She asked questions I couldn’t answer. Even though I want to give them all to her. The way she looks at me with those emerald pools that disarm me. That kiss, her touch, everything seems to be churning in my gut like a storm brewing within me. I’m caught up in her magic. In her flames. And I’m going to get burned.

This is no life for someone like her. For any of the girls here, but Paige is different. Special. I’d love to take her outside so I can see the rays of sunlight brighten her eyes. To watch her hair come alive like dancing flames that remind me of the fire that rages in her eyes. Everything about this woman has consumed me.

I’m going to die in her blaze and I can’t do anything about it. Not because I don’t want to, but because I’m already falling. And if it means I’m burned alive, then so be it.

If my father finds out about us, about these feelings, he’ll not only torture Paige, he’ll make sure she shatters. And he’ll enjoy every moment. He’ll take the one thing I know he’s dying to claim. Her purity. The only reason he hasn’t done it yet is because his clients prefer virgins. And he gets paid more.

The thought of any other man touching her sends jealousy coursing through me, and rage burning in my veins. Even though I have no say over it as I know I’m going to have to let go soon.

If I could save her I would. All I can do is make sure she’s ready for the moment she steps into those vile rooms. Where there’s no light left. Only darkness and depravity. I can’t be her prince, but I’ll be her knight. Not the one she wanted, but I’m the only one she’s going to get. It kills me not to be able to really talk to her. To explain why my life is spent in this godforsaken place—because no God would step foot inside here.

Shame haunts me daily, guilt riddles my veins—it slowly eats at me, and I’m left with nothing. Just a shell. I don’t want this. I’ve never wanted to be like my father, but I have no choice. If I try to leave, he’ll kill me. His own son. Unless…

“Kael!” My sister’s happy tone comes from behind me. I turn to find the little pixie almost floating on her pink ballet flats. She regards me with a wide grin.

“What’s got you so happy, Theia?”

“Dad’s agreed to allow me to work full time with Dax. Well, at his club. Since it’s nothing like Caged, you know Dad doesn’t give a fuck about it. And the agreement Dax has with Daddy Dearest is that Inferno is his alone. So I’ll be moving out. Inferno has apartments above the club, so I’ll only be here when I’m needed. Which I’m hoping is never.”

Nodding, I pull her into my arms. My sister is the only other woman in my life that I can’t help allowing into my darkened heart. She brings light, just like Paige. “I’m happy for you. This life is not something you should be caught up in.”

“It’s definitely not my idea of quality family time, that’s for sure.” She pouts, scrunching her nose.

“You’re lucky,” I tell her honestly. When I meet her gaze, I know she can see how I feel. The hurt, the pain from being in here. It’s too much. So fucking much.

“You’ll get out. One day. Perhaps with some beautiful woman you’ll fall hopelessly in love with and you two will live happily ever after.” She giggles playfully.

That’s one thing about my sister, she’s a nosy little wench sometimes. Even though I shouldn’t say anything, I nod. “Maybe.”

“I better get going. I love you, brother.” A quick peck on the cheek, and my little sister bounds off, probably to find Dax.

I head up to my suite, needing the silence of the room to calm me. Especially from the woman who’s invaded my mind. I’ve never found it difficult to separate feelings and emotions from what I do. I learned how to block them out, but Paige has found a crack in my shield and she’s burrowed herself in there without me realizing it until only moments ago.

There’s strength in her, which is good because it’s the only thing that will get her out of here. If something happens to me, I hope Samael will look after her. Perhaps not like I can, but in his own way.

My brother is an asshole, but not a day goes by that I don’t hope and pray to anyone who will listen that Sam finds love. He’s cold, shut off—it’s his coping mechanism to be an asshole. It’s the only way he knows how to survive this life we’ve been thrown into. I think, deep down, he needs a woman who can not only push his boundaries, but to take what he can offer. Only then will my brother be happy.

Settling myself in front of my computer, I pull up the browser I had open the other day. A gallery in New York looking for artists. My heart lies there, but ever since Paige, it lies here too. I want to break her out of here and steal her away.

Can I do it? Is a normal life possible for her and me?

There’s no doubt I’ll be hers. But will she be mine? Will she be able to let go of the anger I see in her eyes and just believe this is something I have no choice in?

Questions. That’s all I have. It’s all I can focus on because the answers I need are not within reach. Not yet, anyway. The need to run is at the forefront of my mind. To throw Paige in the car and drive through the gates of our estate, to leave this place without looking back. But I can’t. I’ll be caught before I even reach them.

It’s not only the girls who are held here. In some fucked up way, Sam and I are also held by the prison my father has set for us.

My heart hurts for us. The two Wolfe boys, brought into a blue-blooded family. One of the sickest families in the country.

Shaking my head, I continue my search and pour over pages consisting of apartments I’ll never have. Places I’ll never visit with her. With my firebird.

I’ve always dreamed of a family. Children. When I look at her now, I ache to see her swollen with my child. Perhaps two.

Before the thoughts drag me under, I shove away from my desk. Heading into the bathroom, I strip down and turn on the tap. The cascading water turns from an ice-cold waterfall to scorching rain, and I step under the scalding shower. With my eyes shut, I picture her. Her beautiful curves, her long flowing hair, those lips. Fuck, those lips.

Her small, delicate hands. Long, lithe legs. Beautiful, creamy skin I want to lick every inch of. Fuck, I need her. Fisting my dick, I picture her bound by crimson rope. I’d like to have her tied, open to me. Her tight body needy for me as she begs. Calls me Sir.

My hand moves faster as I imagine sliding into her cunt. Into her tight ass. Owning every fucking hole. My head falls back as my balls tighten, pulling up with my release. Growling her name as I find my temporary bliss, I make my vow under the water that’s attempting to cleanse me.

She’s mine.

I’ll have her.

And I’ll make sure she never forgets me.

Whatever happens.