Finally, she was admitting to something. I felt my grip tighten on her arm before I pulled back, giving her a nod and motioning for the guards to follow. Resigned to her fate, my mother led us down the hallway, taking long, slow steps.
Just as we walked through the hallway, a figure appeared in front of us.
"Freeze!" one of my guys, called out, but the figure didn't obey. He closed the door behind him, glancing over his shoulder and paling when he saw us coming.
"Peterson," I ground out. "Get him."
"Run, Connor!" my mother screamed, and the bastard broke into a run.
"Shoot!" I demanded.
Two gunshots sounded out in the room just as Peterson disappeared behind the corner. I took off in a run, and had almost reached him when I heard the faintest sound of a whimper behind the door the piece of shit had left ajar.
Violet.
My Violet.
Suddenly none of it mattered - not my mother's betrayal, not that sick son of a bitch, Connor. All I cared about was my princess, and I felt blood rushing through my body as I threw the door to the room open, eyes widening at the scene before me. "Princess!"
"D-Devlin?" she stuttered and our eyes connected across the room. She was bound in rope, her frail body naked, save for the rope that held her in place, her arms neatly and firmly forced behind her back. I felt rage flowing through my body, seeping out of every pore as I watched her struggle in her restraints.
I was next to her in seconds, using my pocket knife to saw through the jagged rope that held her in place until I spotted a scalpel on the floor. I grabbed it and quickly made short work of her restraints. Violet began to cry, soft, muffled moans escaping her parted lips as she repeated my name over and over again like a mantra.
"Devlin, oh my god, thank you, God, thank you, Devlin."
I cut her down, gathering her small, pale body in my hands and turning her over in my embrace to make sure she was okay. Her wrists were bandaged. I assumed she had some form of medical attention. My eyes were drawn to the marks on her body--bruises--welts--obvious signs she had been abused. My blood boiled and I mentally swore to end that sick Peterson when I got my hands on him.
In the background, there was the sound of more gunshots and screams, but none of it mattered. My own hammering heart reminded me I had everything I needed right there, in my arms. My princess. My Violet.
We were alone in the room save for one guard who was watching us, and I didn't hesitate a moment longer. I grabbed Violet, holding her body in my arms and exiting the room. "Where the fuck are they?"
"Gone."
My father appeared from the other room, his eyes lingering on Violet's naked body. I snarled at him, and he quickly collected himself, locking eyes with me instead.
"What do you mean, fucking gone?"
"They disappeared," father grunted. "They must have a way to get out of here. The men are searching the woods now, but we lost them - it was as if they disappeared into thin air."
"Un-fucking-believable," I grunted. "Keep searching!"
Violet whimpered in my arms, reminding me everything I'd ever truly cared for was right there, in my solid embrace. I focused my attention back on her, taking in her softness, her bruises, her shaky limbs.
And suddenly, none of it mattered. Not Peterson, and not my mother.
All I cared about in the world was right there, in my arms.
And nothing else mattered.
Fourteen
Violet
My head was spinning with everything that I took in. I had no idea why Dominic Windsor was there. Devlin hated him. I couldn’t focus on that. I had a million thoughts going at the same time. I was happy to feel Devlin’s arms around me, but that joy was short lived as other realizations began to settle in.
“Devlin.” I squeezed his arm. “We need to get Georgia. I don’t know if she was involved in this, or a victim--if it’s the latter, then they may go after her.”
“Shit.” Devlin ground out his words. “Yeah, we can’t leave her with Peterson--even if she was a part of everything. They’ll take their revenge on her just to spite us.”
“I’ll go get Georgia.” Dominic tok a step forward. “You two have been through enough.”
“Thank you.” Devlin nodded to his father and stared as he left the room.
“Can we trust him? Devlin, I…” I felt a twinge of concern.
“Right now?” He shook his head and sighed. “We have to. We’ve agreed to put aside our differences for the time being. I don’t know how long the truce will hold, but he’s not going to hurt your sister--he…”
“What is it?” I blinked in confusion.
“Let’s just say he has a reason not to hurt her. I’ll explain the rest, but this is one rare situation where I know she’s as safe with him as you are with me.” Devlin pulled me close. “Let’s get out of here.”
I called Devlin. He came. He saved me. If he was ready to trust Dominic, then I had to do the same. There was so much I needed to explain to Devlin, but my thoughts were in shambles. I just needed his closeness. It was all the comfort I could embrace until I knew my sister was safe. Georgia may have been a part of Connor’s plan, but what I overheard when he was talking to Winter concerned me--it made me think she could have been a victim too.
“You’re safe now, princess.” Devlin pressed his lips to my forehead. “Nobody is ever going to hurt you again--I’ll put my life on that.”
“I believe you.” I leaned against him.
Devlin wrapped me in a blanket before we walked outside to his waiting car. My thoughts finally began to come into focus once Sloane Manor was behind me. It was finally over--my torment--my agony--the entire ordeal. I moved closer to Devlin, and let my head rest against his shoulder.
“I can’t believe my mother did this--Peterson, I know he’s a sick bastard, but my mother….” Devlin exhaled sharply. “Fuck!”
“She wanted your company.” I looked up at him.
“No, she wanted revenge on the Cabots.” He shook his head.
“She did, but that wasn’t all she was after. They were both upset when they found out you got the money without selling your company…” I sighed. “This may not be over.”
“It’s over, princess. It’s finished.” He gritted his teeth. “The only thing either of them have to look forward to is their coffins--and I’ll nail them shut with my bare hands if I have to.”
I wanted to keep pressing the issue, but I could tell Devlin wasn’t in the mental state for me to do so. He was furious--had just learned that his mother betrayed him--it was a lot to take in. I had to come to terms with everything as well. We may have stopped Winter and Connor, but I was no closer to freeing my father from prison. If Winter was behind it, I doubted she left a trail behind that could be followed.
The only thing I could focus on was make sure my sister was safe--and it was probably time for me to talk to Rhys. I had avoided it because I knew he was at risk, but the Cabot family was going to have to come together if we were going to be able to survive the storm that still wasn’t done battering us. Not just the Cabots. Devlin had made peace with his father. An alliance between the Cabots and the Windsors may have been unheard of at one time, but we were both tangled together--interwoven--in whatever twisted plot Winter and Connor were planning.
We arrived at Devil’s Manor and a feeling of peace overwhelmed me when I walked inside. I never thought I would be happy to see the inside of those walls again, but it was the only place I wanted to be. Cabot Estate would always be my home, but there was a place for me at Devil’s Manor too.
Belle met me in the living room and pulled me into a hug so tight that I thought she was going to suffocate me before she let go. I owed her an apology, but that could wait. Even Jasper seemed happy to see me, or maybe he was just relieved that he didn’t have to deal with Devlin’s brooding since I was back.
“I’m going to call a doctor.” Devlin pulled out his phone as soon as we walked inside.
“I saw a doctor--your mother had one take care of me…”
“I want a doctor that I trust.” He shook his head and kept dialing.
My nervousness returned as I waited for word about Georgia. The doctor arrived, checked my wounds, and told Devlin that they were as good as they could be under the circumstances. He wanted to see me in the office in a few days, but beyond that, I just needed to manage the pain. He gave me some pills, but what I really wanted was a drink. I wanted to feel numb all over without having my circulation cut off, or pain to break my body to get it.
“If you’re wondering if Connor did anything other than what you can see--he didn’t.” I took a sip of my drink. “He wanted my name on a contract first.”
“He’s still going to die.” Devlin gritted his teeth. “What he did is enough for me to watch him bleed out.”
“I feel like we should talk about why I left…” I looked down and sighed. “Before Georgia gets here.”
I’m going to keep telling myself she will walk through that door safe and sound until I have a reason to believe otherwise.
“You were lied to.” Devlin waved off my concern. “I get it.”
“That wasn’t the only reason.” I shook my head. “I overheard you on the phone. You were making a deal to sell me--I got scared.”
“Oh god.” Devlin raised his hand to his forehead. “No, never--not in a million years, princess. I swear to you!”
“Then what did I hear?” I felt like I needed to ask--it was uncleared air and I didn’t want it hanging there.
“I was laying a trap.” Devlin ground out. “I assumed the person who went after your father would bite--and obviously they did--it was Peterson.”
“Connor swore he didn’t put my father in prison.” I exhaled sharply. “But your mother may be the one…”
“She’s not capable of that.” He waved his hand in the air. “No fucking way. She’s a bitch and she hates your family, but whoever is behind your father’s arrest needed resources--the kind of resources Peterson has--had.”
“We have to consider the possibility that there’s someone else involved…” I took another sip of my drink.
“Who? Who else could…” Devlin shook his head.
We didn’t get a chance to finish our conversation. There was a commotion outside and a second later the front door opened. Dominic walked in first with a stoic expression on his face. I had never been able to read the elder Windsor--I didn’t know if he was about to deliver bad news or the best news. That conundrum was answered when he took a step to the side and Georgia came running towards me.
“Violet! Oh my god!” She nearly tackled me with a hug. “You’re--her eyes drifted to my wounds. Did he do that to you?”
“Georgia, I…” I put my hand on her check and saw bruises along the edge of her eye. “Did he do that to you?
Neither question had to be answered. We both knew the truth. Connor Peterson was a monster. My sister must have figure that out at some point, but she was too wrapped up in it by then. I looked into Georgia’s eyes and for the first time in what felt like ages, I saw my sister looking back at me. She wasn’t under Connor’s spell anymore. She was back.
“I’m so sorry, Violet.” Tears began to stream down Georgia’s face. “I didn’t want to lie to you, but he forced me to do it. He swore he wouldn’t hurt you--I… I was so stupid to believe him.”
“There’s nothing to apologize for.” I hugged her. “You’re free of him. I’ll wear these marks with pride if they bought your freedom.”
“They’re last ones he’ll ever put on you--either of you.” Devlin walked up and put a hand on each of us. “I swear it--stake my fucking life on it.”
“Do we have a room for Georgia to stay in?” I glanced at Devlin.
“Yes.” Devlin nodded. “I’ll make the arrangements. Give me a few minutes.”
Devlin went over to talk to Dominic, then chatted with Belle. She immediately walked off to make the arrangements for Georgia. There was a lot for me to discuss with my sister, but like much of what I need to say to Devlin, it could wait. It was a happy time--as happy as it could be.
Now all of our efforts can be focused on getting my father out of prison--just like they should have been this whole time.
Fifteen
Devlin
I'd never been in love.
But this felt the closest to it I'd ever gotten.
Holding Violet's frail body in my arms awakened the savior inside me. That night, I carried her to my bedroom and gently lay her down on my bed. She was obviously nervous, but my princess tried to hide it so hard. She trembled on the bed, her eyes fearfully finding mine as she whispered, "Are you going to hurt me?"
"Not today," I grunted, locking the door behind us. "I don't think you should be hurt tonight, princess. Do you disagree?"
Swallowing, she shook her head no. She seemed at a loss for words, unable to reply to me. She was probably still processing everything that had happened. I needed to be careful. The last thing I wanted was to push her into something that didn't feel right.
With a start, I realized that hadn't mattered to me before.
My pleasure had always come first. But with Violet, everything was getting turned on its head.
"I'll leave you to sleep," I muttered, closing the drapes and walking over to the bed to plant a kiss on forehead. But when I did, Violet raised her hands, her fingers gripping my shirt and pulling me in.
"Don't go." The words left her lips softly, and she turned her pleading eyes to mine. "I want you to stay with me..."
"Stay the night?"
She nodded, pursing her lips. "I can't spend another night without you, Devlin."
"But if I stay here, I'll be tempted to do stuff I shouldn't," I grunted, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Like touch you... kiss you... make love to you."
I didn't miss the sharp intake of breath she took at the last phrase I used, and it made me smirk.
"I want you to stay," she begged. "I want to feel you again, Devlin... It's been so long since we've been together."
"You're right." I pulled back, only long enough to unbutton my shirt. "You sure you're ready for this again, princess?"
"Yes, please, Master." Her breath was hoarse, the words desperate as she watched me strip down to my boxers. With slow, measured movements, I removed those too, watching her mouth water at the sight of my swollen cock. "I've missed you so much, Devlin."
"I missed you too, princess," I got out through gritted teeth, lowering my body against hers in the bed.
Slowly, with the aid of her soft little gasps, I removed her clothing until her naked, pale body glistened under my fingertips in the dark night. I lowered my lips to her chest, taunting her by sucking a nipple into my mouth, tugging, biting down on her sweet flesh until she cried out for more. My arm snaked around her waist, while the other found its way between her legs, feeling her swollen sex begging me to fuck it.
"How much did you miss me, princess?" I muttered in her ear, making her sigh in frustration beneath me with my barely-there touches.
"Please, Devlin, I can't take it... I want it harder."
"Not before you answer me." I kept running my fingertips over her skin. The touch was like the ghost of a kiss - barely there but making her crave so much more. "Now tell me, Violet. How much did you miss me?"
"Too much," she admitted, her voice breaking over the words. "I thought about you every second of every hour of every day, Devlin... I wanted you to find me, to rescue me."
"And I did," I reminded her. "You knew I wasn't going to leave you with them, didn't you, princess?"
"Yes," she whispered.
"Yes, what?"
"Yes, Master." Her head flew back, exposing her porcelain throat, and I kissed a line down her neck, enjoying the sensation of her body against mine.
"Good girl, Violet. Now moan for me, I want to listen to you."
She didn't disappoint, dissolving into a mess of mumbled word
s and soft praise for me. She got my cock harder and harder with every sweet whimper that escaped her lips. I wanted her. My heart and cock both throbbed with the need to claim Violet Cabot once and for all - the way I should have done it before she ever got taken away from me.
I was going to marry this girl. I'd put a ring on her finger and claim her. I'd fuck her body every night from now on, multiple times a day if I wanted to. I'd make her swear submission to me time and time again. I'd own her, in every sense of the word. Violet wasn't getting away from me again. I'd make fucking sure of it.
"I want to fuck you," I muttered in her ear.
"You have to." With breathless gasps, she found my cock and slowly guided me to her entrance. I groaned when I felt her nimble fingers guide me into that sweet little pussy, holding back groan after groan as Violet begged me to start moving my hips. As I rocked in and out of her, I imagined a life together with my favorite pet, my sweet princess.
Could I change for her?
I wasn't sure, but I fucking wanted to.
"You're so fucking tight, princess," I grunted in her ear. "I'm going to fill you to the brim tonight."
"Yes, Master. Please, I want it all."
She drove me further and deeper into madness with the sweet sounds she made, her body demanding more and more as I took it from her, inch by willing inch. I'd fucked her like my property before, but this time, I made to her like the woman of my dreams. And she was just that... everything I'd ever wanted, all wrapped up in a pretty package for me to unravel. And she submitted so beautifully, I couldn't resist toying with her even when she was at the very brink of madness.
I traced my fingers along her pussy lips, looking down as I parted her folds open to look at her. She was swollen, pink with need and desperation, lips open as she cried out my name. I wanted to mark her. To put my name on her skin in bold black letters. I wanted everyone to know whom she belonged to. No one would ever make the mistake of taking her from me again, and they sure as fuck wouldn't get away with it, either.
Devil’s Sinner: Fallen Dynasty Book 3 Page 10
