I could do whatever I damn well pleased.
But something held me back. She begged me not to rape her, and somehow, I caved. I still wanted her, but I managed to step away. When she told me she was attracted to me, that gave me some form of satisfaction. Her body wanted me even if her mind loathed me.
That would have to be enough—for now.
I didn’t see her the following day because she stayed in her bedroom the entire time. She was probably trying to avoid me after the ordeal in the middle of the night. I couldn’t blame her. My cock was an inch inside of her, and all her body could do in response was get wet.
I was remembering the feel of her tight pussy around my head when Ariel walked in.
“The helicopter is arranged for this evening. He’s bringing a few men along.”
“That’s fine.” I never expected him to come alone. Very rarely did I go anywhere without protection.
“Also, Joseph Ingram is on the line.”
My fingertips were resting on my lips, but I immediately pulled them away when I heard her announcement. My hand formed a fist. “What did he say?”
“Nothing. Just said he wanted to speak to you.”
“He has a lot of nerve…”
“You did tell him not to save her. But you never said he couldn’t contact you.”
I was too angry to smile. “You’re right…as usual.”
“I’m surprised he still wants her back. She’s insufferable, if you ask me.”
“I’m surprised you would say that.” I continued the conversation but considered what I would say to Joseph when I got on the line.
“Why?”
“You remind me of each other. Both spitfires.”
Ariel rolled her eyes in an affectionate way. “He’s on line one.” She walked out, this time closing the door behind her.
I stared at the satellite phone sitting on my desk, the one I used for work that was synced to Ariel’s line. I watched it for several heartbeats before I finally took the call. “Hello, Joseph.” I planned to say as little as possible, forcing him to speak with just my silence. But he better cut to the chase because I had shit to do. It gave me some sick satisfaction that his sister was attracted to me despite the fact that she was my prisoner. I already felt like I had gotten my revenge with that alone.
“Hello, Mr. Donoghue.”
Good start.
“I know you have London, and I haven’t made any attempts to get her back.”
Because you’re a pussy.
“But I hope you’ll reconsider letting her go.”
“Why would I do that?” I stared at my watch, seeing the minute hand circle round and round.
“She’s just an innocent girl.”
“She’s not a girl,” I said with a laugh. “She’s all woman.”
Joseph fell silent at the implication of my words, the vein in his forehead probably throbbing.
“And it’s not gonna happen. I’ve decided what to do with her. She’ll be leaving in a few days. Where she’ll go…not for me to know.”
“What do you mean?” Instead of keeping his cool, Joseph’s panic escaped in his tone.
“A friend of mine is coming to dinner tonight. He has a preference for slaves. I’m going to introduce her to him and tell him what her price is.”
“Who?” Joseph demanded.
One sick son of a bitch. I was cold and cruel, but this man was something else entirely. He made me look tame. “Bones.”
Joseph knew exactly who he was. Bones was known for his taste in women. He liked to use them, to break their legs and then chase them around his mansion. He was undoubtedly cruel, killing them once he grew bored. Then he would buy another slave…and the cycle continued. “Have mercy, Crewe…”
“He’ll pay me the four million dollars you didn’t. And then we’ll be even.”
“Come on, I’ll do anything you want. Please don’t do that to her. She’s a good person…” His voice broke like he was on the verge of tears.
I had no sympathy for him. “Shouldn’t have crossed me. I’ve told you that before.”
“There has to be a compromise.”
“Not when I know how much this bothers you. You know she’ll be tortured every single day of her life until Bones finally kills her. That can sit on your conscience every second until you finally see her grave and know her suffering is over.”
“I’ll do whatever you want—”
“Good bye, Joseph.” I hung up and tossed the phone aside, finished with Joseph Ingram forever. I would get my perfect revenge, and every person who heard the story would fear me. When I walked into a room, everyone would bow.
Because I was the scotch king.
6
London
Crewe walked into my bedroom without knocking, his brown eyes gleaming with sinister intent. “I’m having a guest for dinner. I want your hair and makeup to be done. Ariel can do it for you if you need help.”
There were so many things wrong with that sentence. “First of all, I can do it myself. Second of all, I don’t want to. And thirdly, who the hell is coming to dinner all the way out here?”