Lesson One
Sara quickly shoved Miranda into the car and told Frank to drive. As she looked out the window, the other two could sense the frustration coming from Sara. After a while she spoke up, "Frank I need your knife, the one you keep in your sleeve." Frank glanced back at the woman still peering out the window. When they arrived at Miranda's hotel, he reluctantly passed the knife to her. Sara twirled the knife in her hand as the car approached the hotel.
When Sara entered the suite she immediately pulled Sean's bags out of the bedroom and began to throw the knife at them trying to stick it into them. Little did she know that Sean had already returned. By the time he came out of the built in office Sara had found a bottle of vodka and started drinking. As he walked over he heard her voice, "you promised that you would be faithful. So much for that bullshit. Should've known better making a deal with the devil." Tears began to roll down her face as she sat there before picking the knife up, spinning around, and throwing it again. Sean barely avoided the knife but his shirt wasn't as lucky. Ignoring the newfound tear he looked at the woman dumbfounded. "Asshole, you shouldn't have dodged." Sara stated before picking up the vodka and started to walk away.
Sean rushed over and hugged Sara, refusing to let her walk away. The scent of wood and leather assaulted her nose, the warmth from his body, and the breath tickling her neck all made her freeze. "Honey, I never cheated on you. I was never unfaithful." Sara sneered at his words, "I believe what I see and I saw that woman all over your arm." Sean chuckled, "Karen, if I wanted to be with her I would've married her years ago. She's been attracted to me for years. However she's not strong like you, not smart enough to be with me, and cowers instead taking an obstacle head on. Today you showed me why your the only woman I'm not good enough for. Please forgive me." Sean then buried his head in her shoulder before softly whispering, "I can't lose you. I don't know why but I just can't. You've captured my attention even when you're not around. I left for 3 months to forget you but I couldn't. I need you in my life. Please forgive me. I'll become a broken man if you leave me. Why would I do that by chasing after another woman."
Sara couldn't help it. Her eyes turning soft listening to his whisper, her heart ached as she could sense the fear in his voice. She turned around before hugging Sean. She couldn't help it. This man who may have crossed the line or may not have, but her heart couldn't help forgive him. She sighed as Sean pulled away before pulling out his phone. Calling someone in a foreign language then hanging up, before turning back to Sara. "So John needs to know what kind of dog you want?" Sara chuckled as she smiled at Sean, "isn't John busy running a billion dollar corporation. He doesn't have time to find me a dog. When we get back from your parents we will look for one together." Sean nodded as a knock was heard at the door. When he opened it a group of men walked in and lined the wall next to the door. Sean left the door cracked as he grabbed Sara's hand and led her to the couch. After the couple sat down one of the men opened the door for Karen to walk in.
As Karen walked into the room and stood in front of the two, Sara's eyes narrowed as she looked at the woman from the restaurant. Sean reach over grabbing her hand while softly striking the back of it with his thumb. Sara blushed at how soft and tender his touch was but noticed that his face did not show any of the softness or gentleness. While the others in the room were believing that somehow Sean opened the windows, Sara seemed to be wrapped in warmth from the mans touch. Sean finally spoke after a few minutes, "Karen you pretended to be close to me for the sake of a deal. While I would normally have let this pass, however now I answer to an authority. There are three options, you lose your hands, you go to the Saharan for 5 years or you go to the Wilderness for 1 year." The voice cold and commanding, the eyes almost black as he said the words. He then looked at his wife before smiling brightly and lifting her hand to kiss it. Sara blushed at his actions, 'didn't he know others could see' she thought. However she thought that the wilderness for a year would be the obvious choice but was surprised when Karen immediately responded to the question, "Saharan 5 years." Sean motioned to two men that were waiting by the wall.
He let go of Sara and walked over to Karen as she stood there held by the two men. "For 5 years you will work for the organization without the protection of the clan. Hand over your pin." Sean stated his voice seemingly getting colder as one of the nearby men shivered visibly. Even Sara felt like the temperature in the room dropped. Karen pipped up, "you never said anything about removing my clan status." Sean burst into a laughter, but this was a different laugh. Instead of a hearty one that Sara was accustomed too, this one was a harsh laugh full of hate and vitriol. Sean glared at the woman before stating, "you think I'd allow anyone who crossed my wife to stay near me. One day she will take over and I will sit back and be her shadow. Do you think I'd allow weeds to grow freely before she even took her throne." He shook his head as his voice was calm as water but still carried the evilness in it. "So naive, take her away." Sean instructed as Karen's mouth was covered before she was dragged from the room.
Sara looked at the man who maintained a statue-like appearance until the room was cleared. After everyone left he sighed before sitting next to Sara. As she looked at the man she couldn't help but ask, "wasn't that a tad too harsh. She is part of your inner circle" Sean snorted before replying, "lesson one: when dealing with people in the Underworld, if you think it was too harsh then it was perfect. These people respond to show of power. You show a moment of weakness they will tear you apart." Sara nodded as she layed her head on his shoulder.