That would kill him.
West held his thumb to send.
“Goddammit, stop, please, I’ll do anything. Just don’t send that.”
He paused, thumb hovering. “Anything?”
I nodded. Everything was a blurry, teary mess. I felt like I’d swam the length of Crowne Beach, limbs sluggish.
“You would do anything for me, Angel? Anything for your rapist?”
I stared at the floor, tears falling. “Yes,” I croaked.
“Let me sleep in your bed.”
Six
STORY
West flanked the other side of my bed. He hadn’t left to change, only stripped out of his muddy riding boots and white shirt, leaving him in his tailored camel pants. His bare chest, tapered waist, and defined arms were backlit by the luminous gray night of Scotland. He looked regal. Like a prince from an old era come to take what rightfully belonged to him.
Grayson said if there was even a one percent chance of failure, he’d make us do it his way.
West knew about the coin—seemed to know so much more than we did.
The plan was already falling apart and it was barely the end of week one.
West slid into bed, beneath the sheets. The weight dipped on his side. I gripped the sheets, staring dead ahead at the single candle.
You can be very callous.
I’m beginning to think you like that about me.
Was West right? Did I have a weakness for cruel princes? Was there a broken lock in my heart somewhere that allowed them to sneak by?
“What are you thinking?” he asked.
His voice was too close.
This night doesn’t belong to you.
This sideways vision doesn’t belong to you.
“You don’t want my honesty, West.” My voice was too thin. Too afraid.
“Try me.” His voice slid on my skin, his closeness confirmed when his soft touch glanced my cheekbone. I flinched.
West rolled to his back on an exhale, putting his arms above his head, biceps flexing. “If you’re trying to seduce me, you’re doing a terrible job of it.”
I blinked. “What?”
“You don’t think I know your plan, Angel? Seduce me, destroy my engagement, destroy everything I have on you and Grayson, destroy Du Lac Enterprises, turn the tables and put Grayson Crowne on top so you can ride off into the sunset together.”
“That’s not—”
He sighed, shooting me a look like please.
Fine. If I was going to continue this, I guess I had to acknowledge the truth: I was at a severe disadvantage. West knew more than I did. I worked the silky bedspread between my fingers, grinding my teeth.