Mack’s Possession

Six

True to his word, Mack gave me a tour of the game room as well as the library and I realized that I could easily utilize my time in his absence. But he refused to leave me alone despite me telling him I wanted to spend time in the library. He just dragged me back to his room and had the staff bring dinner for us.

And when it was time for me to sleep I told Mack to stay away and flopped on the couch once again. But in the morning I woke up in his bed again but he was nowhere to be found. I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not because I didn’t want him to punish me for disobeying him.

Then why disobey him when you can’t handle the consequences?

Because I couldn’t let him boss me around even though he technically was my boss. I just wanted to hold onto myself for as long as possible.

As soon as I flung the duvet aside I saw a piece of paper lying on the other side of the bed. I picked it up with hesitant fingers and frowned when I realized it was a note from Mack.

Consider this your final warning: You will sleep in my bed and nowhere else. Your Mother will be summoned tomorrow if you sleep on the couch tonight.

Vivette will give you a book that I want you to read and memorize. If you don’t, then it’ll be your Father who will be summoned. So be a wise girl and don’t piss me off.

I’ll see you soon.

Mack.

What the hell? He wasn’t making idle threats so why did I think he was? What was wrong with me? He was a Diamandis. He was a monster by nature, so why did I think I could get away with defying him?

I tore the note to confetti and hurled it aside, not caring if I made a mess of his room. Vivette and the other maids could clean it. With a growl of frustration I went to the bathroom to get ready for the day. Mack was right, I had to be wise about which battles to pick and which wars to fight. And no matter what happened, I couldn’t let him summon my parents to do his bidding. I wouldn’t subject them to such humiliation.

After leaving his room I went down to the dining hall for some breakfast only to see nothing on the dining table. I really didn’t know the rules to this place despite being friends with Aston my entire life. So I wasn’t sure if I could ask the maids to prepare breakfast for me or if I could cook myself.

“What are you doing here?” I turned around to see Tanner Diamandis striding in, looking unbelievably handsome in a navy pinstriped suit. There was something so ageless about him, and even now when I was standing in front of him, I had a hard time accepting that he was the patriarch of the Diamandis family.

“I—” I gave him a short bow, my manners kicking in a little too late, before thinking of the best words to answer him. “I just came down for breakfast, but…”

“The time for breakfast is between six and eight,” he said. “You’re ten minutes late.”

“Oh. I—I didn’t know.” Considering the stern look he was giving me, I doubt he’d let me have breakfast today. “I—I’ll just go, then.”

“Not so fast, young lady.” I stopped short and he took a step forward. “I’ll have the maids bring something for you to eat and only because you now belong to my grandson and I can’t have you fainting due to low blood sugar.”

“It’s alright… I don’t faint…”

Just then the door at the other end of the dining hall opened and a maid appeared with a cloche in her hands. She quickly set it on the table before bowing to Tanner and walking back to where she came from.

“And while you’re eating, we can have a little chat. What do you say, Delphinia?” Tanner didn’t wait for me to respond and just walked over to the table and took his place at the head of the table. I knew there was no way I could refuse him, so I sat down as well, not sure what he would say to me. “Eat. Mack doesn’t like his women going hungry.”

I bristled at the plural but tried not to let it show. I didn’t like the fact that he had Vivette to take care of. I knew I shouldn’t care but I felt like I was trampling on her territory; especially when she was clearly fond of him. I didn’t know if she’d ever accept me in her life, but there was nothing I could do about it. I didn’t choose this, so she shouldn’t be upset with me.

Removing the cloche, I picked up the sandwich and took a delicate bite. It was particularly difficult for me to eat as I could feel Tanner’s eyes on me, but I couldn’t stop either.

“I know you didn’t expect this to happen but this is your life now and it’ll be best if you learn to adapt to this world,” he told me. Had Mack told him about me not sleeping in his bed? Should I ask him if he knew that I was planning on running away? “I don’t like defiance and I especially do not tolerate defiance from the families under my rule.”

“I didn’t—” he didn’t let me finish.

“I know when someone is defying my grandsons. You can tell me whatever you like but I know Mack isn’t satisfied with your behavior.” I flinched as he shifted forward, his face eerily close to mine. “So correct yourself before I do it for you and trust me when I say you won’t like my methods.”

His words had one thing cementing in my mind. I was getting out of here as soon as possible. But first I needed to get away from him. I ate the sandwich as fast as I could while trying not to choke on it.

“I—I’ll do my best,” I said and finished the rest of my sandwich.

“I hope not to see a repeat of this behavior. Otherwise I’ll have no choice but to take matters into my own hands,” he said and I knew he meant every word. I nodded once again and he stood up and walked out of the dining hall without another word.

I got up so fast the chair behind me nearly toppled over and dashed out of the dining hall before anyone could stop me. I raced back up to Mack’s bedroom and slammed the door shut and locked it. I leaned against the heavy wood and breathed heavily as I tried to come up with a plan to run away from Mack and this godawful place. I couldn’t live like this. I couldn’t let Mack and his grandfather dictate my every move.

They can and they will. Just accept it.

No, no I needed to run away. I had to leave. But how could I do it? Mack wasn’t lying when he said there were guards and cameras everywhere. The Diamandis mansion was a fortress and leaving was no less than a feat.

“I’ll just pretend to go shopping,” I said to myself, the idea taking root in my mind as I pushed myself off the door and began pacing the length of his room. “Yes, I’ll tell Mack I need to go shopping and he’d let me go because he’s busy with work. I’ll go to the mall and leave from the back end while the chauffeur waits for me.

“This could work.” I nodded to myself and continued pacing. “It had to work. Mack took me against my will so the least he can do is let me shop in private.”

Once the idea settled in my mind I picked my phone from the nightstand and called Mack. I didn’t want to save his number but now I had little choice in the matter. He picked up on the third ring.

“Nia? I have to say I wasn’t expecting your call so early in the morning,” he said and I rolled my eyes at his cheeky tone. “What happened? Miss me already?”

“Ugh, not even in your dreams and it’s practically noon,” I grumbled. “I want to go shopping.”

“Shopping? For what? You have clothes in the closet and matching accessories,” he said.

“Yes, but they’re not my style.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. They are exactly the kind of clothes you wear. I told you I’ve been watching you for years, so I know what you like and what you don’t.” Damn him for being so shrewd. He was right, the clothes in the closet were exactly my style. I had to come up with another excuse. “Tell me the truth, Nia. What is this really about?”

“What the hell, Mack?! Do I need to have a solid reason to go out? I just want some fresh air and a change of scenery. I’m sick of being cooped up in this house.”

“The house is too big for you to be cooped up in it,” he shot back, smoothly and I wished I could strangle him. “You saw the game room and library yesterday, go and spend time there. You’re not going anywhere for the next few days.”

“Why not?!” I nearly screamed.

“I want you to take time and settle in. Get to know the people and by that I mean the staff. Stay away from my cousins if you know what’s good for the both of you,” he said and I relished the murderous thoughts my mind conjured up with him as the main subject.

“Why? What’s wrong with me getting to know your cousins?”

“You’re not going to know them. You’re mine to know and memorize. Stay away from them, Nia. I mean it. I took Aston away from you, I can do the same with your parents, so don’t f*****g test me.” He hung up before I could say another word.

I shrieked and flung the phone aside and raked a hand through my hair in frustration. This man was impossible and I didn’t know why he wanted me. All he’d been doing was threatening me every chance he got. I couldn’t take this. I had to do something. I plopped on the bed and tried to figure out what to do until he got back.

The knock on the door cracked through my hate filled thoughts about Mack. I bit back a curse and opened the door to see Vivette standing there with a book in her hands. The book, no doubt, Mack wanted me to read and memorize according to his instructions.

“Master told me to give you this,” she said and handed the book to me. It had a black, leather cover with gold edgings but there was nothing written on it.

“What is it?” I asked, flipping through the book and taking in the text inside.

“This book has everything you need to know about Master Mack,” she told me. “What he likes, dislikes. His hobbies amongst other things.” She paused as I bit back another bout of expletives. “Make sure to read and understand everything. He might forgive you for your indiscretions right now but he won’t after this. Make sure to read it quickly. He’s not a patient man.”

I tucked the book close to my chest and regarded her with curiosity. “You know everything about him, right?”

Vivette smiled, her eyes lighting up as she nodded. “Yes. I take pride in knowing my Master inside and out.”

I didn’t want to dissect her words if I needed to hold on to my sanity. “Then tell me, what will it take for him to let me go?”

She chuckled as darkness eclipsed the brightness in her eyes. “Nothing. You’re his and nothing you do or say will make him let go of you.”

This wasn’t working, I had to try something else. “Come on, Vivette, you must know something. Don’t you want him all to yourself? I know you hate me and want me gone. You can help yourself by helping me.”

She c****d her head to the side as she studied me. “Yes, I do want you gone. I wish you never came here and he never signed those papers.” Finally I was getting somewhere. “But I will never do anything against his wishes or his will. As much as I don’t like you, I will never help you get out of this place as it would upset him. I want to be the reason for his smiles, Delphinia, not his anger. So do us both a favor and read that book and keep him happy. Do your job instead of trying to run from it.”

“You can’t possibly be okay with all this,” I said as she turned to leave.

She stopped and turned to look at me. “You’re my Master’s happiness. Be it forever or temporary, and that’s all I care about. As long as you keep him happy, I’ll try and be your friend. Piss him off and I’ll be your worst enemy.”

I wish I could say she was being dramatic. I wish I could say I didn’t believe her. But I couldn’t say any of that because I could feel the truth in every syllable. I watched her walk away and then slammed the door once again. It was a miracle that it still stood in place considering how much I was abusing it. But now I knew I could do nothing but wait for Mack to return.

I sighed and settled in the armchair and flipped open the book that Mack wanted me to read. The book which would apparently tell me everything about him.