Page 67

CHARLOTTE

" A h. The brother," I say as the beast steps through the door.

He’s unmistakable without the mask and same cut-glass jawline and unsettling charm the brothers all share. Something magnetic, even when you're trying not to look.

He nods, flashing me a cheeky grin. But my eyes go to the pistol in his right hand.

"Don’t even think about pulling that karate shit on me. I’ll shoot you. I’m not my brother. I’ve got no feelings toward you."

My mouth falls open.

"Doesn’t count if it’s hate," I counter.

He shrugs.

"Feelings are feelings. If he felt nothing, that’d be worse for you." He pulls a pair of cuffs from his jacket. "I don’t trust you, and I’ve gotta escort you to your room. Make it easy—hands behind your back." He taps the barrel against the metal. "Quicker you do it, the quicker you can shower."

God. I must look feral. And I cannot wait to scrub this melted chocolate off me.

So I turn, letting him snap the cuffs into place.

"Damn. You do these yourself?"

He gestures with a nod to the angry marks on my wrists.

I chew my lip. "No. Years of being chained to a bed every night does a number on your skin."

"Jesus," he mutters. The cuffs aren’t even tight. Sloppy.

Dumbass.

"Come on," he grunts, nudging me forward. We hang a sharp left down a sterile white hallway until we hit a set of locked double doors. He scans his prints and punches in a code.

The sunlight stuns me.

Air. Real air.

I breathe deep. Even the gravel under my bare feet feels like a gift.

"Bit of a walk. You good?" he asks, glancing down.

Should I mention the mile I once hiked barefoot through snow on a mission?

Probably not.

"I’ll survive. I’ve made it this far."

"Fair enough."

We head toward the trees. No houses in sight. Just woods. Dense. Endless.

"How big is this place?" I ask. Conan seems like the type who’ll talk.

Also, he doesn’t seem to hate me. Yet.

"No clue. Fucking massive. We’ve got the factory, Inferno, a mansion each... and my sweet little cabin hidden in the woods. For my games."

He’s practically bouncing.

"Right. Your games?"

I keep him talking. My left hand is almost free.

"Yeah. Mine’s next, The Decadence Chase." He throws his arms wide like he’s welcoming me to a theme park. "Perfect hunting ground, right?"

I nod, my pulse spiking.

Great. I’m up against the hunter.

With my wrist free, I match his pace. He’s huge, muscle and menace, which might slow him down. Might.

But he’s trained. I’ll get one shot at this.

We plunge deeper into the trees. The birds are quiet. The air stills.

"Inferno? What’s that?" I ask, slicing through the silence.

"Declan will tell you. You’ll have fun."

A chill cuts through me. Fun sounds like a threat.

But I won’t belong to Declan. Or Decadence. My heart wants to tell him everything. But if he won’t listen? I run. I fight. I win.

There has to be an edge to this forest. A hole in the fence. Something.

"Not far now," Conan mutters.

I stop cold, wrists still behind my back.

He turns, scowling. "No fucking around." He steps toward me.

I glance at the gun, then smile.

"What are you gonna do about it?"

I hope I’ve read him right.

He lifts the pistol, aiming for my shoulder.

Gotcha. He won’t shoot to kill.

"You’re defenseless, and I’ve got a gun. Thought you were smarter than this."

I bite the inside of my cheek. Stay silent.

He flicks the safety off. "Move."

I shake my head.

"Make me."

His aim shifts to my forehead. That’s when I move, snatching his wrist, twisting hard. The gun hits the ground. I dive for it and aim.

He doesn’t fight me. Just smirks.

"Silly girl."

I fire. Or try to.

Click.

Nothing.

Shit.

His laugh echoes as I drop the gun and run.

Adrenaline explodes through me. I sprint, lungs screaming, heart pounding so loud it drowns everything else. Drago’s voice is in my head:

Survive.

I don’t get far before Conan’s heavy steps start to get closer behind me.

Then roaring engines erupt, and two black 4x4s cut across the path, blocking me. I dart my head left and right, my body starting to head in one direction. But then Declan steps out, rage written all over him, and I freeze.

"Get in the fucking car, heartbreaker!" he roars.

I stop. A gunshot cracks, splintering the tree trunk inches from my head.

"Next time I won’t miss. Get in. Now!"

Conan’s breath rasps behind me.

Game over.

"Go with him. He’s your safest option."

Reluctantly, I walk, avoiding his gaze. Declan throws open the door.

More cuffs.

I stare at the dirt as he locks them around my wrists.

"You really have a death wish, don’t you?"

I shake my head, finally meeting his eyes.

"Quite the opposite," I say.

He’ll understand.

Soon.