Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 69524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 348(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 348(@200wpm)___ 278(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
“And you have me right where you want me. You made sure of that.”
She doesn’t even sound spiteful. That detached tone makes my insides churn.
“Not like this,” I insist.
She has to look at me. She has to come back to me. Because even though she’s right beside me, we’ve never been farther apart.
“I’m sorry I’m a disappointment to you.” Another tear rolls down her cheek.
“You could never disappoint me. You’re everything to me. You’re all that matters. Abigail!”
She flinches and hugs her arms over her bare chest, shivering despite the heat of the bath.
“Two days ago, that would’ve been everything I wanted to hear,” she admits quietly. “You can’t possibly understand how horrific those words are now. You are incapable of understanding.”
“Then explain it to me,” I insist.
Or am I begging?
“I’ve already explained it, and you didn’t want to listen. Instead, you chose to violate me again. You forcibly subdued me to shut me up and make me a compliant, obedient little pet. That’s what you wanted, isn’t it?”
“No.” The word is almost a groan. “That’s not what I want.”
“Well, that’s what you got. That’s all I have left. It’s all I can offer you.”
“Abigail…” I choke on her name.
I open my mouth to try again, but a sound deeper in the manor puts me on high alert. Someone is here.
Have the staff returned despite my bribes?
“Daniel! I know you’re here. Come out and face me.”
My chest tightens.
No.
My brother can’t be here. He can’t see her.
Especially not like this.
Not like I’ve…broken her.
The prospect makes me dizzy with nausea.
“Stay here, little dove. I’ll handle this.”
I don’t want to leave her alone right now, but she can’t be part of this confrontation. She’s in a delicate enough state as it is. She doesn’t need to witness a shouting match with my little brother. Or worse.
The last time I saw him, it came to blows.
He was just a kid, and still, he tried to take me on.
That was his mistake. I don’t possess the capacity for mercy, not even when it comes to my own flesh and blood.
Especially not when it comes to them.
I straighten and force myself to walk away from her. She doesn’t protest or make a single sound of complaint when I leave.
She’s probably glad to be rid of me.
Pain knifes through my chest, and for a moment, I think there might be something medically wrong with me. I’ve never felt this before. Surely, it’s a sign of some terrible malady.
But I’m in excellent health.
A heart attack isn’t at all likely.
I rub the center of my chest, straighten my shoulders, and stride out to face my brother.
He’s standing in the corridor, waiting for me. I suppose it’s a small mercy that he didn’t barge into my bedroom. It’s his house, after all. I surrendered my claim over it when I gave up my title and everything that went along with it.
“What do you want, James?” I demand, less coolly composed than usual.
The terrible confrontation with Abigail in the bath has shaken me to my core.
He eyes me up and down, then lets out a low whistle. “What the fuck happened to you? America not treating you well these days? Is that why you’ve come home? You look like shit.”
“And you look like the same spoiled, arrogant little twat I left behind fifteen years ago.”
He was only thirteen years old then, but he has the same dark auburn hair and eyes that match mine. A short beard covers his jaw now, but I still see a boy when I look at him.
His lips curl in a sneer. “Charming, as ever. Is this how you tempted your mystery woman to come to England with you? You must’ve truly swept her off her feet with your silver tongue. Or is it the family name you’re trying to impress her with? You must’ve brought her to the estate for a reason. What’s the problem? Is she not impressed with your massive…ego?”
The way he lingers over the insult makes it very clear that it’s a slight against my manhood.
He knows about Abigail. That’s far more worrying than his barbed comments.
“Who told you about Abigail?” I bark.
I don’t want him to know anything about her, much less the fact that I brought her here against her will.
You kidnapped me, Dane. You drugged me and brought me to another country. Her accusation rakes through my thoughts, shredding me even as I attempt to gather my outward composure.
James’ green eyes are wary on mine now. “You’re different, big brother. I’ve never seen you worked up like this. America has changed you. Or is it her? Abigail, is it?”
“Keep her name out of your fucking mouth.”
He takes a quick step back, then shrugs and returns to his nonchalant, spoiled prince posture. “Fine. Keep her secret. I really don’t care. I only came to see if you were really here. I could hardly believe it when the groundskeeper told me this morning that you’d paid him to leave. Too bad you can’t buy loyalty. You’re not the heir anymore, Daniel.”