He captured my chin, kissing me quick. “Or you could stay married and be my dutiful wife and share in everything I give you.”

I wanted to disinfect my mouth, tear out my tongue, and zip up my lips so he could never kiss me again. But then I wouldn’t be able to tell him what I thought about his ludicrous, monstrous plan.

I laughed in his face, shaking with rage. “Do you believe in fairies, Greg? Because you have to if you think that will ever come true.” I shoved him away, swelling with pride as he stumbled. “Ten million is all you’ll get out of me, and that offer is only valid for the next five minutes. I don’t even know why I’m offering that.” I shrugged, waving the damn chain between my arms. “Who knows? Perhaps, I still see the Greg who helped me pick the right bike when I was eight, or the Greg who helped me move into my apartment.”

Stomping toward him, I stabbed my finger into his chest. “Ten million for the past we share and not a penny more. I’m not marrying you. I’m definitely not bearing your children. And no way in hell are you getting Belle Elle—”

I went to tear the ring off but he clamped his hand over mine. “You remove that diamond and I hurt you.” His threat wasn’t idle. It reeked with cold-hearted promise.

I gulped, letting him pull my fingers away, leaving the ring ensnaring me.

Then, as if he hadn’t just petrified me, he cupped between my legs, his fingers bruising me. “Are you sure I won’t get Belle Elle? Are you sure I won’t get exactly what I want? That I won’t get to fuck you, keep you, steal everything from you? Because it feels like I’m winning.”

Hitting his arm, I scooted backward. My toes landed on the chain, making me wince. “Get away from me.”

He walked with me, his fingers never loosening, curling tighter around my core beneath the stupid negligée. He didn’t let go as I scratched his wrist, tugging for him to let me go.

I repelled backward so fast, I slammed into the wall, giving him the perfect purchase to slap his free hand onto the upright surface by my head and press a finger inside me.

I shuddered in grotesque denial.

I was dry. It hurt. It was brutal rather than blissful.

My mind shattered, begging for Penn and the wizardry of his touch. He made me wet even while he confused me with stories. He made me come even while I denied how much I liked him.

Penn was a master manipulator.

Greg was just the devil.

I wanted him out of my life and far away from me.

I want him dead.

I shoved him, the chains around my wrists clinking loudly.

He grabbed the metal, hoisting it up, giving my arms no way to disobey before being yanked upright and pinned against the wall.

“This...Elle, your fucking pussy is mine.” His voice became thick and cruel. “I’m going to have you. I’m going to fuck you. I’ve waited as long as I can. You wear my ring, you’ve slept in my bed, I’ve washed you in my shower. You no longer belong to him but me, get it?”

His finger hooked inside, his nail scraping delicate flesh. “I’m going to fuck you the minute lunch is finished.”

Withdrawing his touch, he let me go and pointed at the kitchen. “Now, get in there and finish making me food like a good little wife.”

Chapter Ten

Penn

THE MERC’S ENGINE snarled as I pressed the accelerator as far to the floor as possible.

Thirty-two minutes and Larry still hadn’t called.

But I didn’t care.

I had to stay on the move. Otherwise, I’d fucking take my rage out on an innocent tree and end up hurting myself in the process.

And I was hurt enough.

I didn’t know if I was going in the right direction or wrong. I had no clue if Elle was still safe or if Greg had done something un-fucking-forgivable.

All I had was the hope I’d be on time.

Tearing down a country road, I jumped as my phone ring-tone split the air.

Answering with hands-free, I grunted, “Where am I going, Larry?”

“Cherry Cove, Medina.”

“Hotel or private house?”

“Fishing chalet.”

“His?”

“Not sure. Couldn’t find any records of him buying another property.”

“How do you know she’s there then?”

“He bought another car—under a friend’s name, but he helped secure the finance. The Dodge Charger is equipped with antitheft GPS. I had someone who owed me a favor switch it on. The car is outside the address I’ve sent to your inbox. I used Google maps to see what sort of abode it was.”

“Your sleuthing never fails to impress me.”

Larry’s voice hid a smile. “You can tell me how great I am later. Get her back, Penn, and then you’re fixing this. You’re telling that poor girl everything. You’re going to be honest.”

I bared my teeth but nodded reluctantly, knowing she’d never want to see me again. “Fine.”

I pressed end, downshifted, and grinned at the growling engine as I cannon-fired after Greg.

According to my GPS, I was just over an hour away.

A mere hour until Elle was mine again and then all my lies would be revealed.

But, at least, she would be safe.

I would be fucking heartbroken, but she would be back where she belonged.

Without me in her world.

Chapter Eleven

Elle

THE PASTA SAT like glue in my stomach.

I’d eaten because I was hungry, but the much-loathed company made nutrition unwanted by my body.