"Saul, in my office now,"Alexander said when he and Sophie got back to the estate.

Sal and Micah loomed near Sophie who was very uncomfortable around the two men. She stayed to herself, texting her sisters and trying to look occupied.

Saul wasn't even allowed to sit down before Alexander began, "Two more drops today and we're losing Garcia. He's had a hit on his family. He's backing off almost completely."

Saul's eyes widened, "What the fuck?"

Alexander sighed, "Two cousins of his who also worked for him as soldiers. No telling who. I've got no clue what's going on. The blue can't possibly be holding anything against that family. I tried to alert you, but you were...busy."

Saul's face dropped, "Sorry. What do I need to do?"

"The usual. Beef up security, keep an eye and ear on everything and don't get caught up in Sophie fucking Swann for Christ's sake!"Alexander flopped down in his leather desk chair, "I'm keeping your mother close and Gio and Frank are doing the same. The two of you will go to school tomorrow together, but I might need Sophie to go back to Eddie's. I need your FULL attention, Saul. I also need you to secure all of our property with Luca and Sam, including going back out to Fort Lauderdale and Pompano."

Before Saul could ask, Alexander shook his head, "She stays. I'll keep an eye on her. You did confiscate her piece, yes?"

"Of course,"Saul answered. He was a soldier again and he had to remind himself who he was, especially in his father's presence.

"Luca and Sam are waiting for you in the garage. Do the drops, do the security checks and get back here before your mother has a conniption,"Alexander shooed him away, "I'll let Sophie know so don't worry about her."

Saul had turned in that direction, but his father eyed him. He promised Sophie he'd look after her, but he had a job to do.

"Yes, sir,"Saul sighed, turning in the direction of the garage, "Sorry, Sparks. I'll be back soon." He messaged her on the phone.

Sophie was still standing in the large foyer with Sal and Micah eyeing her every move when Alexander appeared, "Boys, take Miss Swann to her room. Make sure she has what she needs and frisk her."

"Saul knows I don't have anything on me,"she said, shakily, "Where is he?"

"Family matters,"Alexander said before turning his back on her and walking off.

"Come on, Sophie,"Sal turned her around and felt her every curve and every crevice. She shouldn't have felt violated, but she did. She felt like he wanted to do that. Micah stepped behind her and pushed her back up against the wall, face planted into the cold wallpaper.

"My turn,"Micah's hands roamed her body even more slowly than Sal's did. She wanted so badly to take her foot and shove it up his ass, but she couldn't risk it.

"This isn't necessary,"Sophie said, "I don't have anything on me and you know it."

"Whatever. Let's go,"Micah grabbed her by the arm and dragged her through the living room, down the long halls and through the house until reaching the staircase leading to the underground guest rooms.

"Having fun with Saul, Sophie?"Sal asked, grabbing her other arm, "I'm a little hurt that he's got you all to himself."

"Yeah,"Micah chuckled, "There's no fun in that. I want in on the action."

"Leave me alone,"Sophie mumbled, "Just let me go to my room, please."

Sal laughed, "Sure thing, sweetheart."

By the time the three had reached Sophie's room, she was terrified they were going to try something, but they tossed her in and locked the door behind them. The relief Sophie felt was beyond comprehension.

She messaged Saul once she saw his text, but there was nothing she could really say so she just put a thumbs up emoji.

The hours seemed to drag, but she showered off the ocean water and did some studying. Studying was the last thing on her mind so she did some reading, pulling out her copy of Romeo and Juliet. She wondered what page Saul was on...if he was even really reading it.

The lock turned on the door and her heart fluttered.

"Saul?"

Two men she didn't recognize walked in and she breathed in heavily. Maybe they were here to take her home.

"Not quite, pretty girl,"The shorter one said, grinning at her as the larger guy closed and locked the door behind him.

"Damn, you're even sexier than on that screen,"Big guy said.

"What screen? Who are you?"Sophie got off the bed, holding the book like a shield.

"The fucking cameras, stupid bitch!" Short guy laughed, "You think your little prince isn't having fun watching you? If he's not, we certainly are."

"You don't have access to my room without permission! Who gave it to you? Sal or Micah?"

The two smiled like mad men until the short guy scratched his forehead and looked to his partner, "You want her first or me?"

The other guy raised his eyebrows, "She's got more than one hole. We can fuck her at the same time, Rico!"

"Fred, I like the way you think, my man!"

It happened so fast, but Sophie found herself kicking and screaming as Fred grabbed her from behind, pulling at her shorts.

"You can make this so much easier if you just don't resist,"Rico said, lifting her legs and pulling off Sophie's shorts, "No panties. Of course a slut Swann wouldn't wear any."

"Please don't!"Sophie scratched and clawed, drawing blood from both of them. Somehow her shirt was ripped off and she could feel a slap across her face from one of them, but she was fighting for her life.

"Should have brought that fucking rope! Damn what a body! No wonder Saulie's got it bad for her! "Rico said, holding her arms down and positioning himself in between her thighs, "She's damn strong." He pulled what appeared to be zip-ties out of his pocket and tied her wrists together above her head while Fred held her legs down.

"Hurry up, man!"Fred yelled, "Her room cameras being off are going to draw attention!"

Sophie spit in Rico's face and he grabbed her throat, "Just take it like a good girl and we,-"

Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!

Sophie screamed as Rico fell on top of her, blood gushing from the bullet wound in his head.

Before she could react, the room went dark.

"Clean up services needed in the Black Wing room 1,"Saul spoke into his Walkie Talkie.

"On it,"A voice said on the other end.

Before they even got there, he'd pushed Rico off of Sophie, ripping the zipties off and examining her naked, battered body. His anger was beyond his control as he checked her vitals.

"Lynn, I need assistance in Sophie's room,"Saul spoke into the Walkie again, "Now."

The cleaners showed up with no question, Alexander, Sal and Micah stood there and watched their two soldiers being hauled out in body bags as Lynn examined Sophie. Saul had covered her with a sheet.

"Who the fuck let this happen?!"Saul pulled his gun again and shoved it in Micah's face, "You?"

"Saul,"Alexander beckoned.

"Or was it you?"He pulled the gun on Sal.

Micah and Sal looked at each other then back at their father.

Alexander sighed, "I'm not raising barbarians. Your mother will not know about this."

"They need to be punished,"Saul put the gun up to his Micah's head again, "I know you fucking did this."

"Who gives a shit?"Micah scoffed, "She's a worthless whore."

Saul slapped him across the face with the gun, Micah falling to the floor, "What are you going to do, Saulie? Kill us?"

Saul pointed the gun to Sal, "I'm thinking about it. There's no way in hell you didn't know what Rico and Fred were going to do."

Sal shook his head, "We didn't."

Saul laughed, "I might be the youngest, but I'm not the dumbest."

Alexander threw his hands up as Lynn gave the go that Sophie was OK, "That's enough. We'll deal with this later. Sal? Micah? Come with me. Saul, deal with Swann. Get her a new room."

The three left, leaving Saul to tend to Sophie. Once Georgina and her staff got another room ready for Sophie, Saul carried her down the hall, wrapped in the sheet. He passed by a few of the girls he'd been with intimately and Georgina had to place a finger on her lips so they would keep their wooing to themselves.

"Sophie..." He cradled her in his arms, leading her to her new bed and settling in, "I'm so sorry."

It seemed to take forever for Sophie to rouse, but she did and the darkness had encompassed her as she sat up, glaring at Saul from across the room.

He was leaned up against the wall, arms crossed, looking as though he was ready to go through the wall.

"I hate you,"she said to him, "You left me with them."

"I had no choice,"Saul looked at her, but then lowered his gaze, "I didn't know,-"

"I want to go home,"Sophie choked, "At least I know the abuse I'd get there. It's practically fucking scheduled."

Saul sighed, "I'm so sorry, Sophie. I had to go on business for my family."

Sophie let a tear slip down her cheek, "You were supposed to keep me safe."

Saul was at her bedside in a second, cupping her face in his hands, "I killed them."

Sophie looked around the room, realizing she was not in her original domain, "Who did you,-"

"Rico and Fred,"he told her, "They're dead. They won't hurt you again."

Sophie didn't know what to think. She wasn't safe here. He had cameras on her, "You've been watching me. Who else could have been watching me, Saul?"

"No one should have had access to my security room,"he told her, letting her go. What was he supposed to say?

"Did you watch me?"

"I kept an eye on you,"Saul fiddled around the truth, "You knew it was a possibility."

"The cameras were supposed to be off!"Sophie whimpered, "You truly are my enemy. An enemy and a liar."

"Get dressed,"Saul stood to leave, "We're having dinner soon."

"That's it? That's all?"Sophie was livid and she had every right to be.

Saul turned to the door, unlocked it and stepped through, "My mother doesn't know anything so keep your mouth shut." And with that, he stepped into the hall, locking the door behind him and waited for her.

He turned to the closed door, knowing he had to be the bad guy, hating himself for what he had to do.

He ran his hands along the door and put his forehead against it, wishing it was her instead of a cold damn barrier between them.

"Sophie..."

Sophie wouldn't even look at him when they walked down the hall together.

She'd tried to cover the busted lip and wore a nice red blouse and jeans for the occasion. Why she was so dressed up was a mystery to Saul, but she'd even let her hair down and parted in the middle.

"It's just meatloaf," he teased as if nothing had happened earlier. Trying to take her hand, she shoved him away.

"Don't fucking touch me."

Saul grabbed her elbow, "You're still my ward."

She didn't try to fight it. She was too tired.

Loretta was humming to herself in the kitchen when they walked through.

"Oh, Sophie! You look lovely!"she said, smiling at the young girl, "What happened to your lip? From the blast?"

She looked at Sal and Micah who were seated next to each other at the table, Alexander at one of the heads.

"Something like that,"Sophie managed a smile as Saul pulled her along, but she stopped him, "Do you need help? Please let me help you."

Loretta nodded, "Oh yes! Saul shoo! I just want Sophie in here right now with me."

Saul hesitated, glaring at his ward who shot him the darkest look she could muster.

He did as he was told and made his way to the table.

"It smells delicious,"Sophie told her, as she peered into the oven.

"Do you cook?"

"Yes, it's kind of a thing at my house,"Sophie nodded, "Why hire a kitchen crew when you have six women who can cook for free?"

Loretta managed a small chuckle, but she knew the plight of the Swann women.

"Can you manage the mashed potatoes and salad?"

"Sure,"Sophie said, glad to be out of the Saul's clutches. She felt his eyes on her the entire time though and it took everything in her power not to look over at him.

"Boys, come and set the table!"Loretta called for her sons.

Saul was the first one in the kitchen, trying to stay as close to Sophie as possible. She stirred the potatoes, but didn't pay him any mind.

"Saul, can you get Sophie the butter and milk, please?" Loretta asked.

"I can,"Micah smiled as Saul took a step forward. Micah knew Saul wouldn't do a damn thing to him while in the presence of their mother.

Sophie gulped, but she showed no fear as Micah leaned over her and placed the milk and butter on the counter. Saul was next to her, but Micah still acted the fool.

"Micah, get off of me before I stab your dick with this fucking fork,"Sophie had managed to swipe a fork from the counter for protection, "It's the first thing I'm going for if you mess with me."

Saul stared at the fork and then at his brother who backed off. He was just about to say something when Sophie cut in, "You'll be next, playboy." She dropped the fork on the counter and finished the potatoes.

The six of them settled themselves at the table, Loretta at the other end and Sophie settled next to Saul and across from Micah.

"Thanks to Sophie these potatoes are amazing!"Loretta said, taking a bite, "Oh! Prayers!"

Sophie looked around as the family took the person's hand next to them meaning Saul would have to take hers. She didn't want to do this, but she couldn't make a scene.

"Alexander? Would you like to say grace?"Loretta asked.

Alexander cleared his throat and began the meal time prayers. Saul gripped her hand, caressing the top of it with his thumb. Once they were ready to eat, the boys started chatting and the room was filled with chatter.

Saul leaned over and put a hand on Sophie's thigh. He moved closer to her and breathed into her ear. Sophie tensed up and then melted into him, not caring who saw what was happening,

"I want you in my bed this evening and I don't care who knows. You're spending the night in my arms, Swann."