Free Joseph Fallen (The Estate Series) by M.S. Willis

finally opened, his
voice brushed against her, seductive as silk, while, at the same time, sharp as
the most lethal of blades.
    The words spoken were so slow, so frightfully controlled,
that there was no doubt they were the undeniable truth.   “When I married you, and on our wedding
night, I promised you two things, Arianna – that you were mine and that I
would do whatever was necessary to give you everything you could ever
want.”   His eyes closed as he
winced, his face appearing to battle against pain of the thoughts pounding
against his skull.   “I have not
broken those promises, so do not break yours. Do not threaten to leave me
again.   There is no where on this
Earth that you could run, that I would not hunt you down, find you, and drag
you back here, chained if need be, to
where you belong.”
    His eyes opened.
    “You are mine and I will not allow you to leave.   While I’m gone, I will leave Connor to
watch over you.   He is loyal to me
and will prevent any escape you attempt if you are foolish enough to try.   There is no escape from me, Arianna. You
WILL accept what I have done.”
    Pushing himself away from her, he looked her over for only a
moment longer, before soundlessly turning away, disappearing out the door into
the hall.   Sliding to the ground,
Arianna huddled over herself and grabbed her knees, rocking back and forth like
a mother would do to soothe a frightened child.

Chapter Eight
    His tan face was shadowed by black stubble, short and thick,
creating canyons out of the cheeks of his face.   An odd look to his eyes, Joseph swore he
saw calculated insanity behind the gaze of the man who’d just revealed to him
that a unit within his own network had been responsible for the attack on his
wife.  
    “Do they believe they can best me so easily, that I would
not have eventually discovered their plans?   How many within the group took part and
do we know for a fact that Arianna had been their intended target?”
    Emory settled into the wing-backed chair that had been
earlier occupied by Connor.   “It is
a simple battle for control, Joseph.   These men will employ the same techniques you used to gain your seat in
this network, unless of course you are quick to show them to what lengths you
will go to protect it.”   A deeper
meaning and ill intent hung on his words.   “Their intended target is not of concern; only that it was an attack on your house.   As far as I could discover, there are
eleven men total who had taken part and those men have been apprehended and
held until you can decide what is to be done about them.”
    “And what do you suggest I do about these men?   Wouldn’t it be simple enough to kill
them and return their bodies back to those who may have supported them?”
    “You could do that – or…”
    Joseph’s craned his neck sideways, attempting to work out
the knot that had formed in the muscle.   “Or, what?
    “You could make an example out of them.   Show any would-be traitors exactly how far you are willing to go to
protect everything you’ve worked so tirelessly to build.   These were criminals before you took
them and shaped them into the wealthiest men in this State.   But now, it seems, some believe they no
longer need you.   I suggest you show
them how wrong they were in their belief.”
    Joseph considered Emory’s words and agreed that swift force
would be required in this situation.   It was a line he’d not crossed before, but what did he have to
lose?   The only thing he cared about
was his wife and she’d already betrayed him by allowing herself to even
consider leaving his side.  
    “Have they confessed?”
    “Does it matter?”
    Each man looked at the other, a weighted question unanswered
out loud, but decided, nonetheless.  
    Joseph sighed.   “Then I will end this quickly.”
    Emory smiled.
    Standing from his chair, Joseph paced the floors of his
office.   His white shirt pulled
tight across his shoulders, the material