Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June Page 0,271

to stay in the elevator.

“Fuck, Cy,” I whispered under my breath. My legs were shaky as he guided me to my transport, where the other Companions were grinning mischievously at us.

“Fuck is right,” he groaned while adjusting himself.

We had almost made it. I had nearly sat down in the transport headed for the Zone, forgetting that I was in Cavil’s home and that we were in danger. Almost. But a slurred voice stopped us in our tracks.

“Cyler Black, is that you?” Cavil’s voice said as he slapped a woman on the ass and stumbled forward. Drool gathered at his lip, and he took another gulp from his flask. Maybe my initial reaction should have been anger or even fear.

But my first thought at seeing Cavil was disgust and wonder. How on earth had this drunk idiot stayed alive? He’d made enough enemies as it was, and in this state, he was incredibly vulnerable. He must have been here escorting Jade to the transport.

“Hello, Commodore,” Cyler growled out. I felt Cy’s hand on my shoulder, pushing me into the transport and out of view.

“How many times do I have to tell you that it’s Emperor, now? Don’t let her go too far. I need to see what pretty little Companion caught your eye. I’ve been throwing girls at you for months!” I stood up, knowing that I had no other option. All I could do now was pray that my disguise was enough.

I looked at Cavil then to the ground. I filtered through what I knew of Companions, and one rule stuck out firmly in my mind: “When all else fails, be submissive.”

“Ah, pretty little thing,” he cooed, lifting my chin with his greasy finger and smiling at me in awe. “I’m so happy to see you’ve moved on, Master Black. You must enjoy life, not spend it pining.”

Cavil rubbed his thumb along my lip where my red lipstick was rubbed off. “It appears as if you enjoyed her company very much.” I breathed in his whiskey scent, coughing when I choked on the strong smell of alcohol and smoke.

“What brothel do you belong to, my dear?” he asked.

Thankfully, it was Jade that answered for me. From within the transport, the Companions were watching, each holding their breath as he gazed at me. “Madam B’s brothel in the Zone, Emperor. She’s with me,” she said. Could he hear how her voice shook?

“Yes, yes. Well, as you can tell, I like my guests to be happy. I’m an honorable man. A good leader. Please tell your madam that I’d like you to attend each event I host until we leave at the end of the week.”

From the corner of my eye, I saw Cyler’s mouth drop open in shock. “End of the week? I thought we were staying through the month,” he asked.

Cavil finally retracted his hand from my chin and swayed a little before staring at Cyler. I took advantage of his distractedness and settled into the transport with a shaky exhale.

“Yes, well, that was the original plan. But I find myself feeling homesick.”

Cyler nodded his head and flashed his eyes to me. This meant that we didn’t have a month, we only had a week.

“Who knows, Cyler. If you’re a good little boy, maybe I’ll let you take her back with us,” Cavil cackled while stumbling away.

Cyler wasted no time. “Go, I love you,” he said with a frantic intensity that looked eerily like fear. I’d never known Cyler Black to be afraid of anything, but the fire in his shifty eyes had me worried. He shut the transport door, and we were immediately off, but my heart stayed behind at Cavil’s tower.

Chapter Sixteen

As I stared out the window, watching the glimmering buildings fade into the disastrous Zone, I calmed my racing heart. "Well, ladies, it looks like our naïve little Walker isn't so innocent anymore. She practically reeks of sex,” Blythe said with a smirk.

The other girls didn't seem remotely interested in what she had to say. Kaye was drunk and struggling to stay awake, and Lowe was scratching herself, streaks of her rubbed-raw red skin were glaring at us in the dim light of the transport.

I didn't bother denying it; I wasn't embarrassed. I was too shocked at seeing Cavil. If anything, I felt sorry for Blythe. "You going to say anything?" she asked.

"I don't feel like I have anything to say."

Blythe looked around the transport, waiting for someone to speak up, but Jade just coughed and got