Ryan returned to the living room, poured his glass of liquor and sat down thoughtfully. He couldn't hear what Genevieve was saying. His thoughts were caught up in Anna's innocent gaze. She was perfect for the green house, but at the same time, he wished he could spend time with her, just being hers. And that thought led him to the obvious conclusion; Anna wouldn't be like the others who became family property. Anna would revolutionize that family.
"Are you in love yet, Ryan?" Adam's debauched voice roused him from his thoughts.
"Of course not."
"You've fallen in love with the last one in the house. I don't think we should make that bet. Anna will make you grovel at her feet." Adam said, imagining with perverse pleasure his cousin at Anna's feet.
Ryan glared at him.
"I didn't fall in love with... I was just confused by that crazy relationship. It was my first time and... You have to admit that it doesn't come naturally. An unusual habit... It's something bizarre among the men in our family... It was your first time too, and I know that it awakened something in you, too."
"She did, Ryan. My penis got erect every time someone mentioned her." Everyone laughed. "I don't share your crazy desire to have a product... I like my women flattering me, not running from me..."
"But you visited the product all the same."
"Curiosity. It was my first time too, as you yourself pointed out, and although I agree that it's exciting, I have other preferences."
"Now I remember... Uncle Allister had to force you into the green house." Ryan said and let out a laugh. "His biggest concern was whether his son would be able to... Find the right path."
"Yes. It's not hard to find the 'right path' with a werewolf's nose. That woman wanted me. I didn't use force to get her."
"Maybe because she was so easy, you didn't come back."
"I don't get pleasure from girls, Ryan. That's why I didn't come back."
"I heard your moans while you were between her legs, cousin. Were you faking it?" Ryan laughed, enjoying teasing his cousin.
Adam smiled.
"I'd forgotten about the cameras..."
"She wasn't a girl, Adam. She was a woman in her forties."
Adam sipped from his glass and looked thoughtfully at Ryan.
"It was unusual, watching me with the 'product', wasn't it? Which one of you was greeted like that? I don't blame you for falling for her. Those experienced hands and lips showed me the kind of woman I wanted by my side. I just wonder why you fell in love, if she fought to the end, but never resigned herself to letting you possess her without trying to hurt you..."
"I tamed her." Ryan said and closed his eyes. "Mastering that woman became my goal in life. She offered me a challenge. I didn't want her in love with me, cousin, because what charmed me about her was the glint of hatred in her eye. It didn't matter what I did to her. She wouldn't give in."
"You're monstrous." Genevieve said, without seeming to mind.
"Don't be alarmed, Genevieve. Adam would never do that to you." Ryan said with a smile.
"I'm still deciding which of you two is crueler. Please don't disturb my thoughts, Ryan."
They both laughed.
"I like being invited, Ryan, and Genevieve knows that."
"I don't think Anna's going to be like her..."
Adam stood up, fixing his jacket, and so did Genevieve. The meeting was drawing to a close.
"That might be a motivating factor, so that I can exercise my right to... Play with the product."
Ryan stood up too.
"None of us will touch her without her permission during the three months of our bet."
"I have no interest in touching her in any way."
"You're not going to have Caricature hit her again either."
"Did she talk to you about it?"
"I'm Alfa's cousin. I'm important. Werewolves like to tell me about the orders of the most important werewolf."
"Remember that, Ryan. I'm the Alpha and you told that bitch that I don't have full authority. I'm going to spare you punishment, because I know you wanted to impress that woman, but... I won't deprive the werewolves of having fun with her if she doesn't obey without complaint."
"You manipulated the Caricature."
"No. I just sent the alert to his mind, and gave him a few options to use. Believe me, Ryan. He was generous with it."
Ryan knew Adam was telling the truth. His cousin liked to hear the bones of humans breaking.
"You... Adam, you're the Alpha. I'm not questioning that. You were born that way. But you're not the head of the Mafia yet. You can't hurt the 'product', because it doesn't belong to you alone. The head of the Mafia is still Allister.
"Even Allister can't tell me what I can and can't do, Ryan. I'm far more powerful than he ever was, and my will is law."
"That doesn't stop you from being fair."
"And when have I been unfair?"
"She's a fragile human who doesn't know the fate that awaits her, and you still order her to be hurt? Why do you do that? Do you think you're educating her? She'll get enough of that for the rest of her life when my uncle dies."
Adam glared at Ryan and headed for the exit door, but stopped before he left.
"After Allister dies, for three months, she'll be untouchable, as long as she doesn't ask me, or spread her legs for me. I can't resist that kind of invitation."
"She won't ask. I've talked to her a bit, cousin. She'd rather put her hand on a rose bush than get close to you. Prepare to lose that bet."
Adam turned around with shining eyes. Ryan and Genevieve recognized that look. The look of defiance. The look he only shared with his brother. As if it carried a precious secret.
"It would be the first time... Cousin." He said and left.