Page 86 of Caging Liberty
“Imean, how could you have claimed her if she’s still here at the manor shaking her sexy ass for residents? Wouldn’t that make her up for grabs?”
My eyes widen at his brazenness, and my jaw clenches. I take my time responding, choosing each word carefully.
“No.” I take a breath to ensure my next words are steady. “Sawyer and I have an arrangement. Since I’m not allowed my own slave, Ivy is as close as it gets for me. She isn’t for sale.”
“Mm.” His lips twist to one side while he pretends to consider this. “Is she allowed to be borrowed?”
“Like the other girl you decided toborrow?” I clasp my hands together so I don’t reach across the desk and strangle him. “No.”
He fights a smile. “Are you miffed about that too? I thought it was just Sawyer.”
“You beat the shit out of her, Jasper. Everyone has their limits.”
He barks out a laugh. “Should I remember that the next time you have a job for me to do?”
He waits like it’s a real question, but I don’t answer. The truth is, I’d rather not know the methods he uses to complete the jobs Sawyer and I give him. He handles a lot of our dirty work when twenty-first century civility isn’t an effective business tactic. Some of that dirty work involves hearts stopping. My imagination provides me plenty.
“Besides,” he goes on, his posture far too relaxed, “how was I supposed to know how you and Sawyer run things around here? I thought the girl’s escape attempt warranted harsher punishment than… How did you punish the brunette exactly? I’m still not clear on that.”
Again, I don’t answer. He’s full of shit, and he knows I know it. He claims Naomi tried to run away, and I believe it, but I also believe he gave her good reason to. She wasn’t trying to run from the island, she was trying to run from him. There’s a difference.
As for how I chose to punish Lib, I’m sure Sawyer has already told Jasper plenty.
“Ivy.”
One of his brows slants. “Hmm?”
“Her name is Ivy.”
“Ah.” He rests his hands on his stomach, his head slowly rising and falling as if this is truly new information. “Yes, Ivy. How did you handle the situation with her?”
“There was no situation. I chose to force her to make a call. She did nothing wrong.”
He smiles yet again, staring at me like I’m a child showing him a clumsy juggling act. He knows I’m lying… I didn’t expect anything different. He’s better at reading people than anyone I’ve ever met. I’m still not going to admit the truth.
I clear my throat. “If Sawyer still plans on allowing you to have your own slave, you should start looking for someone else. I don’t anticipate being done with Ivy any time soon.”
“If he plans onallowingme?” Jasper tilts his head.
Oh, right. How dare someone tell him what he can or cannot do? I struggle not to roll my eyes, but it does occur to me that he and I are similar in some ways.
“It is his island, after all.”
“And yet here you are, bending his rules,” he says, splaying his hands. “I’ve always liked that about you, though. You command what you want instead of relying on manipulation tactics like Sawyer.” He pulls his hands in front of him and leans forward. “Between you and me, I think he’s the soft one.”
“I’d say you’re as equally talented at manipulating Sawyer as he is anyone else, considering you still manage to come here.”
“No.” His arrogant smile gradually deadens. “I don’t need guile. I much prefer taking what I want with force.”
I nearly snort at the veiled threat.
Try me, motherfucker.
“You can try.” One side of my lips lift. “Brawn can only accomplish so much.”
“It’s usually enough.”
When my smirk falls, he pushes himself out of the chair. “Well, guess I’ll get back in there. Just wanted to see how my oldest mate was doing. It must get lonely, staring wistfully at a monitor.” He winks and turns toward the door.