He was protecting the girl, Jakes chimes in. I'm truly surprised that he's on our side.
- Mr. Jakes, this doesn't change things! Mr. Gray has disgraced Eden! There are at least three tanitras here, De Bryn says, taking a sip of coffee.
Three... My heart sinks... This is just terrible...
The young man defended his girlfriend! This is the act of a knight! If I were him, I would absolutely kill this bastard! - Peter insists.
Bright and De Bryn look at him disapprovingly. Christian stands up to his full height.
I think three tanitras is still too much, Bright sighs. Your family performed well during admission. Well... let's limit ourselves to one for now. And even then, I believe, it can be canceled over time.
I sigh deeply... It s already good.
But from now on, Mr. Still, control your anger, De Bryn says sternly, and we leave.
We go home in silence. Neither my son nor I want to discuss what happened. Christian is gloomy and sad. I am well aware that angry outbursts are common for Chris, and they were quite frequent when he was growing up with the Grays. This anger comes from his childhood. A lonely, embittered boy who no one needed... And only Grace was able to soften him.
-Are you ashamed of me? - Christian finally asks when we get home.
No, I would have done the same thing if Hyde had threatened you or Mia, I admit honestly. - Well done. It's just... your anger and rage... They may one day get out of control and... everyone will feel bad about it.
Christian sighs sadly and goes to his room. I silently walk into the living room.
- How was it? - Prothero asks as he enters the house. I smile weakly at him and stand up.
We have one tanitra, I say gloomily. Lewis hugs me sympathetically.
We need to find a way to control Christian's anger. And so that he himself would be delighted with it. I don t know... Boxing, martial arts... - I say confusedly.
- There is one way. But we won't use it for now. And about what you said... My army friend Gordon Dietrich is now teaching martial arts at a prestigious private school in London. This school cooperates with your intelligence. Maybe we can place Christian there? If this doesn t help, then... the method I talked about, Lewis grins.
What method is Lewis talking about? Something painful? Or what? Okay, I hope his method won't be useful to us.
I agree, I nod to my husband, and he kisses me. Then he goes to Christian.
Lewis's Pov.
Christian's anger poisons him. He is a very good boy, smart, intelligent and kind... But if he does not curb his demons. Nothing will come of it. I understand him perfectly.
After all, when my parents died, I was the same: desperate, angry, unable to control anything, twitchy and scared to death, a boy who needed to take care of his sister and somehow survive.
BDSM helped me. One of my clients, an eccentric lady of about thirty, immediately realized that I had problems with anger and offered to be her bottom. She was a beautiful woman, but I needed money to raise Valerie. I agreed and she taught me everything she knew.
She taught me to restrain myself, taught me to control my body and thoughts, gave vent to my anger and I took everything into my own hands.
I became calmer, my authority emerged, I was able to start thinking sensibly and rationally. Of course, there was no violence between us; she monitored my condition and helped in time if she saw that I was feeling bad.
Safety, reasonableness, voluntariness - I honor and instill these principles in my students. But I really don't want Christian to become dominant. This is a dark path and it is not for everyone. Well, let's pray that just sport suits Christian.
Chris, can you? - I'm looking at my son. He is reading something and smiles faintly when he sees me.
Dad, if you scold me... the young man begins.
I won't. Hyde will get his, I promise. I wanted to talk about something else. How do you feel about going into martial arts? This will control your anger, give it an outlet, and maybe help you deal with your demons, I say seriously.
The young man thinks.
Let s try, he finally exhales. It won t get worse anyway. And it might be better.
I go over and ruffle his hair. He smiles weakly and I tell him about Gordon and what Ana and I decided. The young man agrees to try.
Next Saturday, Chris, Anastasia and I are going to the private sports center that Gordon owns. I briefly tell my son about my friendship with this amazing and always positive person. Christian can't wait to try it and I understand.
- Lewis!
Gordon Dietrich, a short, plump brunette slightly older than me, with a good-natured expression on his face, shakes my hand and looks appraisingly at Anastasia. This is my woman! Have a conscience, Dietrich, you're gay!
- Gordon. I shake his hand. - Meet my son Christian and wife Anastacia. I say this not without pride, and Dietrich s eyes widen.
I didn t think you d get married, mutters a friend. Mrs. Prothero.
No, I m Mrs. Still, the wife laughs. I left my last name. Mr. Dietrich, our son Christian would like to try your school.
Gordon examines Christian.
Such a handsome young man can make a lot of sense, Dietrich says good-naturedly. - Shall I show you everything here, little one?
Well, if it s not difficult for you, Mr. Dietrich, Christian hesitates.
Call me Gordon, kid, my friend winks, and they leave.