Magnate (Acquisition 2)

“Is this the shit they taught you in law school? Because it doesn’t work.”

“It does work.” The smirk grew. “Just not on you.”

“The others?” Gavin’s yell played in my mind, joined by Brianne’s scream. My heart sank.

“I haven’t heard a peep for an hour or so. I think they’ve finally been given a reprieve.”

His nonchalance was like a slap in the face. I tried to scoot toward the end of the bed and stand, but the movement made my body scream. My left thigh cramped, and I rolled onto my side, gripping it. The tightness ramped up, like my muscle was being twisted around a corkscrew, and I gritted my teeth through the ache. Vinemont got on his knees, his strong hands rubbing the muscle hard until the pain subsided.

“I’m okay. It’s gone now.” I flipped to my back, and he fell next to me on his elbow. I met his eyes. “Just don’t talk about them like that. They’re people. It could have been me.” I remembered Dylan, what he’d tried to do, and I put a hand to my throat. “It almost was me.”

“Don’t think about it.” He slid his arm under my neck and pulled me into him. “I’m sorry. Just don’t think about it.”

“Did you just say sorry?”

He let out a low laugh, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Maybe.”

“You did. I’m not falling for this again.” I moved my head back so I could see into his eyes, and perhaps even deeper. “I know you’re going to turn back into Mr. Hyde tomorrow.”

“Likely.” He clutched me to him, his fingers splayed across my back.

“Why can’t you be like this all the time?”

“Because I can’t.”

“But why?” I wouldn’t let him get away, not this time. I pushed back from him again so I could see his eyes, and I rested my palm on his cheek. “What changes?”

His eyes softened the slightest bit as he considered me, and he was here. The man I knew he could be. Not the vile monster he so often was. My heart burned to know why. But just as soon as the softness came, it was gone again.

“I remember my obligations.” He rolled away and sat up before running both hands through his hair. “I won’t discuss it further.”

I lay back, shut out again like I had been so many times before. What wouldn’t he tell me? What was the game within the game? Something more was happening. Something just beyond the periphery that I couldn’t see.

“I need you to do something for me.” He looked back over his shoulder.

“What?”

“I need you to tell Cal that you want to transfer your ownership back to me.”

“Why?”

“I’ll explain later. But you need to do it today. Will you?”

“Shouldn’t we talk to Lucius?”

“No. It’s already been decided between the two of us. Now it’s up to you.” He turned to face me, the late afternoon sun shining over his shoulder. “Will you be mine again?”

It was a twisted proposal, one that should have come with a ring and love. Instead, it came with a lock and key.

“It doesn’t really matter who owns me, does it? It just matters that I’m owned.” I sighed. “Fine. I’ll tell him.”

“Good. Now that that’s settled, let’s get the fuck out of here as soon as possible.” He rose, the chiseled planes of his body on full display. Desire rushed through me like a wildfire. I intentionally pressed my foot into the bed for the sting of pain to cut off my need for him. It didn’t work. The sting only heightened my arousal, the pressure between my thighs growing.

He contemplated me, his eyes locked on mine. I didn’t have to look down to know he was hard, to know he wanted me.

I wanted him, too. But could I deal with the consequences? When he threatened me and hurt me again the next day, would I hate myself? I knew the answer and turned away, breaking the moment, severing the tie.

Vinemont helped me down the stairs with Lucius following a few steps behind. It seemed more believable since Lucius was my supposed rapist.

Cal was glad-handing guests as they left.

“That was one hell of a party.” Judge Montagnet was ahead of us, grinning and patting Cal on the shoulder. “That boy Gavin, whew!”

“Glad you enjoyed him. I enjoyed watching, I can tell you that.”

“Can’t wait to see what spring holds.”

Spring. My stomach churned at the thought of what happened to Gavin and the trials that remained.

“You’re going to love it.” Cal smiled as the judge made his way out into the falling night.

Cal’s smile fell away as I hobbled up on Vinemont’s arm. “I heard we had an unannounced guest.”

“My apologies, Sovereign.” Vinemont hefted me closer into his side, and I kept my eyes downcast.

“Lucius, my man.” Cal beamed and patted the younger Vinemont on the back. “I heard quite a story from Senator Calgary about how you bagged Stella here.”