Savage's

CHAPTER 12

*Gray*

Once Alistair was hired, he left to pack his things, because he would also be living here. Which lead me to my next move, buying a new house, and selling this one. I'm not attached to the penthouse by any means, it was just different than what I grew up in. I wanted everything to be different from my past.

I found Alexa downstairs, dragging her luggage in from the elevator. I helped her with most of it, and showed her to her room. I already had a task for Alexa, but it didn't have to do with makeup. However I wasn't concerned about a lack of interest, because I've never met a woman that doesn't like to shop.

"I have an errand for you today, if you don't mind?" I asked, setting her suitcases beside the queen size bed.

"I didn't realize my job entailed errands," she giggled, "I'm kidding, what is it?"

"Can you go shopping for Daisy?" I asked, pulling out my wallet.

"I don't even know her, Gray-" Alexa started to argue, but I really didn't have time for it.

"Just get something of every style, buy the whole store, I don't care. I just want her to have clothes of her own." I said, handing her a couple of my creditcards.

"Are you serious?" She laughed, staring at the gold cards with bright eyes.

"You know I'd kill you, if you tried to steal from me." I winked, leaving the room.

I heard her laugh sarcastically, and I smiled to myself. Now that's taken care of, I can focus on the big stuff. First, finding a new house. After that, I need to finish hiring some trustworthy guards. I'll need to make sure the property I buy has a security gate, because I really don't want to wait to build one myself.

I call the realitor that I worked with when I bought the penthouse, because I already know he is trustworthy. I've had Shwinn locating non-Savage workers for years now, but the list continues to grow. It's shown me just how many people my family has under their thumb, though, and that's intimidating. What I'm doing, is going against their wishes, and it can only end one way. I guess I'm just avoiding the inevitable.

"Gray Savage," Rob answered his phone, "Hows the penthouse, my friend?"

"Great, but I need something different." I responded, browsing houses on the web.

"Is that so?" Rob chuckeled, "What did you have in mind?"

"I'll email you some ideas, and the immenities I want included. I'm on a deadline, so do you think you can complete it on a time crunch?" I asked, feeling the anxiety start to creep in.

"I'll work my magic, Gray." Rob answered, and I sighed in relief, "I'll call you in a few."

We hung up, and I went to find Fran. She was in my room, tending to Daisy, who appeared awake and more conscious. Fran and Daisy looked at me, and I looked directly at Fran.

"Can you prepare a couple more bedrooms for me, please?" I asked, glancing at Daisy, who was staring at me.

"Of course, sir." Fran nodded, walking out of the room.

"How are you feeling?" I asked, walking closer.

"I'm okay." She muttered, with a mouth full of gauze.

"I'll be in and out of the house today, but there's someone new that I want you to meet. He should be here soon." I said, and noticed her body language become uncomfortable.

"Who..?" She hesitantly asked, fear engulfing her eyes.

"A man I hired to be a guard," I responded, "Someone to help protect you, when I'm not around..."

"Protect me?" She repeated to herself, baffled.

"I told you before, I don't intend on hurting you." I reitterated, hoping it would help her calm down, but it didn't.

"Then what do you want from me?" She asked, her eyebrows furrowing with confusion.

"Nothing..." I muttered, even though that was a lie.

"Wha-?" She stared at me with her mouth agape, until I lifted her chin with my fingers, "I don't understand..."

"I'm supposed to hurt you, assault you, and belittle you, but I don't want to do any of those things." I responded, "I'm not like my family, Daisy, but they can't know that... not for certain anyway."

"But, you can't let me go?" She asked, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

"No..." I murmured, wishing I could give her a different answer, "We would both lose our lives, and I don't think it's worth that, do you?" I asked her a question this time, and this caused her to glare at me.

"No," She snapped, "But I don't particularly like this either."

"That's why I'm changing some things, including where we'll be living." I said, "Just know that I have your best interest in mind, but tell no one."

With that being said, I left the room. Talking a bunch was the last thing she needed. Plus, Alistair just returned, and I need to show him to his room. I think I'll let Alistair assist me with interviews, because I want to see his opinion on people. I also need his help in dealing with Haedyn, who is currently waiting for my phone call.

I know Haedyn works for my family, and I know he's already informed them of my actions. Killing him won't help anything, plus it isn't exactly how I'd like to handle it. Everyone does everything for money, and I have plenty of that. I'll double my parents offer, and hope that's good enough for him.

Alistair didn't have many bags, and it was easy getting him settled in. I introduced him to Fran, and the other maids, before we got down to business. I wanted to know if he knew of anyone else that was a trustworthy guard. They would still require a background check, but maybe he knows someone outside of my family circle.

"Was there anyone that you worked with in the past that you trusted? Another guard, someone with the same skills as yourself." I asked.

"One person, but he lives across the country..." Alistair responded, shrugging.

"Try him, tell him the situation." I said, and then began to explain everything to Alistair.

I explained the family tradition, how Daisy ended up in my house, and how she ended up abused. Once I was finished, I noticed Alistair deep in thought, and for a second I wasn't sure if he was going to respond. It was a lot of information, the kind of s**t that is only made up, but it wasn't fake, it was real. It was my life, and now Daisy's.

"I'm glad you're different from your family," Alistair spoke with compassion, "Daisy is lucky to end up here, with you."

"Not if my mother gets her hands on her again." I muttered, staring into the hallway, where Daisy was.

"I won't let that happen." Alistair confidently remarked, a comment that brought a smile to my face.

"Would you like to meet Daisy?" I asked, and Alistair nodded. "Follow me."

We stood in front of my bedroom door, where Daisy was watching TV inside. I peeked my head in, to make sure she wasn't sleeping, and her beautiful eyes landed on mine. Every time we locked eyes, I felt my heart pick up its pace. I led Alistair inside the room, where Daisy was staring at him with wide eyes.

"Daisy," I said, "This is Alistair, my new guard."

"Hi..." She muttered, her voice soft and meek.

"Nice to meet you, Daisy." Alistair smiled gently.

Daisy's lips curled into a petite smile, until her wounded cheek prevented her. Agony took control of her face and she washed it down with pride, as she cleared the pain from her face and replaced it with a crooked grin.

"Nice to meet you, too." She replied in a shaky voice.

"Get some rest, I'll come check on you later." I said, steering Alistair out of the room.

As Alistair and I walked back downstairs, I could feel his concern growing, as he kept glancing back upstairs. I was glad to see him showing sympathy, and concern for someone other than himself. I felt confident with him as my head guard, because I already felt like I could trust him implicitly. He would still have to prove himself, of course, but so far so good.