The rain is falling. .

It seems to never end.

It’s a wet, cold night and I have the princess in my car.

The sound of the wipers on the window echo in my ears.

She won’t speak to me. How can I get mad at that?

Isobel has a reason to hate me now. The thought of that sickens me.

I can’t show weakness because of my attraction to this girl. Business is everything to my family. A Montague doesn’t fail, and he doesn’t collapse under the weight of emotion, either.

I’m born a leader, and I’ll claim my blood right and make my family proud.

A Capulet princess is my ticket to everything.

When I close my eyes, I can already hear the applause and see the smiles on the faces of my family.

We’ve won, and no one even knows it yet. We’ve kidnapped their princess, and now she’s mine.

The thought of that thrills me and makes cock hard, even as I watch her sad face looking out the window, ignoring me.

When the car stops, I can practically hear Isobel’s heartbeat. I see her chest rising and falling quickly. Her fear is warranted, though I would never harm her.

The view from the window is magnificent. This house is a well-kept secret.

It resembles something out of a horror movie. The house that kids don’t trick or treat at and run from in fear.

The ivy-coated exterior and shadowy dominance of the house intimidate most.

My family has owned the place since before I was born, and not many will ever know that. We keep it secret for reasons like tonight.

I inhale deeply as Benny and Merc jump out of the car.

Isobel glances at me with hatred in her eyes. A part of me wishes it could be any other way, but it can’t. I need to keep her well-hidden here for a while—for her safety and my own.

Estbow Manor is safe, but we can’t take any chances. Not with the treasure we’ve brought here tonight. A Capulet on the grounds of the manor is unfounded, but there’s a first time for everything.

A sharp whistle tells me everything’s good. The house is clear. Benny’s given the okay.

“We’re getting out,” I say.

I don’t wait for a response before getting out, though I extend my hand when I do.

Ignoring the offer, Isobel exits the car, her hands crossing over her chest.

“No, thanks. I’m quite capable of caring for myself,” Isobel snaps back.

I know she’s mad right now, but once this is over, Isobel will be okay.

Speckles of rain hit my face. The heavens are crying tonight. I’ve given them a good reason to weep.

As we walk to the manor, the earthy scent of moss and forest is in the air. There’s a crunch of leaves under our feet, and I’m happy to be home.

I remember playing hide and seek here as a kid. No one could ever find me. I’ve always been one step ahead and good at what I do.

Those were innocent times. I didn’t care about the world, and I had no idea I’d be raised to kill by the time I was fifteen.

At times, I miss being a child—the innocence of it. And yet I see that innocence reflected in Isobel’s face. She’s never had to grow up and to face the real world.

Her daddy’s protected her well until now. And I think it’s time I show her what it means to be a woman—an empowered woman instead of a princess locked in a tower.

Isobel stops, her feet pressing into the ground as though she’s a disobedient child.

“I refuse to go inside of that house. I will not be inside of anything that belongs to a Montague,” Isobel says insolently.

I’m pissed. It doesn’t have to be as hard as Isobel’s making it.

“Fine! We can do this the hard way, but either way, you’re going in!” I growl.

I reach out, grab her hand and yank the stubborn girl towards the manor. If she won’t come willingly, then I’ll force her.

“If you would stop with the fucking attitude already,” I grumble, my words harsh.

I can tell that the sound of the wind whispering through the trees is sending shivers up her spine.

“NOW!” I shout.

The louder my voice, the more she trembles. I won’t deny that I like that effect.

With a tight grip on Isobel’s hand, I push open the solid oak door. It’s dark, heavy, and bulletproof.

“Get the hell in the house, Isobel,” I demand.

With reluctance, she steps into the fortress that will become her new home.

“It’s not fucking quicksand. You won’t sink into the floor, nor will my blood taint your precious Capulet blood,” I said.

I turn to Isobel. I’m mesmerized by her blue eyes, even in the dark. They’re the color of the ocean.

It’s easy to get lost in this woman.

“You’re here to stay, so this can either be easy or rough. I don’t want to lock you in your room, but I will if you disobey me,” I state.

Kidnapping is business. I won’t make a mistake. Not today, not ever.

Isobel tries to hold back.

“You can’t do this. I’m a Capulet. My family is powerful, and you will die,” she says.

I laugh out loud.

“I’ve already kidnapped you,” I say testily. “You’re not leaving here.”

I forgot how much I loved this place. The décor’s gothic. The interior of the mansion is dark.

Everything is spotless. I can’t even find a hint of a musty odor.

Benny and Merc pull the white sheets from the furnishings. Suddenly, the place invokes memories.

I busted my head open on that table in the grand dining room.

Chipped a tooth on the staircase railing.

I had my first kiss by the pool.

Isobel shuffles her feet, looking around the room.

I laugh. Did Isobel expect this place to be a hole in the wall dive? My family has money—as much of it or more than her own family. We’re fucking billionaires, and I live in style.

I want her bad, but I won’t force that. She needs to want me, too.

Hopefully she does soon, because my cock is so rock hard.

I can smell her perfume lingering around her. The way a strand of blonde hair hangs in her face makes it hard to keep my hands to myself.

“Your hair…it’s soft,” I say, reaching out and pushing the golden lock behind her ear. “Better now,” I whisper.

She didn’t smack me, so maybe that’s a good sign.

“I want to go home. If you let me go, I’ll never tell my family who it was that kidnapped me. Okay?” she asks, trying to make a deal for herself.

I trace my finger over the dark oak table in the foyer, trying hard to contain a laugh. It would be rude of me to make fun of Isobel.

“No, but thank you for being worried about me getting in trouble,” I say.

I care about this woman. Even if there was a way to let her go, I wouldn’t. I want her here with me.

I’m hoping to make her feel something about me, something akin to what I feel for her. I thought she did, but this kidnapping has changed the way she looked at me. She doesn’t trust me anymore.

Benny’s in the kitchen making a sandwich. The guy only ever thinks about food.

“Fridge is fully stocked with food for us. Even some of those fancy little bottles of imported water,” he calls out.

I shake my head, laughing. It’s a water bottle, not a bottle of Dom Perignon.

I exhale sharply, my eyes never diverting from Isobel. Her beauty holds me captive.

“Give it a chance here. I won’t hurt you. I promise,” I whisper.

I have a reputation to protect. I don’t need anyone thinking that I’m going soft because Isobel is beautiful. But goddamn, she’s luminescent.

“I won’t give it a chance...ever,” Isobel says.

I know this will be rough for her, but I can’t let her go.

I listen to the sound of the rain hitting the roof. It’s always been one of my favorite sounds. Well, that and thunderstorms, and the sound of a woman crying my name as I thrust into her.

I digress. I already know that Isobel’s the one, and I won’t be thinking about another woman anytime soon.

“Benny will show you to the tower in the east wing. Yes, you’ll be locked in your room,” I say.

Isobel opens her mouth but shuts it quick.

I won’t take any chances on her escaping.

And I want to kiss her, but I can’t. Not now.

I don’t want Benny or Merc to think that I can’t be trusted. I don’t anyone to know the feelings I have for her.

I hope that in due time, she’ll understand that this is all for business, nothing personal. And most of all, she needs to know that I would never hurt her.

“Locked in a tower? Am I Rapunzel?” Isobel laughs wickedly.

I know sarcasm when I hear it.

“If you want to be Rapunzel, fine. But you’re with me either way,” I say.

There’s no need for another word between us right now.

“Benny, come take Miss Capulet to her room,” I say, my voice louder than usual.

With a sandwich in his hand, Benny saunters into the room.

“Okay, Miss Capulet. Let me show you to your room,” Benny says.

Despite my tough exterior, I hope she isn’t scared.

New place. Dark mansion. And a kidnapping by none other than me, her dark lord in waiting.

She doesn’t say goodbye when she walks off with him.

I shake my head as I walk to the huge picture window. The view from this house is magnificent.

I watch as a stream of water forms in the grass from the rain. My thoughts are lost in Isobel.

The crystal-clear fluid is building a path through the overgrown garden.

Should I go to her room later when everyone is asleep? I don’t know if I can hold back these feelings for much longer.

She had wanted me before I kidnapped her.

I don’t think that’s changed...has it?