“Fine!” Valerie shouted angrily, flinging her hands up with a huff. “Jason wanted me to keep an eye on you. He knew you’d go after Summer, and I was at the right place at the right time. He asked if I knew her, and if had seen her. I wasn’t going to lie to that sick bastard.” She said, her voice slowly lowering. “Did you know he wanted Summer for himself? Of course, he always had a thing for her, and I have no idea why you like that slut. She was meant to stand by his side, quiet and content. But you had to go and ruin that!”
“Watch it,” Chase warned, shooting her a death glare. No one would talk about his wife in such manners. He wasn’t thrilled about the way she talked, and luckily he still needed answers or her blood would be splattered on the wall already. She’d easily be the first female he’d kill.
“You know it’s true,” she sneered. “She’d spread her legs for any guy. And yet you made her a part of your stupid fucking family. She would even do it for her sick old daddy.” Even if he had to tie her up to do it, Jason would have raped his own blood.
“Do you want to test me right now?” Chase said, standing up to his full height. He towered over her, and at the movement, she was able to fully see the handgun he held at his waist of his pants.
“No,” Valerie said, cowering just a little, her eyes fearful. She swallowed loudly.
He was tempted to wrap his hands around her throat to make her shut her mouth. But he had to have answers.
“Then tell me what he wanted!” Chase shouted, fed up. No wonder why Trent had enough of her.
“He wanted her. Everything. He wanted her body and her trained to be his submissive,” Valerie said in tears. “He would do anything, just because John told him to! He only wanted some of the light that his older brother held! I was going to tell you!”
“No you weren’t,” Chase barked out in a laugh, his green eyes dark and stormy. “You were in it for the money. That’s all you care about. Money can’t keep Trent. Nor can it keep you safe in this family any longer!”
“He has things set up to take you out!” Valerie went on, her voice high. “John was behind it all!”
“It’s already taken care of,” Chase said, lying. “He is of no concern any longer.” He then made to leave the room, already planning on what to do with her. He had enough of her. He knew enough.
Jason wanted someone to keep eyes on him, someone that wouldn’t be as noticeable. But Chase never trusted Valerie, and she hardly knew what Chase did, or where he went, as Trent never told her a thing. The dead man was only a threat to him because Chase was a Prince, and he was changing how mafia families ran things.
“Jason wasn’t too smart about the way he paid you off. He wanted me to find out. So I’m sure he had his own plans for you, too,” he said with a shrug before leaving the room. He didn’t care what that man’s plans for the woman was.
All Chase knew was that Valerie needed out of his house sooner rather than later. He didn't want that poisonous bitch anywhere near his wife. Jason was dead and Valerie Sate would be as good as dead soon. She lied, over and over again. Chase had never trusted her. He wouldn’t kill her, but would send her back to the community of sorts, that would make her rethink her actions. She’d have no way to call or talk to anyone outside of the gated town he had set up somewhere remote. Chase knew she hated it there, so that was where she'd wait until he figured out something else. If he did, that is.
“Wait!” her voice stopped him. He froze, glancing over his shoulder at her. “What will happen to me?”
“I’ll let my man take care of that,” Chase said, knowing that fear would do her some good. Her shouts were heard as she raced to the door, begging to not be left in there alone. Chase shut the door; she wasn’t worth his time.
“You know what to do. I want everything of hers erased. No bank account, no trust fund. I don’t care what you do with her money, take it yourself for all I care. I want her out of my house by nightfall,” he said.
Carter nodded, already on top of it all.
~o0o~
Valerie POV
Growing up, her father prided himself for having such a sweet, pretty girl. But he knew he could use her to his advantage. A way into the Marcel family. The family that was slowly, but surely, taking over not only the town, but the state. The entire USA, and possibly overseas. In time, he’d get the money that should be rightfully his to begin with, if everything that John Meads told him was the truth. John never seemed to need questioning on his motives. Therefore, Saul Rodrigo did everything he could to make sure his only daughter would be able to handle herself, and to get her in where she needed to be. She’d be the key to everything
Valerie Sate, named after her deceased mother, had always prided herself on her looks alone. To be the most beautiful woman in a room was the only thing that ever mattered. At least to the simple minded folk, that what she was. It didn’t matter what people really thought of her, just that she was a good catch. A wonderful catch even.
Valerie had a lot men eating out of her hand, more if she showed the right amount of skin at any given time. She never called herself a slut, as she only had a . . . few partners. But only because she had to keep up appearances.
When her father demanded that she marry Trent Sate, she couldn’t have been happier. Sure, Valerie would have rather been married off to Chase, as he was always the handsome type, and would surely be the best lay she could ever dream of. But Valerie would take what she could get. And Trent was what had been offered.
It did help that Trent was into the entire BDSM scene, and Valerie loved the entire idea. She loved being tied up, bound, and taken hard. But what she didn’t expect was how hard Trent was. He was sweet outside of the bedroom, but in there, he did more than any book ever taught the woman. She hadn’t expected it, nor did she expect to find a thrill in it. She loved it, and in turn slowly fell in love with the huge man. He adored her, treasured her, in every way he possibly could. Slowly, Valerie fell in love with Trent. She hadn’t meant to, and her father had reminded her time and time again to keep her heart out of the work she was to do.
Things had been going good, though. Valerie thought, she really did, that things would be different. Not living under her father’s roof, she had the chance to see who the Marcel family was. Although she was never included in any family business, mostly because of who her father was, she felt like she finally had the family she never got the chance to have. If only they could give her a chance.
She knew that Ivan and Chase never trusted her. It was clear in their eyes that she didn’t belong and would be disposed of eventually. It didn’t help that Trent asked more times than she ever wanted to admit, for a child.
“And ruin this body?” Valerie would easily reply with every time. Her body was the only thing she had a say over most of the time. There was no way in Hell she’d give birth to a child. It would be just another thing that would be used against her, and she had enough of that. She was fed up with being bossed around and made demands of.
As the years went by, though, Saul wasn’t watching her as much. Her moves weren’t shadowed, and she was actually able to be herself. Mostly. It wasn’t until after Summer was brought into Chase’s house when things changed, and not for the better. Everyone seemed to cater to her, giving her everything she ever needed. It was like she was a part of the family, when Valerie herself never could be.
Valerie couldn’t believe that Chase picked her, a rat in sheep’s clothing, over so many other people that had literally thrown themselves at his feet. Couldn’t he have picked someone better suited, that knew the ins and out of how a Mafia Family worked?
But she was the good girl, and got her ready for that laughable wedding. She did feel bad, knowing that the girl wouldn’t make it far. Surely, such a frightened girl couldn’t take much more before the stress and depression took over her entire world.
Summer Meads was a drowned rat, and smelt like one too. Valerie knew that she would have no luck in becoming whoever Chase thought she
could be. The brown haired girl was afraid of her own shadow, and there was no way Chase would be able to train her to be his wife. Just the thought was laughable.
So Valerie did the one thing she knew how to, hoping to save Summer some pain. She gave the little girl some drugs to make it feel better, because Chase would have to consummate the wedding. It was like a ritual, and if anyone found out the Prince and enslaved Princess didn’t, all hell would break loose. She just wanted to make the night a little better. And Valerie had no plans to let the man in question know.
But of course he knew. Valerie should have known better, but yet she still did it. Even the punishment that Trent handed out didn’t faze her. It was still worth it. Trent never left marks on Valerie’s skin, ever. He was too much of a gentleman to do that, even if it was what she craved. So instead, she was forced to not have any play time in the bedroom for a month, and work in his shop.
She was so fucking mad at him. Valerie never worked a day in her life! She could go without pleasure, but working? Was he serious? He couldn’t be!
But oh, he was. He even dragged Valerie out of the house by the arm. He didn’t give a fuck if she refused and fought him. Trent wanted her to learn she couldn’t behave like that. She needed to learn respect for others, something she seriously lacked. But Valerie was just happy he threatened to mark her, so after throwing a fit like no other, she was still forced to work in his shop.
Valerie’s ass was red and throbbing for most of the morning, from the spanking she had received, and she wisely kept her mouth shut. She had gotten what she asked for, that was for sure. But when Chase showed up with his wife, she was pissed off once more. The words with Jason just days before rang once again in her head.
~oOo~
“I can promise you what Trent is unable to do,” he whispered, running the pad of his index finger down the side of her neck and into the valley of her breasts. He teased her, knowing he couldn’t take his needs too far. “I can see he doesn’t satisfy you well enough.”
“He does,” Valerie tried to protest. Her eyes were wide as she lied through her teeth.
“No,” Jason laughed out, ignoring Saul as he stood back a way, silent as a mouse in waiting. Saul knew to not interfere if he wanted to live. “I can see the flush of your cheeks, your increased breathing. I could see the desire in your eyes the moment you saw me. That man you are married to doesn’t quell your needs like I could.”
He paused, removing his finger from her skin. Jason couldn’t help but smirk at the pout that landed on her face. She was so easy to read, which in turn made it so much easier, more enjoyable, to use a pawn in his own sick game.
“I can bring you pleasure that you have only read about,” he went on. “But I need something first.”
“What?” Valerie asked, nearly breathless with her need. It hadn’t helped that Trent had not allowed her a release in over a week. She would do just about anything.
“I want to know everything you can tell me about Summer. I know Chase has her, since your father so graciously let that slip. He was never to have her,” Jason said darkly, his eyes nearly turning pitch black. “I need to know every little detail. Not only about Summer, but also about the Marcel family. I need to know how they run the show. How they handle business, and where their secret hideouts are.
“In turn, I’ll pay you for your troubles, and please you in the way your husband cannot,” he ended. “If you so desire, of course.”
“And if I don’t?” Valerie challenged strongly, standing up straight.
“I’ll kill you and your father,” Jason said with a dark smirk. “Surely you don’t want that?”
When Valerie shook her head, he went on. “Didn’t think so. I know that slut who will spread her legs for any man. She is not as weak as she plays to be. I taught her well. But I know that Chase won’t give me the time, or the chance, to get to her to find what I need. She’s surrounded day and night. So you’ll do the work for me. I’ll be happy to reward you now, to show you how pleasuring I can be.”
When Valerie took up that offer, she didn’t think Jason would ever have the balls to brainwash her, making her think that Chase was easy to fool. She hadn’t thought that he’d be so careless with how he worded things, making her question all she knew so far about the Marcel family. She should have known better when he tracked her down, threatening to not only to shoot her, but putting her in Hell.
Now, here she was, stuck in a gated community. No one left unless death took them. And she was the only woman. Did Chase have any idea on how this made her feel? She felt like a caged animal! How dare he do this to her. These men here were pigs! They leered at her, promising their own form of pleasure. Okay, maybe Valerie did take a man or two up on their offer, but still, she was in Hell. No cell phone, no internet, nor computers!
She was unable to reach anyone outside of the electric fence, and it looked as if there was no one normal for miles. She’d scream, and no one outside of the community would ever hear her. How could Chase have something like this set up? And unreachable by normal, sane people? It just wasn’t possible, was it?
She hated what Chase had done to her, and in turn, Trent. But with all the time on her hands, she thought of what she could have done differently. Surly, her father was dead now, and there was nothing she could do. Between Jason and John, they owned her. She knew that because she screwed Jason over, John would demand her to bow to his wishes next. It was known those two worked together, planning and plotting, without the Marcel family knowing.
But Valerie knew that John Meads would come for her. It was the plan all along if anything were to happen to Saul. John would be the next in command, the one man that should have been in charge of everything from the beginning of time.
Valerie only had to wait. She’d be freed soon enough. She’d wait until then. But she sure as hell would make Chase pay for what he did to her.
~o0o~
Once the Prince was back upstairs, he pulled Trent away from his computer to find out what he had talked about with his ex-wife. Trent didn’t spare the details, giving Chase play by play of what happened.
“Why, Val?” Trent started out, his voice sad. His look was fake, but the woman didn’t know that. She was never very in tune with her ex-husband, nor to anyone but herself.
“I wanted things you couldn’t give me,” Valerie answered, refusing to look at the man. “Jason came to me a few days after the wedding when I was out shopping. He . . . he swooned me. I don’t know how it happened, but it did. He . . . he’s very persuasive when he wants to be.
“Anyway, he offered me a deal. He wanted his daughter back, saying something about making the right choice now that she was of age. He didn’t really go into detail about any of it. And I didn’t ask. He offered me money to keep tabs on Chase. . . with his beliefs of his daughter. He said that she was a slut, and only wanted to use men for her own sick pleasure. He wanted her back, to teach her the ways, and giver her what no one else could. At the time, it made sense. I saw how Summer used Chase, and even you. She’s still using you!” she shrieked."
“So you thought you’d go against the Prince?” Trent laughed, not impressed as he leaned up against the wall, as far as possible for the person he thought he had loved.
“Well . . .” Valerie said, thinking. “He was busy with her; he’d never noticed if I drugged him again.”
“Actually, he wouldn’t have let you touch his food or drinks at all after that stunt,” Trent snarled. “I’m can’t believe you did this. There is nothing I can do to save you now.” Little did Valerie know he wasn't interested in wanting to help her.
With that, Trent left, slamming the door and locking her in.
~oOo~
Chase wanted a bounty out for John. He wanted him dead, and didn’t care how it was done. Trent was too happy to let everyone know. John was behind most of the sex trafficking rings in the state, and the only way to put a stop to that was to kill the man. It made sense that he was the man th
at was making planning behind everyone’s back.
Chase knew he never once treated women with respect, and he could rot in hell for the rest of his life. He had never been happier that Nick was already taken out of the equation.
With most of the important issues taken care of, Chase made his way upstairs after Trent left to help Peter and Jackson with the shipments, passing Clare in the hallway. She gave him a sad smile before she went off to find Asher. Seeing her sister in the state that she was in broke her heart. Luckily, Asher kept her busy, or she’d go have a . . . chat with the bitch that was locked away. Clare knew how to throw a mighty punch when the time called on it.
Inside the bedroom, Chase found Summer sitting on the edge of the bed, hugging his pillow to her chest. Her hair was pulled back into a twist of some sort. She wore one of his oversized shirts and her own pajama pants. The floor creaked as he stepped in, and her red, tired eyes met his instantly.
The Dark Prince (The Dark Prince Trilogy #1) Page 34
