Prologue
Inever understoodwhat it was about the women in my brother’s and father’s lives that had them so wrapped around their fingers.Their obsession with their women had them in such a chokehold.They lived for them.They breathed for them, and when they were not around, they walked around looking lost and empty.
And I knew, without a doubt, that if anyone tried to hurt a single strand of hair on their heads, they’d burn the world down without question.
I never knew what that felt like until I met her.
Red.
Her pale skin reminded me of a porcelain doll—creamy, flawless, easily bruisable—and I knew it would look so fucking beautiful bearing my marks.Fiery-red hair that made her stand out wherever she was, plump pink lips, and huge baby-blue eyes that I wanted to see filled with tears as she took my cock.She was art wrapped in human skin, seduction personified, and the object of my deepest, darkest obsession.
Two years ago, I had trailed one of my father’s sneaky offenders to a crappy diner.That was where I first saw her waiting tables.She tried so hard to be invisible, but a beauty like that was hard to mask.My world came to a standstill, and she became its center.I had never felt something that dark and obsessive toward a woman.And I knew, without a doubt, that she was mine to protect.Mine to own, mine to fuck, mine to ruin.
I knew I’d kill for her.I did that night.
Some cunts took it upon themselves to lay their filthy hands on what was mine.They harassed her at the diner, and when she reported it to the greedy old fucker who ran the place, he dismissed her.They tried roughing her up that night, but let’s just say I took care of them.They didn’t deserve to be breathing.I went back to the diner to kill her boss, too.It wasn’t like they didn’t have it coming.
I became her shadow after that night, watching her every move, protecting her, and biding my time until I could make her mine.
Chapter One
Isobel
Ishould have knowntoday was bound to take a darker turn.I woke up late and a little colder than usual.Not because it was winter but because I felt a growing chill on my skin, the kind that made a pit settle in my stomach.A gnawing in my gut that something horrific was going to happen today.
First, I spilled coffee on my dress, leaving an ugly red burn on my stomach.I had to suck it up, apply some ointment, and change into another outfit for work.I knew I’d get another strike at work for coming in late again this week.But that pit in my stomach, the one that consumed me all morning, deepened in intensity when I walked off the elevator.
The moment the doors swung open, my colleagues huddled around their desks, speaking in hushed tones, which grabbed my attention.They looked up as though they sensed my presence, and I didn’t miss the suspicious looks on their faces.I furrowed my brows in confusion, feeling their stares linger as I headed for my cubicle.
Their stares continued to grow under my skin like ice, tormenting me.Everything suddenly felt like a trap.I was wary of taking a seat in my swivel chair, and the items on my desk looked like a bag of thorns I didn’t dare touch.
“Isobel.”I spun around to see Rachel, one of my coworkers.Rachel was probably the only girl at work who kept to herself.She rarely talked and usually had her head buried in her computer.When she didn’t, she was hanging out by herself at break, reading a book.
“Ms.Lang asked to see you in her office.”
My body froze at the mention of the head of HR’s name.Why would she want to see me?My mind buzzed as I tried to recall when I did something that warranted her attention.
