He stopped rocking and looked down at me, victory in his eyes. “You’ll get the shot in the morning.”
12
Crewe
It was ten in the morning, but that didn’t stop Ariel and me from sharing a bottle of scotch.
“Are you going to Her Highness’ ball next Saturday?” She poured another glass and swished the ice cubes around before she took a drink.
I had completely forgotten about that. “If you told her I was attending, then I must.”
“I’m sure that fucking slut will be there.” Ariel rolled her eyes, her glasses amplifying the movement.
I smiled when Ariel was protective of me. “Couldn’t care less if she is there. But I’d like to bring London along. It doesn’t hurt to have a gorgeous woman on my arm.”
“Well, that’s not possible.”
“How so?” I looked at the flames in the hearth of the drawing room. The only thing I despised about this castle was its lack of windows. It was built at a time when fortification was important. When I renovated it, I kept everything exactly the same wherever possible, so I refused to add windows just for the sake of it.
“You really think London will behave herself in front of a majority of the world’s royal families?” she asked incredulously. “That woman can’t be controlled even with a leash around her throat. You’d have to be out of your mind to take her along.”
She was definitely a loose cannon.
“And as far as I can tell, there’s nothing to keep her in line. She’s not afraid of you.”
“That’s not entirely true.” There were some things I wouldn’t do and some things I would.
“Whether it is or isn’t doesn’t matter.” She drank her scotch quicker than I did, able to hold her liquor just the way I could. “You should go alone. It’s always easier that way.”
I still wanted her on my arm. London’s charms had grown on me. She had a beautiful smile on the rare occasions she showed it, and her body was nothing but curves. In a gown with styled hair and makeup, she would outshine everyone in the room. “I still want to take her.”
Ariel didn’t hide her look of annoyance. “Why are men always so stupid when it comes to women? Time and time again. Just remember Helen of Troy before you do anything stupid.”
“I have an idea of how to keep her in line.”
She set her glass down and crossed her arms over her chest. “Really? Let’s hear this idea.”
I poured another glass before I gave her the name that would explain everything else. “Joseph Ingram.”
After a moment of consideration, she smiled. “Not a bad idea.”
Ariel followed me into the royal chambers with the proper equipment. London was in the second living room next to the balcony, reading a book she found on the shelf.
“Ariel is going to give you the shot,” I announced as we walked inside.
London nearly jumped out of her skin at my unannounced presence. “Geez, a heads-up would have been nice…”
“Don’t forget you’re beneath us,” Ariel said coldly. “Drop the entitlement, and shut your mouth.”
London’s eyes snapped open, affronted by the cold insult.
I tried not to smile. Ariel was a lot to take in—until you got to know her.
“You’re a disgrace to women, you know that?” London stood up like she was prepared to fight her. “He’s keeping me as a prisoner against my will and you stand by and do nothing. He’s stripped me of my clothes—”
“If you’re done whining, I have work to do.” Ariel opened her briefcase on the wooden table.
London’s jaw dropped, shocked that Ariel could be so foul. She turned to me in shock. “This woman is your business partner? Does she talk to everyone like this?”
“Just the ones who annoy me.” Ariel tested the syringe before she sat on the couch. “Don’t expect me to feel sorry for you just because I’m a woman. If you don’t like your circumstance, change it. It’s that simple.”
“You think I want to be here?” London asked incredulously.
Ariel pointed to the cushion beside her, silently commanding her to take a seat. “I think you need birth control because you enjoy fucking the man who captured you. So yes, I do think you want to be here.”
London glanced at the vase sitting on the nearby table.
I knew exactly what she was going to do next. “Don’t even think about it, Lovely.” I grabbed her by the wrist before she could do anything that could get her killed. I guided her to the seat and sat beside her, keeping an eye on both of them.
London was so angry she couldn’t speak—which was a first.
Ariel inserted the needle and deposited the fluid. Then it was over. She placed a cotton ball against the skin and covered it with a bandage. “You’ll be ready to go in twenty-four hours.” She put her supplies away then walked out, leaving us alone together.