“I demand to see Nathan!”

Rother could be hear through the door as well. “Nathan is seeing no one!”

I hissed as I dragged myself out of bed with unsteady feet and headed for the door, Blythe right behind me. I jerked it open, finding Harston squaring off against Rother who blocked the doorway. Several staff sat in witness in the hall, all refusing to interfere, including Samantha. Were all of them being held quiet in the same fashion as Blythe and myself?

A flash of relief washed over Harston as he caught sight of me. “Nathan! They didn’t tell me you were back and kept me busy all yesterday. I never knew. I’m so sorry!”

“It’s all right, Harston. It’s not your fault,” I said.

Harston’s stare locked onto my poorly buttoned collar. “What happened to you?”

“Nathan’s fine.” Rother reached out and placed a hand on my chest, signaling me not to move forward. “He’s become so content here in Francine and Delaga House, we feel he longer requires the services of a valet.”

“What?” I asked.

“You’re welcome to stay at Delaga House of course, but you’ll need to start servicing customers to earn your keep.”

Harston’s brow creased with defiance. “I will do no such thing.”

“If you want to stay under my roof, you will. I don’t see what’s so awful. You didn’t mind fucking me behind my back. It’s only fitting I return the sentiment.”

“Rother, please don’t,” I begged.

Rother ignored me even as his tone became more sadistic and chilling. “You’re young and attractive enough, and your trysts with Blythe show you can take a pounding. You’re the perfect type to fill a special niche I’m missing. I know a number of wealthy gentlemen who will pay me obscene amounts of money to continue indulging themselves no matter how much you beg them to stop. We won’t be needing any safewords for you. That is your future in this house.”

Horror gripped me. This was no posturing for dominance. Rother meant every word and Harston’s life sat precariously balanced. I couldn’t allow his loyalty to be used against him. Standing up tall, I had to force the words out.

“Harston, go. Consider yourself fired.”

“But, Nathan…” His eyes began to well, threatening to do the same to me.

“This isn’t up for debate. Go. Now.” I sucked in an ugly lungful of air and I nearly stuttered. “Blythe, help Harston gather his things and see him safely out.”

“No, Blythe. You will not,” Rother growled.

With a communal gasp, a hush fell over everyone present. A fresh snarl curled Blythe’s face and his hands formed into fists. Every muscle drew tight and I could foresee his advance on Rother. His feet shifted, the first portents of violence. I shuddered. Nothing good could come of this. I stepped in front of Rother and placed a hand on his forearm, keeping my voice as submissive as I knew how.

“Please, Rother. Do this for me…”

Rother’s gaze turned to me and I held it with wide eyes and broken spirit. His malevolent visage softened as I gave him a gentle squeeze.

“Very well. Go ahead and clear out. I don’t want to see Harston in my home ever again.”

“Thank you , Blythe,” I said. Blythe didn’t say a word as he led Harston away. At least now I knew Harston would walk out of Delaga House under his own power. Samantha said nothing but the glare she threw Rother’s way spoke volumes.

I tried not to cringe as Rother cupped my cheek. “You look tired, Nathan. I think you should get more rest.”

“You’re probably right.” Nodding hurt too much so I held myself stiff as I shuffled back into the bedroom, closing the room behind me. For the first time since leaving Victoria, I felt truly lost. I crumbled into the bed and drowned in my own tears.

Check back next Wednesday for the next installation… Be sure to take a read at the other briefers free reads this week here: Wednesday Briefs