by Raven Dark
“It’s me. Sorry, Dad.” Oliver stood up and took Danica’s hand. He looked at his father, then at me, then at him again. “Danica, come on, I promised I’d show you the garden. My parents have one of the most amazing gardens in New York.”
They were barely gone before Victor Davros stalked over, lowered himself into his high backed oak chair, and nodded to me. It registered that Kane’s mother had left too, but where had she gone? Was it just me, or was everyone making themselves scarce at the arrival of the head of the pack?
“Well. This is the perfection you told me about. The Montrose girl.” Victor smoothed his grey slacks and took the glass of red wine off the tray the maid had appeared at his side with. “Well? Stand up, let me see you, child.”
“Stand up,” Kane hissed harshly, and yanked me to my feet. Full on master mode. I almost teetered in the high heels Min insisted I wear. Kane took the glass from my hand, setting it down. He pushed me toward his father.
So, this was the man who’d destroyed my father’s life. The man who’d once been my father’s best friend in university, before he railroaded him out of an invention that had made Victor rich. Looking at him, it was hard to imagine he’d even had a friend, much less one as easy going and lower class as my dad.
One deep breath. Two. Victor sat forward and inspected me, looking me over like a man inspecting a horse. It took everything in me to keep my eyes from his, not to meet his stare head on, head high. He didn’t touch me, which surprised me. I would have expected him to poke or prod, maybe lift my lip up to inspect my damn teeth.
“See?” Standing behind me, Kane brushed my curls away from my neck. “Told you she was exquisite.”
Except his touch wasn’t warm or gentle. More like the way you’d handle an expensive doll in front of a fellow collector. I shuddered.
“I suppose. If you like the rustic look. She needs a few more encounters with a whip, though. Your mother would never look so defiant with me. We’ll see if she can make it through dinner without making a fool of herself, and you.”
“Sure, Pops.” He ignored his father’s angry glare for calling him Pops. “Where’s Gala? I thought she was supposed to be coming with you.”
“She got held up at her father’s. She’ll be here shortly.”
No sooner had he said this when the ring of a doorbell echoed through the house.
“Ah, there she is now.” As he set the wine down on a stand beside his chair and stood up, a smile twisted Victor’s mouth, showing too many perfect white teeth. “Now we’ll see how well trained your toy is, Kane. Now that you’re future bride is here.” He walked past me, eyes sparkling.
For the moment, before he went out into the hall with his father, Kane and I were the only ones in the room, and I shot him a disgusted look. He said nothing, his face remaining utterly stony, yet his fingers curled around mine for an instant. An instant I could have held onto for an eternity. For the first time, I saw in his father the man my own dad hated, the man he probably thought Kane would inevitably become.
God, seeing that look was like seeing evil smile.
Heels clicked softly behind me and I turned. Kane’s mother stood in the doorway that led to a kitchen. Suspicion darkened those sharp bird’s eyes, and a faint, knowing smile touched her pale, plumped up mouth. She said nothing, but the calculating look was enough to send a chill skittering down my spine.
Suddenly I wasn’t sure who I needed to be more careful of, Kane’s father, or his mother.
In the front hall, the men’s voices and an unfamiliar female voice echoed, drifting closer to the living room. Listening, I bought myself time by giving the appearance of checking over my clothing.
“You know Daddy, he never lets me leave the house without a four-man attaché, and the limousine freshly waxed.” The voice sounded light and spirited, but there was a lilt of propriety to it, like a woman who’d been trained to talk like a perfect princess.
Gala. My stomach dropped. Over the week I’d been contracted as Kane’s submissive, a submissive his family thought was a slave, I’d only heard about Gala, the Mafia princess Kane was supposed to wed in six months. The woman whom, when my contract with him ended, would have for herself this man I’d somehow begun to trust. My imagination tried form images of her, and I shut them out, unwilling to let panic take root. I’d see her soon enough.
Kane and his father came into the room, followed by two suited men who quickly flanked the room like status. I had a moment to realize they reminded me of secret service agents—hell, they even wore sunglasses, which they didn’t take off—before she entered.
My jaw nearly dropped. If Oliver’s fiancée looked like a blond Barbie, Gala looked like some visiting deity. She towered, a few inches taller than my six feet, all legs and porcelain skin, with a face that looked as if someone had somehow airbrushed a living woman. She had almost no chest, and the straightest nose I’d ever seen. Her bleached blond hair had been styled into a complex plait Min would need a diagram to duplicate.
Awareness of every flaw I’d ever noticed about myself suddenly leaped to the forefront of my mind. My crazy red hair Min had forced into a ponytail and a simple pompadour at the front. My too large eyes, my crooked nose, my large boobs, the swell of my hips that at once seemed enormous.
To make matters worse, Kane had his gorgeous hand on Gala’s slender back, the way he so often did to reassure me, his eyes lighting with a warmth I’d never seen on him before. He looked so much more casual, more relaxed.
Jealousy ripped through me, vicious and dark and mean. I wanted to get Kane as far from her as possible, but I couldn’t, and not only that, I barely had time to even acclimate to what I was seeing.
Gala flashed a stunning smile at Kane’s mother, who floated to her, and the women clasped hands. “Mrs. Davros.” More air-kissing. “How lovely to see you again.”
“Gala. Please, I’ve told you a hundred times, call me Seraphina. You’re well past formalities.”
She flushed, those perfect cheeks turning rosy. “I’ll get it right eventually.”
Oliver came back into the room and Gala extended a perfect, slender hand, dainty and ladylike, letting Oliver kiss it, and then hugging Danica close. Everything about the woman was bred to look the part of a rich man’s dream. Caught up in the whirlwind of emotions, for the first time in my life I had no idea what to do with myself. These were the moments where my sarcasm and wit would save the day, but I couldn’t use those.
Hating the helpless feeling crawling through me, I glanced at Kane the way he’d told me to, waiting for instruction.
Almost at the same moment, Gala’s attention turned to me, and Kane was at her side. I wanted to believe he was there to help me, but he didn’t even look at me, all his attention on Gala. My gut twisted.
Gala’s gorgeous eyes gave me a once over, and she made a sort of humming noise in her throat, like seeing me had affirmed some preconceived notion she had of me.
“So you’re the one who’s had his attention when I didn’t.”
I opened my mouth, then closed it just in time, remembering my role. I let my nails dig into my palms and resisted the urge to glare at Kane.
“Gala.” But he chuckled. “It’s a little beneath you to be jealous of her, isn’t it?”
“Who says I’m jealous, Kane Bear? I’m simply observing the bed help’s place.” She turned and sauntered off, hands perfectly folded, a cat-like smile on her lips. Kane followed her without even looking back at me.
Shame and rage scalded me, and my fists tightened. Bed help? Did she really just call me a sex slave in front of his family? My muscles tightened with the need to tear a strip off her, but I forced myself to keep my head down and remain where I was.
I wished I was more sure Kane’s reprimand was for my benefit, and not just him putting his woman in her place, but he didn’t sound protective all. He sounded like he was used to her being jealous and I was just a toy, unworthy of jealousy.
Kane signaled for me
to follow as they headed for another room. I did, but I instantly wished I hadn’t. Behind me, Victor Davros’ voice sounded low in my ear, almost inaudible, so that there could be no doubt he was talking to me.
“This is going to be an interesting night, farm girl. Let’s see how long you last before you crack and show us all what you really are.”
11
Around four, a maid came out of the kitchen to announce that dinner would be ready in an hour. Anika came into the dining room where two of the maids were laying out the table with the usual elaborate settings. I thought I detected fear in her eyes for a moment before she saw the table. Then the look vanished and her eyes widened, taking in the long, spiraling candles, the crystal glasses, the pristine, imported china. I allowed a crack of a smile while no one was looking at us, and she mouthed a wow. The maids departed with a curtsy for me, leaving us alone. I gestured for Anika to come to me. When she was next to me, I folded my hand covertly over hers between us.
“You alright?” I whispered.
She nodded. She wasn’t. She was too stiff, her shoulders tense. And when she looked at me, annoyance flashed across her face. Over Gala’s comment?
“I saw my dad say something to you earlier. What was it?”
“Nothing, don’t worry about it. He was just being himself.”
I snorted, then tipped her chin up. “Look, about Gala’s comment—"
My mother chose that moment to come into the dining room and assess the job the maids had done on the table. “Of course, they used the wrong china again.” She shook her head, wiping a spot of dust off a back of a chair.
Anika jerked her eyes down, slumping her shoulders to look meek. I tightened my fingers on her jaw. “Go into the kitchen and help the maids with the food. I want you out of my hair.”
All right, so I just wanted her out of reach of my parents. Neither of them would dare go in there if they had a choice.
She turned and swept out of the room with only a mumbled “Yes, Sir.”
Damn. I needed to have a real conversation with her. All this caustic atmosphere from my family had to be getting to her.
“The china’s fine, Ma. Leave it.”
“It is not, look at the scratch on that plate.” She scoffed and came around, picking up the plate in front of me. “You know your father. Not a thing out of place.”
My jaw clenched and I shook off the memories. “Don’t remind me.”
“Kane.” She took my face, her smile without warmth, long nails brushing my cheeks. “That’s your problem. You settle for things. You don’t strive for the best.” Her eyes flickered almost imperceptibly toward the door Anika had gone through.
“No. I never strive for dad’s version of perfection. I’m not him. How long will it take you to realize that?”
“Do you really think that girl can give you more than Gala can? I only want the best life for you. Everyone does. Only Gala can give that to you.”
“Anika is just a distraction, Mother. You know me. I like variety.”
That had been true once. Two weeks ago, Anika would have been nothing more than a soft, willing body to warm my bed at night. My entire life had been about making money. Taking over Dad’s empire. The appearance that I was marrying Gala was a necessity until I took his place. What the fuck had that sweet angel done to me?
“Maybe. But perhaps you should tell her that. I see the way she looks at you when she doesn’t think anyone is looking. You belong with Gala. She needs to know that.”
“Seraphina, may I borrow him a minute?” Gala swept in, hooking her arm in mine, and I hid my relief.
“Of course, dear.” Mother kissed my cheek. “Think about what I said, Kane.”
“Sure, Ma.”
Once out of earshot, Gala gave me a worried look. “What did she say?”
I walked with her across the hall to a large art room, whose French doors led to my parents’ enormous garden. “Oh, nothing. You know my mother. Just trying to make sure I’m still trying to crush everyone I meet underfoot on my way to the top.”
As soon as I opened the doors, the smell of night blooming jasmine and lilac drifted in on the end of summer breeze. Sunset wouldn’t be for a few hours, but it was nice and cool out here.
Gala gave me an empathetic smile. “She still wants you to marry me.”
“Yes. She and Dad keep pushing to have the wedding moved up.”
“Damn. Kane, you have to tell Anika the truth.”
I clenched my jaw. I’d have to talk to her about her timing. Then again, I had a feeling Gala had timed this conversation perfectly.
The maids had insisted I take a break and look around the house before dinner. Seconds after I came out of the kitchen, Kane’s father made me wish I hadn’t.
I’d passed the art room, a large open room with walls of expensive, luxuriant paintings of opulent houses, exotic animals and flowers. He’d been standing by the window when he called me into the room.
“I want a word with you, child.” His cold, too calm voice sent a shiver snaking up my spine.
“The maids want me to help them finish with the lobster—”
“I won’t take a minute.” He almost sounded like he was asking, but there was an inflexible steel in his tone that warned me not to disobey.
I walked slowly into the room, wishing everything in me didn’t scream to run the other way. This couldn’t be the last time I would see him, and the last thing I needed was for a man like this, who despised weakness, to think I was afraid of him.
Once I was at his side, it hit me how imposing Victor Davros was. Every bit as much as Kane, and the fact he looked a good deal older did nothing to diminish that.
“Look at them out there, Daniella.”
I swallowed at his use of my real name, hating how exposed it made me feel. Of course. He’d know I was the daughter of the man he’d swindled, but I was so caught off guard by his using it, I almost missed what he’d said. I followed his gaze.
Out in the garden that sprawled in front of the window, Kane and Gala walked arm in arm through the many colored rose blossoms. Kane bent to her, looking every bit like the gentile lover. He even had one hand behind his back, the way some men did when walking with a woman in the old days. Jesus, Gala looked like a goddess. A goddess with her lord. My throat tightened, jealousy burning a path through my heart.
“They look perfect, together, don’t they?”
“Absolutely, sir. Mr. Davros, I have to—” I turned to leave, but his hand seized my shoulder. Like talons, his long fingers dug into my flesh, holding me in place with surprising ease.
“She is made for him. She will take him places no common girl can.” Pride oozed from his voice.
The Mafia. He’s talking about Kane inheriting the Donship from her father.
“Sir, you don’t need to tell me this. I’m just fulfilling a contract. He paid my father’s debt, so I am his for the next six months, then I’ll be gone.”
“Will you?”
I whipped my eyes to him and a wolfish smile pulled at his lips. I realized what I’d done too late and jerked my head down, hoping it looked like a mistake borne of inexperience rather than because I was only playing a role that wasn’t real.
“I’m sorry, sir. I forgot. I didn’t mean to—”
“Yes, you did.” His fingers dug in deeper and I winced. Fuck, he was strong for an old guy. “Not to worry. My son will break you, and if he doesn’t, I will make him.”
He looked back out the window and I followed his eyes. Gala and Kane were still talking, but they’d moved deeper into the garden where the light didn’t reach as well. Would they share a kiss now? My heart wanted to shatter.
“Do you know how this started?” Victor rasped. “The slave thing.”
I shook my head.
“Ask my son. If you think it’s a game, ask him how we, a modern family in this time, came to own women as slaves.”
“I don’t need to know—”
“There used t
o be a word for them.” He grabbed my chin then, so suddenly I almost cried out in terror, and his voice became cruel. “There is no ascension for you, slave girl. We are born into our station and there we live until we turn to dust. Your father tried to be more than what he was, but he was, and is, nothing. My son will take what he wants from you. He will beat you into submission and take your body. Then you will disappear while he marries the princess on his arm, and becomes the one true king of New York.”
I stared at him, disbelief rolling over me in waves. He released me, and I forced myself to back away slowly. I’d never imagined anyone was this demented. This was the sort of bat shit crazy that happened on TV, where people ended up in asylums screaming from beyond steel doors. How had Kane grown up without becoming just as insane? I wouldn’t run, wouldn’t let Victor see his affect on me.
“Look at them, Daniella. You’ll never be like that with him.”
I looked before I could stop myself. Out in the garden, it looked like Kane and Gala were talking animatedly. Arguing?
“Enjoy your evening, farm girl.” Victor left, and I let out a breath, my chest loosening a little. Without thinking, I turned and went for the doors that led out into the garden.
Whether I just needed fresh air or I needed to see for myself what was going on between Kane and Gala, I didn’t know. But half way down the garden path, I could hear them, both getting a little louder, more heated.
“I can’t do this anymore.” Gala. “Tell her the truth…”
I didn’t hear Kane’s reply, and I had the feeling it was because they’d moved a little further away. When I followed, both voices became clearer.
“I won’t tell her. Not now.” Kane this time.
