Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 36950 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 185(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 123(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36950 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 185(@200wpm)___ 148(@250wpm)___ 123(@300wpm)
It quickly becomes obvious my father had a motive - motive that would be enough to make him care more about bringing Hugo Cabot down, than being there to gloat about it.
I got up from my seat and tracked down Jasper in front of the office.
"Cancel the transaction," I told him, and when the words left my lips, his shoulders sagged with relief.
"Good thinking, Sir," Jasper replied curtly, and I managed a smile. It must've been my first genuine smile in the days since Violet's disappearance. Finally, I felt like I was getting closer to getting my princess back where she belonged. "Are there any more leads on Violet's disappearance?"
"Yes," I muttered, checking to make sure we were alone in the hallway. God forbid somebody overheard us - this could get messy. "I know who has Violet."
"Who?" Jasper furrowed his brows, staring at me with expectation.
"It's my fucking father," I ground out.
Jasper's mouth set in a thin line. He didn't comment, merely nodding before he spoke up again. I admired him for it. The man was all business.
"Since the caller that demanded money masked their voice... Just like Peterson did... There's a good chance the two are working together."
"You're right," I muttered. "You're fucking right. Especially if it really was Georgia who convinced Violet to leave."
Jasper nodded slowly, his eyes darkening to the point of blackness. "What's our next move, Sir?"
"We're bringing those bastards down." I nodded at him. "Whatever the hell we have to do, they're going to fucking pay."
Ten
Violet
The ropes were no longer around my wrists. They still ached, and I was very much a prisoner, but I was headed somewhere I had never been before--Sloane Manor. That would put me closer to civilization and closer to freedom. I told them I would sign my name on Connor’s contract, but I had no intention of going through with it if I had a chance to escape.
“She will ride with us.” Winter motioned to her car when we got outside.
“What about my car?” Connor gave her an apprehensive glance. “Someone might see it…”
“One of my bodyguards will handle it.” She waved him off.
Winter didn’t come alone. She had an entourage--none of them batted an eye when I was led, bruised and battered, to her waiting car. I couldn’t believe so many people could be complacent in the face of such cruelty, but I had been rather surprised when so many of my father’s business partners stood by and watched what Devlin did to me. The entire world was fucked up--I didn’t even get the opportunity to be a spectator before I was an unwilling participant in all of the awful things it had planned for me.
I wonder what my mother would say if she was still here--knowing that both of her daughters had been subjected to these awful fates.
I was led to Winter’s sedan. Her driver held the door and Winter pushed me inside. I was still naked--not even a blanket to cover myself with. Her driver and her bodyguards all looked like hulking beasts that would kill or devour me if given an order by their Mistress. Were they all under the same spell as Connor? Would they start trembling if Winter snapped her fingers?
“No, you will sit on the other side of me.” Winter put his hand on Connor’s chest before he could climb inside. “You don’t get to play with your new toy until she signs the contract--that’s the deal.”
“Yes, Mistress.” Connor cowered and let her get in first.
There was no way I was going to escape, even if I opened the door and ran. I was still too weak and weary. I just had to wait, get my strength, and try to make a break for it when the time was right. Once we were seated, I was against the door with Winter to my right and Connor on the other side of her. She looked so tiny when she was seated--yet obviously strong enough to have the car flipped with all of us inside if she wanted--just with a whisper from those sinister lips.
“We’re going to have to do something about that wrist.” Winter reached over and pushed her nail into my wound, which caused me to flinch. “You may need a plastic surgeon--the only scars that should adorn your body are the ones Connor leaves on it.”
“He did this…” I pulled my hand away.
“No, he tied you up. You’re the one that chose to try and escape. Every mark was put there by your insolence, but soon enough, you’ll learn how to wear those marks for his pleasure.” Her lips twisted into a smile. “But it’s not all bad--he’s actually quite useful to have around--aren’t you, boy?”
“Yes, Mistress.” Connor nodded.
“Why don’t you show her?” Winter pushed her legs apart. “I’m sure she’d like to see how good you can be--maybe that’ll ease some of her concerns about what you’re going to do to her after the contract is signed.”