Where Secrets Lie

Logan flew into Michael's room without knocking.

Michael and Kate lay on the sofa, embracing. Luckily, they were dressed. "Have you forgotten how to knock brother," he said with a slight irritation in his voice that soon vanished when he saw the look on Logan's face. "What's wrong?"

"I've been at the beach, taking photographs. I wonder if you can guess who I came across on the way there," said Logan, with accusing eyes.

Realizing it wasn't a dire situation, Michael's irritation returned, and he glared at Logan. "I'm sure I have no idea."

Kate laughed to lighten the mood. "You know that Michael is no good at guessing games, Logan. Just tell the poor fellow who you saw."

"Ms. Kara Everitt. She told me that you forced her to walk home with bare feet, nonetheless."

"I didn't force her to walk home; she chose to," Michael said, standing up, bourbon in hand.

"You used to treat your servants with respect. What happened to you?"

"He only treats people with respect when they deserve it!" Kate retorted.

Michael shot her a death glare, "Hold your tongue."

Kate was angry. She was defending him and he snapped at her. Without waiting for permission, she stomped out of the room.

Logan pinched the skin between his eyes. "You know that she's Alyssa's sister and you know I care for Alyssa."

There was a flash of regret in Michael's eyes but it vanished, "That's why we don't care for the livestock, Logan"

He shook his head in disbelief. "Regardless, servants are here to feed us their blood and help us with certain tasks in life. Nothing more, nothing less, and definitely not to sexually please you. Treat her as such.

"You may be my brother, but are NOT in a position to question me!" Michael yelled as he rose from the edge of his desk.

The two men glared at each other without speaking. Logan knew he was out of line but he couldn't help it. He feared if Kara left, Alyssa would follow. He'd already pushed the boundaries. Finally, to avoid more confrontation, he left the room.

Michael paced his room, unable to decipher his brother's behavior. Logan was always loyal and faithful to him, and he'd never questioned his actions so boldly. Was Kara so special that she could cause everyone to lose their senses?

He redirected his bubbling anger to Kara. No, she wasn't special, and it was her fault Logan had acted that way. He wasn't going to let her go unpunished for running to Logan. He walked to his intercom and paged Henry. "Henry, please send Ms. Everitt to my room. It is an urgent matter." He sat down on his bed and waited for her arrival.

Kara had just stepped out of the shower as Henry entered the bathroom. Hastily, she grabbed a fluffy pink towel and wrapped it around her wet, naked body. "Jesus Christ, Henry, doesn't anyone believe in privacy here?" she demanded.

Henry's handsome face seemed unaffected by her nakedness. "I'm sorry, Ms. Everitt, but Michael told me to fetch you. He said that it is an urgent matter."

She knocked, but instead of opening the door, Michael called to her. "It's open. Come in."

She entered and immediately sighed at the scene before her. Kate had returned. She lay sprawled out on the bed next to her master and played with his hair.

"What the hell do you want now? You told me to leave and I'm trying to do that. I'm in the middle of packing my belongings."

"I changed my mind." Michael gracefully rose from the bed half-naked.

Kara was relieved but she wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of knowing that. Kara looked between him and Kate. "I already told you that I am not going to participate in your perverted little fantasies."

Kate giggled. "Aw, and I was looking forward to that."

Michael ignored the catty exchange between the two females. "It's good that you just took a shower. The executives and I just closed a big deal, so I'm taking them to Immortal tonight to let loose."

"And?" Kara asked, not sure how that affected her plans to go to bed early and try to forget the day's events.

Michael stood. "I need you and Kate to accompany me to entertain them, so to speak," he said.

Kara shoulders slumped. "Do I have to? Can't you just take Kate?"

Michael approached Kara slowly and put his arm around her. He leaned into her so close that she could feel his lips tickle her ear as he whispered. Kate stared hard at them, dying to know what he was saying.

"You defied me once today. My patience is running thin." He looked deep into her eyes like a cobra staring at its prey. "You either do what I say or your sister dies...tonight"