Page 40 of Tangled Lies

There was something about a woman on the edge, but the way she walked away from us? Her ass was the last thing I got to watch as she stepped up next to the asshole Carrow. Fucking hell. She was creating her own tests of loyalty. Like she’d rather be on our side of hell.

“She can leave me anytime, because getting her back is going to be fun,” I said without meaning to, and the growl from Ronan told me more than anything else. He wasn’t letting her go.

Chapter 11- Margaux

If my uncle wanted me, he was going to get me. Of course, I really, really hoped the four assholes at my back were still dedicated to kidnapping me for whatever their reasoning was.

I didn’t know if there was love in the world, but they had me thinking there might be.

Impressions were funny though. Like my uncle who hid his ability to destroy anyone in his way.

The guys behind me? They’d kidnapped me on request. That had to be romance. What a first and second impression.

I glanced over my shoulder one last time before I sidled up to my nightmare. I couldn’t pretend like I wanted to see Carrow, not like I used to. But I could remember the little things that gave me some kind of joy.

My captors gave me plenty to smile about. Give me a dress that doesn’t look like it came from the 50s? Feed me food that a normal human would enjoy? Don’t beat me for swearing? Yeah, they could have me, my virginity, hell, at this point I would do almost anything they asked. Hand me a shovel and tell me where to start digging.

“Uncle,” I said, moving to stand next to him and Carrow. The look Carrow gave me was confusing. I couldn’t tell if he was in a murdery mood or just intrigued. The way he wrapped his hand around my wrist told me it was more the first. I moved closer to release the pressure on my arm.

“Where did you run off to, bride?” Carrow asked.

I smiled up at him with the same little innocent smile I’d practiced, finally finding my metaphorical mask again.

“You look different. I didn’t picture you in a gown like this.”

The way he looked me up and down made my skin crawl.

I flashed him the smile that got me attention I generally didn’t want, but it made me useful for my uncle.

“You like it?”

I tried to twirl but he yanked my wrist harder making it impossible.

“I suppose it makes you look a lot hotter, better for the magazines,” he said.

I leaned in closer and mumbled under my breath.

“At least a magazine can’t show your lack of personality.”

I had to tell myself not to roll my eyes and also not to kick him in the nuts. I also should have told myself to hold my tongue.

“What was that, Margaux?” Carrow asked, his hand slipped tight around my hip.

“Oh nothing. I’m so sorry for yesterday. I didn’t mean to scare anyone. I was in the bathroom, but the strangest thing happened. By the time I felt better, everyone was gone.”

Not sure that was going to be bought, but whatever. They probably saw Jett, or maybe they didn’t. They would believe whatever story made them feel in control. They would adopt whatever narrative would make them not seem like I might have betrayed them. I could have said nothing and they’d have a story ready for me to say.

“How irresponsible of us. Harrington, why didn’t your guards confirm she wasn’t in the bathroom?” Carrow asked, his tone causing my uncle's false smile to falter.

My uncle looked at Carrow, and for a brief moment, I thought he was going to lose his shit. Wouldn’t that be entertaining? I’d love the world to see what kind of man he really was, the monster I got to see. I had plenty of reminders on my body.

I smiled up at him as he grabbed my arm, his fingers pressing hard. I attempted to pull away, but it wasn’t going to do me a bit of good.

“How silly, wasn’t it? I apologize for any concerns. Of course I was found safe. Wasn’t I, uncle?”

Eyes flicked behind me and I wondered what they would see. Four men with various levels of scary. I waited for someone to ask about them. I’d been able to watch how these rich pretentious pricks worked and wondered how much of this we were going to pretend didn’t exist.

“Yes. Of course. My niece is nothing but obedient. Carrow, perhaps you keep her at your side tonight.”