Damaged Queen (Darkness Within Duet 2)

“Everyone does that, Harper. It’s business.”

“You and business. Were you ever like the guy I once knew?”

Draven laughed. “That guy died a long time ago. Probably when one of his best friends didn’t make it out of a coma. Then, he died completely having to bury what was left of the other.”

She shuddered at his last statement.

What was left.

Her heart broke a little more.

“You were gone this morning.”

“This is not a date, Harper. I have no intention of sticking around. We’re not together. You’re here for my amusement.”

Harper didn’t say anything more. She stroked the pup in her arms and stared across the cages.

The dogs were at the doors, wanting attention from their master. She knew what that was like.

She missed the kind of attention she got from him that she used to. She’d give anything to go back to that day at her locker when dirt spilled out. It was odd. She truly believed that was one of the biggest turning points of her life. If she could ever make it back to that day, she’d warn him, warn him that Alan would come between them. He’d set a path in motion that would guarantee their destruction.

Still, she said nothing like always, and pretended.

For now, she couldn’t tell him what happened that day at the mall. There was no way he’d believe her.

“You’re having a party?” she asked.

“Yes, and you’re my plus one.”

“Do you have a plus one when you’re hosting a party?”

“You do for this one. Come on, Harper. It’s time to go and get ready.”

He held his hand out, and she didn’t want to go with him.

All the times he’d done that ten years ago, she’d gladly taken his hand, trusted him. This, what was about to happen, whatever it was, this didn’t make her feel comforted. It scared her, terrified her, and knowing Draven was doing this willingly unsettled her.

She got to her feet, took his hand, and left the cage.

One glance back and the pup she’d been holding was at the door of the cage. She wanted that pup more than anything, and walking away filled her with regret.

She didn’t fight though, not as Draven took her through the kitchen where staff she hadn’t noticed on her way out were clearly catering to the party he was having.

“Do you ever leave Stonewall?” she asked.

“Only when I have to.”

They didn’t linger, and he took her straight back to her room. On the edge of the bed was a box.

“That is your dress for this evening. Don’t leave this room until I come and get you.”

“You’re going to lock me up?”

He chuckled. “Harper, get all pretty for me. You never know, I may reward you later.”

She watched him close the door.

Going to the box, she lifted the lid and behind it was a beautiful white evening gown. It was sheer, and as she looked in the box, she couldn’t find any undergarments.

If she wore this dress, her body would be on display for all to see. At first glance, it looked like a wedding dress, only on the more revealing side.

Running her fingers across the soft fabric, she could at least admire the beauty of it. The softness ran through her fingers.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, she didn’t need any kind of warning to know tonight wouldn’t end well.

Draven was going to punish her. He was going to make sure that when he came for her, she was under no illusions of who she belonged to.

This was part of breaking her, just a little more.

She didn’t put up a fight. Standing up, she made her way into the bathroom to shower. If he wanted to break her, then she’d go with him and let him try, but he wouldn’t succeed. She would do whatever he asked because she knew at the end of it, she would win. One way or another, Alan Barries wasn’t going to win this one. Not with her.

Chapter Seven

Men and women of all ages were gathered, enjoying drinks and some canapes. Axel looked bored as he always did at these parties. This was one of the occasions Axel couldn’t go by Jett’s name. Draven was very much aware of Axel using Jett’s name, mostly so he could be invisible, but at his house parties it was difficult. Not that this was any party and Draven was already very much aware of how pissed his remaining friend was.

He needed to do this.

After last night, he had to put some perspective on things. On this with Harper. She wasn’t here to be his girlfriend or even his mistress. She was a means to an end.

The men and women here, each of them had been present during his father’s reign. Draven had not killed them for two reasons, one, their loyalty was to him, and second, they were damn good at what they did. He had no intention of killing people that helped him, and in this room were such people.