I could destroy him slowly. Cripple him financially and embarrass him in every way possible. But no one would know why and he’s too pathetic. No, I’ll just take my money and be through with him. He’ll hang himself on his own.
What pisses me off most is what he offered to give me instead of the cash.
I stare the computer screen, the dim glow lighting the darkened room. Isaac gave me her information. Talia Raine.
She’s beautiful. Her gorgeous eyes are haunted by something, darkened by what lies behind them.
He offered me a month with her in exchange for hundreds of thousands of debt that he owes me. The only claim he has to her is the collar around her neck. He assured me she’d do everything that I wanted. He’s trained her, he told me.
My dick hardens at the thought of her on her knees, giving herself to me, pleasing me. I’ve been tempted before at the club, though I’m never taken part. At least not in the open like that. These men are foolish to show their cards. Lucian paid the price years ago, although now it’s paid off for him, the burden of his past only goes to show that NDAs are paperwork, they have no loyalty to them, merely sheets of paper, so easily shredded, so quickly forgotten.
Talia’s haunted eyes shine through the screen, staring back at me. I’ve seen her before, I’ve watched the way he drags her through the halls and leads her to the dungeon. She’s submissive in her nature, but I don’t trust her or his offer. I don’t let anyone close for a reason.
It only takes one slip up to have it all crashing to the ground and leaving the empire I’ve built in ruins. I’ve worked hard to be on top but not be seen. Corruption and power go hand in hand. And women make men fall.
She’s going to be going up for auction if I don’t take her. He’ll sell her to pay his debts.
I shouldn’t take her, I shouldn’t even be considering his offer. She would only be used as an extension. I won’t accept money that’s meant to go to her, he has no claim to her. That money doesn’t belong to him.
She’s supposed to be mine though. And whatever money he’s able to get from her from the auction, will go to me because of his control of her. The way he manipulates her.
That means she’ll be in the hands of someone else. I rise from my desk, shutting the laptop and standing alone in the dark office, the only light coming from the city nightlife beyond the large window to my back.
It doesn’t take long to me to see easily. My eyes are used to the darkness.
I shrug the jacket onto my shoulders, buttoning it as I stride to the door.
She’s been given to me, but tomorrow she goes up for auction. I should stay away, I should take the money and let him fall on his own accord, carrying on with my life and ignore the pathetic waste of life.
But those eyes call to me. My contempt for him and what he represents makes a side of me I try to keep suppressed rise to the surface.
And that’s a very dangerous thing.
Continue on for book 4, Given.
Given. Book 4
Prologue
Zander
Both of my hands tremble and the adrenaline pumping in my blood makes my muscles coil, ready to fight. I grip the edge of the dresser to keep my body upright. I only need to breathe. A long and slow exhale leaves me, lowering my tense shoulders. I crack my neck before looking over my shoulder at her. My sweetheart.
I’ve never run from anything in my life. And I’m not about to start now.
But I should have run from her. I knew I should have walked away when I first laid eyes on her.
She’s destroyed my control. Ruined my reputation. She’ll be the end of me, I know it.
Her soft moans of pain from across the bedroom call to me. She’s so beautifully broken. She needs me.
I took it too far, and I can’t take it back.
They’ll come for me; I’m certain the cops will be here soon. I’m guilty, and I have no one to blame. The evidence is all right here, and I can’t deny a damn thing.
For the first time in my life, I don’t see a way out.
There’s no one I can turn to. No one who owes me who can make this right.
But I can’t stop wanting her. She’s gotten under my skin. And I won’t stop fighting for her.
Never.
“Zander,” she says and her small voice is choked. Her brow is pinched as her head thrashes from side to side and the doctor works on the deep lashes on her back. Agony rises through my chest; it stiffens my body. My eyes burn and my throat closes as I try to breathe.
She’s stripped to the waist lying face down on the bed, her bottom half barely covered by a thin white sheet to keep the doctor’s prying eyes from seeing even more of her.
I know what he thinks. What they all think since I took her.
I don’t give a fuck. I pay him well to turn a blind eye, and that’s exactly what he’ll do. It’s what they all do. They only want the money, and they’ll do anything for it.
But not her.
My heavy footsteps are softened by the plush rug as I cross the master bedroom and walk to her. She lifts her head as I come closer, but the moment she does, she winces and sucks in a reluctant breath through clenched teeth.
I’m quick to gentle my hand on her shoulder, keeping my contact confined to the small area of soft skin without any wounds. “Don’t move,” I say and my voice is low, admonishing even. I hate myself. I’m so devoid of the ability to comfort that I can’t even speak softly to her when she’s… like this.
“I’m sorry,” Arianna says quietly, her voice muffled from the mattress.
A chill runs over every inch of my skin. She has no reason to apologize to me. She never did anything wrong. Not since the first moment this started.
I swallow thickly, and the lump forming in my throat feels as though it scratches the tender skin on the way down. “It’s alright.” I try to soften my voice and put as much warmth into it as possible. I pet her hair with soothing strokes.
“I never should have left you,” Arianna replies, her words coming out slow and full of genuine remorse.
She shouldn’t have. This wouldn’t have happened if she’d just listened. If she’d trusted me.
But it’s my fault. Not hers.
“It’s going to be alright,” I say softly, crouching down so my eyes are level with hers. It’s a lie. It’s not going to be alright. I’m damn sure of that single truth. Everything is fucked.
But I’ll tell her whatever she needs to hear.
I can’t lose her.
I press my lips to hers, my hand cupping her jaw and my thumb rubbing comforting circles on her soft skin.
“Is it going to be okay?” she whispers against my lips. It’s only when I open my eyes and see hers are still closed with tears running freely down her reddened cheeks that my heart shatters.
I wish I could tell her I’ll take care of everything.
But it’s not okay. And I can’t fix this.
I know I shouldn’t, but lying comes so easily to me. “Everything’s going to be fine,” I tell her. Her long lashes flutter and her gorgeous green eyes open to look back at me. So much raw vulnerability and something else are clearly evident in her gaze. Something that should push me away.