Cruel War (The Gilded Sovereign 1)

“I brought you to a friend’s house who I trust. We’re just outside Tynewood. Your grandmother thinks you’re spending the weekend at Rukaiya’s place.”

“How would she—” I stall my words. I feel my pockets for my phone, but quickly realize that it’s gone. “You stole my phone?”

“I borrowed it. Nothing is stolen,” he tells me, pinning me with a frustrated glare. “My father wants to hurt you. I can’t let that happen.”

“Why? Because you want to hurt me?”

The corners of his mouth twitch and I know he wants to smile. The darkness that dances in his expression is evidence enough of how much he’d enjoy seeing me cry and beg for mercy, and I know it’s something he still thinks about.

“I have to be honest,” he says, rising from the chair and stalking toward me, as he regards me with an almost playful smile. “I do love seeing those wide eyes of yours fill with fear, yearning, and want.”

His body is inches from mine, burning hot while I’m shivering against the wooden pole of the four-poster bed. My back is flush with the cool object, and the heat searing me from Ares is turning my mind over a million times a minute.

“The way your lips part,” he murmurs. “How your breath comes in short warm spurts, and those cheeks of yours,” he runs his knuckles over my face, over the heated flesh where I know embarrassment is burning me up, “how they turn bright red when you’re turned on.”

“I’m not turned on.”

“Really? Because I know you like the idea of being with the bad boy.” He smiles. “You like the danger.” Ares presses his body against mine. Even though I’m shorter than him, I feel him, every inch of him. His index finger tilts my head, so our gaze is locked. “Tell me, little flower.” There’s an urgency in his tone as if he’s really intrigued by the idea of me wanting him.

“Maybe,” I find my voice. “Maybe, I’m just playing you like you enjoy toying with me.” I roll my hips, earning me a low, feral groan from the man in front of me. “Or perhaps, I’m just not that into you, Ares Lancaster. I could be here for my own life for my family’s name.” This time, I smile at him. “Maybe your father has already paid me to make you fall for me and then twist that thing you call a heart in your chest until it’s as ugly as his.”

“What?” He rears back as if I’d slapped him viciously. My heart and mind whirl with the pain etched in his eyes. Does Ares really like me?

“Are you shocked that I can play this game as well as you can?”

As if a match had been struck, Ares’ eyes light up with a fire that steals my breath, and soon, I’m pinned by my neck against the hardwood behind me, his fingers wrapped around my throat.

“Tell me,” he bites out. “Tell me you’re fucking with me. Because if you’re working for Abner, I won’t think twice about killing you.” Fury laces his words.

“Ares.” A man’s voice startles us both, and quickly, the breath-thieving hand is gone, and I’m gasping for air. “Get ready, the plan is in place.”

As if a puppet on a string, Ares moves quickly, leaving me with an older man I’ve never seen before. He’s graying at the temples, and the salt and pepper strands that offer up a full head of hair glint as he moves closer.

He has a dark beard and luminous green eyes. Familiar eyes. I can’t quite place where I’ve seen him before, or why he seems so familiar, but when he nears me, I can’t help but cower.

“Don’t mess with Ares. He may be young, but he’s volatile and strong, and when he loses focus, he could hurt you.”

“I’m not afraid of anyone,” I bite out, unsure of where my strength comes from.

He smiles. “You’re a strong girl.” Silence hangs between us, but I can tell he wants to say something more. “You’re going to be good for him.”

“What makes you think I want him?”

“The fire between you two is palpable. And I’ve never seen him so intrigued by someone, and for him to go against his father, that’s something I never thought I’d see. Even after all the things Abner has done.”

“Abner is a monster.”

The man nods in agreement. “He is. I’ve known him my whole life. And when I walked away, it was the best thing I’d ever done.”

“So why does Ares stay?”

I watch as he considers my question: his brows furrow, his lips tilt to one side, pursing in concentration, and I wonder briefly if he’s trying to find words that won’t incriminate the man who’s etched himself into my life and my body.

“Ares has struggled all his life, and it’s not my place to tell you the secrets of the Lancasters, but maybe if you let Ares in, he’ll trust you enough to let you get closer than anyone ever has.”