Forbidden (Blood Ties #7)

They were all a Molotov cocktail, just waiting for the match. The Daughters’ rooms behind Coulter’s men were open, but there was no movement.

“I was just explaining to David here that we have a process for onboarding,” Walker explained. “The women bathe and eat,onlythen do they start.”

Coulter’s men glanced my way. I was missing something here. Something that had pissed Walker off.

“The process has been this way for years,” I added. “Men far smarter than you and I have carefully created it. We have proven any deviation from the program will probably have disastrous effects. Now, you don’t want that.”

“That’s right,” came the cool, dulcet tone of my brother. “When he says smarter men, he means me. I planned the programming, virtually down to the second. I know these women better than anyone else. Their needs, their hunger. I know when they will fight and when they won’t. I know all of that becauseI am the programmer.” He stepped closer, facing Coulter’s man. “Youchangethatprogramming and you change everything. Do you want to hand over screaming and hysterical women to whoever is now in charge? Or would you preferwedo what we’ve successfully done previously and provide the very best care?”

The bastard said nothing. Kane gave a slow nod, then stepped forward, meeting his stare with an unflinching gaze. “Now, if you don’t mind.” He nodded to Walker and his men. “Kindly get out of our way.”

Coulter’s man curled his lip, shooting me a look of pure rage. One of his men reached down, pushing the tented outline of his cock to the side. I knew instantly what Walker had interrupted. Motherfuckers.

“Walker, take them to the cafeteria, make sure they're fed before you take them to the media room for the first round of programming.” I said, make sure I held the bastard’s gaze for a full second before I took a step and pushed past, walking into the first room.

“You heard The Principal,” Walker ordered his men.

Grunts sounded, threats were mumbled. Kane headed further down the hallway as I stepped into the darkened cell, finding the young woman curled up on the cot, knees to her chest, as she stared at me.

“It’s okay.” I lifted my hand for her. “You’re safe now.”

My gut clenched with the words. It was a lie. A terrifying, sickening lie. She wasn’t safe. No one was, not here. She was about to learn just how unsafe she was.

“Come,” I commanded.

A battle raged in her eyes as she tried to fight the conditioning embedded inside her subconscious, pulling away even further from me. But I didn’t move, didn’t twitch, just held her gaze, my hand hovering in the air. Finally, she unfurled her body and slowly slid to the side of the bed.

They had bred her to obey.

Groomed her to do whatever men like me wanted.

Revulsion burned at the thought. My sister was one of them now. Groomed. Used. Bred.

The Daughter neared, letting me grip her arm and lead her from the room. Walker still stood in the hallway, supervising the rest of his men as they led each of the women from their cells.

Coulter’s men remained, standing to the side as they watched…all but the bastard who’d seemed to have a hard-on for me. He was gone. That made a chilling whisper of fear rise up my spine once more.

“The asshole who was just here. Where is he now?” I searched for the rest of the Daughters as they stepped out of their rooms one by one.

“Never said,” Walker answered. “He just left. Why?’’

My pulse raced, filling my head. Something was wrong…something was very wrong.

I shook my head. “Nothing,” I answered, but inside my head, instinct screamed. “Take care of them.”

I glanced at Kane as he stepped out of the last room and lifted his gaze to me. He stopped, concern furrowing his brow.

I couldn’t explain what I was feeling, all I could do was act. I turned away and headed for my office, with the desperate need to find that motherfucker roaring in my head. He was up to something. I justknew it.

TWENTY-FOUR

Helene

Thump.

I flinched when the door closed as Kane walked out, leaving me alone with The Priest. He stood there glaring at me, giving me that look that said he wanted to have it out with me.

Not now.