“Where is she?”
“Getting dressed.”
“I noticed no other bed was made up,” Anne said.
“She stayed with me.”
The only sound was the scratching as she spread the butter over a crispy slice of toast.
“You know she isn’t like most of the women you’ve dated.”
“Don’t give me the third degree. I’ve never brought a woman back here,” he said. Anne always knew what to say to put him in a bad mood. He watched as she slammed the knife on the side and stalked over to him.
“Cadeon Ashwood, don’t you ever raise your voice at me. You may be my employer, but I can still put you over my bloody knee and smack that backside of yours.”
He burst out laughing. Anne had been the best nanny and housekeeper in the world. She’d never punished him even though sometimes he’d deserved it.
“Don’t laugh at me, boy. I know what you get up to, and don’t ask me how I know. I just do. That girl up there isn’t like your circles. You’ve got to be careful with her or risk losing everything. Do you understand?”
Cadeon knew what she was talking about. His lifestyle was kept from the media and press, but it didn’t mean his private life was private. The life of an Ashwood was stressful. He’d seen the way his father had reacted with his mother. Always in her company and bestowing her with gifts and favours. His father’s possessiveness of his wife had been open for all to see. Cadeon had wanted the same, to be so completely taken by a woman he couldn’t bear to be without her.
“I would never hurt her. I promise. Ah, here she is.” Violet stood in the door looking beautiful and perfect as ever. With great pride he watched as she walked toward him and handed her the house key. The first move in a line of trust. At least he hoped she saw it that way.
Thinking of her alone in that awful place was more than he could stand.
“Do you want coffee, tea?”
“Tea, please.” She sat at the counter, and he kept his gaze fixed on her. Every little move she made and the way she held herself so still and silent was as if she was scared of anyone knowing she was there.
“Do you want any toast, love?” Anne asked.
“No, thank you.”
“You’ve got to eat,” he said.
“I’m not hungry.”
Cadeon went to order her to eat but stopped himself as he caught Anne’s warning look.
While she drank her coffee, he went and called one of his men to collect her keys and begin the process of emptying out her house. Once that was sorted he picked up the phone and dialled Tate. He answered on the first ring.
“What do you want?”
“I want to see if you’ve got any news.”
He heard a heavy sigh over the line. “Look, according to most records a Violet Moore didn’t exist before three years ago.”
“But our security at my office runs thorough checks.”
“Yes, and you’ll probably find a trail of some kind. I’m not saying this girl is shifty, but something isn’t right with her birth and everything.” He heard a lot of clicking and the sound of paper moving.
“Call me as soon as you have something.”
“Will do.”
Cadeon hung up. He didn’t think anything suspicious. Nothing illegal that could implicate her in any way. He just knew in his gut that this girl had a past, and it wasn’t all flowers and roses.
He walked over to his window overlooking his gardens. As a successful and wealthy business man he could have anything his heart desired. Ever since Violet walked into his office building a year ago he’d known she would be his. The first elevator ride with Violet, he’d stood at the back. She hadn’t noticed him, her hands filled with bundles of letters to be sorted through. There had been three other people in the small space, but his eyes had been on her the whole time.
At first it had been her neck he’d become obsessed with. The curve exposing a length of flesh for him to lick, kiss or nibble. The ride had been short and sweet. Her floral scent as she moved away had filled his senses making him crave for more.
Next he’d seen her round the office, her head downcast, always scared to show her face. Men greeted her. She’d smile and hand the mail over and move onto the next person in line. The previous man forgotten if he’d even had a chance in the first place.
The second elevator ride he stood as close to her as social understanding allowed. He knew the cameras would capture every move and sound. In the reflection from the metal doors he could watch and not be seen. She said little, but her presence did something to him. Something indescribable. He felt protective of her. As if she called to the man deep within him to hold her and make sure nothing bad could happen.
At first, the sensation had scared him. Surely it was in his mind. He’d sort out the first woman he could find and slake his lust with her body. That didn’t help, but rather made him need a hot shower to rid himself of the scent. Not understanding what was happening he’d sought the help of his dearest uncle, the only close living relative he had of his father’s.
****
“What troubles you, Cadeon?” Uncle Michael asked.
“I know we haven’t been the most normal of men, but this woman at work – I want her more than I can begin to describe. I need her, Uncle Michael. Every time I see her the impulse to take her and hold her and never let her go is strong. I don’t understand it, but I remember Dad feeling a similar way with Mom.”
“This isn’t about our family, Cadeon. This is about a certain type of man. A man who is possessed by a gene so strong he can’t bear to settle down without her at his side. You’re a member of the club. You’ve seen how it works.”
Cadeon stared at his uncle unsure what to say. “You mean Possession is....” He couldn’t find the right words to describe it.
“For years men have fought their desires, their needs. The possessive instinct had been described as nothing short of a foolish man who couldn’t control his head or his heart. Then, many years ago, men like your father and his grandfather with other men with the wealth and power formed an exclusive club. A place where they could be free to be as possessive as they liked. Possession was born for the man who couldn’t control his need to be possessive of his woman. When you find the woman, you’ll know.”
****
Cadeon recalled the conversation as if it was yesterday he’d spoken to his uncle. On the day of his eighteenth birthday his dad had pulled him aside and handed him the all access card, A card for an exclusive gentleman’s club where only the most wealthy and privileged were allowed. At first he thought it was sex club until he began to sit and watch. The men who brought their wives were all about showing the men who was boss. The men talked about the way they felt. It was a place for like-minded men to be at peace with someone of a similar understanding. Possession became his salvation. Without it, Cadeon was sure he’d have gone insane with wanting since Violet walked into his life.