But it was never meant to be, and irretrievably, my heart shatters all over again. With me imprisoned and Grayson caught in their clutches, what will happen now? Any glimmer of hope I had fades … and I curl into a ball on the rug, pain rushing over my form in waves.
Chapter 12
Grayson
Not knowing what happened to Trina after the failed auction is killing me. Because after that cluster-fuck, they locked in me another luxurious prison, this time at our mansion upstate. The Club has properties everywhere, and fuck, I’m familiar with this manor from being here often enough of my own free will. The place is lavish even by our standards. Gold covered everything, including the forks and knives. Maids and servants available at your beck and call. Luxurious pools, spas, and gyms, all of it in-house.
My leather shoes are silent on the hardwood floor as I pace like a caged lion, wondering what the fuck is coming up next.
I shouldn’t have done it. Of course I shouldn’t have. But it had to be done. I had to rescue my girl.
Because once Costas left, I couldn’t sleep. I was exhausted, but every time I tried to close my eyes, all I saw was Trina’s beautiful face and the sense of betrayal in her eyes. The bitter tears quivering on her long lashes.
I didn’t deserve to sleep, anyway. So the next time security came to my room, I took my chances. As one guard checked his phone, I made my escape. It was easy, so easy I almost felt sorry for them. One guy’s head whumped to the floor after a blow to the jaw, and the other guy never even saw what was coming. All he saw was the next level of Candy Crush before he crashed headlong into the wall.
And then I crept to the garage and made off with one the cars. It was easy enough. Sure, these things are locked down, but before I made my billions, I was a petty thief, and the knowledge never left me. It was easy to hot wire one of the Ferraris and zoom off to the auction site.
To the auction chamber.
And I was right. She was there, dancing already, those luscious curves on display. The green lights were going crazy, my buddies bidding entire fortunes for some private time with my girl. But that’s the thing. She’s my girl, and only mine.
But I wasn’t going to give them the chance to make her one of theirs.
But now, shit is triply fucked up. They dragged us apart before we could make our getaway. I should have acted faster. I shouldn’t have stopped to kiss her, and to whisper apologies in her ear.
But it was all worth it. The light in her eyes shone again once she heard my vows. Trina knows how much I love her, and how sorry I am about what’s happened. I’ll do anything to make it up to my love. But now, things are fucked up. We’re both locked up again, and this time, I know my brothers won’t be so dumb as to send half-assed security. I deserve a beating for sure, on top of some cold, hard solitary.
Although I don’t pray often, I prayed then to get the chance to see Trina again. To tell her the vows in my heart. Because no matter what, I have to protect her. She deserves to be safe, warm and cherished.
Trapped in my room, I pace the floor over and over again, a caged wolf ready to strike. A sound scratches at the door, and then comes the distinctive turn of a key in the lock. I spin around, my hands clenched into ready fists at my side. The door opens and I see six big guys waiting for me, muscles bristling obscenely.
“Mr. Knight,” one of them says, loosely holding a plastic ziptie. “Your presence is needed before the tribunal.” He flexes his muscles like that shit’s supposed to intimidate me. Please. I’ve taken on bigger guys with only my fists and feet. But not six at a time, so with a growl, I turn my back and allow him to snap the ties around my wrists.
Shit! The plastic digs hard into my wrists, but I don’t give them the satisfaction of making a sound.
Here we go.
On either side, guys grab my elbows while the others trail closely behind us. The hallway is long and straight, our heels clicking on the hard marble like gunshots. I feel people staring at me from the shadows, fucking cowards. But whoever it is, I can’t see them. With the guards surrounding me and shoving me forwards, I stare straight ahead.
Is Trina here somewhere? I inhale sharply as the hands tighten on my elbows. Fuck these clowns!
They take me down the stairs and through a maze of hallways and finally down to the club’s bar level. The entire bottom floor of the mansion has its windows blacked out to prevent peeping toms. It’s dark like a casino, a never-ending party.