“I’ve increased security and will be checking in hourly. Are you sure you’re going to be okay?” James held my annoyed stare, knowing that nothing was getting in or out of these walls without him knowing.He held up his hands in mock surrender, “Fine. FINE. I get it,” he stepped towards me, his large frame crowding my space. My butt hit the counter and my crutches fell to the ground. James lifted me with ease and placing me atop the cool, granite countertop. A shiver rolled through my body as the chill seeped into my skin, “I’m allowed to worry about you, you know?”“Worry all you want, but don’t stop letting me live. Please. I’ll be fine and I trust that all of the additional security measures you’ve put in place will keep me extra safe,” I pecked his lips, attempting to pull away quickly, but he grabbed my face, crashing our lips together in a searing kiss.James held me there until we were both breathless, and my chest ached from the lack of oxygen.“The office can wait,” he growled
Dante sighed on the other end of the line, and I bit my lip, wondering if he would actually turn me down. There was a good chance that he did, and fear gripped my heart at the thought.“Are you trying to get me on James’ bad side?” he grumbled, his voice laced with irritation.“Will you do it, or not?”If I spent all day explaining the reasons that James might be upset, I would certainly talk myself out of taking charge, but I needed answers.“Can you meet me at the cabin?” Dante groaned, and I gasped in surprise, which he must have picked up on because he grunted, “I’m not agreeing to anything yet, but I’ll hear you out.”“I’ll be there asap.”******“What’s with the rush?” Chris groans, wiping the tiredness from his eyes.“I can’t drive and my driver is in the hospital. You were my only option.”Chris turned towards me, narrowing his eyes, “Gee, thanks. You could have called an Uber driver!” he shook his head, “I don’t get paid enough for this.”“It’s clearly stated in your brotherly
“You brought your idiot brother?” Dante groaned as he opened the front door.“Nice to see you again, too,” Chris muttered.“I’m sorry, Rosalind,” Dante dipped down, whispering in my ear, “He asks far too many stupid questions.”“What is that delicious smell?” Chris has long forgotten Dante’s comment as he heads towards the kitchen, inhaling deeply.“My lovely mate is baking. Something about keeping Rosa happy,” Dante shrugged, “I’m starting to think it’s a ploy to get me fattened up, though.”“Hey now,” Joanne calls from the kitchen, “You can’t blame me for all that.”Dante gasps, “Woman, don’t you start insulting me in front of my daughter in law.”Joanne rounds the corner of the kitchen, wrapping me in a tight hug, “I’m so sorry about what happened to you,” she pulls away, keeping her hands on my shoulders, “If you need to stay here to feel safe, there is always space for you.”“Thank you,” I whisper, my emotions flooding me as I stare into her motherly gaze.“Pumpkin,” Dante chirps
I’ve dialed Rosa at least ten times.Ten fucking times my calls have gone unanswered.Even my earlier text asking her if she wanted her regular from her favorite Chinese restaurant went unanswered.Pulling up her contact, I click on the map of her location.“What the fuck?”My knuckles grow white as I grip the steering wheel with new force. Why the hell is she with Dante and Joanne? Did something happen at the house?A lethal combination of fear and fury floods my veins, and I press my foot against the accelerator, zipping around cars without caution. I don’t fucking care.‘I would have felt if she was in danger,’ Onyx tries to reason with me, but I tune him out. I’ve relied on him in the past and look where that got me….. And when was he the voice of reason? He’s an animal with one thing on his mind and that’s making sure Rosalind is kept safe and sound within the walls of our home.He expressed interest in chaining her up a few times, which I shut down for obvious reasons. But if sh
“You should have called, Rosa,” James glanced over at me. His hand rested atop my thigh while the other gripped the steering wheel, “I was worried sick.”“I didn’t think about it,” I whispered, feeling guilt seep beneath my skin. I hated lying to him, and I felt even worse that I’d dragged Dante and Joanne into lying with me. “I’m sorry.”The words tasted bitter on my tongue. I wasn’t a liar, but the last few months I’d found myself keeping more to myself. Hiding things that I wouldn’t normally hide.I didn’t like it.James squeezed my thigh, “Don’t be. Dante was right,” he sighed, “I overthink and you’re an independent woman. It’s something I love about you.”I bring my hand to his, interlocking our fingers, “I get it. Especially with everything that just happened. I assumed I was safe with them.”Another lie. The pit in my stomach grows with every understanding word he speaks, and every lie that rolls with ease off my tongue.“You are,” he chuckled, “I have great family. And they lo
“James,” Marina coos, “Baby, they won’t let me through.”Her voice grates against my eardrums and I fight the rising anger that simmers beneath my skin.“What are you doing here?” James’ tone is lethal, startling even to me. I’ve never heard him speak to Marina in such a tone, but I won’t lie when I say it filled me with satisfaction.Her pale blue eyes shift to me sitting in the front seat, narrowing for a fraction of a second before she returns her gaze to James. Her bottom lip trembles, and I watch as the actress puts on the perfect performance, “I came to check on you and Raslind,” she whispered, pronouncing my name incorrectly. “I came by the hospital, but you weren’t there. She didn’t tell you?”James ran his hands through his hair, and I was desperate to know what was going through his mind. I knew from experience that once he started showing his nervous tic, I was never sure what was going to come next.“I made it very clear that you weren’t welcome here any longer,” James sur
“What were you thinking, Rosie?” Shawn easily scooped me up, carrying me to his bathroom, and carefully deposited me onto the porcelain countertop.I feel the warm sticky sensation of blood against my foot, and I know my wound is worse than I initially thought.Shawn squats down, his large frame crowding the bathroom despite the fact that it’s the size of a small bedroom. He removed my shoe first, reaching beneath me to dig out a first aid kit, and dug out scissors.Our eyes met, his asking for permission, to which I nodded, and he cut a line down the seam of my leggings, revealing my very bloody leg.“Shit, Rosie,” he mutters, “This might be something you need to go back to the hospital for.”I grimaced at the thought. I knew for a fact that would be one of the few places James would check in his search for where I’d gone. Unless he already knows I’m here, which would be really bad for Shawn.“Nonsense,” I grit my teeth, the adrenaline of stealing James’ car wearing off, and allowing
One of my leggings was cut to the knee and the other was soaking wet, clinging to my thigh like a second skin. Normally, I’d use the opposite leg for leverage, but at the risk of popping my fresh stitches, I fall back onto the bed.Shawn returns with the scissors, moving to kneel in front of me for the third time today before our eyes lock and he offers me a small smile, “I won’t look.”My chest flutters as I stare into eyes I’ve known all my life.“It’s not like you haven’t seen me before, Shawn.”He chuckles, “That’s fair. But I know you, and I won’t look.”The backs of my eyes burn with unshed tears, and I pull my teeth between my lips, nodding.Shawn grips my pants at my ankle, carefully sliding the sharp end of the scissors beneath the hem. An involuntary shiver sends goosebumps spreading across my skin.His brows pinch together with concern as his movements halt, “I didn’t poke you, did I?”“The scissors are just cold.”Shawn lets out a relieved chuckle, “Once we get you out of
Another day, another bottle. Glancing around my apartment, I internally cringe at the mess. Am I fucked up? Is that even a question anymore? I snort at my own thoughts. I’m definitely fucked up. As I go to stand, my head swims with dizziness, sending me hurdling back onto the couch where I’d fallen asleep last night. My back aches like nobody’s business considering I’m six foot four, and around two-hundred twenty pound. Couches aren’t made for men like me. I peer over the back of the couch to my kitchen. The digital numbers on the microwave sway from side to side, two of them merging into one. It’s twelve thirty. Practically another day gone. I’ve been here before. Years ago, I ended up with a short stint in rehab. I’d paid my dues, said all the things I needed to say, convinced the doctors with a good old fashion lie, and boom, I was all better they said. I’d say the jokes on them, but really, the only joke is me. Rosalind was always the star in our household. I didn’t hate
“Did she complete the task?” Marina speaks through gritted teeth as James walks me back inside the warehouse blindfolded. He didn’t bother zip tying my wrists, as I was being cooperative. “Flawlessly,” James purred, and I heard a relieved sigh fall from Marina’s lips. “What is with that necklace?” I question now that we’re no longer at the bank. Not only that, but James’ mood tanked after three separate people asked for photographs with him as we left the bank, so I didn’t bother asking on the ride home. “Nothing that concerns you,” Marina snapped, and I heard her step closer, grabbing James and planting a sloppy kiss on his lips. The act was intentional to grate on my nerves, and I wanted to claw her eyes out. I wasn’t jealous any longer, but it still stung having your failures rubbed in your face. “My father thought it concerned me,” I interrupted their make-out fest, causing James to let out a groan, “I don’t remember you talking this much.”“My talking didn’t seem to bother y
James white knuckles the steering wheel. My normally relaxed husband is glancing around every few seconds as if the boogeyman might step out of the shadows at any moment. If only he realized he just needed a mirror. “Are you paranoid?” I wring my hands in my lap. Noticing the raw skin around my wrists, I tugged the sleeves to the cardigan James gave me before we left. Couldn’t have anyone at the bank seeing the marks left behind by my dear husband. Though he told me if anyone noticed, we like it rough in the bedroom. My stomach recoiled at that thought, but I nodded in agreement. The job was simple. Go to the bank, smile, pretend that we’re a loving couple, and get the contents of the lockbox. I’d done this dance with him many times in the past, I just never imagined I’d be back here.“Why would I be paranoid?” he snapped.“You just keep looking around. Checking the rear and sideview mirrors,” I purse my lips, “I doubt anyone is looking for me.”“I’m not taking any chances.” His
“I’ve brought you clean clothes. There is a basin shower through that door.. Which stays open,” James carefully sat a pile of clothes down beside my leg, pulling a knife from the breast pocket of his suit. He looked like his normal self. His hair was messily pushed back in that effortless style he was famous for. The five-o-clock shadow that painted his jaw yesterday is gone, and he’s wearing another one of his expensive suits.“I’m going to cut you free and you’re going to walk straight into that room, clean yourself up, and then we leave. Got it,” his hardened eyes were on me, and I was taken back to a time where I’d seen this man’s true colors for the first time.“Rosa!” James’ shout echoed through the house. I was downstairs in the kitchen preparing a nutritional shake for Marina. “ROSA!” His voice was harsher as he called my name for the second time, and I grabbed the shaker, shaking it as I rushed up the steps, taking them two at a time. “Yes?” I whispered, my voice meek as I
James disappears for the evening, but not before dragging Shawn’s limp body back to the pole opposite of me, and zip tying his hands to it. Hot tears have streamed down my face, as they had for the last few hours. Or maybe it had only been minutes. Time strapped to this pole, with the only light being the flickering one in the corner, is relative. Shawn must have one hell of a concussion from the accident for the following two blows from James to have kept him out this long, and fear grips my heart. Does anyone realize we’re missing? For all they know, Shawn is taking time off, likely with my father covering for him unknowingly after what happened at the restaurant and no one would be looking for me outside of James, and he’s the reason I’m here. Maybe Chris, but he’s been in a constant state of drunk since finding out about us being werewolves, so I doubt it. If he’s called, he’s not worried yet. In the past, I’d go days without responding to anyone, and now I’m kicking myself
Rosa looks so…. Pained. Her eyes shimmer with so many emotions, I don’t know which I like best. Fear or anguish. Probably fear. The thought of her at my mercy gets me off, and if Marina weren’t watching, I might give Shawn a little show with my sweet wife. “James,” her voice softens, and I almost fall for the act. I’d actually started to fall for her, beyond the wretched mate bond. “Why are you doing this?” She sounds so small right now, but the reality is that she’s of the Red bloodline. Her namesake makes me sick, and no matter how much the bond pollutes my mind, she’ll always be the enemy. Rosa’s father took everything from me. My family. My pack. My friends. It’s all gone because he was bitter and jealous. The reality fucking hurt, but it was as if everything slowly snapped into place. Marina was right about everything. I squatted down, keeping an eye on Pierce. He might become a problem with Onyx locked away, back in a cage. He’s been fighting to come back to me, but he’s
My lips part, my eyes widening as the familiar voice steps out of the shadows. I stare into emerald, green eyes that I’ve found solace in so many times over the last few years. Eyes that have looked at me with so much emotion that I feel like I’m drowning. Eyes that have stared up at me from between my legs. Eyes that have pinned me beneath a lust filled haze. Eyes that shine with amusement now at the pain that marred my features. “Surprise, sweetheart,” James steps closer, his expensive, French loafers echoing through the room like a haunting drum.Thud. Thud. Thud. Have you ever fallen onto your back when you’re swinging so high on a swing? You make it to the top, only to have your butt lift from the seat, and you free fall to the ground. The impact steals your breath away, making your vision darken around the corners. Twenty seconds pass and you still can’t breathe. A minute and you’re finally staring up at the sky, inhaling the oxygen that you were once robbed of. That’s how
That. Bitch.I’m thankful to Shawn for the surge of confidence when it comes to cursing because I should have known.“Happy to see me?” Marina’s voice coos from across the large space.“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me….”Marina huffs out a laugh, rolling her eyes, “What happened to Mrs. Goodie Two Shoes?”Shawn’s fingers grip mine tightly, “When James finds out what you’re doing, he’s going to finally get rid of you for good.”I want to cry.Marina snorts out a laugh, “Oh, you poor, stupid boy. James isn’t coming to save you,” she shrugs, “Either of you.”Her smug attitude is grating on my nerves, and I desperately wished that I hadn’t been a coward all this time and showed her what I was capable of prior to being strapped to this damn pole.“It’s pathetic that you couldn’t face me without crashing a car into me tying me to a pole.”She walks closer, her sharp features illuminated by the flashing light in the corner. Marina was beautiful in an unconventional way. She reminded me o
My head swims with pain and confusion. I’m slumped over, I know that much, but I can’t find the strength to open my eyes or lift my head. Each time I try to circle back to how I ended up like this, it’s empty. My shoulders ache, but I can’t move my arms to relieve the pain, and my leg is damp and throbbing. “Rosa,” Shawn croaks out, and I force my eyes open, wincing when a flickering light in the far corner assaults my eyes. Forcing my head from side to side, I don’t see him, “Shawn, where….”His fingers brush against mine, and I realize in that moment that I’m tied to something. A pole most likely, given the cool metal against my wrists. “Are you okay?” his voice is gravelly, and I hear the wince he tries to hide. “My head is killing me, and I think my stitches busted. You sound like you’re in pain.”Shawn lets out a low chuckle, coughing as the noise slips from his lips, and I realize what a stupid question that was. A tear-filled smile pulls on my lips, “Okay, I get that was