London

I didn’t know Crewe very well, but at least now I knew I was safe. One of my biggest fears as a woman was being taken against my will. The violent act was so sinister and dirty, marking my body and mind permanently. It didn’t matter how many showers I took, the past would never wash off.

But Crewe would never do that to me.

When I slept with him the first time, I didn’t know what else to do. I had to give him a reason to keep me, to give him a connection that would make him feel some fondness for me. Sex was the way to a man’s heart if food wasn’t an option.

So I did what I had to do.

But it was my choice. I had all the power and the control. I was attracted to him, so I did enjoy it. But despite my continued attraction to him, he was still the man keeping me captive. I wasn’t going to sleep with someone who had so little respect for me as a human being. I didn’t know what he was going to do with me, but I wasn’t going to be his whore.

Absolutely not.

I didn’t see Crewe much over the next few days. He stayed in his office or worked with Ariel while I stayed outside. When I was underneath the sky, I didn’t feel so trapped. The sun warmed my skin just as it did to everyone else, and that made me feel connected to the friends I’d left behind.

When I explored the island and the creatures, I felt invigorated with life again. It made me forget about my current circumstances, that I was living in a prison. When the breeze caressed my skin and the sun warmed my nose, I actually felt a small sense of joy.

The helicopter landed in the field at midday, the propellers spinning until they finally came to a standstill. I eyed the black chopper and wondered if I could figure out how to operate it. If I had access to the internet, I could teach myself in a few months, but Crewe made sure I couldn’t access anything.

That bastard.

One of his henchman, Dunbar, approached me at the cliff, wearing black jeans with a gun on his hip.

I didn’t trust him. He was unpredictable and impossible to read. I could get a reading on Crewe’s emotions, but this guy wore a mask.

He stopped five feet away from me. “Come inside.”

“Don’t boss me around.” I could sit there as long as I liked.

He stepped closer to me then grabbed me by the throat, squeezing me so tight I couldn’t breathe. Crewe grabbed my neck dozens of times, but he never tightened his grip like this. His touches always implied warning but didn’t carry eminent threat.

I tried to kick Dunbar, but my legs were too short.

Dunbar watched my face turn blue. “If you don’t want to suffocate, I suggest you listen to me.” He pressed his face closer to mine. “Got it?”

I nodded, desperate for air.

He released me and stood back. “Up”

I clutched my throat and took a deep breath. My throat was irritated, so I heaved on the ground, choking even though his hand wasn’t around my throat anymore. Every time I took a breath, I had to cough again.

“I said get up.” Dunbar kicked me in the side, hitting me right in the ribs.

I toppled over and clutched my side as I coughed. I didn’t cry out in pain, refusing to give him that satisfaction. I couldn’t make a sound anyway because I couldn’t stop coughing.

When I didn’t get up, he lunged for me again.

“Dunbar.” The authoritative voice came from behind me, full of command.

Dunbar stepped back, his hands by his sides. “Just trying to get the bitch up.”

“I’ll handle her.” Crewe appeared above me, in a gray suit with a black tie. “Prepare the chopper.” He dismissed him with a cold look.

Dunbar knew he had done something wrong because he walked away without another word.

When he was a few feet away, Crewe turned to him. “Dunbar.”

He turned around, looking his employer in the eye.

“Don’t touch her like that again.” Crewe didn’t raise his voice, but the threat in his tone was unmistakable.

Even I was a little afraid.

Dunbar nodded. “I apologize, sir. I was only trying—”

“Come to me if she’s a problem. You’re dismissed.”

Dunbar shut his mouth and walked away, following his orders with stiff shoulders.

Crewe kneeled down and examined me, touching the skin on my side. “Your ribs aren’t broken. Just bruised.”

“Am I supposed to be grateful?” I sat up and massaged my throat.

His fingers moved to my chin, and he gently shifted my head, getting a look at my neck. “You’ll be fine.”

“I know,” I said defensively. “I never said I wouldn’t be.” Crewe just helped me but I was angry with him. I was angry that I allowed a man to be so ruthless with me to begin with. I should have fought back harder. I should have broken Dunbar’s nose the second he touched me. From my position on the ground, it was impossible.

“You remind me of myself sometimes.” He pulled his fingertips away, watching me with the same angry expression he gave Dunbar. “We hate showing weakness to anyone.”

“I’m not weak…” I massaged my neck and coughed again.

“I never said you were.” He rose to his full height and extended his hand. “Now, get up. If you make me ask you again, I’ll be worse than Dunbar.”

Now I was livid. “You just told him off for hurting me, but you’re going to be worse?” That didn’t make any sense.

“You’re my property,” he said quietly. “I’m the only one who can punish you. Just like a child, only the parent should spank him. Now get your ass up, or I’ll drag you back to the house by your hair. What’s it gonna be?”

I knew Crewe wasn’t bluffing this time. He had no problem backhanding me or gripping me by the neck. There were certain lines he wouldn’t cross, but there were plenty that he would. I got to my feet and cleared my throat, still feeling the sting from Dunbar’s icy grip.

Crewe stepped away, satisfied with my obedience. “Finley will make you some tea.”

I crossed my arms over my chest as I walked beside him. “Why do you want me back at the house?”

“We’re leaving for Glasgow. I have business to attend to.”

I stopped in my tracks. “I’m going with you?”

“Yes.”

I was getting off this island. Once we were in Scotland, I could make a run for it. There had to be an embassy or police station that could help me. Even if I were in another country, I was still kidnapped and they were required to help me.

Crewe read the expression in my eyes. “You aren’t getting away, Lovely. You can try. But keep this in mind. If you fail, there will be serious consequences.” He stared me down with his mocha-colored eyes, the threat heavy in his voice. “I won’t tell you what they are. I’ll let your imagination do the work.”

My arms tightened around my body, a cold shiver running down my spine. Despite the tone in his voice, my mind was still made up. If I didn’t run for it when I had the chance, I would regret it for the rest of my life. Even if he beat me bloody, it would still be worth it.

I just had to be smart about it—and run like hell.

Crewe continued walking, his suit framing his muscular body. Now that I’d seen him naked, I knew what was underneath that tailored suit. He was ripped with muscle, a lean and toned frame that my fingernails enjoyed digging into. My feelings for him were so contradictory. I was still attracted to him, got wet for him, but I despised him at the same time.

How was that even possible?

We entered the house, and I spotted the bags by the door.

“I packed enough things for you for a few days,” Finley said. “Dunbar will bring you more clothes in Glasgow if you need them.”

“Thanks, Finley.” He was the only person in this house that made me smile.

“Finley,” Crewe said in his authoritative tone. “Make Lady London some tea with lemon, please. She has a sore throat.”

“Of course,” Finley said. “Milk?”

“Just black,” Crewe said, remembering how I take my coffee.

Finley got to work in the kitchen while Dunbar grabbed the bags and carried everything to the black chopper. Crewe’s phone rang, so he stepped into the living room to take the call, speaking quietly so no one would overhear him.

Finley handed me a plastic cup with a lid. “Here you are.”

“Thank you.” I felt the heat through the cup and knew it was too hot to drink.

Finley checked to see that Crewe was still in the other room before he whispered, “Mr. Donoghue is not exactly what he seems. Life hasn’t always been on his side.”

I stared at Finley and forgot about the tea in my hands. “What does that mean?”

Finley had a guilty look on his face, as if he knew he’d said too much. “He had a hard life, Lady London. He has a lot of vendettas, a lot of bitterness. He tries to convince himself he’s just as evil as his enemies…but he never is. He has a lot of compassion that he tries to hide.”

“What happened to him—” I fell quiet when Crewe walked back into the room, no longer on the phone. I tried to cover up our conversation so it wouldn’t be obvious we were just talking about him. “Thank you for the tea.”

“Of course, Lady London.” Finley gave a swift bow before he walked away.

Crewe came to my side, displeasure written all over his face. He suddenly grabbed my wrist, his hands squeezing me with authority. He didn’t grab me the way Dunbar did, with pure violence. He led me outside toward the chopper. “Don’t stick your nose where it doesn’t belong.” He stopped walking and pulled me harder into his chest. His hand never left my wrist and his face was close enough for a kiss. “Do you understand me?”

I didn’t correct him and tell him that Finley mentioned his past first, because I didn’t want that sweet old man to face Crewe’s wrath. “There’s nothing wrong with wanting to know more about the man who stole me.”

His hand moved to my neck, and his lips were practically on mine.

A thrill coursed up my spine, my body immediately reacting to him in a carnal way. There was something about his strength, his power, that attracted me. I didn’t put up with bullshit, and it was rare to find a man with a spine and a cock made of steel.

“Do you understand me?” He didn’t tighten his grip, refusing to truly hurt me. Now that I’d experienced worse men, I realized I really was safer with Crewe than anyone else. At first, I thought his touches were harsh. But in actuality, they were gentle. They were full of lust rather than hatred.

“Yes.” I obeyed willingly, not wanting to push his temper. I could handle this version of him, the silently threatening one. If I didn’t push him further than necessary, he would never cause me pain.

“Yes, sir.”

Now that was something I couldn’t get on board with. “You’re lucky you got a yes out of me. Don’t push your luck.”

His eyes shifted as he stared into mine. The chopper came to life in the background, the propeller growing loud and the wind picking up. His hand never left my neck as he looked me dead in the eyes. His thumb brushed across my soft skin. Instead of growing angry at my disobedience, he seemed to soften.

He leaned in and closed the distance between us, giving me a hard kiss on the mouth. His free hand dug into my hair, getting a grip on the strands as his lips pressed against mine.

I didn’t pull away—because I liked it.

He wanted me to obey him and grew angry when I didn’t, but he seemed to respect me more when I held my ground. Two contradicting traits in a single man. It didn’t add up.

The kiss lasted for several seconds, but it seemed like an eternity. Then he pulled away, his soft lips no longer warm against my mouth. He gave me a final look before he gripped me by the hand and pulled me to the helicopter. “Let’s go, Lovely.”

Glasgow was a large city in the western region, connected to a wide river that stretched out to the coast. Once we landed on the airstrip, I noticed the intricate architecture of all the buildings. They were Victorian and breathtaking. It seemed like I’d walked into the eighteenth century, with automobiles in the background.

Once the helicopter landed, Crewe’s men greeted us on the airstrip, all carrying guns in their holsters. In jeans and dark clothing, they looked like an undercover swat team. They escorted us to the back of a tinted town car, and we drove off through the city.

Crewe looked out the window, his knees wide apart as his fingertips rested on his lips. I recalled how it felt to sit in his lap, to straddle those hips and take his impressive cock. He was the biggest I’d ever taken, and when I fucked him, I really did feel like a virgin. I wasn’t used to having sex with a man like that.

We passed through the motorways until we exited the center of the city, moving through the greenery and the trees until we approached a gray castle made out of ancient slabs of stone.

I could hardly believe what I was looking at.

“Are we going there?” I asked, feeling dumb for asking the question. There was no other destination that the eye could see. There was nowhere else to go.

He kept his eyes out the window. “Yes.”

“Isn’t this property government-owned?”

“No.”

I stared at the towering piece of history as we came closer, realizing it was ten times the size of the average mansion. The fortifications were indestructible. It stood the test of time for hundreds of years. “Is it yours?”

“Yes.”

I knew he was rich, but who the hell could afford to buy a castle? “This place must have cost a fortune.”

“It didn’t cost me anything. I’m descended from the House of Alpin.”

I wasn’t going to sugarcoat it. I didn’t know shit about world history. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what that means…”

“My bloodline comes from royalty. My ancestors used to rule over Scotland. I’m the last living descendant of the house. Therefore, it’s mine.”

My jaw dropped in shock. I knew there were some royal families in the world, like in England and a few other places, but I never thought I would meet a descendant of royal blood. “Wow… That’s unbelievable.”

He shrugged like it was only somewhat interesting.

“I don’t mean this offensively, but…you don’t look Scottish.”

“Because I don’t have red hair?” he asked with a bored voice. “Because I don’t have freckles and blue eyes? It’s called evolution, Lovely. I figured you would know that since you’re an aspiring doctor…”

“No need to be an ass,” I snapped. “It’s one thing to be Scottish and not look Scottish. It’s another to be of royal blood and not look the part. Like I said, I didn’t mean it offensively.”

The car approached the house, pulling up to the impressive roundabout along the entryway. Fields and trees extended in every direction, making it seem like we were the only people in the known world.

“I can’t believe how beautiful it is…”

“Wait until you see the inside.” The car stopped, and the driver opened the back door for Crewe.

Crewe took my hand and helped me out, his hand moving to my waist once I was on my feet. I stared at the high walls and the walkways outside the castle. I felt like I had stepped back in time, into another world.

I ignored his hand on my waist as I took in the spectacular sight. I’d never seen anything like this in my life, and to witness it with a man descended from this history was even more remarkable. “Did you have to do any work on it?”

“A little. But for the most part, it held up pretty well.” Crewe eyed the remaining cars as they pulled into the driveway, the rest of his crew. His hand rested on top of my hips, his fingers around my waist.

“Why are you touching me like that?” I asked, looking up at him.

“So the men understand you aren’t available. Unless you want them to think you’re a whore up for grabs?” He dropped his hand from my waist and walked to join his men, leaving me behind.

I definitely didn’t want them to think that, but I would tell them that on my own—with my fist.

We approached the entrance to the castle, stopping in front of the two large wooden doors that were at least ten feet tall. We entered a historic entryway, showcasing a high-vaulted ceiling with one enormous fireplace against the back wall. The furniture was Victorian, matching the architecture of the castle. Two different staircases went in opposite directions, and the large rug on the floor was deep burgundy with a lion in the center.

“Where are we taking the girl’s stuff?” Dunbar asked, holding one of my bags.

“I have a name,” I hissed. “London—and you know that.”

He gave Crewe a suppressed glare, silently asking for permission to slap me.

“My quarters,” Crewe commanded.

“Uh, hold on.” I walked up to Crewe so we could have some form of privacy. “I’m not sleeping with you.”

“You think I’m gonna let you out of my sight?” Both of his eyebrows furrowed. “I don’t think so.”

I didn’t know what else to say, so I just repeated myself. “I’m not sleeping with you. You don’t even want me to sleep with you.”

He leaned his face toward mine, his lips just an inch away. “Maybe we won’t be sleeping.”

His chambers were from another time. The bed was larger than any king I’d ever seen, the fireplace was bigger than a 70-inch flat screen, and the wood of the dressers and furniture seemed to be refurbished, relics from the ancient castle.

While he worked downstairs with his men in one of the drawing rooms, I stayed in the bedroom, which had its own living room, private balcony, walk-in closet, fully-renovated bathroom, and another sitting room (for what, I couldn’t tell you). It was bigger than most houses.

I got goose bumps once I sat on the foot of the bed and wrapped my hand around the bed post. Was this the same bed frame that the last king had slept in? What else in this castle had lived more lifetimes than I would ever see? The historical significance shook me to the core, which was saying something because I never cared for history. But I could appreciate something that was two hundred years old.

I got ready for bed and changed into the baggiest shirt and the ugliest sweatpants I could find. All the clothes Crewe had gotten for me were girly and tight, way too sexy. So I put on his clothes instead. Hopefully, that would deter him from trying to seduce me. Even if he was an unofficial monarch of Scotland, rich, and handsome, I wasn’t sleeping with him again.

I was lying in bed, fully awake and looking out the window, when he walked inside. He quietly shut the door behind me like I might be asleep then undressed at the foot of the bed, removing his tie as well as the rest of his suit.

It must have been two in the morning, and it baffled me that he worked for so long. What did they talk about down there? How much intelligence could be discussed for so long? I hadn’t fallen asleep yet because I wanted to be awake when he returned. I knew I could trust him, to a certain extent, but I would feel more comfortable once he was in bed and asleep—not awake and stirring.

He pulled back the covers and got in beside me. He didn’t touch me, staying on his side of the bed. “Can’t sleep?”

How did he know I was awake? “I was waiting for you.”

The arrogance showed in his voice. “Oh yeah? Well, I’m right here, Lovely.” He moved toward my side of the bed.

I turned over and stuck out my arm, hitting him in his hard chest. “That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”

He chuckled and kept his distance, moving to his back and staring up at the ceiling. One hand rested on his chest.

I wondered if he was nude. Anytime I came into his room at night, he usually was.

“Why are we sleeping together?” I asked. “You kicked me out of your room last time we were in the same bed.”

“That was different.”

“How?”

“I don’t want you to sleep alone in a room here. One of the guys might go in there and try to have some fun with you…”

The meaning of his words made me tense up. “For loyal men, you don’t seem to trust them.”

“Actually, I do trust them. But it’s when you trust someone the most that you need to be careful.”

I raised an eyebrow. “That makes absolutely no sense.”

“Not really. Think about it. If my men know I trust them, they’ll feel comfortable. And if they feel comfortable, they might try to pull something because they think they can get away with it. Then later they can lie about it, since they know they’re in my good graces. So, in my opinion, it’s best to play it safe. I’d rather have you under my watch. If you want something done right, you should do it yourself. That’s what they say, right?”

Oddly enough, that actually did make a lot of sense.

“No, I don’t want to share a bed with you. But this mattress is big enough that I’ll hardly notice you’re there.” He turned his head my way, his hair slightly messy from running his fingers through it. “You don’t snore, right?”

“No. Do you?”

“No.” He faced the ceiling again.

I stared at his muscled chest, seeing the sheets come up to his waist. “You aren’t naked under there, right?”

When he turned back to me, he wore an evil grin. “Why don’t you take a peek and find out?”

“I’m good,” I said sarcastically.

“Well, he’s ready whenever you are.”

Whenever I’m ready? Like I’m ever going to be ready. “I’m never going to sleep with you again. That was a one-time thing.”

“Whatever you say, Lovely.”

“I’m serious.”

“I’m sorry,” he said with a chuckle. “I have a very hard time believing you.”

“I’m not one of your bimbos.”

“Whoa.” He sat up in bed, propping himself on one elbow. “What makes you think I see bimbos? As a matter of fact, I like strong, clever, and independent women. One of my girls is a French diplomat. She’s smart as hell.”

“You have multiple girlfriends?” I asked in disgust.

“No girlfriends. Just girls.” He laid back down and pulled the sheets to his shoulder. “There you go again…being jealous.”

“Oh, geez…” I wanted to smack him upside the head. “I’m not jealous. I’ve never been jealous. I’ll never be jealous.”

“You like to talk about my sex life a lot.”

“I really don’t,” I said coldly. “You’re clean, right?” I silently hated myself for asking this question after the act had been committed. But I was doing it to survive, to get away from Bones, so I couldn’t be too hard on myself.

“Of course, Lovely. By the way, we need to give you the shot. Ariel will take care of it in the morning.”

Now I grew angry. “I said I’m not going to sleep with you.”

“Fine. But we’re giving you the shot anyway—because you’ll change your mind.”

“Will not—”

He crawled on top of me and pressed his mouth to mine, giving me a scorching kiss that was so aggressive my mouth ached. His hands gripped my wrists and pinned them to the mattress underneath me. His tongue darted into my mouth and danced with mine.

My resistance disappeared once he breathed into my mouth. His eyes were open, giving me a seductive look as he worshipped my mouth with his. He was naked from the waist down, and I felt his cock against my sweatpants.

When he felt my mouth reciprocate, he released my hand and dug his fingers into my hair, feeling the soft strands. He started to rock with me, his cock rubbing against my clitoris through my sweatpants.

My knees automatically fell apart to give him room because I wanted more of that friction, more of that length of steel to make me feel good. His lips hypnotized me, giving me a kiss so scorching it left me breathless. I instantly forgot this man was my captor, taking away all my human rights, the second he kissed me.

He thrust his hips harder, pushing his cock directly onto my throbbing clitoris. He made me pant and rock with him, enjoying how impressive his length was. I moaned into his mouth when I felt the ecstasy between my legs. Without even being inside me, he made me explode like a firework. “Oh god…” My toes curled, and my moans turned into whimpers. It felt so good that I forgot how easily he got me in the mood.

He stopped rocking and looked down at me, victory in his eyes. “You’ll get the shot in the morning.”