306 Chapter 306

"Hello cousin." Sebastian said, turning on the light in the study. Erik turned around, startled.

"Bash. You scared the bloody hell out of me." Erik said.

"Sorry." He said.

"No worries. How is Pearl? The baby?" Erik asked.

"Good, it seems. She is having some depression or something. I referred her to Anna's aunt. She does that post pregnancy depression stuff." Bash said, nonchalantly.

"Good. I'm glad. Thank you." He said, rifling through some papers, seeming preoccupied in his thoughts.

"I thought I would hear from you? About Auggie? How is that little brother of yours? Did you convince him to come home?" Sebastian asked.

"No. He's stubborn. You know that. This girl has him gone completely bonkers." Erik said.

No Erik, this is completely unlike Augustus, Sebastian thought. He knew Erik was being curt with him. He knew now that Auggie knew something important.

"So, what's the plan? Kidnapping and torture?" Sebastian asked, trying to sound as if he was joking. Erik looked at him and looked down.

"Yeah. Right. Funny." He said, with a fake laugh.

"Well, how can I help?" Bash asked. "Is your father upset?"

"You could say that, yes." Erik said. "And you can help by keeping an eye on Pearl. She's at your house. Is she safe there? She probably needs help with the baby." Erik said.

"Yes. I'm sure she does. But you're home now, you'll want to spend some time with them. That's why I'm here. So the two of you can have some time together there. Relax. You know?" Sebastian said.

"I need to figure this out with Auggie. And then there's the African thing. The baby couldn't have came at a worse time, you know?" Erik said. "I am planning on flying to the lodge tomorrow evening to see them for a bit but then I have to fly back to the states. I have to get this sorted out with my brother." He said.

"Your father must really want him to stay in the family. I'm sorry he wants to leave. Did he say why other than just wanting to be with a woman?" Bash asked.

"No. Just that." Erik replied abruptly. "But not to worry. He will be coming back with me this time. I can promise you that." Erik said. "Now, if you'll excuse me. I have to step out for a bit."

"Of course. So should I go back to Scotland now or do you need me here?" Sebastian asked.

"Scotland. And stay there. I don't want you to leave Pearl's side until she works out this... thing... she is dealing with. Take her out to eat or something. I'll see you both tomorrow." He said and walked out the door.

Even Sebastian couldn't believe Erik's behavior. He was changing. He was behaving like he did years ago. But why?

Sebastian went through the study, looking for any kind of information that might be helpful. He found nothing.

He picked up his cell and called his contact.

"Yes. Tail him. I believe he is going to a club or brothel. Let me know." He said and hung up.

Then an idea hit him. Pearl's best friend was an actress. And that means she knows other actresses. They were going to fuck with Erik's head. Make him weak. It was perfect. And he was good to involve the police this time.

But first he needed to make sure Auggie was safe and remained safe. He picked up the phone again.

"Blake. Hello. Yes. It's Sebastian. I'm good! I need to call in that favor. It's important." He began. Blake was an American military buddy that recently made his way to the high ranks of the FBI. Bash had saved his life in the line of duty when his chopper caught fire and he pulled him out before it exploded. Sure, Erik and Edward had corrupt contacts. But Bash had some of his own. And they were the good guys.

"Yes. Only for a few weeks. But I need to keep him and his fiancée safe. Thank you. We are even now."

He walked to the car and headed back to Scotland. To his family.

***************

Erik walked to the small framed, dark haired woman in the corner of the hotel room. He liked when they pretended to be afraid. He grabbed the back of her head and pulled her hair, hard, and threw her into the bed face first. He pulled down her pants and exposed her bare ass. He held the cane in his hands and after every strike, he said Pearl's name. "Filthy, selfish mothers. What do you have to be depressed about, Princess?" He sneered as he struck her again and again. "Thank god you have a man there to make sure my son is safe." He said, unleashing his anger on her. She cried out her safe word and he stopped, snapping out of his trance-like state. He looked down at the young prostitute and saw the welts and bleeding wounds.

"That was too much." She said, weeping and shaking.

"You knew what you signed up for." Erik said, clenching his jaw. "Get out." He said.

She gathered her things and left quickly.

He sat in a chair and poured a glass of wine. He didn't get to finish with her so he would have to beat off, but the pleasure of seeing her backside was enough to satisfy him well into the next few days, at least.