My heart felt like it would come through my chest. Astonishment coursed through me at how his words both angered me and excited me at the same time. How can this man have such a hold over me? It wasn’t in my nature to be vulnerable to any person, yet even his words caused my breathing to labor and my body to still. My eyes swept over the impression of his muscular body that was revealed by the thin material of his shirt. My tongue darted out to wet my lips and I couldn’t stop myself from reacting at the sight of him. He was masculinity exemplified and his body exuded a carnal power from within. I wanted so badly to reach out and touch him, but couldn’t due to this challenge I had inadvertently demanded. How in the hell was I supposed to live with him and control myself enough not to tackle him to a bed? I was a frenzied ball of hormones any time he was around and now I was supposed to be living with him? My frustration increased and I refused to respond to what he’d implied. I’d forgotten that while I had been busy stubbornly asserting my autonomy, he had been studying me, determining my triggers and dissecting my weaknesses. I had not been a worthy opponent in this control game he was playing. But that was about to change.
“I’ll go have your door fixed to close up your apartment. When you are released, we will go together to get your things. I appreciate that you have heeded Detective Troy’s warning.” His smile grew brighter and his eyes crinkled from the movement. I was fuming. Daemon had managed to shift this power struggle to his favor and I had no choice but to go along with what he was saying. I knew better than to be ignorant of my safety and staying at my apartment was out of the question. The utter suckage of this situation was bitter on my tongue.
“Fine. We’ll discuss rent when we get back to your place. It’s probably best that you also see to your bike while you are at my apartment. The keys should be in my purse if you are able to find it.”
His smirk never left his face. He was enjoying this victory and I rolled my eyes causing him to laugh. My blood boiled some more.
“I’m glad you find this amusing Daemon. You’ll find it a lot less funny when I’m better healed and I can kick your ass for laughing at me.” I gave him my best pointed glare.
Daemon smiled a heart stopping smile and my breath caught at his bemused gaze.
His body shook with his silent laugh. “Can’t wait”
~
I packed what little belongings I had with me into the bag. I was finally being released from the hospital and Daemon stood silently waiting for me to gather my things. After zipping up my bag, I turned to Daemon and nodded my head towards the door. He took the bag from my arm and placed his hand on the small of my back to lead me out of the room.
“I need to see Annie and David before we leave.” My voice gave away my trepidation at seeing my friends.
Daemon’s expression remained stoic as he led me to Annie’s room. He leaned against the wall beside her door as I took a deep breath and pushed my way in. The room was barely lit when I entered. The ambiance was thick and sorrowful as if Annie herself was projecting her inner turmoil out into this room.
She sat on her bed with her legs bent and held to her chest by her arms. Her gaze barely made its way to mine as I crossed the room to sit next to her. I was saddened by the lifeless look in her emerald green eyes and the rage that had been smoldering within began to spark and grow. Even though I was also a victim to Chris’ attack, my fury didn’t burn as hot as it did when I remembered what he had done to my friends. I embraced the anger, wrapping it around me like a blanket that would only serve to remind me that I could not sit idle while Chris was still running free.
“Hey Annie.” My voice was whisper soft. Anything louder would have felt forced and foreign in the quiet solitude of this room. “I was released today and I wanted to stop by and see you before I left.” It felt lame that I could not think of more to say to her, but her condition was so fragile, so unbalanced, that I felt like the wrong word or phrase would be enough to push her over the edge.
Her eyes blinked slowly as she processed what I was saying. Her posture was defensive and her lack of expression left me wondering if she was mentally with me in this room. I placed my hand on hers and wanted to cry when she immediately pulled away. Did she blame me? Had this been my fault? Had I been a catalyst for the level of violence exacted against my friends?
My heart dropped when Annie neglected to respond. I feared my presence at this moment was too much for her, that she wasn’t ready to step back into life as it had been. “I love you Annie. I know it’s hard to talk now, but I’ll keep visiting. I’ll be here when you are ready. I won’t leave you alone in this.” My voice croaked as I forced back my tears. She didn’t need to see me cry. She needed my strength more than anything else. Having nothing left to say, I slowly got up and left the room.
The rage that had started to come alive and spark at the sight of Annie grew into a torrid inferno when I walked into David’s room. His swollen and bruised face was barely recognizable. Multiple tubes and cords ran from his body while his eyes remained closed. I was nervous that he had yet to regain consciousness. It was as if the light that animated him had been all but smothered by the acts of a depraved man. As I stood staring at David’s still body, and as images of Annie, huddled and lonely, played through my mind, a righteous anger built within me. It was giving me purpose and strength, a calm and controlled resolve to set things back to right. I welcomed this animosity growing within me, it would drive me in my hunt for the man that hurt my friends.
Despite the warnings voiced by Detective Troy; despite the watchful eye of an overprotective Daemon; despite each and every road block that was being erected before me; I would find Chris and I would deliver him to justice. Hunting Chris while living with Daemon wouldn’t be easy. Daemon had me where he wanted me and it would take finesse, it would take time, and it would take a resolute determination to achieve what I had planned. But I would succeed. I had to; there was no other choice.
Daemon silently walked me out of David’s room and towards the elevator to leave the hospital. My heart raced anxiously at the thought of what it would be like staying with Daemon. I have never lived with a love interest. I’d never given up even the smallest part of my freedom to a man; especially not one as strong-willed as him. Although he agreed to the conditions I required as part of my stay in his home, I picked up on an underlying and unspoken intent on his part to not make it easy on me. I worried that we would constantly be bumping heads and stepping on each other’s toes. I knew I was walking into a battle that I wasn’t sure I could win. Daemon succeeded in our previous battle, but I was determined to be victorious in the next phase of this game. I was aware I was at a disadvantage. He knew more about me than I did about him; but that would soon change.
Daemon and Chris had both played their cards in two very different games, but I would now take control of those decks. Both men would soon learn what I was truly capable of, they would learn that they had underestimated the woman within me. Although their intentions were very different, they had both made their positions known.
This was not the end to the games that had been played against me…it was only just the beginning.
Paige’s Story Continues in Book Two –
“Conflict” – Coming 2013
Acknowledgements
There are so many wonderful people that I need to praise for helping me, supporting me, and cheering me on as I wrote my debut novel, Control.
First and foremost, to my husband. You have no idea how much your support has helped me continue moving me forward in my writing. There are the obvious tasks you took on to help, such as cleaning, cooking, taking care of the kids and stepping up where I could not. In addition, you have supported me through this entire process and your encouragement meant more than you will ever realize.
To my number one cheerleader and ‘Head Minion’, Gina Chiappini. Seriously, woman, I need to buy you a set of pom poms. You were patient while I rambled, you were there to brainstorm, you offered me sedatives
when I was panicking, and you believed in me like no other. You deserve so much praise for your friendship and for everything that you have done.
To Stacy Nickelson, you were the first person who didn’t know me yet still gave me a chance. Your advice was golden and you were patient in leading me through every step of this process. If it wasn’t for you, I would probably still be staring at a finished book on my computer trying to figure out the next step. I cannot thank you enough.
To Author Cynthia P. O’Neill, I was excited to have another author read and critique Control. You not only gave me your honest opinion, but you helped me realize I was not alone in my efforts in the literary world. You calmed me more than you realize.
To Stephanie Phillips, Crystal Marie, Laura Voss, Megan Noel, Liz King, and Melissa Baker, all of you helped make this book possible. Without your honest critiques and unending support, I would have never known how to continue forward when I had doubts. All of you are simply amazing people who took the time to help a new author out. You will forever be appreciated for your kindness, your support and your efforts.
Finally, to my cover artist, Jason L. Lee and to the necklace designer for the cover, Verita’s Wearable Treasures, thank you for your combined efforts in creating a beautiful cover that makes me proud. Both of you are insanely talented and I could not have asked for a more worthy cover for this book.
M. S. Willis, Control
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