Morning Diamond

Revelation

"Well, My Dear, I am told you have had quite the morning." Leishmann beamed as she was led into the large room that had-only the night before- become her own personal nightmare. She noted that there remained no evidence of the fight between her and the man in front of her. She did, however, notice his annoyance when he scrutinized her apparel.

"Interesting, I had understood you were given an alternative choice of clothing." He glared at Mike then stepped closer. "Red is not your color." He lifted a finger to lightly brush her chin. Her eyes narrowed and she purposely stepped back to put some distance between them. The movement caused her to bump Mike and he put his hands on her shoulders to steady her.

Leishmann made a gesture with his head, but Mike did not heed the obvious dismissal, instead he dropped his hand to her waist and pulled her closer to him, an obvious show of protection and possession.

"The only thing terrible about this morning is the fact that I am being forced to spend it with you!" She congratulated herself on her ability to speak calmly and took pride in the ugly scratch marks, bruises, and swollen lip that marred his face. Mike squeezed her lightly in warning. "And the only red on this shirt is the blood you put on it; before you it was a solid grey." She heard Mike sigh behind her.

"My dear, I am sorry that you feel that way. I'd hoped we had gotten past yesterday's hostilities. I, personally, would like to move on and become...friends." He walked to the same table that had gashed her head open the night before and lifted a silver lid from a tray. Steam rose from the platter bringing with it an amazing aroma of cooked meats. Her nostrils flared at the wonderful fragrance and her mouth watered and her stomach growled in response.

"Would you allow me to dish you a plate." Her mouth dropped. He was offering to serve her?

"No thank you." She still couldn't fathom eating with the man responsible for the complete upset of her entire life, though her stomach did growl in protest to her refusal.

"C!" Mike quietly warned.

"Maybe your appetite will improve if I ask my son to join us? I am a tad curious how you two will get on. I have a feeling you may enjoy his company more than mine." Leishmann smirked and Mike's fingers suddenly dug painfully into her waist. When she flinched, he relaxed his hold.

"My Cal, he's amazingly similar to your Mike." Mike growled and Claire felt the sudden absence of his hands as he moved away from her.

"I highly doubt any child of yours could be anything like Mike!" She knew she shouldn't test his patience, but the sight of him caused her insides to twist and coil. Insulting his son could possibly escalate his temper, but this time Mike was with her and she knew he wouldn't allow the older man to attack her again. His presence gave her courage.

To her surprise, Leishmann laughed. It was a deep, gratifying laugh that made her skin creep. "We shall see if your high opinions last the day. Shall we begin breakfast?" He offered her his hand. She turned her head to ignore him. He laughed again, "You are a stubborn filly aren't you? No doubt it will be a treat breaking you in." She looked back at him.

"Leishmann." Cal's warned at the same time Claire stated, "You will break nothing on me again." She sizzled. A gleeful glint sparked and she could tell he accepted her words as a challenge.

"Cal, will you offer your hand to the lady as she will no doubt refuse mine." Leishmann regarded her closely as the words left his mouth. Claire's eye widened. She hadn't heard anyone else enter the tent.

Claire could only imagine the evil that Leishmann could spawn and didn't enjoy the thought of her back being exposed to it. However, when she turned there was only one person behind her. The idea was so implausible that it took her a moment to begin accepting it, and when she did she felt the last of her world crumble into a thousand pieces.