Princess of Darkness (The Dark Prince #3)

by Autumn Winchester

  ~oOo~

  “What are we doing here?” Summer asked, confused as Sebastian parked his midnight blue RAM 3500 in the parking lot. There were five other cars that were normal, while the truck stood out as it was pricier and newer than anything in this town.

  “To look,” Sebastian said with a smirk her way before he stepped out of the cab. The building had no name on the front, so Summer had no idea where she was.

  Summer slowly followed, feeling tired as the workout session caught up to her. She hadn’t slept that great the night before, tossing and turning. She woke up a number of times wishing for Chase’s arms to be wrapped around her. It no doubt showed on her face.

  Sebastian led Summer to the front door, opening it for her. He made sure to keep his hands to himself, and in her sight. She was still jumpy if he moved wrong some days. A blast of warm air hit her, making her sigh in relief. Winter here in the mountains was ten times colder than it had been in Michigan. And snowier too. She now wore her leather insulated boots at just about every outing.

  “Bash!” gushed a woman who was much younger than the man, but older than Summer. She had striking red hair pinned up in two twists with bright blue eyes that popped. The eyes drew Summer in, almost like she was looking as a spinning sea.

  “Fayth, doll,” Sebastian said, returning the hug. “How are you?”

  “Great now that you are here!” she responded happily, her voice an octave too high. Her shirt was low cut, giving him a wonderful view of her cleavage, and with her leather pants tight against her ass. She was a sight for sore eyes. Too bad nothing would come of it.

  “Good,” Sebastian said. “My niece, Grace, would like to see the selection.”

  “Of course!” Fayth replied, bouncing on her feet and looking Summer up and down like she was something to eat. “I love your hair!”

  “Um,” Summer said, feeling awkward. “Thanks?”

  “Come, come!” Fayth said, taking a hold of Summer’s hand and leading her farther into the building, where a number of desks sat against one another. Sebastian laughed as he followed, amused more than anything.

  She then led them into a room that was sat up with a number of white plastic chairs, clipboards with papers and pen setting on chipped wooden side tables.

  Through a short hallway and back towards the end of the building where a few windows along the wall, Fayth pulled to a stop once them with a bounce.

  “Take your time!” she said, moving to let the two see. “If none of them draw your attention, there are other ones in the next room that are older and already trained.”

  In a wire pen, almost taking up the entire back room of the building, was at least nine puppies. Some were similar in coloring, while a couple was completely different. Each of them came to the wire fence, wagging and barking excitedly at new attention.

  “Puppies?” Summer asked, not sure if she was understanding correctly. She glanced back at Sebastian, who was watching her face change from confusion to worried, to hope.

  “Yes. Pick one. Or two,” he said, stuffing his hands into his pockets. “You deserve a pet, and one that will help protect you better.”

  “Saint Bernard, mixed with lab,” Fayth said. “Great family lines, and wonderful pets. Some have been bought for therapy purposes. They also don’t drool so much.”

  Summer was in shock. Chase had talked about getting her a dog, but yet she never thought she would be able to have one, not with everything that had happened so far.

  “Go in, they don’t bite. Possibly lick ya to death,” Fayth laughed, reaching her fingers through the fence and petting a couple. “I’ll be back in a bit.” Then she left, swaying her hips all the way.

  “She likes you,” Sebastian sang as he walked closer, looking at the puppies.

  “Highly doubt that,” Summer muttered.

  “She’s a lesbian,” Sebastian deadpanned. “She sure as fuck wouldn’t walk like that if it was just me.”

  Summer gasped, cheeks tinting as a laugh bubbled out. She wasn’t sure why she found it so funny, but she did. She was just . . . normal now.

  “Go in,” Sebastian encouraged, walking to the gate and waiting for the girl to take the step.

  Summer finally moved, entering the pen like area. Instantly, all the puppies charged at her with wagging tails, all trying to fight for her attention.

  Kneeling down, Summer petted each one, laughing as one tried to lick her nose. It didn’t take long for the puppies to be bored with her, trotting off to play with a few toys. All but one.

  The one that stayed by Summer looked at her with sad, begging eyes before sitting and laying its paw in her lap. It was white and tan, more white than tan. Big brown eyes and big fluffy ears that twitched.

  Summer couldn’t help but smile at the pup, petting its soft furry head for a moment, basking in the feel of its love. She loved this little one already, not prepared for it to be so easy. Her smile was tender, loving almost.

  “She picked you, sweets,” Fayth said, scaring Summer out of her daze.

  “Grace?” Sebastian asked, drawing her attention away from the puppy for a moment.

  “I’ll take this one,” Summer said with a smile, making Sebastian thrilled that this was so easy.

  “I’ll go pick up a few things from the store across the street, then we can head home,” he said. Before Summer could protest, he was walking away with a whistle.

  “Grace? That’s a pretty name,” Fayth said, entering the gated area. “Short for anything?”

  “No,” Summer said, not willing to give up that information. “Just Grace.”

  “Well, Grace,” she said. “I tend to not have many friends here,” she swallowed her nerves. “Would you like to go out?”

  “Um,” Summer said, not sure what to say. She was married. Married to a Mafia Prince. Was a girl asking her out? “I’m in a long-distance relationship?”

  “Oh,” Fayth said, disappearing for only a moment. “That’s okay. I can see you aren’t into girls. But as friends? Even at your place! Or for lunch somewhere. As friends. I don’t mind, Grace.”

  Summer laughed. Fayth was likable, and having a friend here would be good. She wasn’t sure how long she’d be here, but if it was for a long time, she’d like someone to talk to.

  “Sure,” Summer said. “I have to see if Bash can bring me in, of course.”

  “Oh, that won’t be a problem, child,” Sebastian said, scaring both girls and causing the puppy to growl at him. “Let me know when. You have the house number, Fayth.”

  “Perfect!” she said, bounding up.

  Sebastian handed Summer a leash and collar for the puppy, who sat perfectly still for her new owner to make it just right. After a few tugs, the puppy easily followed Summer out of the fenced area, and then out to the truck, not at all fighting.

  The puppy, who needed a name, would be perfect for the Princess. Sebastian was thrilled it all worked out so far. Summer was learning to make decisions for herself.

  He only hoped she would be happy about the info he needed to tell her.

  Chapter 6

  Summer was out on the porch, letting the warm sun soak into her skin, where it wasn’t covered by two layers of clothing. There would be another winter storm coming through tonight, but for now, the weather was unmistakably warm for winter. The temperature was in the low fifties, which normally happened from time to time. She had a long sleeved shirt under a light gray coat and skinny jeans. Along with her snow boots on.

  Sebastian was in the kitchen, talking on the phone, and Summer hated the idea of overhearing something she shouldn’t. Plus, she wanted some space to herself. Even in the middle of Colorado, she liked the quiet.

  It had been a crazy few days, heck a few months. Summer wasn’t sure who she was, and she couldn’t figure it out yet. She wasn’t sure if something was holding her back from figuring out who she was, or if she just hadn’t really had the time to think about it.

  She knew she wanted Chase. Summer missed hi
m more each day that passed, her heart calling out for him. She wanted to maybe call him, hear his voice, anything. She feared to ask, not sure if it was a wise choice to call him.

  She wanted to feel his arms wrapped around her, enveloping her from the world.

  She wanted to see her sister, too. How was she doing? Was she worried out of her mind? Was Chase keeping Clare updated as much as possible? A lone tear fell down Summer’s cheek; she didn’t try to wipe it away. What was the point in doing so? She had nothing to hide. Sebastian knew her well enough by now.

  Sebastian had seen the bad and the good already, and Summer didn’t feel the need to hide from him.

  The time, however long it would be, was doing Summer more good than harm, for once. Although her heart begged to see her husband and sister, she was getting stronger after two weeks. She could tell the difference, and not just by her weight gain.

  She was now beginning to feel comfortable to take anyone down if it came to that. Sebastian was helping her constantly with everything. Even when they weren’t in session, he still gave her tips on how to do things a certain way.

  For example, she was doing dishes after lunch a few days before, and Sebastian told her a few ways to slowly get a gun that was in the drawer to her left that wouldn’t be noticeable to most intruders, unless they knew what to look and watch for, of course.

  That same day, Sebastian began teaching Summer how to handle a gun, sans bullets. She did well, and that was better than what he had expected. He taught her how to hold one correctly, finger off the trigger unless she was about to shoot it. He also taught Summer how to unjam the weapon, as it was a common occurrence.

  The puppy was growing, and Summer finally figured out a name. Sophie. She was adorable and easily trainable. The puppy caught onto most of the commands in a few days’ time and had yet to pee in the house.

  Of course, wherever Summer went, Sophie was there right at her feet. She was perfect in all ways.

  Sebastian had even given Summer a book with commands, both hand, and voice, to help train her with and Sophie was quick to pick up on the first five without any issues.

  Every time Summer went out, Sophie wouldn’t step foot out the door unless her owner did first. Summer would then stand there on the edge of the porch, waiting for the puppy to do what it needed to be done before she trotted back over.

  This time, Summer stayed outside a little bit longer, enjoying the quiet. Birds flew overhead and chirped among one another. Sometimes, if Summer was lucky, she could see a bunny hop across the back yard.

  She liked it here, even though she missed Chase deeply. Although nowhere would be her home without him in it. If it kept Chase safe, then she’d do what needed to be done to make this work.

  “Hey, Princess,” Sebastian called from inside the house, as Summer had left the door opened slightly to let fresh air into the house.

  Summer quickly wiped her cheeks with her fingertips before turning around to see what he wanted and snapping her fingers for Sophie, who instantly stood and followed from the spot she had chosen to lay down on the grass not far away.

  Back inside, Summer closed the door behind her, leaving her shoes on. Sebastian and Summer would be taking a walk around the property again in an hour or so, as they had come up with a routine that they both agreed on.

  “You okay?” Sebastian asked, leaning back in his seat and looking her over. She’d been crying. Again. He had yet to tell her the test results he had received from his brother, not sure if it would upset her or not yet. It certainly made sense why she was crying.

  She was filling in and gaining weight at a wonderful speed. Plus, the sessions they did once a day was helping her more than she could see yet. She walked in a way that showed everyone that she was capable of handling herself; more in control over her actions.

  She was doing amazingly well, even with Sophie.

  “Yeah,” she said tiredly, taking a seat at the table. Sophie went to lay in front of the empty fireplace. She had been more tired than normal, but otherwise, she was okay, considering everything.

  She was alive and safe. There wasn’t much else she could ask for, as Sebastian had thought of every need before she came here.

  “Okay,” Sebastian said. “Here,” he then pushed a brand new Samsung phone across the table. “Numbers are already programmed in. You will need a way to get a hold of me and vice versa if something comes up.”

  “Thank you,” she replied, knowing better than to argue. Arguing with Sebastian was like talking to a brick wall; she’d still end up with this phone, or something pricier. Sebastian was a lot like Chase in that department; neither liked to compromise or take anything for what they gave.

  “Of course,” Sebastian said with a tender smile as he ran a hand through his short brown hair.

  “Gabriel and Heidi will be joining us here in a week or so,” he went on. “Maybe sooner. He wasn’t very forthcoming on the timing.”

  There was something going on, and Gabriel unwillingly wouldn’t talk about it over the phone. But from what Sebastian was able to find out, it wasn’t good. The Princess needed more protection, and someone else she could talk to that could understand what she was going through. His brother and sister-in-law would be the best bet to have on his side when things went south.

  “Oh, okay,” Summer said, not questioning it. She gave herself a mental shrug in the process.

  “Heidi will be able to work with you better on aiming a weapon,” he went on, knowing Summer froze every time he touched her, even when she expected it. It was a normal reaction, and he didn’t want to push it, not with everything else he was trying to get her to learn as quick as possible. She didn’t entirely trust him yet, and for good reason.

  “She’s also is bringing you something,” he added on. At her confused surprised look, he also added, “She didn’t tell me what it was.”

  Summer shrugged her shoulders, sure it wasn’t something too horrible. Then a thought popped into her a head, a thought that she had a few times over the past couple of days.

  “Why?” she asked quietly. “Why me, Sebastian?” She wanted to know why she was so special. Why everyone wanted her so badly. Was it even her? Or just the idea of her?

  “Why?” Sebastian repeated, not sure what she meant. Confusion laced his voice, but he’d gladly answer her if he could.

  At her sharp nod, he thought for a moment. Why did he pick her? Why did everyone fight over her? What made her so . . . . different?

  “Let me start at the beginning,” he said before taking a sip of his warm tea that sat in front of him.

  “That would be a good place,” she joked, making herself comfortable in the chair, a lightness to her voice. Summer leaned back in the chair, knowing it could be a long story. A long story she would gladly listen to.

  Sebastian barked out a laugh, happy that she did have a sense of humor after everything.

  “It started years ago,” he said, keeping his eyes on the girl across the table. “Ivan Marcel and Jason Meads were best friends, almost like brothers. They were going to rule the world, or at least as much as they could, together once they were able to be the Dons of the family.” His voice was wistful for easier times. Times when things didn’t seem so threatening. Little did he know what he would later deal with years down the road.

  “At the time, Charles Senior, your grandfather, was the Don, while Masen, who was Chase's grandfather, was the Don for the Marcel family. They loathed each other and would pick a fight at any and every chance they possibly could.

  “Once Charles passed away, and nobody's entirely sure how - some say it was a heart attack, others say he was shot at point blank – Jason Meads took over right then and there. He had been raised with a hard hand for that moment, like almost every male child who would be destined to be a Don.

  “He was still nice, but very cunning and sloppy. He thought everyone would follow him without question, but they didn’t. He became snobby, and that is what made Masen dislike him r
ight then and there. Causing a rift between Jason and Masen because Masen had demanded Ivan to stay away from Jason declaring him unstable.”

  Sebastian paused, taking a drink of his tea and crossing his legs.

  “A few years down the road, Jason became someone I didn’t know anymore. He was a different person. A stranger. I am not sure if his training caught up to him, or he found out what life's really like outside of being the next Don. He became more and more unstable as days passed.

  “I can guarantee that killing people, no matter if they deserved it or were innocent, it changes a person. I can tell you firsthand how it changed me, and that’s a story for another time.” He took a breath, looking at Summer’s wide opened eyes.