Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 61101 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61101 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
“You’ll learn to obey, little thing. You may want to fight, but I have ways and means to make sure you forget you were ever human. Don’t ever speak back to me again.” he threatens. “I won’t kill you. I’ll just make sure you wish you were dead.”
“I hope you enjoy your acquisition.” A voice comes from the doorway.
My new owner smiles, a dark, menacing grin, before he answers, “Oh, I’m sure I will. First thing’s first, though, she’ll need to be broken in. Then it’s on with the show.”
I’m not sure what he means, but not long after, I’m bundled into a car and driven away from the warehouse. When we finally arrive at our destination, I realize it’s a mansion in the middle of nowhere. This looks like a normal house where normal people live.
It’s only when I’m taken to the basement, I realize there’s nothing normal about this place.
When my new owner said he would make me wish I was dead, he wasn’t lying.
13
HARPER
Panic is the only thing racing through me as I make my way out of the house. I should never have come to Paris. The gala was a mistake. I knew Bane would recognize me. There’s no way he could look into my eyes and not know who I am.
I allowed myself to get too fucking close to him. It was a stupid mistake, and now the message on my phone is burning itself into my mind. The text from Bane is clear, if I don’t go to him, he’ll come for the people I love.
I can’t take that chance.
Did you really think you could hide behind a mask? I recognized your scent.
Come to me, pet. Or both the people you love will die.
When Bane realized it was me at the gala, he must have used his contacts to track down my phone number. But I’m not going to cower to him anymore, and I will never put the two people who mean the world to me in danger.
Dante and Rayne were still asleep in bed when I left them, and as I slip into the taxi, I don’t dare take a last look at the house. If I do, I know I’ll end up running back to them, begging for their help.
I can’t to do that to them. I know my girl is struggling after her mother escaped, and she needs time to heal. Dante will watch over her, and eventually, they’ll find Mrs. Atwood. As for me, I’m not sure where I’ll be in a few hours.
There’s no telling what Bane wants from me. He could have blown my cover at the gala, but he didn’t, which means he didn’t want Dante to know he recognized me.
As the car weaves through the streets of the city, I look out the window. I try to focus on the lights flashing by, but my mind is racing with thoughts of what I’m walking into.
I try never to think about Bane and the terrible abuse I suffered at his hands. I managed to get away from him and my father once before, but now he’s getting me back, I know he’ll never let me go again.
The moment the taxi leaves the center of Paris and starts traveling along the quieter streets on the other side of the city to our rental, my stomach twists with anxiety. My chest is tight, and I’m finding it difficult to breathe. My heart thuds against my ribs, the painful rhythm a reminder of what’s coming.
We soon come to a stop outside a pair of enormous gates, and before the driver can press the buzzer, they slide open. I realize Bane has been waiting for me.
The sun is just coming up on the horizon, and I wonder how today would have gone if I hadn’t woken up early and seen his message.
It would have been very different.
But I can’t dwell on that now.
“Here you are,” the driver says in a thick, French accent, and he offers me a smile. Perhaps he thinks he’s dropping me off at a safe place. If only he knew.
“Merci,” I reply despondently.
I wish I could send him back to the house with a note, something to reassure Dante and Rayne. I could tell them I’m okay and they need to move on with their lives without me. I could insist they complete the job we’ve started. But I don’t.
Instead, the door to the taxi is pulled open and a familiar hand is outstretched toward me, waiting for me to take it. When I don’t, Bane lowers his arm and stands back. I exit the vehicle, and those eyes that have burned through me so many times before greet me.
“What do you want from me?” I ask him, trying to put on a false bravado, but I know it won’t last.