“I … I’ve done nothing wrong. I’m a good person. Just let me go. I promise I won’t tell anyone. I just want to go home.”
She wanted to go home and he couldn’t allow that to happen.
“You know, it’s good to be kind, but when you show that kindness to someone who is only used to pain and misery, well, it makes people aware of you, Grace.”
“You did all of this, didn’t you?” she asked.
Rather than answer, he went to his drinks table, pouring them both a shot of whiskey. Picking up her glass, he moved toward her. “Have a drink?”
“I don’t drink.”
He raised a brow.
“I don’t.”
“Then humor me. This is going to help you to relax.”
She took the shot glass from him, downed the shot, and then coughed, pressing a hand to her chest.
“There, that wasn’t so bad, was it?” he asked.
“I want to leave.”
“Not happening. You see, Grace, I want to fuck you, and that is going to be your price.”
“You’re crazy. I would never do something like that.”
“Not even for your freedom?”
She opened her mouth, closed it, and he saw her trying to decide. Her face an open book, so easy to read.
“I just have to … sleep with you?” she asked.
“No. You have to fuck me, Grace, and before you start wondering, this wouldn’t be a one-time deal.”
“But you just said—”
He lifted a finger and shook it left to right. “No, I didn’t say fucking me once would be enough. For one year, you’ll belong to me, no questions asked.”
“A year? You’ve got to be crazy. I’ve got my job. My apartment.”
“All of them are gone.”
“What!” She shook her head. “No, that’s not possible. No. I … no.”
“Yes, yes, and yes. I can do and have whatever I want, Grace. No price is too high.”
“Why would I even agree to this? You’ve taken everything.”
“Not yet, but how about this? Give me everything I ask for, and in return, I’ll give you your life back. You can go right back to work, your apartment, and a small fortune. All you have to do is keep everything you’ve seen to yourself. The moment you think of telling a single soul, I’ll kill everyone and everything you love, making you watch before I take your life.”
He put his glass down. “And to help you decide, think of this.” To finish his pitch, he sank his fingers into her hair, tilted her head back, and claimed her lips in a kiss he’d been craving since the moment he’d seen her.
He’d been fucking exhausted after spending over twenty-four hours awake, handling some delicate business, mainly his sister’s death. James hadn’t been with him for long, but one look at Grace, and he’d fucking wanted her, craved her, and now, he wasn’t going to let her go until he had his fill.
End of sample chapter
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