Dethroned (Darker Places Book 3)

by Nicole Cypher

  She thought for a moment, considering my words. "And if I answer truthfully, you'll answer mine truthfully?"

  "Yes. Scout’s honor," I said, the small smile tilting my lips.

  I waited for her uncertain nod before asking my question. "What exactly are you investigating?"

  Laila stared at me with a puzzled look, her mouth opening and closing a couple of times before finally speaking. "Is it not obvious?"

  "You're answering my question with a question. That's not part of the deal."

  "But I don't understand why you're asking the question. And I'm not answering anything unless I'm certain it wouldn't hurt anyone."

  I drummed my fingers along the headboard and thought about it for a moment. Her reasoning bemused me, but I needed to know the answer. The possibility that we'd wildly overestimated what the police knew was beginning to grow more and more likely.

  "Fair enough," I said with a nod. "I did think it was obvious, but the fact that you don't know much about me is starting to make me question what it is you do know."

  "I do know about you."

  "Except of course what it is I do for a living and whether I'm involved in a hypothetical trafficking ring. I'm not even sure what type of trafficking ring you're referring to."

  "Ask your brother," she snarled. She'd sat up straighter in her defensiveness, and I wanted to fucking laugh as the reality of the situation hit me full force. It wasn't even about me. It was about Kevin. I stifled the laugh, but allowed a wicked grin to encompass as much of my face as possible.

  "Tell me what it is you're investigating, detective. Please, so I can applaud all your thorough work."

  "Fuck you."

  "Oh, but Laila. You've already done such a good job fucking yourself."

  Tears spilled from her eyes that she quickly wiped away with the back of her hand. "Well you're going to kill me anyway, so why don't you just tell me whatever it is I don't know."

  I actually considered it for a moment. Just to see the combination of surprise and terror cover that pretty face. She was right about one thing, it didn't really matter what I told her. She'd never leave the manor. I still needed to know the identity of that damn mole, though, but she'd unknowingly narrowed it down so much for me. It was either people who weren't telling her all the company encompassed, or her informants were a few people who didn't know shit. She was investigating a trafficking ring Kevin had run. She had no idea our business spread wider than Utah, and it was the reason the state detectives had taken the case instead of the FBI. It was also the reason cops hadn't shown up at the manor looking for her. They didn't have shit on me, let alone the company.

  I decided against telling her any of this. It would've taken away the shred of hope I counted on her having. Still, I couldn't help but fuck with her. At least a little.

  "Well, although you didn't really answer my question, I'll answer one of yours. No, I'm not involved with any trafficking ring. Other than the slave I've acquired, of course. But that I'm sure you've already put together with that big detective brain of yours."

  I stood from the bed and almost skipped as I left the room. Before I made it to the door, I looked back at Laila wiping at angry tears. "You've got about an hour before I have someone bring you down for your playdate with Dravin. I'd advise you to give him the name of the mole before he realizes how useless you are to him."

  I smirked as her eyes widened, and then I left. I was sure if she didn't give it up tonight I'd regret that comment, but at the time I didn't care. We still had a problem, but it was minuscule to the one I'd been punished for.

  I felt as if I'd already won.

  10

  Jake

  I stood outside the door with my foot propped against the wall as Dravin stepped out of the basement. The irritated look on his face told me everything I'd needed to know. Laila still hadn't caved.

  Dravin took only a moment meeting my gaze before he shook his head. "I took it easy tonight, so whatever you're doing better work," he said before storming down the hall.

  I gently knocked my head against the wall as I readied myself for more of this charade. I'd honestly thought it'd be fun to fuck with Laila. Maybe even convince her to sleep with me. Be all it'd been was a pain in the ass. She was stubborn and proud, and the violent part of me wanted to beat every bit of it out of her.

  With a sigh, I pushed off the wall and began the trek into the basement. Laila's sobs echoed on the walls around me, but as I passed through the second door, her sobs abruptly stopped. She was strapped to the chair once again and slouched with her head down. Her auburn hair hung in front of her, shielding her face from me.

  The frustration I'd felt only moments before melted with the sight of her. Dravin hadn't lied. He'd stopped long before Laila's mind had shut off this time, but she appeared pathetic nonetheless.

  She never met my gaze as I undid the restraints and brushed the hair back from her face. I sighed as her eyes continued to stray from mine. "Why do you have to fight so much?"

  A sob erupted from her mouth before she covered it with her hand and looked away. So proud and so goddamn stubborn. I stood up straight and took a step back to give her the opportunity to stand herself. She didn't take it. Instead, she continued sitting in the chair with her face toward the ground.

  "Would you rather sleep down here?"

  She said nothing, and out of frustration I shook my head and went to leave. I didn't even intend on bothering to restrain her again. She didn't give me a chance to regret it because as soon as I'd taken a few steps toward the door, her voice stopped me in my tracks.

  "Jake?"

  I turned, zeroing in on her pouting lips and tear-filled eyes. As annoyed as I was with the woman, other emotions surfaced along with it. Some of those chemicals settling in my balls.

  "I can't do this again."

  Laila's voice broke on her last word. As much as I didn't want to admit it to myself, it cut into me. She should've hated me. Her eyes should’ve been narrowed and her shoulders pulled back, but instead she stared at me as if I was her only hope. And in that moment I almost wanted to be. At least the bulge that strained against my pants wanted it. There was something indescribably desirable about being this woman's knight in shining armor. It wasn't who I was, and it was only a matter of time before it finally registered for her. But tonight I'd play the part.

  I closed the distance between us and extended my hand. "Maybe you won't have to."

  Her doe eyes still stared up at me as if I held food for her. When the hell would she learn that I was the wolf? She was the food. I kept the dismay from showing and forced a smile instead.

  Finally, she placed her trembling hand in mine and allowed me to help her to her feet. We made our way out of the basement and to my bedroom. I didn't look behind me, but I could sense Laila's gaze flicking all around her. Today was the first time she'd seen a bigger chunk of the manor, and I imagined it amazed her. I also suspected she was watching for Dravin with the way she clung to me the entire way. She reminded me of a child who wouldn't venture off base during tag. Currently, I was base.

  As soon as we'd made it to the bedroom, however, she distanced herself and headed for the bathroom. I didn't bother following. She may have had law enforcement training, but I couldn't bring myself to see her as a threat. Not in this state. She knew better than to close the door anyway, and I occasionally flicked my gaze toward the open door as I undressed for bed.

  By the time she scurried back into the room I was down to my boxers. She kept her eyes down, but her face was almost crimson.

  "Something wrong?" I asked as Laila hurried under the covers and refused to meet my eyes while I cuffed her wrist to the headboard.

  "No."

  I laughed, but it lacked much humor. She was cute when she was nervous, but the moment was spoiled by her sadness. We were breaking her more and more each day, and it was as unsettling as watching a beautiful rose wilt away. I reminded myself this was her own fault, and in a way it was.
It'd be over as soon as she gave up the moles… The torture would be over at least.

  Laila rolled over to face away from me, but I didn't miss the soft crying. I wish she'd stop. I loved the fear and the nervousness. Nothing got me off more than a woman's trembling hands at the button of my pants, but not the crying. My cock was annoyingly flaccid as I climbed in bed behind her.

  For a moment I just lay there, staring at the auburn hair that flowed over her back. I closed my eyes and remembered the way it'd felt in my hands as I helped bathe her last night—fine silk running through my fingers. Her cries continued and I scooted closer, wrapping my arm around her in an embrace that she fought for a few moments. Her muscles tightened and she pushed at my arm, but I didn't budge.

  Eventually she relaxed, and I no longer heard her soft cries. I closed my eyes and absently rubbed my hand up and down Laila's arm.

  "I want to play again," Laila whispered. My eyes opened just as she turned in my arms to face me. "Please."

  "Play what again?"

  Laila swallowed. Her eyes were puffy from crying, but no tears remained. She appeared desperate and hopeful, and it immediately raised my guard. It was a complete change from only a half hour ago.

  "I ask you a question and you get to ask me a question."

  "Laila, unless you're going to give me a name, I think I know everything I n—"

  "Then, we can start small. Questions that don't matter." Laila nervously shifted next to me. Her eyes peered into mine as she bit her lip and waited for my response. My uncertainty of her intentions was dangerous, and I had nothing to gain from humoring her. But those fucking teeth on her bottom lip.

  "You go first," I said, knowing it was a mistake.

  She glanced just above me as she thought. "What's your favorite flavor of ice cream?"

  My eyebrow pinched and eyes narrowed. "Laila, what's the point?"

  "Please," she whispered. "I just want everything to be normal. Just for a minute."

  My face relaxed as I realized Laila's motivation. She just wanted to have a normal conversation. I supposed it was a way of escaping the dark places I knew her mind wandered before she found sleep. I sighed and closed my eyes for a moment. It could potentially help earn her trust, but at the same time it could make her too comfortable. There was a thin line between helping Laila and saving Laila. And the latter wasn't an option, even if I wanted it to be.

  Laila shifted again so that her hand pressed against my chest. The soft caress heated my veins, and when I opened my eyes they zeroed in on that hand. Laila followed my gaze and pulled back. "Sorry," she whispered, looking away.

  "Vanilla."

  "What?" she asked, her eyes widening as she peered back at me.

  "My favorite flavor is vanilla. Ironic, I know."

  Laila's lips tilted into the tiniest smile, sending a jolt of lightning down my spine. She was a beautiful woman always, but that smile? I wanted to stare at it for days until all that seemed to be in this world were those curved lips.

  "Vanilla," she said with a nod. "All right."

  I rolled my shoulders as I thought of an insignificant question to ask next. "Favorite color?"

  "Green," she blurted out, but immediately turned red. Her eyes had widened, and mouth had cemented into a straight line. Even so, it was cute, and I found my grin stretching across my face.

  "Dark secret?" I asked, teasing Laila just a bit. I didn't know where her embarrassment came from, but also didn't care. As I'd tried to say before she interrupted, I had everything I needed to know besides names.

  Laila cleared her throat and shook her head. "Childhood pets?"

  My grin stretched. "No, not if we're talking about nonhuman ones."

  The shade of her cheeks grew brighter, and I bit one side of my mouth to keep from laughing.

  "You mean you had… as a kid."

  Laila's demeanor grew worrisome, and I inadvertently reached my hand to rest on her waist. We both noticed the hand, but unlike her I didn't take it back. I pulled her closer just a hair, and stared into eyes filling with both horror and curiosity. I guess these questions weren't so insignificant after all.

  "You can't have follow-ups. No, I didn't have any pets." I paused for a moment to allow the tension in the room to settle. "Do you have any siblings?"

  I'd already known the answer to that particular question, but decided to ask anyway. If anything, I could at least find out if she was honest.

  "No," she said, shaking her head. "What about you?"

  "Yes. Did you grow up poor, middle class, or wealthy?"

  "Wait. You didn't tell me about your siblings," she whined in protest.

  The smile returned to my face, and my grip tightened on Laila's waist just to remind her it was there. "You didn't ask. And unfortunately, there are no follow-ups."

  Her eyes narrowed and glared into mine, only relaxing after I laughed. She rolled her eyes and used that tiny smile to her advantage once again. "Middle class," she looked up as she thought how to properly word her question. "What are the demographics of your siblings?"

  "Demographics?" I asked with another chuckle.

  "You know what I mean."

  I lifted a hand to massage the back of my neck and studied Laila’s face to try and discern her intentions. It was obvious why she might want to know that for her investigation, but she was here. Trapped in my bed with me with absolutely no chances of ever leaving. Did it really matter what she knew? Not when she couldn't possibly tell anyone.

  She appeared so innocent staring back with her doe eyes. As if she really was just curious. With a heavy sigh, I brought my hand back down and squeezed her waist once more.

  "I have two brothers, one living sister-in-law and one deceased. So, four siblings total, if we're not just talking biological."

  Laila shifted closer and placed her hand on my chest once again. This time we both ignored it. "I know there aren't any follow-ups... but just so you know, I'm sorry for your loss."

  A sad smile fell on my face as I thought of my brother's late wife. I'd felt very little from her death, but it'd nearly taken my little brother with it. I'd tried everything I could to help him get back to normal, but if the current situation was evidence enough, I'd only fucked him up more by offering him the job Laila investigated.

  I shook it off before guilt could take hold and thought of another question. She'd gotten something from me, and she knew it. So, it was only fair I made this question count.

  "How many times had you followed me before that night?"

  She pulled her hand back and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear before resting her arms at her sides. I assumed the simple gesture indicated her guard going up. Good.

  "It was just the one time."

  My brows knitted together as I tried to discern whether Laila lied or not. She seemed more embarrassed than anything, so I had no choice but to take her word for it. "How did you know where I would be?"

  A devious grin flashed across her face for a moment. "No follow-ups."

  A slight amount of annoyance shot through me but I relaxed after a moment. I chuckled and nodded. "Fair enough, but how am I supposed to believe you're telling the truth when your answer isn't even realistic?"

  Now it was her turn to knit her brows. "How so?"

  "This investigation has been going on for some time, yes? I know you haven't been following Kevin. I've caught you following me once. So logic seems to point toward me as someone you've been looking into. Or at least trying."

  Laila looked like she wanted to spit as the words of my last sentence came out. Her annoyance morphed into humor as well after a minute though, and she laughed. "Let's just say, you are a fucking ghost. It was only the one time."

  This time I really did believe her. It was almost pathetic, but it was true. It also sparked about a million questions running through my mind one after the other. Regret began to seep in for beginning the game and opening this floodgate.

  Laila's expression grew serious, and it seemed
that she sank farther into the bed before asking her question I already knew I wouldn't answer. "Where's Kevin?"

  Ah. There it is. Her simple meaningless conversation had turned exactly where she'd intended it to go. I forced myself not to roll my eyes and to maintain a neutral expression, but on the inside I began to seethe. I might've been wrong, and I fucking hoped I was wrong, but the distinct recognition that I'd just been played sat heavily in my gut and masked everything else.

  "I think it's time for bed, Laila."

  "Jake, I—"

  "Don't," I said more aggressively than I'd intended. Laila's face fell and she retreated into herself. I removed the hand that rested on her waist and shut the nightstand lamp off.

  Darkness encased us, but for me it was consoling. I didn't want to look at Laila anymore, and to my relief she didn't speak again. I think we both lay there for some time, staring at the ceiling as our eyes adjusted to the dark, before sleep found either of us.

  Laila

  He'd been playing mind games with me this entire time. The warm bed, the food, the comfort. It'd all been to lure me into his trap. And I'd been stupid and scared enough to walk right into it… almost.

  Jake stirred beside me, his deep breaths making him seem so calm while he slept. I wondered what he dreamt about—if it was violence and blood, coupled with begging and fear. Things most people would consider nightmares were probably his playground and put that calm expression on his face. The desire to press the pillow against his airways intensified with each moment I stared at him, but I didn't make a move. It would've been stupid, as he was my best shot out of this mess.

  Jake Cryson was a manipulative bastard. He used his good looks and charm to prey on innocent women, including me. Isabella had told me as much, but I'd been foolish enough to allow the warning to float by. If he hadn't shown his true colors today, I probably would've never come to my senses at all. As he'd wrapped me in an embrace and calmed my fear, my brain began to clear.

  He wasn't the lesser of the two evils between him and Dravin.