Page 67 of Redemption

I huff an exasperated breath, and he chuckles.

He’s wearing a sharply tailored tux, and he’s dressed me in a daring silk gown. The neckline drops down almost to my navel in a deep V, and he’s chosen a gorgeous purple tone that’s so dark it’s almost black. I didn’t argue when he gave me the obviously expensive garment. We’re past that now.

I’m so tired of arguing with him, and I believe him when he says that his gifts don’t come with strings attached. After his intense revelations about his abusive family and his choice to walk away from them, I know he would never try to control me like that.

And he’d wanted to hurt my parents for their controlling behavior. I’d had to make him promise not to go after them if I revealed the depth of their cruelty.

This isn’t about controlling you. It never has been. I want to take care of you.

I didn’t understand him when he made that fierce declaration, but I know him better now. Iseehim: the devoted lover and the fierce protector. And I see the pain that shaped him into a selfish psychopath who learned to turn off his emotions entirely in order to protect himself.

That side of him doesn’t scare me anymore.

“We’re almost there,” he promises.

“Almost where?” I demand, irritated and more than a little nervous. Anxiety tightens my stomach, and a familiar, giddy thrill races through me at the hint of fear.

“You’ll see.”

“Dane.”

“Abigail.”

I throw up my hands and ignore the way that stern, deep tone makes my core heat.

We’ve been driving through the countryside on a narrow, winding road for nearly an hour, and the sun is setting.

The headlights turn on, illuminating a twilight-dim turn onto an even narrower driveway. We pass through open iron gates.

Is this another family estate?

After a further five-minute drive, we slow behind a line of other cars. Ahead, the vehicles curve around a circular drivewayin front of a grand, sprawling house that almost rivals the Graham family manor.

My jaw drops.

He’s going to take me somewhere public? Where I could ask someone for help?

I narrow my eyes at him. The arrogant bastard must think I’m beyond that now. He must’ve decided that I don’t want to escape from him.

I cross my arms over my chest.

Don’t I?

I’m no longer sure if I do, but my heart longs to return home to Charleston. I can’t stay in this surreal state with Dane forever. No matter how much I’m coming to care for him, I can’t just abandon my life. I won’t live to suit his every whim. If I choose to stay with him, that’s not how it will be between us.

He’s insisted that he wantsmeso many times. Not a mindless, obedient pet.

He hasn’t even called mepetin weeks, not since I crashed the Jeep during my escape attempt.

I almost miss the kinky endearment.

I press my lips together to hold in further questions. I’m not sure what I want to say.

And I’m not sure what I’ll do once I’m surrounded by people who could possibly help me get back home to Charleston.

Without Dane.

We come to a brief stop behind a yellow Lamborghini.