The Falcon Ridge Series Book 4: Art of a Girl

(Chapter song ‘Emperor's New Clothes' by Panic! At The Disco, ‘Love Like This’ by Kodaline)

BASTIAN

It's been a couple of weeks since I stepped foot in the ballroom. I’m kind of concerned because Sammy took more time off. I asked her brother about it as he was coming in and he only said she wasn’t feeling well.

Should I worry about this? Should I be concerned? Do I think it’s her avoiding me? Do I care?

No. I won’t care. If she wants to blow off the job, go ahead. It’s no skin off my nose unless these other idiots screw up. Honestly, though, Sammy is so meticulous, I don’t these guys could screw it up. As long as it’s done on time.

I've been getting reports from Nigel on the progress. He says it’s going fine and I’ll be impressed. I won’t step in there until Sammy gets back.

Speaking of which.

I walk into Anton’s office, pull Sammy’s file and snap a picture of her numbers and address. I might need that later. For now, I’ll just add her to my personal contacts.

I leave his office and dial her home phone. I stroll into my office and shut the door. A voice picks up on the other end. “Samantha. Please.” I walk around my office and place my hand in my pocket. “It's… the pack house…Right… Can I speak… She's sleeping… Alright. Can I ask… an accident… is she… Good. Tell her we hope she gets better soon… Yes. We've come to enjoy having her here…Ok… You, too.”

I hang up the phone and make another call. I continue to pace as I wait. “Frannie?... Bastian…I’m good… Listen, I want some flowers delivered to a friend… What kind… Um… Gardenias are good, I think… How many… Does 24 say Get Better?” I stop and inspect my nails. I need a manicure. “Ok. Charge it to the account and I’ll text the address… Yes… Thank you.”

I text Frannie the address and tell her to make the card out to Sammy from Black Rock. She doesn’t need to know I sent her flowers or called to check up. I just didn’t want to bother Anton with her attendance issues. I swear, how does this woman hold down jobs? Zero work ethic.

I sit at my desk and push the intercom for my receptionist.

‘Yes, Alpha.’

“Cheryl, when’s my next manicure appointment?”

‘Next week.’

“Change it to tomorrow and book a spa session.”

‘Massage?’

“Yes. Tell them I’ll pay three times as much to empty the salon. If they argue, make it four.” I spin around in my chair and look out the window behind me. “And get the gardeners out here. There’s not enough gardenias in the beds.”

‘Gardenias, sir?’

“Did I stutter?” I spin around, scowl at the phone and hang up.

Since my encounter with Sam, I won’t lie, I feel her just under the surface of my skin. She gets deeper with every encounter and she seems to push away even more. So, I think I need to give her some space… Just not too much.

Besides, right now I have bigger fish to fry.

Like trying to reign in this fucking doctor.

This morning I found out he went above my head and set up meetings with Karver and Brindle. So, Sammy off on some sort of recovery, just adds to the pile.

But now that I’ve satisfied my… whatever this is, I can go to work and deal with this Rennet guy who thinks he runs the prison.

****

Once I get to the prison, I head straight to the office area. As I storm past the secretary, I point down the hall. “Is Rennet in his office?”

“Yes, Alpha.”

“Thanks.”

I stomp through the hall and get to his door. I don’t even knock. Instead, I throw open his door and barge in. "Who told you could see Karver?" I growl.

He's sitting behind his desk looking all cool and collected, which is irritating the fuck out of me.

"Fredericks gave me the permission. Honestly, Alpha. I don't know why you're so concerned." He fixed his suit as he leans back in his chair. “This irrational anger is interesting. How have you been sleeping?”

I point to him. “Stop it. I don’t care what Fredericks said.” I lean on his desk. "Those two are the most dangerous son of bitches on the fucking planet. I don't want them even knowing what fucking day it is, let alone contact with the outside world. Especially, Karver. He's a master of manipulation. "

He pushes his glasses up. "I assure you Alpha. There's no threat here. I can't be manipulated if that's what you're worried about. I just needed to get a feel for what the Dragons were like. It's fine."

I thump my finger on his desk. "From now on you use their files. No more in person meetings. Do you understand me?"

"Yes. I got everything I needed anyway. I shouldn't have to talk with them again." He grins and nods.

"Good." I straighten up and turn to leave.

"Alpha?" He calls to me.

"What?" I turn.

"I am trained to counsel if you need someone to talk to." He smiles. “The level of stress you’re displaying. It can’t be good for your mental health.”

“I don’t need a shrink." I snort as I shut the door behind me.

The nerve of that guy. Therapy? Yeah, ok. Anyone who thinks he can rehabilitate sick dogs like Dragons needs his head examined.

He really needs to stop putting me on the couch. It’s getting irritating and weird.

After a few more meetings, I head home, follow up on my flowers and decide to check in on the ballroom. It’s empty. I don’t like it when it’s empty.

I see the walls have been painted. The smell of fresh paint hit my nose and the parts that are supposed to be white, aren’t really. I inspect them further and it’s like there’s a gold tint to it. I love it.

There’s also boxes from stores with fabrics and accents. I open one box and pull out a very heavy, but small statue of the blue moon. It looks like a centerpiece. I bounce it in my hand. Pretty hefty. Could definitely break a few things with this. No wild parties, I chuckle to myself.

OK. Nigel was right. It’s coming along nicely.

I still don’t like how empty this is.

I might have to do something about this.

I stroll out of the ballroom and climb the stairs. For now, I just got to relax. One thing Rennet was right about. This stress is starting to get to me.

“Bastian.”

I look up and stop. Caroline is coming down the stairs. I watch her step down to me. She’s wearing an extremely tight red dress that has my mouth watering a bit.

“Going out?” I motion to the dress.

“Not really. Why?” She grins.

I look at the stairs and glance at her. I need to relax. “Come with me.” I mumble.

“Oh, why?” She giggles.

“You know why.” I smirk.

She follows me up the stairs and I walk to my door. I open it and undo my tie. “Get in there.” I purr.

“Bastian.” She says seductively and walks through the door. I give her ass a swat and she yelps as I rip my tie off walk in and kick the door shut.

Sammy is creating something unsettling in me. I need to fix it. If I use Caroline to do that, then so be it. At least, with her I know who’s in control. I know who’s higher. Sammy feels different and I’m confused. I just need a release and I’ll be fine.

Then everything will be normal.

****

SAMMY

156 stitches in my stomach and thigh. 73 in my right arm and 87 in my left arm. A new record. It tore me up good. It’s going to take at least two weeks before I can wear skirts and sleeveless shirts. It took too long to get home. I can only pray it doesn’t happen again.

Dylan told me it talked. That’s a first, too. I don’t remember any of it. I felt something. I know of it because how could I not. Have I ever seen or heard it? No. If it talked, it either blocked it or the trauma killed the memory of it. Either way, it’s never tried to communicate with me or anyone else. This really scares me.

I have limited movement while my stitches hold my skin closed. That means I can only sit on my bed and sketch. It’s supposed to keep my mind off of what happened, but as I add shading to the business suit lapel and add hair to the ponytail, it’s not helping. This is the forth sketch in a row. It’s like I have a craving to put Bastian to paper. I don’t get it. He's complex and multidimensional. It’s like I need to capture every little line. Every little detail that awakens with each movement. I’ve never felt this before. As I form his strong jaw, I feel like I’m creating a moment in time that I want to last forever.

I’m just…compelled.

I was drawing out his eyes when a knock came at my door.

“Come in.” I call out.

My door opens and my mother peeks in. “Sammy. Something arrived for you.”

“What?” I blink at her. I never receive gifts.

She walks in and my jaw drops. I slide off my bed and limp over to my dresser as she set a huge bouquet of white and purple flowers in a glass vase on them. My entire room filled with the most beautiful smell. I grab a white flower and hold it to my nose. It smells so sweet. Almost like florals and coconut.

“What are they?” I’m not a flower person.

“Gardenias and the purple sprays are lavender. The card says it’s from Black Rock.” She supplies as she straightens the arraignment.

I take the card out and read it. “The pack house?”

“They must really love you there. They called while you were sleeping to check up on you. I think the miss you.” She giggles.

“Yeah.” I whisper as I gently hold the flower in the fingertips of one hand and hold the card to my chest. “They must.”

“How are you? Do you need more pain meds?” She pets the back of my head.

“Yeah.” I’m caught in a daze from the sight and smell of the palm sized flowers with white petals and yellow center.

“Ok. I’ll be back. You get some sleep.” She kisses my temple.

“Ok, mom.” I limp back to my bed and move my sketch pad and pencil, lift my blanket and crawl under it.

I laid there and stared at the flowers. Was it really just a pack house thing or did…

I doubt it. He’s too wrapped up in himself to send me flowers. I close my eyes and focus on the smell. A small smile crosses on my lips as I drift off to sleep. The comfort of the smell relaxed me so much, I pretty much passed out. I didn’t wake until morning.

The sun was so bright, it stung as I tried to open them. It took me a minute to realize I’m on my stomach which isn’t good for my stitches. Only…I don’t feel pain, but every muscle in my body aches. Holy cow, I slept hard.

With my eyes closed, my fingers rake across the sheet, but it feels different. My brain can’t figure out why. A cool breeze blows across my back. My skin raised in goosebumps. Did I leave my window open?

I plant my hands on the bed and push myself up to myself up to my knees. My groggy face is hit with the sun’s rays. It’s so weird because I don’t get the sun in my room.

My sleepy eyes open and I have to raise my arm to shield them from the glowing ball in the….

My jaw falls when I look past my arm and see a clear, blue sky. I close my eyes and lower my head. I open my eyes slowly and I swallow. My heart starts to pound my in my chest as my fingers ball into fists and I pull.

“Please be a dream…please be a dream…”

I lift my hand to my chest and open my hands. “Oh no.” I whine when I see my hands are full of grass. I look up and I’m surrounded by grass. Off in the distance, I see trees.

I shakily stand and slowly turn in a circle. All the way around me is grass and trees. Above me is a sky and the sun. The wind blows my hair and I feel goosebumps again.

“Crap.” I whine as my eyes well.

I look down I’m naked and all my cuts are gone.

I hang my head and cover my eyes. I flop down in the grass and cry.

“Where am I?”