Page 15 of Gilded Locks

“With what?” The blond flicked the pile of trash on the bed. “This? A few bits of trash and a license I’m almost certain you stole.”

“I’m not a thief!”

“Tell me this coat was yours.” The blond lunged forward, speaking through gritted teeth. “Tell me where you bought it, how much you paid for it. I. Fucking. Dare. You. Tell us one more lie.”

Ice formed in her veins as he held up the invitation and flicked the damp paper until it unfolded. The elegant cardstock was meant to be her ticket to freedom. Now, it served as the damning evidence that would see her punished, and possibly cost her her life.

“Kassel’s Winter Gala,” he read with the focus of a scholar. “A private invitation made out to none other than...” His eyes flicked up to meet hers with predatory intent. “Mary Langford.”

The quiet one flipped over the plastic ID, and the three men looked at her. “Mary’s a brunette.”

“Haven’t you ever heard of bleach?”

They laughed, taking a moment to relax as if this was all in fun—then she was on her back, pulled into the middle of the bed as they flipped up her sweater and spread her legs.

“Let go of me!”

They did, just as the one with long-dark hair chuckled. “Sorry, blondie, your honeypot says otherwise.”

“Honey gold from crown to cave.” The blond looked into her eyes with that cool arctic stare, tasting his lower lip. “A little thief and a little liar.”

“I’m Mary Langford! I swear.”

“I’ll remember that.” The blonde tucked the invitation into his pocket with a sense of territorial entitlement. “I’m sure you won’t mind if we verify your identity with Kassel authorities?”

Panic clawed at her chest with razor talons. But wait… Did that mean she was in Kassel? She’d made it? Dear god, she was a badass.

“You seem impressed with yourself.”

Her unintentional smile vanished. If they contacted the authorities, if they started asking questions, it would all be over. Her family would find her. Drag her back. Lock her away again, this time permanently.

“Please,” she whispered, the word scraping her throat raw. “You don’t understand.”

“Then explain it to us,” the quiet giant said with deceptive gentleness. “Start with your real name.”

She stared into his cold black eyes but found no mercy. None of them seemed the least bit compassionate. And why should they be? She broke into their home, stole their food and clothes, told them lies, and looked nothing like the real Mary Langford. They held all the cards, and they knew it. But she couldn’t give them the truth.

“I can’t.”

“Can’t?” Hunter flashed his white teeth in a snarl. “Or won’t?”

“Does it matter?” She was trembling now, and not from the cold. “You’re going to turn me in anyway.”

“That outcome depends entirely on you, little thief.” The rugged giant released her arm, his massive frame caging her against the headboard. “We’re reasonable men. We believe in negotiating.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means,” the quiet blond said softly, moving to drop a knee on the bed. He crawled close enough that she could feel the heat radiating from his body. “We’re willing to keep your secret. Protect you from whoever you’re running from. And allow you to stay here.” He trailed his finger up her leg. “For a price.”

Hope fluttered in her chest, then quickly transformed into a shiver. “A price?”

“A steep price,” he added, his words falling like guillotine blades.

The three men watched her with shared understanding. They’d calculated this outcome before approaching her. This was always the result they’d expected, and at no point did they plan to walk away with less.

“I…” She swallowed tightly, unsure what to say, but clear on what they were asking. Fearful she had no choice but to agree to their terms, she searched her mind for any other alternative.

“A stolen identity. Showing up in the dead of night. Kassel has very strict rules about unwelcome people showing up unchaperoned and uninvited.” Those penetrating green eyes glanced at the weathered invitation. “You stole this, thinking it would be enough. Unfortunately, that’s not how it works around here. There are consequences.”