Kicking and bucking, I struggle violently, but I’m no match for Danny’s strength. He presses down hard on my neck, cutting off my air supply. I strain against his grasp, my heart pounding so hard I think it will burst. Danny increases the pressure, growling in my ear like the monster he is.
I grow weak, my vision dimming black around the edges.
It only takes about five seconds for me to go limp.
“I gave you to him,” I hear Danny’s voice growl from somewhere far away as I fade off into darkness. “But now I’m taking you back.”
Chapter 27
Zander
“You look like shit.”
I look up at Charles and see him smile. Grunting a humorless laugh, I lean forward and toss the papers back to him.
“I guess that’s what happens when you get your hands dirty,” he says with a glint in his eyes.
“You couldn’t be happier, could you?” I ask him.
“Just surprised you risked your pretty boy face,” he says with a smirk.
“You’re not the only one,” I mutter beneath my breath. My father hasn’t let it go. Everyone knows. I’m a disgrace. Or so my father tells me. I haven’t responded to him, and I won’t. He’ll never understand. She’s worth more than anything. She’s worth far more than my reputation. If my father could understand that, my mother may still be breathing.
“What’s going on with her?” Charles asks me, catching my attention with his tone.
“What do you mean?” My heart races a little faster with him questioning me about her. I don’t want anyone to question it.
“The money-” he starts to ask, and I cut him off. I’m so fucking sick of talking about money. So much fucking money runs through my hands. I don’t need it. I’m tired of chasing it. I just want to live a full life. One with her.
“I’ll give her the money, but it’s not going to him. It’s just for her.” My voice is flat, but firm.
“So it’s just the month?” Charles asks.
My stomach drops at his question. She said she doesn’t want to leave me and I believe her, but only time will tell if she’s actually happy. If I can give her enough. “I’d rather it not be.”
His brow raises as he leans back in his seat, the leather groaning. “It seems... expensive.”
I shrug, not knowing what to say.
“How do the contracts work?” Charles asks.
“It’s just a month,” I explain, and my voice is flat. “After that, I’m keeping her.”
“Paying?” he asks, resting his ankle on his knee and tapping his foot.
“No.” I’m harsh with my answer, narrowing my eyes. He raises his hands defensively. “She’s not a whore,” I say and I practically spit the words. Is it too much to think she’d want me without my money? I don’t entertain the thought. I refuse to think she’d leave me. She’s not in it for the money. She’ll stay when the contract is over. I’ll make sure of it. Whatever she desires, I’ll give it to her. I’ll spend every cent of my wealth on her to keep her happy.
“I’m just asking out of curiosity.”
I’m about to tell him to mind his own business when he adds, “They're an interesting thing, the auctions.”
I glance at the screen on the computer as he talks. The living room is empty, the house quiet and cold without her in it.
“I imagine a woman would put herself up for auction… if she knew about it.”
I check the cameras to the house again, but Arianna’s not home yet. She knows to be home when I get back. My only request is that she greet me when I get home. If I had it my way, she’d never leave, but I’m not so selfish to think that’s possible.
“Your sweetheart isn’t home yet?” Charles asks me, and there’s a slight mocking tone in his voice. I just give him a sharp look and don't say anything.
“It’s different, seeing you like this,” he says.
“Like what?” Weak. I’ve never felt as though Charles was an enemy, but his tone makes me question.
His answer surprises me. “Like you give a fuck.”
I stare at him, searching his face for his intentions, but I don’t have to guess.
“I’m jealous,” Charles admits and then looks away, staring past me and out to the window behind me. The dark night of the city sky playing shadows across his face.
“Jealous?” I ask him, a smile creeping onto my lips.
“Not jealous of your face,” Charles answers with a smirk. I huff a laugh and lean back in my seat.
“It’s good to see you happy,” Charles says with a lowered voice. I meet his eyes and I know with everything in me he’s being genuine.
I prefer not to let the emotions dictate my response. I shake them off, leaning back in my seat and resting my chin in my hand. “I’ll be happy when Brooks is out of the picture.”
“Changing the subject,” Charles says, the grin fading from his lips. It’s quiet a moment until he answers, “Soon.”
“When is it happening?” I ask him as I pick up the slate block, and the edges seem sharper to me than they ever have before.
Charles shrugs, “It all depends on what you’d like.” He takes out his phone, tapping the screen and bringing up Brooks’ information. “He’s predictable. If you’d like it to look natural, that can be arranged. I suppose it just depends on when and where.”
I nod my head once, debating on what to respond, but Charles interrupts me, “We have a problem.”
There’s an urgency in his voice that makes me sit up straighter. I wait for him to continue as he watches the phone, his body stiff.
“Where’s Arianna?” he asks me.
“She should be at my place s-”
“He was at her place. He changed his routine. He went to her house.”
My hands grip the edge of the desk. “He’s on Fourth Street?” There’s only one reason that Brooks would go there. I take out my own phone and message Arianna to text me back and stare at the screen. Willing her to text me, but nothing comes.
I can’t wait. “When was he there?” I ask Charles, my voice fighting to hold back the panic I feel. She’s been gone for hours. My thumb taps across my phone and I call her. The phone rings and rings, but there’s no answer. Everything in me stills, he’s gotten to her.
Charles nods his head as he taps on the screen of his phone. “Three hours ago.” I hang up the phone and realize that’s right when she left. He was watching her. I call her again. Ring. Ring. Ring.
“Where is he now?” I ask him as my ice-cold blood slowly pumps through my veins.
“His place.”
“On Andrews?” I confirm, already grabbing my keys off the desk and leaving for the door.
“Yeah,” Charles says as he grabs his coat and comes up behind me.
“He has her. I know it.”
Charles nods his head, throwing on his coat as I open the door.
“You’re coming?” I ask him.
He nods his head once, the mask of indifference on his face morphing as he smiles at me. “I can’t let you have all the fun.” His humor does nothing to ease me. Right now nothing will make me feel as though I haven’t already lost her.