“We’ve kidnapped two of your women. Why would you volunteer this information?”
“I know Lennox, and I believe in the marriage treaties he’s proposing, but I do it also because I love Westlyn. I dinnae want her tae be mistreated because she’s misunderstood or is doing as she’s been taught.”
“Thank you for coming to us, Issy.”
Issy. That name rolls off my father’s tongue in a very familiar manner.
“I appreciate the risk you took by coming out to speak to us.”
“I love my niece. I would do anything for her.”
I’m not sure what it is I see in my father’s eyes as he watches Isobel Breckenridge get out of the car. I wish I knew what had happened between them. Or maybe I don’t.
“Can we trust her?”
“Aye. I’ve known her since I was sixteen. She would never purposely mislead me. If she says Westlyn is pure then she believes it.”
My father didn’t get to the place he’s in because he’s unwise. “If you tell me I can trust her, then I will. No question.”
I don’t believe that Westlyn is the whore she claims to be. The more I think about her actions and words, the more I am convinced that Isobel Breckenridge is right. I recognize the survival tactics Westlyn was using to protect herself… from me. Because she sees me as the enemy.
And it changes everything.
Come on. Come on. Come on, Mrs. Hendry. Get in here. Get in here now.
My heart is pounding in my chest, pulsating in my face, thumping in my ears. I’ve never experienced a direr time in my life. My life is literally in the hands of this monster’s mother.
Maybe she hates this life as much as I do. Maybe she’ll understand. Maybe she’ll be merciful.
But fuck. His mother is the sister of Torrence Grieves. My family killed him. She’s going to want to see me beaten and bloody if she’s anything like her sadistic brother.
I’m on the verge of seeing oysters and duck confit again when the door opens. No knock. Just a tall, broad body filling the doorway.
It’s over. The hope I had, although small, is gone.
Kieran closes the door and the clicking sound of the lock signifies the start of what is going to be a night of hell. My first inclination is to run, but to where I don’t know. I suppose I could lock myself inside the bathroom, but that would only delay the inevitable for a few minutes. I’d probably only manage to piss him off and make it worse for myself.
He crosses the room to the small bar and pours two whiskies. “Come sit with me.”
I’m motionless as I watch him move from the bar to the sofa.
“It’s okay, Westlyn. I’m not going to hurt you. I promise.”
I’m not convinced; I don’t trust him.
“Come have a whisky with me, and let’s talk.”
I go to the sofa and sit beside him, my tailbone on the edge… just like my nerves. I down the entire glass of amber liquid, hoping it will numb whatever comes next.
“Want another?”
“Yes.” I want the whole bottle.
Kieran takes my glass and refills it. “I mistreated you, and I’m sorry for that.”
He’s mocking me, and that pisses me off. Does he want me to play the weepy victim? Fuck that. “Bullshit. You enjoyed terrorizing me.”
“I lost my temper and acted out of anger. I was wrong for that.”
I look at him, speechless. I think a feather could knock me over at this point.
“It’s not in my nature to apologize. Ever. I hope you’ll see it for the rarity it is.”
“Why are you apologizing to me?”
“Because I want a do-over.”
“Which part? The one where you kidnap me and shoot my brother? Or the one where you tell me you’re going to rape and beat me enough for two women? Or the one where you toss me on the bed and rip my knickers?” I should keep my mouth shut and not antagonize him, but I can’t stop talking.
“I’m aware of my bad behavior, and I’d very much like a chance to show you a different side of me.”
Monsters only have one side. “I don’t know what kind of trick this is, but I’m not falling for it.”
“I’m not trying to trick you or play games.”
I’m not some stupid woman who will melt because this handsome man is saying all of the perfect things. “I don’t believe you.”
“I can see why you wouldn’t.” He takes a big drink of whisky. “I’ve just been to meet with The Fellowship council.”
My thoughts instantly go to Jamie. “My brother was there?”
“Aye. He’s alive and well. A sore shoulder, I’m sure, but he’ll recover fully.”
What a relief. Kieran spoke with the council. That must mean that Thane negotiated for our return, and he’s here to take me home. I know he’d never leave me with these people. “May I have something else to wear?” There’s a chance I won’t be considered tainted if I’m returned only a few hours after being taken, but that won’t be the case if I’m returned wearing this gown.
“You aren’t going home.”
I don’t understand. “You said you met with the council.”
“We did. So we could tell them our conditions for returning Ellison and you.”
“What are your conditions?”
“There are going to be two marriage treaties to bring peace between The Fellowship and The Order. My sister, Shaw, is going to take a Fellowship husband, and I’m going to take a Fellowship wife. I have three choices: Evanna, Ellison, or you.” His eyes lock on mine. “And I want you.”
Marriage treaty? For peace? This is crazy. There’s no way The Fellowship and The Order will ever live in peace. I’d just be sucked into a group of monsters. Monsters who’d probably kill me first chance they got. “I won’t marry you.”
“Believe me, I didn’t want this either. I was mad as hell when my father told me that I was going to marry a Fellowship woman. But then I saw you and heard your smart mouth… and saw your strength and defiance and selflessness. I like it. And I know it’s crazy as hell, but I’ve decided that I want this union.” He places his glass of whisky on the cocktail table and slides closer, making me flinch. “I want you to be my wife.”
This makes zero sense. “You don’t know me. How can you say that you want me to be your wife?”
“Arranged marriages can go wrong very quickly. If the two people don’t despise each other, that’s considered a plus.”
“But I do despise you.”
“You despise the way I treated you. There’s a difference. And that’s why I want a do-over. I want to show you that I’m not the person you believe I am.”
He’s had about an hour to show me who he is. He’s probably much worse than I think. “You didn’t answer my question. How can you say that you want me to be your wife?”
“I have to marry one of you… and I think I may like you.” He reaches out and drags his knuckles down my face. “You’re beautiful… and I’m incredibly attracted to you. I don’t think that’s a bad start for an arranged marriage.”
This guy is unbelievable. “You terrorized me. Made me fear for my safety.”
“You bragged about being with countless men. It angered me to hear my wife-to-be boast about such things, and I lashed out.”
“I’m not your wife-to-be.”
“I want you to be.”
If that angers him so badly, then why choose me? “You want me as your wife even though I’ve been fucked by half the brothers of The Fellowship?”
He chuckles. “You haven’t been fucked by anyone. Isobel confirmed it.”
I don’t believe him. Isobel wouldn’t confide in him. She wouldn’t betray me. “Liar.”
“I’m not lying.”
“Prove it.”
“Isobel and my father are old acquaintances, and she snuck away from Thane and the council to speak to us. She told me that you were nothing like your parents. Instead, you are kind. Loyal. Dutiful. Pure. Beautiful inside and out. Those are
the words she used to describe you. She said you would make a wonderful wife unless I mishandled you while you were in my care. Her warning was clear: you’d hate me if I mistreated you, and we’d both be miserable if we married under those conditions.
“That proves nothing.”
“Your father ensured that you were to never be touched by a brother; you were being saved for someone, but it didn’t work out. Now that your father is dead, Thane and Sin have taken responsibility for you. To dishonor you would be an offense against them. And no brother would dare offend his leaders.”
I don’t have an argument. He’s right, and we both know it.
“You lied about being with those men to protect yourself. Because you understand the pricelessness of remaining a virgin in a world like ours. It makes and breaks women all the time.”
And it’s so unfair. The brothers can fuck around whenever they feel like it, and yet we must remain pure for them. It’s another one of the things I hate about this life.
“Your aunt believes in what we’re proposing because the treaties will bring peace. And she supports your marriage to me.”
“Nothing that you just said proves anything.”
“Perhaps not, but I will marry one of you. Are you really going to make me take Ellison from your brother? Or will you stand by and watch Evanna lose Craig, the one and only man she has ever loved, while no brother awaits your return?”
“That’s a cruel thing to say.” And correct.
“Cruelty isn’t my intention. I say it to remind you that there isn’t a Fellowship man who wants you, but that doesn’t mean that no man wants you.” He moves off the couch to the floor onto one knee. He takes a ring from the interior pocket of his jacket. “Be my wife.”
I’ve dreamt of a man who would kneel before me with a diamond ring and pretty words. A man who adored me. Not one who narrowed me down from a choice of three. I don’t want to be a man’s wife because he settled.
But it’s not like there’s a better offer on the table. No Fellowship man wants me. And no Fellowship man will have me after I stay here three days. Doesn’t matter if Kieran touches me or not because the worst will be assumed. The longer I’m here, the more brothers will presume. I know what happens to the women who return to The Fellowship after they’ve been taken by The Order. They never marry. They live as outcasts or end their lives.
Outcast among The Fellowship? Or wife of The Order’s leader and mother of the future leaders of the brotherhood? Those are my two options.
The choice is a simple one because there is no good alternative, but I can’t make that kind of commitment at this point. If I tell him yes now, he’ll want to claim me. There will be no going back after that.
“I’ll consider marrying you.” He grins, looking so sure that he’s getting what he wants, and it pisses me off. “I said I’d think about it. That’s not a yes.” Kieran Hendry has been a bastard to me tonight. He owes me restitution.
He slides an enormous diamond ring on my finger, and it’s a perfect fit. He lifts my hand and studies the ring on my finger. “It looks good on you.”
I don’t even know how many carats it could be, but it’s a lot bigger than my mum’s. And hers isn’t small.
“This was my grandmother’s wedding ring. A wee bit more than seven carats. Exceptional color and clarity. My grandfather paid more than fifty thousand pounds for it fifty years ago. Don’t lose it.”
The ring is gorgeous, but it doesn’t make me lose my good sense. “Did you not listen to what I just said? Consideration isn’t an affirmative.”
“You’re going to say yes, and we both know it.”
Such a confident arse. He’s used to getting everything he wants, but he isn’t going to snap his fingers and make me jump. “No, we don’t both know it. It’s going to take work on your part to convince me after the way you’ve treated me tonight.”
“I’ve never worked to win a woman in my life.”
I don’t doubt that being the truth for a second. I bet he could charm the pants off any woman. Except me.
“There’s a first time for everything.”
“Do you know how many women from The Order and The Syndicate would jump at the opportunity to be my wife?”
I’d guess most of them. “I don’t know, and I don’t give a damn.”
“They’d line up for the chance to be in my bed for just one night.”
Kieran is a leader. That alone makes him a desirable mate, but he’s also handsome. Black hair. Nearly black eyes. Tall and broad and muscular. I saw the bulging muscles in his chest and arms when he took off his shirt earlier. I’m certain that he’s highly sought after by the women of The Order and The Syndicate.
“That would end if I were your wife. I won’t allow you to infect me with your whores’ sexual diseases.”
“I would never put the health of my children’s mother at risk.”
I guess that’s sort of a sweet thing to say, but I don’t buy it. “That’s a bold statement to make when you’ve never had to be faithful to one woman.” I’m not stupid. I know leaders aren’t monogamous. They fuck whoever, whenever they like. Except Sin: he’s the exception to the rule. I’m certain that he’d never cheat on Bleu. He loves her and the babies too much to ever so much as consider betraying them.
“I’ll be a good and faithful mate because it’s what you ask of me. As your husband, I would want to please you.”
I’m surprised to hear him say that. Men in leadership roles are usually only concerned with their own pleasure. “You want to please me?”
“I very much want to please you. And I plan on doing so as soon as you’ll let me.”
“So now you want my permission instead of my submission?”
“I’d take you any way you’d give yourself to me.”
Evanna and Bleu and Ellison talk about their sex lives all the time. I pretend I’ve had experiences as well, but the truth is that I’ve never even made out with a guy. One stolen kiss when I was sixteen. That’s it.
I’m not a dope. I know how things happen, but it isn’t the same for all couples. The different stories I hear from my friends are evidence of that.
Evanna loves Craig. Bleu loves Sin. Ellison loves Jamie. I don’t love Kieran. Shite, I don’t even like him. He’s a total dick. But a good-looking dick. And his body is very hot. I’m curious to know what sex with him would be like since we aren’t in love. I wonder if I’d like it or if it would fall flat because I don’t feel love for him. “If I said that I wanted you to please me, how would you do it?”
Kieran gets up and tugs on my hand. “Come with me.” I stand, and he leads me away from the sitting area toward his bed. “I’m going to show you how I would do it.”
Oh no. “I meant in a hypothetical situation. Not the real thing.”
“We’re not going to have sex. But you asked a question, and I’m going to give you an answer.”
He stops when we reach the bed. “Lie down on your back.”
No way I’m doing this. “Kieran…”
“Shh… I’m not going to do anything you don’t want me to do. I swear…” He grins. “On the life of our firstborn son.”
Our firstborn son.
I sit on the side of the bed and slide to the middle, closing my eyes as I lie flat on my back. I press my knees together when I remember that I’m not wearing knickers and wait for whatever will come next. When I consider what I’m doing, I realize it’s one of the stupider things I’ve done in my life—lie on a bed, without knickers, before a man who threatened to rape me.
The bed dips, and I jolt at the same time that my eyes pop open. A second later Kieran’s face is hovering above mine, close but our bodies not touching. “The first thing I would do is kiss you. An open-mouthed kiss because I would want to feel your tongue against mine and taste the whisky still lingering there.” He moves lower and I feel his warm breath on my skin. “When I finished, I’d kiss your neck beginning at that sensitive spot below your ear, and I’
d slowly move downward until I reach your tits.” Kieran moves lower so his face lingers over my chest. “I would suck this one first and roll my tongue around your nipple while I squeezed the other with my hand and used my thumb to make your nipple hard.”
Strange sensations fire from my nipples down to my lower groin. I tense and relax the muscles inside my body… down there. Even the act of breathing becomes more pronounced. More intentional.
His face poises over my lower abdomen. “My mouth would never leave your skin as I kiss your stomach and think about putting a baby inside you.”
Oh. Fuck.
“When I finished here, I would spread your legs apart. I’d go down and bury my face between your legs and lick and suck until you come all over my face and scream my name. And when you were completely and utterly spent from coming, I would push my cock inside you and fill your womb with my seed, hopefully putting our firstborn son inside you.”
Oh.
Fuck.
Me.
“Do you think you would want me to do any of those things to you?”
I lift my head off the bed and our eyes meet, my mouth agape. My breath panting. I squirm and the top of my groin, covered only by a thin layer of silk, brushes against him.
He moves to kneel on the bed beside me and pulls my bunched gown away from where it has gathered between my legs. “Judging by the looks of this silk, someone’s pussy is drenching wet. I bet all it would take is my blowing my breath on your cunt to make you orgasm.”
No man has ever said anything like that to me. Not a single one of The Fellowship brothers would have dared. “You are crude.”
“And you are horny.”
He isn’t wrong, but he’s ill-mannered for pointing it out so blatantly. I kick at him with my foot. “Your mouth is vulgar.”
He chuckles and catches my ankle, pulling me down the bed so he’s kneeling between my legs. “Don’t be embarrassed. I’m happy that I was able to make you wet so easily. That’s a very good indication that we’re compatible, at least sexually. Most people in arranged marriages aren’t.”