by Penelope Sky
Ariel grinned. “Because she’s pleasant?”
“Because she’s a little more laid-back. Maybe she’ll teach you how to relax.”
Ariel chuckled. “She definitely does that.”
Cassandra returned with two glasses of wine and handed one to Ariel.
“Thanks, honey.” Ariel kissed her on the cheek then took a drink. “We’re going to say our pleasantries. Hope you two have a great evening.” Ariel drifted with elegance, her shoulders perfectly back and her frame straight. Cassandra gave us a smile and a wave before she left with Ariel.
I grinned as I watched them go, feeling happy for my partner and a little foolish for not noticing the obvious.
“She’s cute,” London noted.
“She is.”
“A little too nice for Ariel, though.”
I chuckled. “Ariel is a very pleasant person…when she likes you.”
“Well, she needs to start liking me soon because I’m not going anywhere.” London watched Ariel and Cassandra walk up to one of my biggest clients in London, a man who owned several restaurants and bars that required large shipments of scotch.
I eyed London while she was distracted, concentrating on the words she just spoke. She couldn’t leave my side unless I gave her permission, but the fact that she just assumed she was going to be around for a long time gave me a strange sense of satisfaction.
My phone vibrated in my pocket, so I pulled it out and glanced at the screen.
It was Crow. Meet me upstairs. First door on the left.
I returned my phone to my pocket and leaned into London. “I need to attend to something. I’ll be right back.”
“What?” She whipped her head in my direction, horror written on her face. “Where are you going?”
“Just upstairs. I’ll be back in a minute.”
“I’ll come with you.” She grabbed my hand.
Not that I didn’t enjoy her affection, but I was surprised by her neediness. “I’ll be right back, Lovely. He’s not even here.”
“But he can show up at any moment.”
“I need to talk to Crow,” I whispered.
“I’ve been there when you’ve spoken to him before…”
I just didn’t want people to think we snuck off together to fuck in one of the offices. But if she was this adamant about it, I wasn’t going to argue with her. Besides, I liked it when she clung to me like this. She used to push me away because she despised me, and now she needed me every second around the clock.
It was a nice change.
“Okay.” We walked up the stairs and reached the second landing. London kept looking around, as if she expected Crow to jump out of the shadows and scare her. I didn’t understand why she was so on edge. It was like she’d never been to a party before.
I walked inside the office where Crow was waiting and shut the door behind me.
Crow was standing at the window, looking down over the entrance. With his hands in the pockets of his dark jeans, he turned around and joined us near the doorway. “Have you heard anything?”
“No.” Bones said he might come by, and I didn’t pressure him for a concrete answer. If I showed any special interest, it would scare him away like fish in a lake. If you wanted to survive in the underworld, you had to be on your guard constantly. Observing and studying people was the key to that. He paid attention to every word I said, every word anyone said.
Crow crossed his arms over his chest, his jaw stern with unease. He didn’t look at either one of us as he contemplated his response. “Cane and my men are hiding out in the vicinity, waiting for my signal. But if she doesn’t come…” Crow was difficult to read, but it was obvious that he was upset. His eyes were narrowed, and his face hadn’t been shaved in days. Now it was covered with thick and coarse hair, how mine turned out if I didn’t shave every day.
“We’ll figure it out.” Vanessa wasn’t my problem and I didn’t even consider Crow to be a friend, but I pitied him. I saw so much of myself in him, how devastated I was when I learned my parents and brother were never coming home. I was young at the time, but I still remembered the pain.
Crow slid his hand through his hair and glanced at the window again. “I’ll keep an eye. Let me know if he contacts you.”
“I will.”
“And thanks for doing this. I know this isn’t your problem.”
I nodded. “I understand your pain. I wish I didn’t, but I do.”
London kept her hand in mine and gave me a gentle squeeze.
“Enjoy your party,” Crow said. “Don’t mind me.”
I pulled London with me out of the room and to the hallway.
“I feel so bad for him,” she whispered. “Do you think Bones will come?”
“I really don’t know. The guy is unpredictable—which he does on purpose.”
“Is there anything we can do to help?” she asked. “What if I called him…?”
I stopped and looked at her, knowing her offer was significant. She didn’t even want to come tonight because she didn’t want to be in the same room as him, but now she was willing to interact with him.
“What if you offered to exchange me for Vanessa? Then you could grab both of us.”
The idea repulsed me. I couldn’t put London in danger like that, no matter how much control I had over the situation. She was something I couldn’t afford to lose, so I refused to gamble her like poker chips. “It’s nice of you to offer, but I don’t want you involved in this. I did the best I could. In the end, this is Crow’s problem.”
“This is an innocent woman we’re talking about,” she whispered. “It is our problem.”
When she said things like that, it made me realize we weren’t different at all. We had the same stubbornness and experienced the same heartbreak. I wanted to tear down the people who deserved it, but I never wanted to destroy an innocent person. “We have to let it go, Lovely. I did my best.”
Her eyes softened when she looked at me. “I know you did…you’re a good man.”
Now my eyes softened. “You really think that?” I was told I was cruel and evil. This woman was my prisoner, and she said the same thing months ago. But now I felt like I was the prisoner—infatuated with this woman.
“Of course I do.” Her hands slid up my chest, and she rose on her tiptoes to kiss me. Her lips were soft against my mouth, and the kiss started out subtle. It was meant to be a quick peck on the lips, but the second she felt my mouth, she remained pressed against me.
My arm tightened around her waist, and I maneuvered her against the wall, pressing her against the foundation with my hard-on right against her hip. My hand moved around her neck, and I gently felt her pulse as I kissed her, forgetting about all the people waiting for me downstairs.
Her hands moved to my shoulders, and she gave me her tongue, that sexy embrace that always made my spine shiver.
If I didn’t pull away now, I’d pull her into a bedroom and fuck her. I didn’t want to screw when it had to be quick and rushed. I wanted to take my time, to peel that away dress before I slid inside that wet pussy for the rest of the night.
I moved away from her and licked my lips, tasting the lipstick she wore. My thumb wiped the corner of my mouth to make sure none of the paint was on my own lips. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t care. But it wasn’t exactly appropriate for the black-tie event. “We’ll pick this up later.”
13
London
I stuck to Crewe’s side for the evening, doing my best to be a good conversationalist with a bunch of sophisticated strangers. My eyes kept wandering to Josephine, and every time I looked at her, she was staring at Crewe.
That pissed me off.
Crewe didn’t tell me what happened between them, but based on watching their behavior, it was obvious. They were together, and he broke it off. She struggled to accept the ending of their relationship, which was why she still wanted him even though she was seeing someone else.
Whore.
She didn’t e
ven try to hide her longing. Every time I looked at her, her eyes were glued to Crewe. Her boyfriend must have noticed the same thing and didn’t care. My arm was usually tucked into Crewe’s arm, and I gave her a nasty glare if she stared for a little too long. When she caught my look, she quickly turned away and tried to act like she hadn’t been staring in the first place.
Crewe finished his conversation before he turned back to me. “What were you doing?”
“Just looking around.”
His eyes narrowed in suspicion.
“Okay, I was giving Josephine a nasty look. She won’t stop staring at you.”
He grinned as he enjoyed my jealousy. “Ignore her. She can stare all she wants, but it doesn’t change the fact that I’m with you.”
It wasn’t a cheesy line, but my heart fluttered like it was.
Crewe turned to the doorway once the next guest walked inside. People were coming and going, and everywhere we turned, that was someone new to greet. “He’s here.”
My eyes moved to the doorway, and I spotted Bones walk inside. He wore a dark suit and blended in with the rest of the crowd. But he came alone. There wasn’t a woman on his arm or anywhere in sight.
Dammit.
Crewe dropped his hand from my side. “I’m going to greet him. Stay here.”
I didn’t want to be anywhere near that man, but I didn’t want to be vulnerable either. It would be easy for Joseph to slip one of his men inside to watch me, waiting for the perfect opportunity to grab me by the arm and point a gun into my back. My brother wasn’t that aggressive, but in reality, I didn’t know what he was capable of. He had been reckless enough to piss off Crewe in the first place. “No. Where you go, I go.”
Crewe looked like he wanted to argue with me, but since we were in a public setting, he let it slide. “It’ll be about business.”
“That’s fine.”
“You can go mingle with Cassandra.”
“No.” I wasn’t going anywhere.
Crewe finally dropped it, and we walked up to Bones, my arm through his. “Kind of you to drop by.” They shook hands.
Bones immediately looked at me once he and Crewe had finished greeting one another. His bright blue eyes looked evil in that twisted face. I’d never forget the way he grabbed my tit like he owned me. He was disgusting, the most despicable man on the planet. I felt even more gratitude for Crewe since I was standing there with him instead of Bones. “Your date looks lovely, Crewe. Very lovely.”
I moved closer into Crewe’s side, feeling like bugs were crawling all over me. I didn’t like it when Bones looked at me that way, like he was fucking me in his mind then and there.
Crewe circled his arm around my waist, his powerful forearm acting as a cage to keep Bones away. “Thank you. I’m a very lucky man to have this woman to myself.” He hugged me tighter into his side, silently claiming me as his property.
I’d never wanted to be claimed more in my life.
Bones finally stopped staring at me, picking up on Crewe’s hostility. “Quite a party.”
“Too bad you didn’t bring a date to enjoy it.”
“She’s too banged up for an appearance right now.” His eyes scanned the crowd like his words had no meaning at all. Talking about beating his slave was as ordinary as a sunny day.
I wanted to stab him with a butter knife.
Crewe didn’t respond to his comment. “Can I get you a drink? You know my scotch is worth your time.”
“Sure,” Bones answered. “You got a second to talk in private?”
“Yes.” Crewe got one of the waiter’s attention and motioned for him to bring them three glasses.
My heart was pounding in my chest. I knew Bones wanted to speak to Crewe in private with me nowhere in sight. But I couldn’t let that happen.
Crewe handed me a glass before he nodded to the stairs. “We’ll go into my office.” Crewe led the way with Bones beside him.
I trailed behind, hoping neither one of them would notice until we reached the door.
We walked down the hallway until Crewe found the fifth door on the right. He opened the door and let Bones walk inside first.
I tried to pretend it was perfectly acceptable for me to be there by walking over the threshold.
“Your whore can wait downstairs,” Bones said as he sat on one of the couches. He drank from his glass without looking at me.
My eyes turned to daggers, and I was about to speak my mind when Crewe grabbed me by the elbow and directed me outside. He shut the door behind him and lowered his voice. “I’ll be done in five minutes, alright?”
“Crewe, I don’t want to be without you.” I didn’t know how else to get my way unless I appealed to his ego. The more I wanted him, the more he liked it. If I really had to, I was prepared to make out with him in the hallway and rub his cock through his slacks. “I won’t say anything.”
“That’s not the point. He doesn’t want you there. I can’t change his mind about that.”
Shit. “I’m your woman. Where you go, I go.”
His eyes darkened like he wanted to push me against the wall and fuck me right then and there. “Five minutes.”
I was about to lose. “Crewe, please.”
“What are you so afraid of?” he whispered.
“I’m always afraid if you aren’t with me. You’re the only man who makes me feel safe.” It was completely out of character for me to say any of that, and I hoped Crewe didn’t figure that out. Since the day we met, I always thrived alone. I didn’t need anyone to take care of me. I’d been looking after myself for a long time. But the more I wanted him, the more powerful it made him feel. There was nothing Crewe wanted more than power.
Crewe’s annoyance dimmed slightly. “You can stay in the hallway if you want. But we need to have this conversation in private.”
I knew that was his final answer and arguing wouldn’t make any difference.
He grabbed my chin with his fingertips and pressed a kiss to my lips. It was tender and soft, a quiet apology since I couldn’t get what I wanted. He walked inside and shut the door behind him. The last thing I heard was him speaking to Bones. “Call her a whore again, and I’ll kill you.”
Bones chuckled. “Ah, so she’s not your whore. Can’t blame you. She really is beautiful.”
Their voices trailed away, and I couldn’t hear their words anymore. I stayed in the hallway and looked from left to right. Crow was in the first room near the staircase, and I considered joining him. But I knew Crewe would be pissed that I’d crossed the line with his client. I shouldn’t interfere when I didn’t have anything to do with the drama unfolding at this party.
I considered going back downstairs and joining the party. If I stuck to Ariel’s side, I’d probably be fine. She was observant, so it would be stupid for Joseph or one of his men to make a move. But I might also be putting myself in the spotlight. If they watched me walk away with Crewe, they probably assumed we were still together.
Nothing had happened so far, so I decided to stay put.
Fifteen minutes later, I heard a door click far down the hallway. The lights were on, but the pathway was dimly lit. I searched for someone to appear out of the doorway, but there was no movement.
I got a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach.
I heard the noise again, and that’s when I spotted Joseph emerge from one of the doorways. One of his men was behind him, carrying an AK-47.
“Jesus…”
I grabbed the door and twisted the knob, but of course, it was locked. “Crewe?” I banged my fist on the door.
I didn’t get a response.
I turned to Joseph again, who was walking quicker now. He wanted to snatch me and run. I shook my head vigorously and waved my hand in front of my face, telling him to turn back.
Joseph shook his head in response.
“Crewe?” I knocked again.
Thankfully, the door flew open, and Crewe emerged. “You’re lucky we’re finished because we don’t app
reciate your impatience.”
Joseph was still coming down the hallway, but he halted when Crewe emerged.
If I didn’t do something, Crewe would see him. And if Crewe saw him, Joseph’s men would fire. Bones was probably packing, so he would shoot Joseph. No good would come from any of it.
I cupped Crewe’s face and kissed him as I backed him back into the room, moving my mouth hard with his so he would be knocked off-balance. I pressed my body into his and circled my arms around his neck, giving him everything I had so he wouldn’t step into that hallway. Bones was probably watching the whole thing, but that wasn’t important right now.
Crewe eventually broke away, and judging from the look on his face, he wasn’t annoyed with the affection. He just wanted more of it.
“No wonder why you didn’t let this one go.” Bones walked around us and entered the hallway. “Let me know what you think about our arrangement, Crewe.” He disappeared, leaving us alone.
I suspected Joseph had taken off. If there were a man in the hallway carrying a huge gun, Bones would have said something.
Crisis averted.
Crewe pressed his hand against the door and pushed it closed. The second we were alone together, I knew exactly what was coming next. His hands moved to his belt and the button at the top of his slacks. His pants came loose, and he pushed them to his ankles. “I wanted to wait until the evening was over, but you aren’t giving me much of a choice.” He turned me around and pushed me hard against the wall and hiked my dress around my waist. My thong was pulled past my thighs, and he shoved himself harshly inside me.
I gripped the wall for balance as I felt him pound into me. I was glad my clinginess had led to sex as opposed to a fight, and I was even more grateful I kept Joseph and Crewe away from one another.
Otherwise, they’d both be dead.
14
London
Now that I was back at the castle, life returned to normal. I sat outside in the courtyard and read while Crewe worked all day. It took me some time to get over the opening, the fact that Josephine was a beautiful duchess who still wanted Crewe, Crow didn’t get his sister back, Bones was still vile, and Joseph had stupidly risked his neck to get me out of there.
