Gideon dragged his eyes away from the phone and forced himself to respond to his controller. “I didn’t realize she had too much to drink until it was too late. She collapsed, hitting her nose and spilling her wine,” he lied.
Arkdone narrowed his already beady eyes. “Her wine?” Arkdone fumed. “Did it occur to you that she’s only sixteen?” he seethed.
“Sir, no sir. I did not know her age.” Gideon looked down at her in disbelief. Now that he was focusing on her slim frame and flawless skin, he felt even more reverence toward such an old soul in the young body.
“I expected more from you, Gideon. Now you get to anticipate the consequences for your carelessness.”
“Sir, yes sir.” Gideon felt himself bow his head submissively to his controller, but for the first time in his life, he felt resentment for his body’s automatic reaction to Arkdone’s reprimand.
Ermos stopped the car beside the private jet and Arkdone angrily opened his door to exit the vehicle as he growled, “She reeks of alcohol.”
He then ducked his head back into the limo to add, “Have her cleaned up and ready to discuss matters one hour after we arrive back at the hospital. She has work she’d better be willing to start immediately.”
“Sir, yes sir.” Gideon nodded respectfully and watched the Senator take the steps up to the jet two and three at a time. He frowned to himself wondering why he’d never noticed his controller’s agility.
How many other things are going on that I’ve been oblivious to all this time? Have I been such a mindless monarch to have missed the bizarre behavior of my controller?
He looked back at the girl in his arms and wondered if it were because of her that his eyes were finally starting to open to the life he’d been forced to live. She moaned softly in her sleep. The sound of her voice was a soothing tonic to his soul.
Ermos was standing at the door. He coughed discreetly to get Gideon’s attention.
Never letting his eyes leave her beautiful face, the metamonarch carefully held the girl to his wide chest and crouched to step out of the luxury car. He walked up the steps into the plane slowly, enjoying the simple pleasure he felt at watching her spiral curls dance in the breeze around her face.
You’re just a child, Meg. He thought with amazement. You’re a strong, beautiful girl with your life ahead of you. He pushed his thoughts toward her—willing her to hear.
He sat with her still in his arms in one of the front seats of the jet. One hand reached to carefully pull a lock of hair away from the sticky blood under her nose.
If I had one wish, it would be to be near you the rest of my life, even if only as a servant. Just to hear your voice and watch the fire dance in your eyes when you’re excited. Just to breathe the same air. I would do anything to stay right here beside you, little angel.
Meg only stirred twice during the thirty-minute flight, but they arrived back at the hospital without her having regained consciousness. The Senator looked on her with anger when he realized how unlikely it was that he would be able to have a discussion with her in an hour’s time.
“Do your best to rouse her, Gideon.” The Senator waved his hand dismissively as they walked into the grand foyer of the asylum. Arkdone made a beeline to the bar in his study where he poured himself a tumbler of Scotch.
“Yes, sir,” Gideon responded, worry pressed into his brow at how exactly he was going to accomplish his task. He turned and carried the girl down the corridor toward her chambers.
With reverence, he laid her on her crimson comforter. Not sure what to try first, he opted for a cold washcloth and hurried to her bathroom to retrieve one. As he squeezed out the water with his massive hands, he heard a moan from the other room.
He ran back only to find the girl in nearly the same position he’d left her, except her left arm was now tossed up and over her head. He noticed she tucked her thumb inside her nearly closed fist, a position that seemed so familiar to her muscles, they moved that way even in her sleep.
Sleeping, she looked every inch the sixteen-year-old girl lying alone in the massive bed. Gideon shrugged out of his jacket and yanked his bowtie undone, unbuttoning the top two pearl buttons so he could finally breathe.
This girl just takes my breath away. He inhaled deeply, trying to clear his mind.
Gently, he used the washcloth to wipe away the blood from her face first, then the top of her chest. He could see the blood had trickled down between her two, perfectly shaped breasts, but refused to touch her there.
Not without her permission, he ordered himself. Gideon felt a wave of protectiveness strong enough to make his senses heighten as his heart pounded with adrenaline in his chest.
Using a clean edge of the washcloth, Gideon carefully stroked her forehead and temples. “Meg, wake up. You’re safe. Come on. It’s time to wake up,” he coaxed in a soothing tone.