Lover (Betrothed 3)

“No. We only talked for a minute.” I rubbed my finger against my temple, needing this agony to end as soon as possible. I did my best to get a location on her, having my men search everywhere, but we had no leads. I had friends all over the globe, but none of those friends could help me.

Because Maddox had no friends. No one had any idea where he was—since he never told anyone.

Even though Damien was also part of the business, Maddox had always been focused on me. He was obsessed with my nature, obsessed with my brutality. He had a sick fascination with my character. Damien never seemed to matter to him. It’d been that way for many years.

“I think I know what I’m going to do.” I stared straight ahead and avoided the looks of the two men.

“You’ve got a plan?” Damien asked. “Let’s hear it.”

It wasn’t really a plan…more of a surrender. “I’m the one he’s obsessed with. I’m the one he wants to humiliate. I’m the one who fascinates him.”

Ash cocked an eyebrow. “Where is this going?”

“I’m gonna make a trade—her for me.” If he’d wanted me in the first place, he would’ve taken me. He didn’t because he knew my wife was a better choice. But maybe now he might change his mind. Maybe I could talk him into letting me take her place.

Damien leaned forward. “If you do that, he’ll kill you.”

I nodded. “I’m aware.”

Damien couldn’t hide his unease at the idea. He couldn’t picture his life without me. “But if you die, she’s going to be miserable.”

“She’s miserable now, Damien.” I’d rather die than let my wife be a prisoner to another man.

Ash stared at me but remained silent.

“I’m out of options,” I said. “I’m not even sure he’ll go for it. But if we keep searching at this pace, it’ll be years before we find her. And I don’t have years.”

Damien still had disagreement on his face, but he didn’t challenge me. “You should really think this through before you make that offer.”

“I already have.” I grabbed the phone and made the call. It only rang a few times before he answered.

“Hades, to what do I owe the pleasure?” He was enjoying this far too much, so much that he probably wouldn’t trade her for anything.

“You and I have been at war for years. You invaded my territory, and I fought back. We could do this dance forever, and unfortunately, we probably will. But I think we should settle this once and for all. I want to surrender to you…completely.” Just making that statement was humiliating. But I didn’t have time for pride. I had to do whatever was necessary to get Sofia out of there. “Take my surrender, Maddox. I’m the one you want. Let her go and take me instead.”

“If I wanted you, I could’ve taken you a long time ago.”

“But not like this. I’ll get on my knees and bow to you. You can beat the shit out of me, and I won’t fight back. You can do anything to me, and I won’t resist. I’ll be your puppet, and you’ll be the master. You’ve broken my will, broken my soul, so you won. Take your prize.” I stared at nothing in particular as I waited for a response, as I waited for him to say what I wanted to hear. I was handing over my death in exchange for Sofia’s life, but for me, that was a small price to pay.

Both men stared at me, waiting for the outcome of the conversation.

Maddox took his time answering, slowly considering my offer. When he finally gave his answer, the smile in his voice was long gone. “Alright. You have a deal.”

I sat in the back of the SUV, Damien up against the window. The cars drove down the road that wound through the countryside. It was two in the morning, pitch black outside. When the brigade found the dirt road in the field, we made a left and disappeared into the landscape. Once we changed terrain, the vehicles shifted left and right as the ride became bumpy.

I should be afraid of what was about to happen.

But I was only relieved.

Sofia would be free, and the second she was out of sight, I’d probably have a bullet between the eyes.

That was fine with me.

Damien would take care of my widow. She would inherit all of my assets. My last name would still protect her.

Or maybe the prophecy would protect me. We were supposed to have two sons. If I died tonight, that couldn’t happen. I didn’t picture myself believing in such bullshit, but now I held on to the fantasy like a religion.

There was still hope.

The string of cars drove farther into the countryside, the meeting point miles away from the closest building. Our lights would be invisible from the main road. Our gunshots would be absorbed by the trees.