CHAPTER 14

Negan watched Claire and Daryl. Daryl watched Negan. And Claire watched Negan and Daryl. There wasn't much eating going on, although there was plenty of food on the table. The silence was uncomfortable, the tension could be cut with a knife. Daryl tried to keep his fidgeting to a minimum, hoping to appear more confidant to Negan-but he was afraid the minute Negan dismissed Claire, something he was sure would happen any minute now, Negan would see just how nervous he was.

"Well," Negan at last blurted out, causing both Claire and Daryl to jump slightly. "Claire, I believe it is time the women left the room so we men can discuss things," Negan purred and then winked at Daryl. Claire colored up and opened her mouth to offer a protest, but Negan laid his hand over hers tightly and squeezed slightly. Claire's eyes widened in surprise-Negan had never laid a hand on her, not once in all the time she'd known him. "No arguments Claire. Daryl and I have some business matters to discuss. You and I can talk later," and he released Claire's hand and waved her off.

Claire shot an apologetic look at Daryl, something Negan did not miss, and slowly rose and made her way out of the dining room. Negan looked at Daryl and smiled-a very thin, cold and angry smile. Daryl felt the sweat begin to trickle down his back once again and clenched his hands on his thighs underneath the table in an attempt to control his movements.

"So, it seems my Claire is maybe smitten with you?" Negan said softly. Daryl tried to swallow, his throat suddenly parched. He noted the territorial use of the word my in that sentence, and realized that although Claire thought there was nothing between she and Negan, he clearly thought something different.

"Don't know nothin' bout that," Daryl rasped out. "She ain't been anythin' but professional with me-I'm grateful ya had her take care of my gunshot wound. She done a good job…." He trailed off uncertainly at Negan's sudden flare of nostrils and tightening of his mouth.

"Yes, Claire is always professional. But something about you has clearly peaked her interest. I confess I've never observed her to be interested in any man in the time I've known her. Her brother told me that Claire had wanted to become a nun when she was younger and her mother had had such a fit over it that instead she had finished her nursing school and gone to work in the poorer area hospitals and eventually the prison where her brother was sent. Basically she lived like a nun without the orders. No drinking, no smoking, no drugs, no men." Negan paused and considered Daryl thoughtfully. "But something about you…I don't know what it is, but I'll figure it out. Make no mistake though, she is mine just as surely as you are. And I will do as I wish with her, just as I will with her. So it will be in both your and her best interest if you cooperate with me. Maybe you don't mind certain things being done to you," and Negan moved his hand as if to brush Daryl's hair out of his eyes then dropped it again. "But you might mind those things happening to Claire."

Daryl clamped his jaw shut –surely to God Negan wouldn't hurt Claire just because Negan thought she liked him?

Before he could think about that threat too much more, Negan stood up and motioned for Daryl to follow him out into the courtyard. Daryl marveled at how in the courtyard time had stood still-the fountain burbled, the plants and flowers thrived. You could believe none of the ugliness outside these walls existed. Negan led him around, naming the various plants and flowers –pride evident that he had kept this garden going.

They came to a trellis over another pathway that seemed to end in a secluded corner. Daryl's hackles rose as he realized Negan was herding him into that corner. He stopped and tried to control his breathing. Negan turned and smiled broadly at him. "Why the hesitation Daryl? There's something special I'd like to show you over here in the corner." And he waved Daryl forward. Daryl stood still, not trusting Negan once he was alone in that corner with him. If anyone came looking for them, they wouldn't be seen. Negan could do whatever he wished with him with no interruption. Daryl took a step back and Negan shook his head, smiling indulgently. "I assure you, you don't want to ignore my request. Come along now, this won't take but a minute," and he waved Daryl again. Daryl took a deep breath and forced himself to walk first behind then ahead of Negan toward a small bench surrounded by small pink roses on all sides.

From behind Negan pushed him suddenly and roughly toward the wall and Daryl flung his hands up to prevent his running face first into that wall. Negan immediately stood flush against his back and placed his hands around Daryl's waist and ripped his shirt open, running his hands up and down Daryl's chest and abdomen. Daryl felt Negan's breath hot on his neck and flinched when Negan's tongue touched his earlobe.

"You are a very handsome man, I'll give Claire that," Negan murmured into Daryl's ear. His hands rubbed all up and down Daryl's chest and one hand began to slowly work it's way down his abdomen toward his groin. Daryl's breath stuttered in his throat and he felt a wild panic surge up in him –something he hadn't felt in decades.

"No," he cried out hoarsely and tried to twist out of Negan's grasp. Negan's hold only tightened.

"Would you rather be on your knees in front of me?" Negan purred again in his ear. Daryl stood stock still, shocked and horrified to his core. "It's up to you. Or maybe you'd rather see Claire in this position. Some men do get off on watching. Maybe you'd like to see me take Claire this way?" Negan's hand ran over Daryl's crotch on the outside of his scrubs and Daryl shuddered in revulsion. Negan laughed softly and suddenly released Daryl and backed off. "You think about that. I'll give you a few days. You can either tell me everything I want to know, or you can be my bitch. Or you can watch me use Claire as my bitch. It's up to you," and with that Negan left Daryl shaking and gasping in the little secluded corner of the garden.

When he was sure Negan was gone, Daryl collapsed on the little bench –his legs like rubber and no longer supportive-and began to weep hoarsely in great heaving sobs.