by Tori Leigh
Meanwhile, Eva had the run of the place. She moved into the second biggest bedroom. Her mother bought her new furniture and a brand-new wardrobe. Vivian transferred Winnie and me from our private academy to the local school, while Eva got to stay with her friends.
It wasn’t the sort of treatment that sounded like typical abuse. Vivian was very clever. She merely acted as if we didn’t exist—never celebrating our birthdays, only buying us clothes when absolutely necessary, maintaining the bare minimum of food in the cupboards so we didn’t starve. She never gave us Christmas gifts. We never had Thanksgiving dinner. She did nothing herself to keep up the house, leaving the massive duty of its care to me and my sister. Yet she complained bitterly about how Hawthorne Hall had lost its luster.
But the fact that neither Vivian nor her spoiled daughter had ever worked a day in their life and were living lavishly and spending my father’s money—that wasn’t what made me burn. It was how selfish they were. How cruel and neglectful of my little sister, who was young and sweet and needed love.
I’d always assumed that, in the end, things would work out for Winnie and me. Once I graduated from high school, I planned to get a job. It was my dream to save enough money so that once Winnie turned eighteen, and our joint ownership vested, we could afford to restore Hawthorne Hall to its former glory.
After kicking Vivian and Eva to the curb, of course.
But now Hawthorne Hall was gone, and Vivian was threatening to have Winnie taken away from me. Legally, I didn’t know if that was possible. But my experience with Vivian had taught me never to underestimate my stepmother. She always got what she wanted.
I tossed and turned in bed. Every time I tried to close my eyes, all I saw was Gabriel Dalca’s handsome face. He’d offered me a glimmer of hope, but it had only been a mirage.
5
GABRIEL
I’d stayed outside the sitting room long enough to hear the threats Vivian Hawthorne made against Audrina. She’d been ruthless, vowing that the minor sister would wind up a ward of the state. I had half a mind to throw Vivian out of Hawthorne Hall right then, but I fled before Audrina caught me eavesdropping.
As soon as got inside the car, I cursed myself.
I’d acted like a blundering fool. It had been completely rash, asking her to come with me like that. I never made such mistakes. But her scent had stirred something in me, something that had been dormant for a long time…
The driver followed the twisty curves of the rural road, leaving Hawthorne Hall behind us. I pressed my face against the lapels of my jacket, inhaling deeply. I could still smell her. It was torture. I couldn’t recall a time when a human’s blood had called to me so intensely. Some scents were more attractive than others, but the innate pull toward Audrina was something I’d never experienced before.
The combination of her smell and how beautiful she was had both my throat and my cock raging, unsatisfied, utterly enraged that we’d left her behind.
I stared out the window for a few minutes, lost in my thoughts, not really seeing the dark trees as we flew past. My brother’s words suddenly rang in my ears: Gabriel hasn’t had a woman since Leonora…
I frowned out at the darkening sky. I did not care to dwell on such matters. Leonora was ancient history. She’d been a disaster, a vampire princess from another prominent family. She’d been beautiful and charming, but also cunning, spoiled and easily bored. She’d cheated on me with another vampire I hated.
And then she’d married him, not six weeks after leaving me.
I wasn’t sure I’d ever loved Leonora, but her actions certainly disgraced me. The social fallout from our drama had been egregious. King Cuckold. Even as an immortal, I would never live that down.
After Leonora, I’d decided that my position and my responsibilities were more important than any personal interests. So I resolved to have no personal interests. I’d kept my relationships purely physical, but over the last few decades, even my interest in those dalliances had dwindled. Women got too attached—too attached to my title, too attached to my cock. It wasn’t worth the effort it took to extricate myself from their clinging arms.
My kingdom was my obsession. I prided myself on my self-control, my singular focus and drive. Being alone helped with that, as did drinking donated blood. That way, there were no distractions from running the realm.
But one look at Audrina Hawthorne had undone countless years of harsh discipline. I almost hadn’t recognized myself as I burned for her. In an instant, I was willing to trade not only Hawthorne Hall but also, the millions of dollars I’d lent to the Hawthornes for… What, exactly? I hadn’t been clear with Audrina or with myself about what I wanted from her in return.
Both my cock and my throat raged. They were clear on what they wanted.
Audrina had said no, rightfully so. My offer had been clumsy at best. I wished I’d said something to make my proposal more palatable to her. Her sister needed to be looked after, that much was clear. But a child was not welcome in my world—it would never be safe for her. I could claim Audrina as my virgin; it would allow no one else to touch her if I made her mine. But even as king, I could not extend that exclusive protection to anyone else.
So what could I do? That I was even still thinking about this mortal was insane. She was a human, eighteen-and inexperienced. And I was thousands of years old, a king of the underworld. What did I honestly think I was going to do with her—lock her in my chambers and keep her as my love slave?
My erection rose to a painful full mast again, ready to burst. Audrina, chained to my bed with her legs spread open for me, her neck bared… But I could not give in to my baser desires. I’d sworn to do better.
I lifted my jacket and inhaled her scent again, closing my eyes.
And then a scheme, fully formed, suddenly dropped into my lap.
We could help each other. She could give something to me; I could give something in return. It would be a fair deal. I wouldn’t be taking advantage. In fact, if I restrained myself, I wouldn’t be taking anything from the beautiful young virgin at all. It would be the perfect test of my legendary self-control.
It would also be, I knew, pure torture.
I pushed that thought to the side. The girl offered a solution, one that I needed desperately. That was what I needed to focus on.
I called my assistant. “I need you to find a cell phone number—registered to a Ms. Audrina Hawthorne. Do it now.”
My driver picked me up before the sun rose. We went and collected one of my most trusted employees. Mrs. Finn, as I’d always called her, had been our nanny when we were younger. She was an integral part of my plan.
I’d made the mistake the day before of being too eager. My surprised arousal had made me sloppy. But a night’s planning had given me the opportunity to see where I might correct my mistakes.
We arrived at Hawthorne Hall just as the sun crested the horizon. As the early morning light shone upon the frosty grounds, I marveled at the estate’s incredible architecture. The grand old home sparkled as the sun shone against it. One day soon, I would restore this place.
The stepsister’s car was parked haphazardly in the driveway, turned at an odd angle. The side mirror had been smashed. She’d probably gone out on a bender, partying her worries away. The morning would be harsh for her.
I smiled as I rang the doorbell and waited.
I peered through the window. Vivian Hawthorne hustled toward me, clutching her silk robe at the throat.
“Mr. Dalca—I didn’t expect you again.” She smiled but it was fake, an undertone of anger tinging her blood with a vinegar-like scent.
I bowed to her. “We have some unfinished business.”
“What can I do for you?”
I motioned to the car to have Mrs. Finn join me. “I would like another word with the younger Ms. Hawthorne—Audrina. She’s expecting me.”
“Really?” Vivian looked suspicious. “I’ll go and fetch her.” She hurried down the hall, leaving us, her
robe billowing in her wake.
A low, guttural sound emanated from the front parlor; Mrs. Finn and I peered inside. Eva Hawthorne was passed out on the couch, fully clothed, snoring her head off. An empty bottle of vodka lay strewn on the floor, and a trace of white powder dusted the coffee table.
“Mrs. Finn—please go and get her up.” I motioned to the passed-out Eva.
Mrs. Finn, who had a neat, gray bun, was stout and looked like a kindly grandmother until you displeased her, nodded once. Her expression turned grim as she approached the snoring figure sprawled across the couch.
Vivian Hawthorne hurtled back toward me, silk robe still billowing, lips pursed into a definitive frown. Audrina was at her side, wearing a modest pale gray dress, her hair and makeup already done. She was absolutely stunning.
She took a deep breath. “Good morning, Mr. Dalca. I’ve been expecting you.”
Vivian whipped her head at her step-daughter. “You what?”
“Good morning.” I ignored the stepmother, my eyes never leaving Audrina’s gorgeous face. “I was wondering if we could have a word.”
“Ow! Get your filthy hands off of me! Who do you think you are?” An enraged Eva Hawthorne swatted at Mrs. Finn as the older woman roused her.
Mrs. Finn tolerated zero bullshit. She grabbed Eva’s ear, pinched it, and dragged her to her feet.
“What the actual fuck?” Eva screeched.
I smiled at Vivian and Audrina. “This is my associate, Mrs. Finn. Mrs. Finn, this is Vivian and Audrina Hawthorne. The young woman in your grasp is Eva Hawthorne.”
Mrs. Finn nodded politely but didn’t loosen her grip.
“Let go of me—MOTHER! Get this bitch off me!” Eva hollered.
Vivian Hawthorne clutched her robe, eyeing me nervously. “M-Mr. Dalca? I think your associate is hurting my daughter…”
“Nonsense. Eva might be a bit uncomfortable, but that’s to be expected after a night of abusing her body with drugs and alcohol. Don’t you think?”
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed that Audrina looked as though she might laugh.
I turned to face her. “As I mentioned in my text, I would like to reiterate my offer from yesterday—but I’d like to extend the invitation more eloquently. I spoke in too much of a rush and was clumsy in my delivery. I apologize.”
Audrina’s cheek turned pink. She nodded.
“But before I speak with Miss Hawthorne alone, I would like to say something to all of you.” I eyed Vivian and Eva. “As you know, Hawthorne Hall belongs to me now. If you choose to stay here, you do so pursuant to the terms of a new agreement.”
I smiled as I continued, “If you don’t care for the terms, by all means, leave. But understand that if you choose to stay, and you do not follow the rules as I heretofore set them forth, you will be physically removed from the premises at once.”
Mrs. Hawthorne eyed her daughter, who was red and raging beneath the tight grasp of Mrs. Finn. “What sort of terms?”
“The first new condition is that Mrs. Finn will move in with you, effective immediately.”
Eva thrashed. “Mother, no—”
I ignored her and continued, only for Audrina’s benefit. “She has been an employee of mine for decades, and I have nothing but the highest regard for her. She was my nanny as a child, and she is an excellent caregiver—trustworthy, loyal and brave.”
I trained my eyes on Audrina. “She is fiercely protective of those in her charge. And her newest charge, should you accept this offer, is Miss Winifred Hawthorne.”
Vivian Hawthorne gasped. Audrina’s jaw dropped.
“This means that Mrs. Finn will take over the care and feeding of the younger Miss Hawthorne. She will prepare nutritious and delicious meals for her. She will see that no one”—and here, Mrs. Finn pinched Eva’s ear again for good measure—“takes advantage of Miss Hawthorne, ignores her or neglects her.”
Vivian Hawthorne narrowed her eyes. “I’m not sure what you’re insinuating, Mr. Dalca—”
“In addition,” I continued, ignoring her, “several guards from my security team will keep watch over the premises. They will make sure that no strangers come or go from Hawthorne Hall. They will make sure that no one does drugs or drinks alcohol on the premises. They will ensure that no one is mistreated. I will also send my architects and landscapers to rebuild the estate to restore it to its former glory.”
I turned to Audrina, who was now openly gaping at me.
“Now, Ms. Hawthorne. If you would agree based on these conditions precedent to at least discuss my offer, I would appreciate the opportunity to do so in private.”
She managed a nod, which I claimed as a small victory.
6
AUDRINA
I felt a bit dazed as I followed Gabriel Dalca from the foyer into the study. This all still seemed like a dream. Not that I’d slept much, if at all, the previous night.
He’d texted me at midnight. I’d been tossing and turning in bed when the screen of my phone lit up.
This is Gabriel Dalca. I apologize for my behavior earlier today—I would like the opportunity to make it up to you. I think we can help each other. Would you agree to meet with me again in the morning? I have an offer I believe is mutually beneficial.
I had no idea how he’d gotten my number, but he’d reached me in a weak moment. Winnie was having a nightmare, whimpering in her sleep. What would the morning bring? Was Vivian telling me the truth—that not only was our home lost, they could take away Winnie from me?
I texted him back immediately, without thinking it through. Yes.
And now, here he was. Just as tall and gorgeous as I remembered, in yet another impeccable suit. My eyes roamed over his massive shoulders, down to his waist, briefly—too briefly—checking out his athletic, round ass. Unf.
And what he’d done back there to Eva? Double unf.
But if he still wanted me, this would never work. I couldn’t leave with some stranger who would probably lock me up in his basement dungeon for all of eternity. How would I ever protect my sister then?
Gabriel Dalca closed the study’s door and turned to me, his dark eyes flashing. Suddenly aware that I was alone in the room with him, my heart rate kicked up. But he stayed against the opposite wall, moving away from the door so he did not block my exit. The tightness in my chest loosened a little.
“Thank you for agreeing to meet with me.” He bowed his head. “I appreciate that all of this must have come as a shock. You were not aware that your stepmother had borrowed against the house, I take it?”
“N-No.” I shook my head. “Vivian never tells me anything, but she definitely wouldn’t tell me about that.”
“It’s unfortunate that she had the power to do so, but what’s done is done. Still, all is not lost.” He watched me carefully. “Do I have your permission to speak freely?”
“Yes, please.” My answer was immediate, even as I braced myself for whatever freakiness was coming.
“I truly apologize for how I approached this situation yesterday. The truth is—and I’m going to be honest with you, even though it’s embarrassing—I was taken aback by your presence. The way you stood up to your stepmother, and how protective you are of your sister were very refreshing. I came here expecting nothing more than a scene regarding a long- overdue foreclosure. Instead, I met a lovely, intelligent young woman.”
I took a deep breath. “That’s very kind of you, Mr. Dalca.”
He held up his hand. “Please, call me Gabriel.”
“Gabriel. That’s very kind of you, Gabriel.”
“It isn’t only kind—there’s a selfish component.” He straightened his spine before continuing. “It just so happens, I am in need of a lovely, intelligent young woman’s companionship. I have a very important event coming up.”
My heart hammered in my chest. “An event?” An event sounded like something that had a beginning, a middle, and most importantly, an end. An event sounded like something I could survive and could c
ome home from after.
“Yes. My brother’s wedding. I need a…date.”
“A date.” I blinked at him. “You’re willing to bargain Hawthorne Hall for a date?”
He looked sheepish for a moment, but then his expression smoothed out. “The wedding is happening next week. It’s an important affair, and tradition dictates that I bring someone. In addition, there are festivities planned around the impending nuptials, for which I also need a companion.”
“Okay…” I bit my lip. “But why can’t you just bring a regular date—or a friend?” Did impossibly gorgeous real-estate moguls who wore ten-thousand-dollar suits have friends?
“This is a society wedding, watched closely by everyone in my world.” His brow furrowed. “For various reasons, there is no one in my social circle that is an appropriate candidate for me to bring. And I need someone. I actually prefer a situation such as this—it doesn’t have the same complications.”
I nodded slowly. “Okay…”
“You would be helping me, Ms. Hawthorne, by saving me from a headache.” He raised his dark eyes to meet mine. “And that is why I will help you. If you agree to accompany me, to stay with me and attend these various events, I will release your family from its financial obligations. I will return you here to your sister when the festivities have ended. I will deed Hawthorne Hall to you and your sister outright, with you as Trustee on her behalf until she reaches legal age.”
“Really?” I couldn’t—I didn’t—believe it. It was too good to be true.
“Really.” He gazed directly into my eyes. “There are no strings attached.”
“But…” My mind searched his proposition for a booby trap. My father had always said, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Gabriel’s offer definitely fell into that category.
I licked my lips. “Why me? I know my stepmother owes you millions. How could doing this possibly repay the debt? It seems too easy.”
