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CHAPTER 30

RICHARD

“ G et out!” I roared as I threw my glass at the partially open door. It crashed against the panel, sending amber liquid and shattered glass raining down onto the floor.

I should have forced her to stay. Should have tied her to my bed till she realized her fate was with me. There was no other choice.

This wasn’t the end.

I wouldn’t let it be.

She was mine.

End of story.

Mine.

My mistake was letting her continue to live her life as normal. I wouldn’t make that mistake twice. I needed to isolate her from everything. Only then would she finally realize her love for me superseded all else. She was my world. I needed to make sure I was hers. I needed to ensure she forgot all else but me.

Walking over to my bedroom mantel, I picked up the vial of pills I had gotten from Dr. Leilend. Popping off the cap with my thumb, I poured them out onto the black marble.

Four pills.

Four second chances.

There was no thought of this crossing a line; where Elizabeth was concerned there was no line.

I didn’t doubt I would get her back, by fair means or foul. The question was how could I make sure this didn’t happen again? Chaining her up in a room had no long-term appeal. There was no challenge or sportsmanship to that solution. No, I needed to make it her choice to stay. And the only way to make that happen was to eliminate all other choices.

Pouring myself another drink, I turned to look at the rumpled bedcovers. I had refused to allow the maids to clean in here. Even though it had been days, I swear I could still smell her scent on my own skin, on my sheets. I needed to get her back. Needed her in my arms. Under my control.

There was this restlessness in me, an eager darkness that clawed and scratched at my insides begging to be unleashed. Only she could calm that beast. Without her, I felt it rear up.

Walking to my dressing closet, I threw the doors open. I had cleared a corner for all the dresses I had made for her. Taking a sip of brandy, I pulled out the champagne chiffon Victorian gown that would be featured in the portrait I was having painted of her. Then the riding habit in a deep hunter green velvet. They were beautiful. My girl had real talent, mainly for gowns worn a hundred-fifty years ago, unfortunately.

Things would be so much easier if we both lived in the Victorian era. I would just marry her, then I would be her lord and master. She would be forever under my control. By the laws of God and man. Unlike today where even with marriage a woman still had independence and freedom.

The thought had appeal.

The fact was, even if she came back to me this time, it wouldn’t last. Once more I would do something that pushed her too far. It was inevitable. She would be forever questioning our relationship. The games I played. The problem was those games with her were what made life endurable, without them everything was colorless and boring.

I needed the thrill of the conquest as much as I needed air… as much as I needed her. That was why she was perfect for me. She was both.

An innocent treat with a dark and twisted center.

A woman who was both submissive but strong enough to challenge me.

Someone who would accept my cock up her ass but still bite my lip till it bled when I kissed her.

Fuck , I screamed into the empty room.

I needed to get her back… by any means necessary.

She was mine.

Mine.

Notifying my staff that I wanted the Aston Martin ready outside with the keys in the ignition, I tossed on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. I didn’t have a fully formed plan yet, but I couldn’t wait another day without seeing her. She had more guards than the queen secretly watching over her, but it wasn’t enough. I needed her with me. I would convince her to return and then come up with a more long-term plan later.

What I really needed was a second chance. A chance to wipe the slate clean. What an exciting challenge that would be, to convince her to fall in love with me all over again.

The ultimate game.

Picking up my glass, I swallowed the final gulp, relishing in the burn, before turning and opening my bedroom door.

“You!”