“If you embarrass me or do anything that would lead people to think we aren’t together, I will make a call to my brother and Tilly will pay for it.”
“Fuck you,” I hiss, but he knows he has me. I won’t do anything that would jeopardize my sister. As we drive down the strip, smiling people are everywhere. I’m about to join them with a fake smile on my face. I wonder if all of their smiles are real? Maybe they really hate their lives too.
He whips the car into a parking spot and kills the engine. I don’t look at him as he unlocks the handcuffs, and I wait in the car like he asks until he’s out and opening the door for me.
My skin crawls as Camden laces his fingers between mine on our way to the water. People don’t notice me right away. It’s not until Camden leaves my side to feel the water and then calls my name loudly while motioning me forward with a perfect smile that people start to murmur. He called me Anna, not Hayley. He wants people to notice me, to notice us.
He tosses his shirt to the sand, showing off a six-pack I wasn’t expecting and firm upper arms. When I make it to him, he scoops me into his arms bridal style as he brings us deeper into the chilly water. I throw my arms around his neck, laugh, and kick my feet like he instructs. I feel like the fakest bitch ever. He drops my legs but keeps a hold of my waist. My ass brushes against the top of the water.
“Wrap your legs around me, little one,” he purrs.
I do, and he cups my ass, squeezing both cheeks in his palms. I want to rip his hair from his head, smash my head into his nose and listen to the crack as it breaks. I want to fill his lungs with saltwater and leave his corpse for the sharks.
“You must really love your sister. You’re being such a good girl. I’m a little disappointed.” His icy lips graze my ear.
I bring my hand to the back of his head and run my fingers through his hair. “I can spice things up if you’d like.” I grip his hair and pull.
He grits his teeth as he uses the muscles in his neck and shoulders to keep his head from being pulled back by the force. And then he fights back, moving his mouth to my shoulder and clamping down with his teeth. I suck in a breath as pain explodes across my skin. He bites harder until I’m the first to give in, letting go of his hair and pressing my forehead to his shoulder as a whimper escapes my clenched teeth. His tongue replaces his teeth as he licks the wound.
“Your blood is so sweet, little one. I’ll have to taste more later.”
He slowly lowers me down his body until my feet touch soft sand and my lower belly is pressed against his crotch. I hate that I backed down first. I hate that he might be more ruthless than I gave him credit.
A few people on the beach have their phones pointed our way. I’m sure Camden and I will be all over social media any minute.
Camden leans down. “Don’t move.” His lips linger near mine. “Stay just like that.”
I can practically taste him. His breath is warm like his body that’s curled around mine. To anyone else, it looks like we’re kissing. My hands fist at my side, and it takes everything in me not to punch him in the side of the face again.
Smiling, he straightens and then dives into the water. Without his support, the powerful waves knock me back, pushing me closer to shore until I’m eventually sitting in the sand while he swims laps.
I feel eyes on me coming from every direction, but I face forward. I’m afraid if I turn to look, I’ll snap. A couple people say my name and I grind my teeth. This fucked-up moment of my life is now on display. I don’t see how famous people handle it. I’ve read the things people are saying about me online, and I’ve seen the posts from people I once knew, claiming we were closer than we were and making up stories to sell.
After what feels like forever, Camden makes his way to me, pulling me up to stand and slipping his arm around my waist. His skin is cold from the water making goose bumps rise on my arms and legs.
“I think we should go,” I say, not liking the growing number of people.
Camden tucks a lock of hair behind my ear.
“Is he your boyfriend, Anna?” someone from behind shouts.
“Who is he?” another asks.
“Tell them who I am and that we’re dating,” Camden whispers as he brushes his lips over my cheek.
My stomach flips when I look over my shoulder and see the crowd around us. “Camden and I are dating.” My gaze slides back to Camden. “Can we go now?”
He nods. “Of course, little one. You’ve been such a good girl.” His finger brushes over the bite mark on my shoulder. “I’ll be counting down the minutes until I get to taste you again.”
My stomach rolls with nausea. He literally makes me fucking sick.
“Can I take a picture with you?” a girl around Tilly’s age asks me, with hopeful eyes and a wide smile.
I open my mouth to tell her no, but Camden says, “One picture and then I need to get this princess home for dinner and her beauty sleep.”
The girl laughs like that shit Camden said was funny, and Camden poses us for the picture by wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me close. As soon as she snaps a photo, I grab my clothes from the sand and start toward the car. I want my phone to see if Nick’s messaged me. I just hope he hasn’t been online. If I saw some chick wrapped around him like I was with Camden, I would fuck some shit up. Just the thought has my blood pumping faster.
I pull my shorts and shirt over my swimsuit when we get to the car and then drop into the front seat. Camden praises me again for being a “good girl” as he takes the driver’s seat and pulls out onto the road.
Fuck him. I will find a way out of this. I always thought people were weak for falling for threats and blackmail. But I’m in a whole other league here with these rich, entitled fucks.
Camden hands me my phone when we’re halfway to the house, and I have several messages from Aiden asking what I’m doing with Camden.
Fuuuck.
There aren’t any messages from Nick, so maybe he hasn’t seen what Aiden has.
I log on to social media and the picture of me and Camden in the water is trending. The majority of people are surprised to see us together and think we must be nothing more than a fling.
“Damn, we look good together, don’t we, baby?” Camden chuckles, leaning over to see my phone screen. “We’re going to make some pretty babies.”
I drop my phone to my lap. “I don’t want kids, and I am NEVER having sex with you.”
His hand darts out to grip my chin, yanking me to face him. “You aren’t in a position to tell me no.”
I jerk my face away. “Why are you doing this? What do you get out of it?”
Eyes on me, he says, “Don’t you get it, little one? Your royal blood is what my father wants. Our marriage advances him, his company, his family.”
“Keep your eyes on the road.” The car drifts over the white line. “Camden, I’m serious.” We drift farther. “Camden!”
He laughs and rights the car. I sink back in the seat, my brain grasping for a way to get me out of this. This isn’t a game anymore, it’s a nightmare.
Chapter 18
An hour before the sun rises, I wake up gasping for breath. My reality and my past blurred together to torture me in my sleep. I clutch the blanket as my heart hammers against my chest. When I was in foster care, moving from house to house, the fact that I would eventually get past that situation gave me hope. I knew once I turned eighteen, my life would be mine.
Hopelessness of this fucked-up situation is trying to dig roots, but I’m not ready to give up. I check my phone to see if Tilly called back, but the only missed calls are from Aiden, and I’m not ready to lie to him. I called Tilly over and over as soon as I got back from the beach yesterday. She needs to come home now.
I trade pajama shorts for sweats and move out into the hall. Using the light from my phone, I walk through the dark and quiet house. Nora’s bedroom door is closed, but it’s not locked.
The door is silent as I push it open. Nora’s s
ound asleep, giving me the freedom I need to search her room. I close the door and flip on the light.
There are dozens of prescription bottles on her nightstand along with a glass of water. I know the pills she takes practically render her unconscious, but I wouldn’t care if she woke up.
I glance around the cluttered room. Bulky furniture is pushed against every inch of space, and clothes and shoes are scattered around the floor. There’s a vintage style couch next to the largest dresser in the room.
I decide to start there, opening each drawer and finding lotions, face creams, and empty pill bottles. Nothing incriminating. I move over to the desk and turn on her computer. Look at that, no password needed. A picture of Aiden, Colt, and Liv fills her home screen.
I click on different icons, not sure what I’m looking for until I see something that catches my eye. It looks like Nora downloaded information on boarding school for kindergarteners the day after the interview. I don’t understand how me being found would cause her to send Liv away.
I shut the computer down and move into the closet, searching every inch and finding nothing. I need to find something I can use against her. Something she wouldn’t want anyone to know.
I wish I could talk to Aiden about this, but Camden made it clear he’d hurt my sister if I did. Not like Aiden would be able to do much. If he couldn’t change Nora’s mind about sending Liv to boarding school, he wouldn’t be able to talk Nora out of marrying off the girl she thinks is impersonating her lost daughter.
I reach over and rip a chunk of clothing from the rod, and I don’t stop until the floor is covered in clothes and hangers. I back away from the mess and move to the side of her bed. I watch her chest rise and fall and then leave her room before I do something stupid like strangle her in her sleep.
If I can’t find anything on Nora, maybe I can find something on Camden or the Anderson family. I head back to my room and type Camden’s name into the search bar of my phone. Looks like he’s the carefree playboy of England. There are several photos of him with random women and even more photos and videos of Camden at bars and clubs.
Camden has totaled two cars, stolen a yacht, has had dozens of traffic violations, been arrested for property damage, assault and battery, and drugs. Camden isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty, and he’s unpredictable. He won’t be easy to take down.
If there is such a thing as fate, she knows I’ll fight to the death before I’m forced into marriage. I guess one of us is fated to die.
***
A few hours after searching Nora’s room, I’m restless as I pace mine. Energy is coursing through my veins and I have nowhere to direct it. I throw open the bedroom door like I have somewhere to go or a purpose. My brows draw together when I see Graysen headed my way.
I sigh. “You’re still here?”
“I skipped my flight and was able to convince my dad I should stick around for a few days. It will look better for our family if the media thinks I approve of the marriage between you and my psycho brother.”
“So, you’re back to what, take a few photos?”
“No,” he says, like I’m an idiot. “I came back to help. Marry me right now, and Camden leaves. We can go to the courthouse.”
“That’s not helping me. That’s helping you get exactly what you wanted.”
“Would you rather marry Camden?” He looks at me with disgust. “Our father was threatening to cut him off just last month. I don’t see why he’d even allow this match.”
I roll my eyes. “Just stop talking, Graysen. You’re impossible. I’m not marrying either of you.” I back into my room and slam the door.
“Hayley!” Graysen hollers from the other side of the door.
My hands are shaking as I grab my phone and dial Nick. I need to hear his voice, and I need to see if he’s seen the pictures.
“Hey,” I say, a little breathlessly when he answers.
“Hey, I was getting ready to call you.”
“Still haven’t heard from your mom?”
“I just finished talking to her a few minutes ago. She says neither of them called. They’re on their way home from a friend’s cabin. They didn’t have cell reception.”
“That’s great. I’m glad she’s okay.”
“Yeah. She wants me to stay tonight and fly back tomorrow. You good there? You at Aiden’s?”
He hasn’t seen the photos, and I didn’t think this through. I wanted to hear him, feel like he was here with me, but I’m being selfish. I should tell him to stay where he is. Coming back would only hurt him because I’m Camden’s little pet.
“Hayley?”
“Sorry, what’d you say?”
“You okay?”
“I’m always okay, Nick. I’m a big girl.”
He chuckles. “Okay, princess. I’ll see you tomorrow then?”
“Yeah, see you tomorrow.” I hang up and toss the phone on the bed just as my bedroom door bangs open.
“What the fuck, Hayley?” Aiden barges into my room with Casey tailing behind him.
I’m frozen. I never answered his texts. I didn’t know what to say.
“What the fuck was that shit with Camden yesterday? Is he here?” Aiden asks.
I sit up. “I…” I’ve never seen him look so angry, and I’ve never felt so damn guilty. It’s weird because I’ve only known Aiden for a few weeks, but I love him, just as much as I love Tilly. I love Liv, Colt, and John too. I feel my stupid eyes tearing up.
“Where’s Nick?” Casey asks, staring me down.
I clear my throat, but the lump stays. “He’s in New York visiting his parents.”
“He left? So he knows? How could you do this to him? He’s my best friend,” Aiden says.
“I know,” I say, softly. “It isn’t what you think.” I meet his eyes, mentally screaming for him to understand.
“No? You weren’t at the beach all over Camden Anderson? And why the fuck is he even here?”
“I came to meet the lost princess,” Camden says, sauntering into the room and brushing past Aiden to stand next to my bed. He gestures for me to take his side. “We had a connection that neither of us could deny.” Camden wraps his arm around my waist, and kisses my cheek while whispering, “Play nice, little one, or Tilly will be the one with tears in her eyes.”
Casey and Aiden both look stunned, but Aiden’s the first to speak, he croaks, “Hayley?”
“Camden… made it impossible for me to resist,” I say, malice lacing my tone, and then I bite down on my tongue until I taste blood. Camden pinches my side. He’s the only one who understood the meaning in my words because Aiden looks absolutely disgusted and Casey still looks shocked.
Where’s that twin mind-reading thing when you need it?
“You’re going to crush Nick,” Aiden says. “Did you know that Camden hurt Rocco’s sister, Hazel? He used her, spread lies about her, and then left her. He’s disgusting.” Aiden steps back. “How could you do this? I feel like I don’t know you.”
My guilt and his words physically hurt, but the pain quickly morphs into anger. “You don’t!” I snap, mad at the situation and the fact he’s still looking at me like I’m the most disgusting person alive. I knew him being the faithful brother wouldn’t last. It was only a matter of time until I did something he didn’t agree with. “And you don’t get to judge me. I didn’t live the same life as you, Aiden. The choices I make are none of your business. Get the fuck out!” I’m panting, shaking, and on the verge of crying. “Get out! Both of you!”
Aiden storms out, and Casey slowly follows, staring at me with disappointment in his eyes.
Camden brushes hair from my neck. “That went better than I could have expected.”
“Fuck you!” I raise my hand to slap him, but he catches my hand midair and squeezes so tight that it feels like the bones of my fingers are rubbing together.
“I hit back. Are you sure you want to do that?” He releases my hand and smiles.
Fuck yes!
I
swing, putting every drop of power into it as my open palm meets his face. My hand stings, and his head whips to the side. He slowly turns his head and I back up as his crazed eyes connect with mine. He’s a blur as he rushes forward, lifts me off my feet and then pushes me face-first onto the bed.
A flash of pain burns my ass as he strikes me twice. I kick up and out, connecting with his upper thigh. He retaliates by kicking my feet out from under me as I attempt to stand. I hit the floor and he comes down a second later, rolling me over and pinning me down with his body. I can’t move, but I can bite. I snap, grazing his cheek.
My whole body is humming with energy and not being able to move anything but my head is driving me fucking insane. I let out a piercing scream, hoping to bust Camden’s eardrum. He clamps his hand over my mouth, and I bite down, breaking the skin. I hate the taste of blood, but I don’t let go.
“My turn.”
I whimper in pain as Camden’s teeth sink into my shoulder, the opposite side he bit yesterday. His body sinks between my legs, his crotch pressed against mine. My mind shifts to my ex Toby and how he liked to bite me during sex. It was always a sure way to make me come.
I’m at war with my body as Camden’s teeth sink in farther. My mind hates him but my body not so much. I know it’s fucked-up. My body acted the same toward Nick when he had me pinned against the SUV.
At least Nick isn’t all bad. He has a dark side but he’s also good. Camden is fucked-up to the core. I squeeze my eyes shut. I hate myself right now. Get it together, bitch. I picture myself far away on an island all alone. The breeze is warm and so is the sand that I’m digging my toes into.
Camden’s mouth lifts from my shoulder, and the smile on his face is huge, like he knows my body likes this.
Prick.
“What the fuck?”
Great, Graysen’s here. My life has turned into a shit show. I’m glad Nick’s not here to witness this.
“You stopped fighting back, little one,” Camden whispers. “Did you enjoy my body against yours?” Still smiling, he gets to his feet.
Amorevolous: (Savage Princess book 2) Page 12