I spin around, and my hair slaps me in the face. “Quit fucking saying that,” I shout, fisting my hands down by my sides.
He shoves his hands into the pockets of his jeans and rocks back on his heels. His abs flex at the simple movement. “I don’t want to hurt you, Eve.”
“Just imprison me,” I snap.
I’m shaking. I’ve come so far from who I was.
Would it be so bad if I let him take care of me? To belong to him? To a Lord, that can mean many things. And from my experience, none of them are good. Chaining someone to the wall means they get to decide when you eat and drink. This isn’t love we’re talking about. This is an obsession. An imprisonment.
But to be his pet? Kashton has been the nicest Lord I’ve ever met, but when will that end? He’ll chain me up and get tired of me. Eventually. He’ll forget to feed me. Bathe me. I’ll rot in there and no one will know where I’m at. Or worse…he’ll start beating me. This is simply him buttering me up to get what he wants. And what happens when he finds his Lady? I’m forgotten about and left to die.
I’m shaking I’m so fucking mad…or confused, maybe? I don’t know what to think right now. “I worked too hard to get where I’m at.” I shake my head. “I won’t let you take me back there.”
“Where?” He steps forward. “Dollhouse?”
I flinch at the word.
“I know you were a doll, Eve. Even if you don’t want to admit it.” He takes another step.
“Kashton,” I warn. His name trembles on my lips. “Don’t.”
“It’s okay, angel. You can tell me. It won’t make me love you any less.”
Love?Him wanting to chain me up like a dog in his basement isn’t love. Not the kind a girl dreams of anyway. Then again, I’ve never had the option of dreaming. It’s always been nothing but nightmares.
“You don’t love me,” I say, and tears sting my eyes at the thought that no one ever could. “You don’t even know me.”
He tilts his head to the side. “Angel, I’ve been in love with you since the moment I saw you that night on the yacht. And if you think I’m going to just let you walk away from me, well…I’ll prove to you that’s not an option.”
I swallow at the threat because I know it’s true. The chain and collar bolted to the wall in the basement prove he’s prepared to drag me down there and make me his pet.
THIRTY-FOUR
KASHTON
Iallowed Eve to leave me this afternoon. I professed my love for her, and she gave me her back. Walked out of my house and over to hers.
She’ll return. It will just take time. I know it’s a lot for her to process. To open up to me. But she will.
I find myself at Carnage tonight. It’s weird. I haven’t been here much lately. Now I understand why Haidyn chose to stay away with Charlotte.
I make my way down to the basement and see a petite brunette standing in the middle of the room. She looks over her shoulder at me when she hears me approaching. Charlotte gives me a smile that I don’t return, causing hers to fall.
It’s not her.I’m just in a shit mood that I can’t seem to shake. I’m not sure what the fuck to do about Eve. Do I force her hand, kidnap her, and put her in my basement? Or do I let her come willingly? The second may never happen. How much time do I give her? When do I decide for her? Adam said I had a timeline before the cops show up and arrest her. I’ll have to make my move before then if she doesn’t come around. Plus, now I’m waiting for the Lords to give her an assignment. That may come before the cops do.
“What do you want to do?” Haidyn asks Saint when I come to stand next to Charlotte. His blue eyes meet mine and he nods in greeting.
Again, I don’t acknowledge him. I’m trying to decide why I even crawled out of bed this morning.
Saint runs a hand down his face and sighs, keeping his attention on the man lying on the metal table.
“You killed him,” I say, noticing the body.
Saint turns to look at me. “He killed himself.”
“Suicide?” I clarify.
“Seems so,” Haidyn answers, walking from the table to come stand next to his wife.
