Before the Storm

[SEBASTIAN DAVENPORT]

There was so much commotion going on around Sebastian from August trying to demand Maxine to the always beautiful Eponine, then he could hear Alyson moving around and Prestine piping up about costumes and his pet. Alyson wasn't his pet anymore. He listened to what everyone had to say, including Eponine as she went on her little spiel about how nobody knew where the ring was. That was why he wanted August to find it. Make someone else do all the dirty work and then he'd swoop in and collect his prize. Except it seemed that August was too distracted by Maxine to do much searching.

"I don't have a pet anymore, Prestine. So everyone is fair game for you now." He spoke softly but didn't even look to his sister. His eyes were on the little redheaded lamb as he absorbed her costume. "Well.. you're not so plain now, are you? I can see why you picked her," he addressed August and even smirked at the other male before he removed his hand that was around her body, still keeping one hand on her throat, and he pulled it back to give her ass a nice firm slap and even a playful grope. "I could hang on to this one." He brought his lips to Maxi's temple and then parted them, looking like he was about to either lick her or bite her face off as his eyes turned to August once more. "I wonder how she tastes.."

The gargoyle was so angry about Alyson right now that he didn't care what he did to this girl. He didn't care what happened to any of the girls at this point. Prestine could lock them up in her room and play dress up until they were all old and grey for all he cared. But finally he decided to address what Eponine said, noticing that she had gotten closer. Was she going to do August's biding and save the little lamb that had been stolen? He had a feeling she was going to just try and talk him down because she knew him better than August did. Sebastian was the type to grow bored after a while and would eventually release her, especially if she no longer became valuable to him.

"If you've come empty handed then what's in it for me if I return her? No.. I think maybe I want to keep this one for a little while longer. She must be a good fuck if you've kept her around so long, August." He taunted and let his eyes wander over Maxi again. Her breasts were going to pop out of that outfit at any moment it seemed and he didn't mind getting front row seats to the show. He was curious what Prestine had put the brunette into but he knew if he turned his head then one of the others might spring forward and try to take the girl away from him.

"Prestine I have to admit your costumes are rather fetching when they're not on you."

[AUGUST WITT]

"Well.. you're not so plain now, are you? I can see why you picked her," August's body shook as he watched helpless from the sidelines. He could rush over, but what was stopping Sebastian from snapping her pretty little neck? He knew he would. It was his style to do just that, and August, though full of rage and adrenaline, would still be a tough match for Sebastian. He nearly lost it when he saw Sebastian smack the girls ass, though and then groped her. He took a threatening step forward but was stopped when he lowered his mouth to her. He wouldn't tear her apart with his teeth, would he? It wouldn't surprise August. The Davenports had always been known to be a savage family.

His mind reeled as he watched Sebastian, trying to think of something, anything to say, until his cousin stepped forward and talked for him. "That girl's not going to do you any good. August doesn't have that kind of pull with the Council." Finally, she was backing him up. He almost felt bad for disliking her so much all this time. Then again, she had always been a complete pain in the ass, so he didn't feel that badly. But things might possibly change if she was able to help him, and by simply talking she was getting his brain to work and think. "So just let the girl go. She won't do anything but cause you trouble anyway."

"If you've come empty handed then what's in it for me if I return her? No.. I think maybe I want to keep this one for a little while longer. She must be a good fuck if you've kept her around so long, August."

Every moment brought him closer and closer to exploding, and something inside the man finally snapped. "You won't do anything to her." He challenged, taking another step forward. "Because if you do you have nothing on me. What will you do, hurt Eponine?" He snorted, knowing he wouldn't do that either. "She is the only thing you have to bargain with, however here's something to chew on, Sebastian.." Another step closer. "I'm on the council. Eponine.. is on the council." His words were low and murderous, dripping with venom. "You've brought humans into your home and threatened to expose the secret. You've abducted countless women, including mine. Considering your sisters comment about your "pet" I can assume you've kept a woman, or possibly man, here against their will. You are a parasite. A pariah among our kind and have threatened to kill an innocent to obtain a ring you don't even know exists. I'm certain the council will be interested to hear of your transgressions and will be happy to take action against you. What will it be, you think? Whipping? Doubtful. Death, perhaps?" Another dangerous step closer.

"You have nothing on me, Davenport. You think if you kill that one I cannot find another? That my love for her is completely blind? You.. you are the blind one. Now my suggestion would be to release her because I assure you the consequences outweigh anything else. Keeping her or killing her will not get you that stupid ring. I have no pull anywhere. No one even knows where to begin to look for the ring, so hand her over now, or suffer the sever consequences of the council." He turned and looked at his cousin. "I'm certain Eponine will back my story up. Really, I could probably tell them anything." He said, his eyes back on Sebastian. "Because who in their right mind would believe you over me?"

[ALYSON MONTGOMERY]

"Oh, you really need to learn to control things better, Sebastian. I mean, honestly... now we have August here to collect his toy and look at the state of your pet! Disgraceful." Pet? Not anymore. She felt a slight pang at the thought of him releasing her. Why on earth would that upset her? She was free! And he had struck her! Hard. Her cheek was still stinging fiercely and she was certain it was red. It sure felt warm, still.

"I don't have a pet anymore, Prestine. So everyone is fair game for you now." His confirmation made her throat tighten. She wanted to cry again. Her eyes finally locked on Cassidy and her jaw dropped. What the HELL was she wearing?! Cass seemed to see her and darted to her at the door.

"Let's get out of here." She said softly, all choked up. She didn't want Cass or anyone else to see her this way. She looked back at Sebastian just long enough to see him smack the girls ass, and he ripped her heart out with that smack. He was talking keeping her instead. Was she so easily replaced? Had he made her want him as a game?

Of course he had! He was a sick bastard! She grabbed Cassidy's hand and opened the door, pulling her out into the hallway and running as fast as she could with the other woman, going through the door to the stairwell. It would be faster than waiting for the elevator and no one could track where they were going that way.

"I'm sorry!" She breathed, looking at Cassidy as she stopped a couple of floors down and breaking down into tears. "Why did you follow me? You should have never followed me!" She insisted, covering her face, not wanting Cass to see her this way. The last few weeks were catching up to her, as was the huge rejection she'd received, not to mention the overwhelming pain in her face and arm. It had just been a lousy night.

"You weren't supposed to get involved!" She whimpered into her hands. "You were never supposed to be there!"

[PRESTINE DAVENPORT]

"Maybe another time, Pressy," Prestine looked disappointed but shrugged. She supposed now wasn't the absolute best time to play with her friends anyway. Dressing the girls up had been fun and all, but this little showdown was starting to get interesting.

She watched August huff and puff, a cruel smile on her face seeing his suffering. She'd never much cared for August. He'd always been a bit whiny and a huge suck up. Eponine was a suck up, too, but she at least wasn't a complete bitch about it. She was just one of the girls!

Her pale eyes wandered to everyone who spoke, not realizing that her newest toy had escaped through the door with Bastian's former pet, until they were long gone. She pouted when she realized but she decided it was fine. Maybe she would go and find the girl she thought would be good for Sebastian! She had been so lovely and would spectacular in one of her outfits.

Prestine wondered what Sebastian's fixation with the stupid ring was. Why did he care about daylight anyway? Night was more fun. Even in movies night was more fun. Night was when trouble was alive and sex was best! How many wild crazy sex scenes were shot in the daylight?

"Prestine I have to admit your costumes are rather fetching when they're not on you." She grinned. "Oh, no they're fetching on me. You're just an idiot." She chimed in with a sweet, sugary smile. She was in a fine mood until August piped up. She listened to his rant and slowly her chipper disposition faded to something darker. August would make threats with the council. He was a weak man and needed the big bad councilmen to do his dirty work because he wasn't strong enough to do it himself. In a way she sort of had to commend him. He was at least intelligent enough to get others to do his bidding at will. Sebastian wasn't. Would he break and give in? She hoped not. She liked seeing August so angry!

[EPONINE GASCOIGNE]

Eponine watched the poor girl struggling in Sebastian's embrace. The way he was doing it simply to taunt August pissed her off. She was allowed to taunt August, not Sebastian. How many times had they been over this over the years? The girl was trying to squirm away, but it didn't do her any good. Eponine could see how pissed off her cousin was getting, and she was getting frustrated herself. If she weren't so irritated with the whole situation, she may have let Sebastian know that his pet was getting away. Then again, he had just disowned his pet, so he probably didn't even want her there. Her eyes turned back to Sebastian groping Maxine and she huffed. "If you've come empty handed then what's in it for me if I return her? No.. I think maybe I want to keep this one for a little while longer. She must be a good fuck if you've kept her around so long, August." Eponine took a step forward, tired of this stupid pissing contest. "That's enough, Sebastian," she started, but August stepped in.

"You won't do anything to her." Eponine turned her eyes to August, watching as he took a step forward. "Because if you do you have nothing on me. What will you do, hurt Eponine?" She snorted at the same time as him, rolling her eyes. "I'd like to see him hurt me," she grumbled. Gargoyle versus Gargoyle made for a decent fight and she knew Sebastian wouldn't want the fight that she would give. "She is the only thing you have to bargain with, however here's something to chew on, Sebastian...I'm on the council. Eponine...is on the council.You've brought humans into your home and threatened to expose the secret. You've abducted countless women, including mine. Considering your sisters comment about your 'pet' I can assume you've kept a woman, or possibly man, here against their will. You are a parasite. A pariah among our kind and have threatened to kill an innocent to obtain a ring you don't even know exists. I'm certain the council will be interested to hear of your transgressions and will be happy to take action against you. What will it be, you think? Whipping? Doubtful. Death, perhaps?" He was deadly serious. Had it taken her presence here to make him realize he had all this information on the Davenports? It was frustrating because she had a case she was working on, but she liked to see August so fired up. She had to admit, it made a little part of her proud to see him make such a great defense.

"You have nothing on me, Davenport. You think if you kill that one I cannot find another? That my love for her is completely blind? You.. you are the blind one. Now my suggestion would be to release her because I assure you the consequences outweigh anything else. Keeping her or killing her will not get you that stupid ring. I have no pull anywhere. No one even knows where to begin to look for the ring, so hand her over now, or suffer the sever consequences of the council." She watched him beneath her heavy eyelids, following his arguments. His eyes came to hers and she simply watched him. "I'm certain Eponine will back my story up. Really, I could probably tell them anything. Because who in their right mind would believe you over me?" Eponine wouldn't indicate which way she would go, but it should have been obvious she would back up what her cousin said. He was family. Sebastian was a good fuck, but August was the closest she had to a brother, and, despite their differences, that did mean something to her.

She looked back to Sebastian, knowing now that her cousin was capable of handling himself. Still, he liked he was hesitating, so she gave a sigh. "Sebastian, I don't want to have to go through all that trouble. Just let Maxine go and we can forget this ever happened," she said gently. Sometimes a soft voice could communicate more than a loud one, she often found. Eponine rarely shouted, finding that people would quiet to listen to her. She hoped Sebastian would be as clever.

[CASSIDY MERRYWEATHER]

Everyone was talking - or should she say arguing - about Red and she was already confused to why it had been her that the freaky guy said not to hurt. But she didn't have time to stand around and see what happened to the girl or anyone else. "Let's get out of here." Before Cass could utter a word Alyson was dragging her out of the condo, and although she didn't look it, she sure had one hell of a pull because Cassidy couldn't even stop her! Not that she wanted to since she wanted to get out of there as well, but she didn't want to leave the other girl there alone with those lunatics! And who were the other two people? How did they get in there when the door was locked?!

She had to be careful going down the stairs, being pulled along and trying her hardest not to slip! Luckily she didn't put those stupid socks on so her bare feet made it less likely that she would slip and fall down the stairs, and almost as fast as they had left Alyson was stopping in the stairwell. "I'm sorry!" Cassidy was just in a state of shock that no words could be found at the moment and she just allowed the girl to break down. "Why did you follow me? You should have never followed me!"

Cassidy wanted to tell her that she followed her because she was her friend! Because she cared about her well being and didn't want to see her get hurt, which had obviously happened anyway, but Aly wasn't finished and kept crying out in her fit of... well, she wasn't really sure! Was she angry? Sad? Hurt? "You weren't supposed to get involved! You were never supposed to be there!"

She didn't know what else to do so she simply scooped Alyson into her arms and held her tight to her, her own eyes wide, and allowed the girl to let it all out. "It's okay, we're okay now. You're safe.. we're out of there and he can't hurt you now. We'll go to the police and they'll haul that bastard away, okay?" She said everything she could trying to assure the girl and gently pulled away so she could get a good look at her, worry in her eyes. "We'll get help. Let's go back to my place and we'll call the police then we'll have someone take a look at you."

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Maxi's skin was literally going to crawl right off her body. "Well... you're not so plain now, are you? I can see why you picked her." GROSS. The last thing she wanted was Sebastian's compliments. Scratch that. The LAST thing she wanted was for him to touch her anywhere. Yet that hand slid from around her and gave her butt a firm slap, making her cry out with surprise. Did it stop there? Nope. He groped her. She wanted to kill him. "Don't touch me!" she screamed, wanting to kick him, but afraid he would snap her neck if she did. "I could hang on to this one." No he could NOT! His lips came to her temple and she felt bile in her throat. "I wonder how she tastes..." EW. Her face showed her disgust at that idea. He was vile and she would prefer death to having sex with him. "If you've come empty handed then what's in it for me if I return her? No...I think maybe I want to keep this one for a little while longer. She must be a good fuck if you've kept her around so long, August." She closed her eyes wishing she could just glare at him. "Not that you'll ever find out," she muttered, furious that she couldn't do anything.

"You won't do anything to her." The words stopped her squirming and she looked at August. He was stepping forward. She had never seen him so angry. "Because if you do you have nothing on me. What will you do, hurt Eponine?" Eponine? Apparently that was his cousin's name. Her parents must have been fans of the novel Les Miserables. It was a passing thought, but at least now she knew the woman's name. August continued to step closer, threatening Sebastian with all of the reasons why he couldn't harm Maxi. She felt her heart racing the more he talked. Could all of that be true? Could the Davenports really get in deep shit over all of this? She didn't know the laws for Gargoyles, but she wanted nothing more than to see Sebastian suffer for what he hand done to her tonight. Prestine she had almost entirely forgotten. The worst she had done was pull her hair and put her in an embarrassing costume. But Sebastian deserved punishment, for her and for Alyson...even though Alyson seemed to want Sebastian...oddly.

But something that came from August disturbed her. "You have nothing on me, Davenport. You think if you kill that one I cannot find another? That my love for her is completely blind?" It was hard to describe what she felt. She was extremely hurt that he said he could find another like her. Then she was extremely elated to say the word love. Did he love her? Because she...she loved him. She absolutely loved him. But did he mean what he said, that he could find another? Or was he just saying that to get Sebastian to let her go? If his love for her wasn't blind...then what was it? Why was he so set on saving her if he could just find another? No, he had to love her. That had to be why he was here...right? She was so confused and all she could do was stare at him with hurt confusion.

August continued the threat by saying his cousin would back up whatever story he wove. Her eyes moved to Eponine, and though she didn't outright say she would, her next statement confirmed it. "Sebastian, I don't want to have to go through all that trouble. Just let Maxine go and we can forget this ever happened." She hoped he would listen to them, be nervous about their threats. She hoped she could just go home and be with August. That's all she wanted...

[SEBASTIAN DAVENPORT]

Sebastian didn't enjoy the threats that August was making against him. When the council was involved it turned everything through a loop and although he didn't think his crimes could warrant death he didn't fancy getting whipped until the brink of death either. He hated when his plans were mucked up, but he hated the council even more and didn't want to deal with them. He heard Alyson say something but he wasn't sure what and glanced over his shoulder just long enough to see the two girls running out the door. His brows furrowed and he hung his head a bit but the grip on Maxine's throat tightened slightly as if a warning for August to take another step forward. "It's pathetic you can't fight your own battles. Bringing Eponine thinking she'd be able to talk some sense into me and then threatening to involve the council," he shook his head back and forth and glared at the man, all joking now aside as it was just raw rage that showed in those cold grey eyes, "it's pitiful."

He wanted to run out the door right then, just run after Alyson and take her somewhere where he could sit her down and explain everything. Tell her that she had been foolish and didn't hear his words properly, that he was willing to negotiate but it had to wait until after the redheaded brat was gone, but she wouldn't hear it. The girl was stubborn, which was something he enjoyed about her, but in this instance it was going to do him no good to even try. He'd lost probably the one good thing that he had going and because of it he was going to lose so much more than that. Her threats didn't go unnoticed. He heard her say she could go to the police and if that was the case then his time was running out. He'd have to grab Prestine and they'd have to go someplace else for a while until all the noise died down.

He didn't want to listen to what Eponine said and he didn't want to hear the little Blurr whimper or August run his mouth anymore. August was too much of a coward to deal with Sebastian on his own and in that sense it just wasn't worth it. He'd find another way to get his hands on that ring and when he did then August just might be the first one on his list to go. What did he care about the male gargoyle? He was useless to him and his little pet should be ashamed to be with such a simple man who hid behind others. But that wasn't his call and he rolled his eyes before taking his hand off of the girl's throat and it to press against her back, giving her a small but sharp push in Augusts' direction.

"I'm sick of listening to you whine. Get out of my home before I change my mind." Sebastian growled and didn't even wait for Maxine to go to August. He turned to Prestine and gave her a look as if to say not a word, he didn't want to hear her give him any lip about the whole thing right now. "We need to go stay somewhere else for a little while." He grumbled to her trying to keep his voice low. He didn't need the others tagging along after them. He was so pissed off that even though he'd been packing a massive hard on just twenty minutes earlier, sex was the last thing on his mind right now.

[AUGUST WITT]

"It's pathetic you can't fight your own battles. Bringing Eponine thinking she'd be able to talk some sense into me and then threatening to involve the council, it's pitiful."

August made no move. he only stood his ground watching Bastian like a hawk. He was contemplating what he'd said, which was good. Why hadn't thought of that defense sooner? It didn't matter. What mattered was Bastian was realizing the little house of cards he built was collapsing around him. He'd messed with the wrong gargoyle. The taunts about him being pathetic didn't phase him. He was being practical, something Sebastian had no concept of.

Finally the man gave the redhead a sharp shove forward, and August stepped forward to catch her in his embrace, hugging her too soft body tight to him, pressing her into him and allowing his head to nuzzle into the top of her head, his storming eyes still on the man who had been holding her hostage. He had every intention of going to the council still, and he would bring Maxine along to state her case. Eponine wouldn't need to get involved, but he had a feeling if they asked her a question she wouldn't lie. She might not come forward willingly but she wasn't one to lie to the council. He was fucked.

"I'm sick of listening to you whine. Get out of my home before I change my mind." August pulled Maxine far enough away to just tilt her head upwards, looking into those sapphire eyes. She was alright. Maybe a little worn, but she would be okay. His gaze softened but only slightly before he pushed her gently to his side, hugging her to him as he made his way past the Davenports and out the door, hearing Eponine follow.

"Thank you for your assistance." He told his cousin softly, his tone still bitter as they got into the hallway. "I can handle it from here. I'll come see you tomorrow." he offered, his eyes showing his gratitude though he didn't physically offer it. His mood was fouled and he knew she, of all people, would understand.

"As for you.." He said, his tone dark but still kinder than it had been, "I think we need some time to ourselves." He threw one last glance at his cousin before making his way in the opposite direction, taking her towards the stairs. They only had one flight to go down.

When they were alone in the stairwell he shoved her against the wall, his mouth finding hers as he pressed her there. Every ounce of tension he'd felt since he'd realized she'd been taken went into that kiss as his tongue savagely tangled with hers. The mans hands crept to her face keeping her still as he had his way orally with her.

When he'd had his fill, and had calmed significantly, he pulled away just enough so his eyes could meet hers. "I told you not to open the door." He growled, knowing she had by the state of her home. "This could have all been avoided!"

[ALYSON MONTGOMERY]

Alyson felt Cassidy's arms around her and though she normally didn't need hugs, it felt good to be held like that. She melted into the young mothers arms, wrapping her own around the girl. "It's okay, we're okay now. You're safe.. we're out of there and he can't hurt you now. We'll go to the police and they'll haul that bastard away, okay?"

Alyson couldn't answer as she sobbed into Cassidy's shoulder. How could she tell her how hurt she was by the whole thing? How could she explain she had actually developed feelings for the monster? Cassidy would lose all respect for her, like she had already done for herself.

"We'll get help. Let's go back to my place and we'll call the police then we'll have someone take a look at you."

She nodded, pulling away and wiping at her eyes. She would have to face the music sometime. She knew she'd be in the headlines come tomorrow, and she knew a million questions were going to come out. She would bring Sebastian down, and she didn't even want to despite his fit of rage that evening. She could feel her cheek throbbing still and had a feeling he'd left a mark. No one had ever hit her so hard before! Even if he did want her, he wasn't any good for her. She didn't deserve to be battered around.

But god how she had wanted him for a moment..

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

"It's pathetic you can't fight your own battles. Bringing Eponine thinking she'd be able to talk some sense into me and then threatening to involve the council, it's pitiful." Sebastian's grip tightened and Maxi was afraid he wouldn't let her go. But a few moments later, he let her throat go and pushed her towards August. Before she could even register what was happening, August had her in his arms. She clung tightly, forgetting about the pain in her injured hand, feeling tears of relief coming to her eyes. She had never felt so relieved. Maxi was never going to let go. Feeling him nuzzle into the top of her head made her heart melt and she sobbed. She was safe. She was going home. No, she was already home...she was in August's arms. That was home enough for her.

"I'm sick of listening to you whine. Get out of my home before I change my mind." Maxi would do just that. She would get as far away from Sebastian as she could. But before she could pull August along and get out of there, he lifted her face to look at her. She gazed back at him, teary-eyed and shaking, and he still looked angry. But his eyes softened just a little, and she was glad for it. At least for this second, just the fact that she was okay was enough. He pulled her to his side, and she clung to him, matching his face as they walked out. She could hear Eponine following them, and turned to look at her when August did.

"Thank you for your assistance. I can handle it from here. I'll come see you tomorrow." The woman nodded and glanced at Maxi, who smiled weakly for her. "Yes, thank you," she said softly. The woman gave her a soft smile and Maxi noticed again how pretty the woman was. Was everyone in August's family attractive? "As for you..." Maxi gulped, looking up at August again. Though his tone was kinder, she knew he was angry. She knew she was in a whole heap of trouble, but it was trouble she could deal with. "I think we need some time to ourselves." Maxi nodded, looking frightened, but not nearly as frightened as she had been just hours before. Her eyes looked to Eponine again when August's did, and she gave her another small smile before they steered the opposite direction.

They went into the stairwell and Maxi realized for the first time they were in August's building. They lived in the same building?! How was she going to spend the night in the same building as Sebastian? Before she could ask about it, though, he slammed her against a wall. She let out a sound of surprise before his mouth was on hers. All of his anger, frustration and worry poured into her mouth, and she met it with all of the apology and relief she could muster. A whimper left her as his tongue tangled furiously against hers, her hands gripping the shirt over his chest. She had been so afraid she wouldn't get to do this again. Tears poured onto her cheeks without her permission, but she just let them go. His hands came to her face, and she nearly forgot where they were. He made the world melt away.

When he pulled away, she opened her eyes, breathless, and she looked into the storms reflected in his. "I told you not to open the door. This could have all been avoided!" She felt more tears glittering in her eyes, and she bit her lip at how angry he was. "I know, I'm so sorry," she said softly, tearfully. "I fell asleep on the couch. I didn't mean to, and when he knocked, I thought it was you. I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry I opened the door." She touched his face, looking up at him with pure adoration. "I thought I was never going to see you again and it would be all my fault. I was so scared I wouldn't see you. I was so scared..." She kissed him again, gently this time, her hands moving into his hair. She loved his hair. When she pulled back, she whispered against his lips, "I'm so happy you came for me, August. I..." I love you. She wanted to say it. She certainly felt it...but she was afraid. She was afraid he wouldn't say it back. What he said in Sebastian's apartment was still haunting her. "I'm so happy..."

[AUGUST WITT]

"I know, I'm so sorry," Tears were in her eyes and she proceeded to apologize and explain why she'd done it. He watched her with cold, hard eyes, angry that she'd been so stupid, angry that he had been through hell and back over her. August cared about her but didn't like to be reminded how much. That wasn't his bag.

"I thought I was never going to see you again and it would be all my fault. I was so scared I wouldn't see you. I was so scared..." His brows furrowed and his fingers tugged at the tips of her hair lightly. She was right to be scared. Hell, he'd been scared but he didn't tell her that. He was furious with her, but just so glad he had her back. She would pay for her transgressions in due time. "I'm so happy you came for me, August. I..." He looked sternly into her eyes. August, I....what?

"I'm so happy..." He sighed, glad she was happy, glad she wasn't acting out, glad she was, for all intents and purposes alright. He didn't verbally respond right away, but his lips found hers again in a softer kiss.

"I wouldn't have left you with him." He finally said, showing he cared in his own August way. "Sebastian's not known for treating women with respect, and where I'm not either.." His lip curled up a little, "I have the decency to not hold them against my will. My women stay with me because they like how rude I am to them." His thumb slid over her bottom lip, tugging it down lightly, his eyes watching as he played with her pout.

"You're mine, Maxine.." He said it delicately as if there were more meaning behind the words he spoke. She didn't just belong to him, she meant something to him. "I'm glad you're still in one piece. I'd have been very disappointed to find you otherwise." His fingers hooked under her chin and he pulled her lips to his lightly once more, offering a soft, chaste kiss.

"Now I think you've had enough fun for one evening. Let's get you home and cleaned up." Only he didn't take her to her home, but downstairs to his where he intended to bathe her, mend her wounds and fuck her until she was too exhausted to keep her eyes open any longer.

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