Owned(14)

“I have a meeting in the city. I’ll be back tonight.”

“How fun. When the cat’s away, the mice will play,” he taunts.

I glare at him. “Not too much fun.”

Javier just stares back at me. It’s no secret our relationship is less than amicable. But we both have something the other one wants. So we play our little pissing game. Tit for tat until one of us ends up on top. And I already know who that’s going to be.

I turn to leave.

“¿Cómo está tu puta, Kayne?”

How’s your whore, Kayne?

I glance over my shoulder haughtily. “Aún mia.”

Still mine.



THE DRIVE INTO THE CITY is tedious. There’s traffic through the tunnel and all throughout midtown. I’m dreading this meeting. I tried to blow it off as many times as possible, but Mark is insistent. It’s part of the reason I hired him; he gets things done and quickly. But I had hoped to avoid stepping inside Expo until things cooled down. No such luck. The car drops me off in front of the modest-size building with the large hammered metal sign. Mark’s little company is doing well for itself.

I take a deep breath and step out onto the sidewalk. It’s early May, and the temperature is comfortable. Not so hot you’re sweating through your suit; not so cold you need an extra layer.

“I’ll call once I’m ready to be picked up,” I tell the driver. Usually Jett drives me into the city, but I felt it was safer for Ellie if he stayed behind today, and he agreed. I didn’t like that flicker in Javier’s eye when I told him I was leaving the house. It’s still bothering me. I want to make this meeting quick then get my ass back to Jersey. Mansion is located in an elite country-like suburban community an hour outside the city. It’s privately tucked away, inconspicuous to the naked eye, and perfectly situated for my clients all over the metropolitan area and beyond.

I walk into the contemporary-designed building and head toward the elevator. The last time I was here, Ellie was standing right next to me looking a little embarrassed and totally tempting in a tight pencil skirt. What I wouldn’t give to live that day over again.

The elevator doors open to a sickly looking Mark. I frown. His skin is pale, his eyes are red, and his clothes are wrinkled. Very unlike the neat as a pin man I’ve come to know.

“You look awful.” I step out of the lift.

“I am awful. I’m a wreck.” He doesn’t even shake my hand. Instead he pulls out a bottle of Tums and pops two into his mouth. “I haven’t slept since Ellie disappeared,” he says crunching away.

Oh shit. This is exactly why I wanted to avoid all things Expo.

“Why don’t we have some coffee and talk?” I put my hand on his shoulder.

Mark nods. “The conference room is prepared.”

I follow Mark down the hall, past numerous employees, to the corner room framed with windows. The energy in the office is different compared to all the other times I’ve been here. Mark prides himself on having a positive, upbeat work environment. He’s always boosting morale and incentivizing his employees. But today, the negative energy is palpable. And I know exactly why that is. It isn’t the same without Ellie, and it’s affecting everyone. Including me.

Mark plops down in his usual seat at the table as I shut the door behind me. He eats another antacid, leaving the large bottle out on the table.

I decide to pour Mark some tea instead of coffee. I figure it would be easier on a sour stomach or enflamed esophagus or whatever the fuck he has going on.

I place the cup in front of him and proceed to sit across the table.

“Thank you.” He lifts the white mug with Expo’s rainbow colored logo on it. It’s as modern as the sleek building we’re sitting in.

“Want to talk about it?” I ask as Mark takes a sip of the steaming tea. I would’ve at least blown on it first, but by the looks of him, he’s not feeling anything but anxiety at the moment.

“It’s my fault,” he blurts out.

“What?”

“Ellie’s disappearance is my fault.”

My jaw drops. “Why is it your fault?”

“Because I should have been watching her more closely.”

“Mark—”

“That beautiful little spitfire is gone. And I’m completely helpless.” He puts his head in his hands. This is not good. I knew Ellie being taken would put a strain on her friends and family, but I never imagined Mark would blame himself or fall the fuck apart. I’ve never really had friends or family who cared about me that much, so maybe I underestimated the impact of her disappearance. She’s lucky, and loved, by more people than I realized. I feel a strange twinge in my chest. Jealousy? Envy maybe? Jett is the only person who would give two shits if I ever disappeared. Regardless of the repercussions, Ellie is safer being held captive by me than being tormented at the hands of Javier. I stand by my decision. As deceitful as it is.

“Kayne, you were the last one to see her. What was she like? Was she drunk? Upset? Why did she leave alone?”

As much as I wanted to avoid this conversation, it’s clear Mark needs answers. So I will give him some.

“Trust me when I tell you, I tried everything in my power to get her to come home with me,” I divulge. Although in reality I didn’t have to try very hard. I think Ellie would have come home with me even before the alcohol freed her inhibitions. “But Ellie wasn’t having it. I think she was playing hard to get,” I insinuate.

“She didn’t drink that much and seemed fine to leave on her own. I never would have left her side if I thought something might happen to her.” It’s the exact same thing I told the police when they questioned me. I knew it was going to happen. Luckily for me, the commissioner of New York is a personal friend. You meet a lot of high profile people in my line of work, and sometimes those contacts come in handy. “I offered her a ride several times, but she declined. You know how Ellie is,” I lie through my teeth.

“Yes, I do.” Mark stares into the light brown liquid. “She’s a smart, young girl with a bright future ahead of her. It’s breaking my heart to think she’ll never have a chance to pursue it.”

I sigh. I would never take Ellie’s future away from her. If anything, I hope one day to make it brighter. If she’ll let me; if she ever speaks to me again after this is all over.

“She’s also strong, and I’m sure wherever she is, or whatever she’s going through, she’ll survive,” I try to reassure him.

“I’m trying not to imagine what’s she’s going through.” Mark’s eyes water. Damn. I pull out the white handkerchief from my left pocket and hand it to him uncomfortably.

“Thank you.” Mark takes it and wipes his eyes. Geez. I’m so bad at the emotions thing. I don’t even like my own.

“I wish I could tell you everything is going to be okay. But I’m a realist.” And I don’t want to look too incriminating. “I can tell you that I care about Ellie just as much as you do. Maybe more.” Mark pauses and looks at me for what seems like the first time today. Like he’s really seeing me.

“I understand. You two always did have explosive chemistry.”

“Explosive?” I widen my eyes. “Was it that obvious?”

“Boyfriend, please.” Mark makes a don’t bullshit me face. “Every time you two were in the same room, I had the bomb squad on speed dial.”

I smirk coyly. “Ellie is a bit ... incandescent.”

“She used to light up this whole office.” Mark smiles sadly.

She will again.

“Try not to be so hard on yourself,” I tell him.

“That is easier said than done.” He twists the handkerchief in his hands.

There’s nothing more I can say or do.

After our conversation, and a little bit of work, I bid Mark goodbye. I wish I could’ve given him more reassurance. Told him I knew Ellie was going to be okay. But my secrets have to stay hidden, because even I can’t guarantee the outcome. I can only proceed with what I’m doing, with hope that Ellie will come around and we’ll both come out of this alive.

Before I leave, I meander by Ellie’s desk. It’s filled with papers and sticky notes. Her keyboard has a thin layer of dust and the green plant she keeps on her filing cabinet is wilting. I spy the pictures on her pin board. She’s hugging a girl I don’t recognize. They look alike so I assume it’s her sister. There’s another of her with two older people. They must be her parents. She looks like her father. Their pointy noses are the same, and so is the color of their eyes. A deep mossy green. The one of her and Mark I find the most amusing. It’s St. Patrick’s Day, and they’re both wearing Kiss me I’m Irish t-shirts, green sparkly top hats, and have a shot glass in each hand. Looks like whiskey. Ellie’s cheeks are a little flushed, and she’s smiling brightly. If I had to guess, she’s a little tipsy. I catch myself grinning as I stare at her. I wonder if I’ll ever have the chance to get to know the girl in that picture. I really want to, almost desperately.

Once back outside, I slip into the town car waiting for me on the street. I slide up the privacy screen and try to relax against the leather seat, loosening my tie and stretching my legs. Why didn’t I just rent a driver and take my limo? More room!