“We’ll finish this, Number Thirteen.”

Then I lift her off my lap and exit the room.

WILLIAM

“The girls are ready to work,” George says early the next morning when he comes in with my breakfast.

I turn in my chair, and nod at him.

“Are they aware of what they’re to do today?”

“Of course sir,” he says, then hesitates before adding, “You can go and check in on them, if you like?”

My chest clenches. He’s right, I should be bringing myself out more now, I shouldn’t be hiding up here. To earn their trust, I need to show them more of myself. The other girls see me here and there, because they aren’t the group that are damaged, but those girls, they have only ever known me as hidden. Number Thirteen is the only one who has seen me properly.

I know I can’t keep hiding here, though. I have to start letting them become familiar with my presence. Letting them get to know that I’m not the monster they think I am, that I’m here, watching them, supporting them. I’ve been avoiding taking the next step, but I know that it’s time, and so does George. I stand, turning to him. “You know, I think I’ll do that, George. Thank you.”

He nods, giving me a brief smile. I take my eye patch, the one I have specifically made to cover all the damage to my face. Then I head out. I pass groups one and two as I move down the halls. They watch me, their mouths slightly agape. They’ve seen me before, of course, but they don’t see me often. I nod my heads at them, giving them a brief smile. Their faces light up. My chest swells with pride.

I reach the kitchen, and I stand outside the door, listening to the girls chattering inside. I know my group is in here; my girls. I know me coming in will shock them, but it will also help them learn to trust me. I put my girls in their places when they need it, but I’m also a kind, giving man.

Taking a breath, I shove the door open. Number Seven, Twelve and Thirteen are preparing the food. They all gasp a little when I enter, and I notice Number Twelve staring at my eye. I guess she knows what lies behind the patch. I stare around at the amazing food they are preparing, and once more I feel pride.

“How is it all going, ladies?” I ask.

“Uh, very good, Master,” Number Seven says.

“Yes, very well,” Number Twelve smiles.

I turn to Number Thirteen and her cheeks turn a gorgeous shade of red, and she bites her lower lip. The urge to kiss her again is quite overwhelming.

“Number Thirteen?” I murmur.

“It’s going as planned,” she says in a small, meek voice.

“Very good. I’ll see you all when you serve dinner.”

They all nod, still watching me. I give them one last look over before exiverry ting the room.

George was right; this was a good idea.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

“You were with him for a while last night?” Number Twelve says, walking over and placing some chopped vegetables beside me.

“And?” I say, not looking at her.

“What happened?”

I sigh, and turn to her. “I don’t know what you want from me, Number Twelve. Master William is the person who controls how everything goes around here. Don’t confuse yourself into thinking it would matter what I said to him. If he wants to see me, then he will see me.”

“So, you’re interested?”

Anger bubbles in my chest, but I squash it down. “You’re my friend, Number Twelve. I care about you. I care about what we’ve lived through here. I need you to stop asking me about this. I cannot control what goes down, and I will not compete with you over a man that quite frankly, will do as he pleases.”

She stares at me, and her eyes soften after a moment. “I’m sorry; you’re right.”

I give her a weak smile, and then I turn and continue on with what I’m doing.

Things are getting to me. I can feel my patience breaking.

I hate that I’m letting myself feel so weak today.

WILLIAM

“They are here,” George advises, coming into the library where I’m reading just as the evening falls.

My entire body stiffens. I’m not entirely sure I’m ready for this. I love my brother, hell, I love my mother, but my father...it never seems to go well when we’re in the same room together. I don’t know how today will go; I don’t know if he will put a face on because Momma is around. I can only hope he will. My patience with that man is really, really small.

I follow George out of the room, and down the halls. We reach the front door, and my family is already inside, staring around my home. They rarely come out here; why would they? They have no reason to visit me. I let my eyes settle on my tiny, fragile mother, and my heart aches for her. She’s so broken. She always struggled to deal with stress, but when I was hurt, it destroyed her.

She’s spent a lot of time with doctors since then.

She turns her gaze to me, and I give her my best smile. She looks more frail now, her salt-and-pepper hair seems wispy and thin. She has a set of square glasses on, but they don’t take away from the stunning blue of her eyes. She’s tiny, only five-foot two or three, and she’s as petite as they come. I see her eyes fill with unshed tears as she walks over to me.

“Hey Momma,” I murmur.

“William, my son, you look so well.”

She wraps her arms around me, and I let her. I hold onto her for a moment, and I catch my father’s glare over her head. Happy as always. I let her go, and look down at her. “You look well too, Momma.”