Read Online Blood Bond by Michael Green - Free Book Online

attentions.
    â€˜What about Damian?’ Duncan asked.
    The mood in the room grew even gloomier.
    â€˜Well, he’s hardly going to be a problem to any of the women, is he?’ Diana said dryly.
    â€˜Frigging poofter,’ spat Susan.
    â€˜It’s not the fact he’s gay — that’s a whole different issue,’ Jennifer said. ‘Some of my best friends are — were — gay. The problem is, he’s a sadist like his father, and a paedophile to boot.’
    â€˜Exactly. How are we going to protect the young boys from him?’ Paul stuttered. They could all see Paul’s concern for his grandsons, Ruben and Harry. He was close to tears.
    â€˜Perhaps if we had a word with Nigel…’ Duncan suggested.
    â€˜Are you prepared to have a word with him?’ Susan asked bluntly.
    Duncan shook his head.
    â€˜Me neither. God knows how he’d react to being told what a little pervert he’s sired.’
    â€˜Would it do any good anyway?’ Jennifer asked. ‘Could he stop Damian, even if he wanted to?’
    â€˜We have to find a way,’ Paul pleaded, desperation in his voice.
    Nobody appeared to have an answer to the Damian problem. There was silence as each wondered if they could manage to escape, perhaps simply follow Mark to New Zealand. But they all knew that would be extremely dangerous. Nigel and his sons had pursued Mark’s group with weapons. There’d only be further deaths. Besides, they couldn’t leave Mary-Claire. To end the silence, Susan brought the conversation back around to the ‘escort agency’.
    â€˜As far as the younger women are concerned, it’s going to be pretty academic. They’re all going to have to be involved. There are threemen to satisfy — four if you count Damian — and only six women.’
    â€˜Eight,’ corrected Diana.
    â€˜Six: Cheryl, Bridget, Virginia, Kimberley, Rebecca and Theresa.’
    â€˜And Amy and Beatrice.’
    â€˜What? Don’t you dare offer the Chatfields those two children!’ Duncan threatened.
    â€˜It’s not my decision,’ Diana said angrily. ‘Nigel’s already told me to put them on the list.’
    â€˜And you agreed?’
    â€˜Do you think I had any choice?’
    â€˜Well, you’d better protect them,’ Duncan shouted, slamming down his cup and storming out of the room. Paul scurried after him.
    â€˜Well, I guess that’s the meeting over,’ Susan said as she rose from her chair and shuffled out of the room.
    Jennifer remained seated and leaned closer to Diana. ‘I’ve got an idea.’
    Â 
    At lunchtime the next day, Diana and Jennifer took the younger women aside and acquainted them with the situation. The adult women had already resigned themselves to their plight, but the teenage twins, Amy and Beatrice, were terrified.
    â€˜I’ll protect you as best I can,’ Diana promised, putting her arms around them.
    â€˜I’ll look after Damian,’ Cheryl volunteered. The others looked at her, incredulous that she had offered her services. ‘I have my reasons,’ she added, but didn’t offer an explanation.
    â€˜In reality, I won’t be making the decisions — it will be Nigel and his sons calling the shots,’ Diana explained. The sobs of the young girls were accompanied by those of their mother, Virginia. ‘But I’ll do my best for you two girls.’ The clock above Cromwell’s Tower struck twelve-thirty. The lunch break was over. There was no time for further discussion.
    As the other women left to begin their afternoon’s work, Diana hurried to the staterooms. From the library window, she could see Nigel and his sons enjoying a leisurely lunch in the garden. Theresawas serving them, scurrying backwards and forwards to the kitchens to supply their needs. Despite her role as a servant there was no disguising the elegance of the tall, long-necked