“Accept who you are, Stephen, before it kills you and your woman. This is important. Feel the possession, and accept it. You’re a dominant man who won’t share your woman. You want her every second so no other person can be near her. You’re an Owner.” James spoke every word Stephen was feeling.
He let go. Closing his eyes, he allowed his body to accept the part of him that hadn’t risen before in his life.
“How do you cope with these feelings?” he asked Cadeon.
“I know Violet loves me. I was her first in everything, and it helps keep the demon at rest.”
“I’ve never felt this way about any woman in my life. I’ve seen the way you all are with the women you’ve been with. Why haven’t I felt like this until now?” Stephen asked all the men in the room.
“We’re not a bloody race, Stephen. There is no scientific experiment to see how we react. There are only the few select members who can relate to how we feel. You know this. Your father told you, like his father told him. This is something we’ve got to deal with.” James sat opposite him.
Stephen remembered all the conversations he’d had with his father. He also recalled going out and sleeping with every woman he could find to try to awaken the need inside him. At the time he had thought it would be cool to be possessive about a woman. The feelings inside him were too intense.
“You have to learn to control it,” Cadeon said.
Stephen opened the top buttons of his shirt. He needed the fresh air.
“Now you know about this I need to start talking about what is going on,” James said.
He pulled out a piece of paper from his jacket and handed it to Stephen. He opened it up and saw several pictures. Some were taken inside both clubs; another was of Ursula. There was also a picture of Violet and Rebecca. Each woman he recognised as being claimed by members of his or James’s club.
“What is this?” he asked.
“Turn them over,” James said.
Stephen turned each photo over. On the back a note read, “Can you protect them all?” He gave the photos to each man. Cadeon ran his fingers through his hair.
“Violet went out shopping there. She didn’t know someone was watching her,” Cadeon said.
“I think the point of the photos is to show us none of the women knew. I’m more concerned about the photos of Ursula and Rebecca. They are the main women under our protection. All the other women have their own protectors,” Stephen said.
“Actually, Rebecca is my responsibility, and Ursula is yours, Stephen,” Cadeon said.
“You don’t need to worry about Rebecca. She’s our responsibility,” Tate said.
“I’ll always feel responsible for her until you claim her in marriage or something. I should have protected her in my club. I didn’t.” Stephen knew he’d made a mistake. Rebecca was a woman who needed protection, and Ursula was his main responsibility.
Cadeon flicked through the photos. Tate and Kevin came to look at each one. The photo in question was taken round the back of Rebecca’s house. He knew from Cadeon she was trying to deal with her fear of going outside. She stood in the open doorway trying to take a step outside.
There were curses round the room. “Whoever this is knows about the club and Rebecca’s connection to it,” James said.
The tension in the room could be cut with a knife.
“All the other photos are taken in public places. This is direct. Not many people know about Rebecca,” Stephen said.
“The only people who know about Rebecca are the people in this room and two other people,” James said. His back was to them as he stared out of the window. All Stephen saw was the other man’s reflection. “The only two men who know about Rebecca are Lloyd Black and his son, Eugene Black.”
“There is no way that little fucker can do something like this,” Sean said. “He hasn’t got a fucking brain cell inside his head.”
“Never underestimate him. Eugene had a knack for being silent. He was probably more involved in both clubs than we realise,” James said, turning round to them.
Stephen sat back thinking about everything that had happened. “Any news on the son?”
“Nope.”
“We need to find Eugene, and until then I want more security on the women. Talk to the members of your club and warn them to keep their women safe,” Stephen said. “Also, I need some time alone with Ursula. So I want you guys to get out of my home.”
Several minutes later they exited the study. More guests had left. Ursula stood with Violet. They were talking, but each of them faced the study. Violet went to Cadeon immediately. Ursula stayed where she sat. The uncertainty on her face upset Stephen. Stephen went to her, taking her hand to help her stand.