Amorevolous: (Savage Princess book 2)

by liberty freer

  “You’re already fucking my brother,” Graysen asks, looking just as disgusted as Aiden did. “You know I’m the son that’s inheriting our father’s company, right?”

  I wish the floor would open and swallow me up. Pressing my hand to the bite on my shoulder, I sit up and give Graysen the same look he’s giving me.

  “What are you still doing here?” Camden asks Graysen, sounding bored.

  My heart pounds in my ears as I get to my feet.

  “Get dressed, wife. I’m taking you to lunch,” Camden says, backing up toward the door and pulling Graysen with him.

  I slam my door shut behind them then grab my phone and dial Tilly, but it goes straight to a full voicemail. No, no, no. I type out a text briefly explaining what’s going on and hit send. Camden didn’t say I couldn’t tell her, and it wouldn’t matter if he did. Once she knows what’s going on, she can come home and this will all be over.

  My door swings open, banging against the wall. “Change of plans,” Camden says, sounding agitated. “Graysen’s coming with us. Let the media see us as one big happy family so he can go the fuck home.” He marches into my closet and comes back out with denim shorts and a black crop top. “Meet us downstairs in fifteen.” He throws the clothes at my feet and then slams the bedroom door on his way out.

  Fuck my life.

  Chapter 19

  I’m perched on Camden’s lap even though there are two empty seats at our table. Graysen’s across from us, glaring at his untouched meal that the waitress brought ten minutes ago. I have a fake smile in place, but if Camden doesn’t get his hand off my thigh, I might break his fingers. I’ll be discreet, snapping his digits under the table we’re seated at. It will be his fault if he screams in the crowded restaurant we’re sitting in.

  Our table is at the center of the room as requested by the depraved lunatic under me. He holds the fork to my lips, and I open so he can place the cold metal on my tongue. I chew the chicken, not tasting it.

  There are only a few pieces of food left. I can do this. A few more bites and it will be time to go. I can try calling Tilly again. She’ll listen to what I have to say, and we’ll form a plan to end this.

  “We’ll be planning our wedding soon,” Camden whispers against my neck. “Who will you invite?” He holds the fork to my lips.

  I swear he wants me to snap in front of all of these people. I don’t have the willpower for this. I knock his hand away, the fork in his hand dropping to the floor. I shoot to my feet, and Camden’s face flashes red.

  “I have to go to the restroom.” I dart away, my breathing erratic. I want to smash something. I find the restroom and slam my boot into the door of the first stall I see. It bangs against the partition and someone in the next stall over yelps in surprise.

  I move into the cramped space and lock the door. I pull my hair until my eyes water from the pain. I can’t do this. I need to break something or... fuck. I need Nick. I clutch my phone, staring at his number. My finger hovers over the call button.

  He’d leave his house right away. He’d kick Camden’s ass and then… and then Camden would make a call and something bad would happen to my sister. I need to bring her home before I make any moves. I shove my phone back into my pocket. I’ve always dealt with my own problems. I can handle this too.

  Chapter 20

  Nick

  I send a quick message to Hayley telling her I’m leaving for the airport in a few minutes even though she’s probably still sleeping due to the three-hour time difference. I think something’s up. When I talked to her last night before bed, she was distant.

  “So, you dropped out of college for a girl,” my dad says, incorrectly paraphrasing what I just said.

  “I took a semester off to help my best friend’s sister.”

  “So, she wasn’t worth Aiden taking a semester off?”

  I lick my teeth. I don’t know why I bother explaining myself when nothing I do will ever be good enough.

  “Why does it matter to you, Dad? How does my taking a semester off affect you?”

  “Because I don’t want a failure for a son,” he says, not missing a beat. “I want you to be strong and independent. I didn’t raise you to be weak.”

  “Sorry about that,” my mom says, walking back into the room. “There’s always an emergency with Angie. Even this early in the morning.” She rolls her eyes playfully and then pulls me in for a hug. “Can’t you stay a little longer?”

  I hug her back, sighing. She knows I can’t, and if she thought it through, she’d realize she doesn’t want me to. The tension has been thick since I got here, and that’s nothing new. My mother hates having to choose between us, so she usually busies herself when my father and I are in the house at the same time. I love my mother, but she loves my father more.

  “You know I can’t,” I say, pulling back and grabbing my bag from the floor.

  “Tell Hayley we said hello. I want to see you both soon.” She steps next to my father and leans into his side as he wraps his arm around her shoulders.

  I stare at them a minute. They look good together when you’re only glancing. Dig deeper and you’ll see that they couldn’t be worse for each other. My mother doesn’t challenge my father like he needs to stay grounded and humble.

  My father doesn’t boost her self-esteem like she needs, and he tends to be spontaneous and risky while my mother likes to meticulously plan. She’s too scared to voice this because she hates conflict, and my father’s too arrogant to notice.

  My father only cares about money and expensive flashy things to impress people, but my mother came from a humble family. She never cared about money or possessions. She only ever wanted love. My father might take care of her, spoil her, but he doesn’t love her. He’s not capable.

  My parents’ relationship left me knowing exactly what I wanted in a partner. I’ve known it for years, and I finally found it with one. Of course it would be my best friend’s sister, the girl who was a pain in my side as a child. She’s fiery, passionate, loving, and trustworthy.

  She’s exactly what I need. I like to be challenged and tested. I want someone who cares more about family than anything else. I want a girl who will have my back but isn’t scared to point out when I’m wrong.

  She is all of that and more. Getting her to fully trust me has taken time and patience, but I think she’s almost there. Having a guarded heart isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but I hate that her experiences have caused her to have one.

  I’ll wait as long as it takes, because that girl, she’s it for me. My perfect match. They say when you find the one, you know, and I feel that truth to my core. Mine.

  The Uber’s parked by the curb when I step out, a black Nissan Maxima. My father has use of twenty-four-hour driving service, but of course, he’d never let me use it. That would make me weak and entitled.

  I greet the driver with a quick hello and slip into the back. Thank fuck I have use of the Westling family jet. I’m ready to get out of New York.

  The car ride doesn’t take long, and then I’m walking up the steep steps to the jet. The cabin is empty, giving me full reign to pick any of the ten seats. I’m dropping down to soft leather when my phone dings, alerting me to a text.

  My blood instantly heats. My heart pounds in my ears. I am going to murder him. He’s fucking dead. I look away from the picture of my girl in Camden’s arms at the beach.

  He’s forcing her. Fuck. I’m supposed to be watching out for her, protecting her. She means everything to Aiden and me. We fucked up once. This was my second chance to keep her safe, and I’m already blowing it.

  I squeeze my eyes shut. Why didn’t she tell me? I’ve talked to her since that photo was taken. She must be too scared. I knew something was up. My hand inches to dive online, but I will lose my shit completely if I do that, and I can’t protect Hayley if I’m in prison for murder.

  Fuck this. I’m yanking her out of that house.

  Chapter 21

  I dial my sister�
�s number, but it goes straight to her full voicemail again. “Dammit!” I scream, grabbing the lamp on my nightstand and hurling it across the room.

  Yesterday, after the torturous lunch, I locked myself in my room. Graysen and Camden have left me alone. But I know that won’t last. The unpredictability has me on edge. I pace, trying to think of anything I can to get myself out of this. I come up with the same solutions each time—bring my sister home or get Nora to call this off.

  Since Tilly isn’t answering, I head downstairs, not running into anyone until I round the corner in the hall where a maid is slipping out of Nora’s room with a suitcase in each hand.

  “Can I help you?” the soft-spoken girl not much older than me asks as I approach.

  “No, just gonna talk to Nora.” What I don’t say is I’m about to beg like I’ve never begged before. Nora must want something more than she wants me to marry into that fucked-up family.

  The maid frowns. “I’m sorry. She’s not here. She checked into Azure.”

  “She’s taking an extended vacation to her favorite spa,” Camden says from behind.

  “Excuse me,” the maid says, wheeling the suitcases past me and then Camden who’s walking my way looking smug.

  “I thought it would be easier to put you in line if we had the house to ourselves,” Camden says.

  I glare. Of course he’d think that.

  “Go get dressed. We’re leaving soon. I saw a hot pink dress in your closet. Be a good girl and put that on.” He arches his brows when I don’t move. “Still so defiant.” He licks his lip. “Do I get to dress you, little one?”

  I glance at my phone, hoping to see a text from Tilly but still nothing. Nick will be here today. He sent a text before I woke up saying he was headed to the airport. I was hoping to have a plan before he came back. I know he’s going to be pissed. It can go one of two ways. One, he’ll kick Camden’s ass, or two, he’ll say I’m too much drama and dip.

  “Who are you hoping to hear from, little one?” He plucks the phone from the hand. “Maybe Nick? Is he coming back today? The trip to see his parents didn’t last long.” He pockets my phone.

  “How do you know—” My mouth drops open and Camden’s smirk widens. “You?” I’m fucking speechless. He called Nick or had someone call Nick pretending there was an emergency with his mother.

  “Pick your mouth up, love.” He smiles. “Good girl. Now run along and do as you’re told.”

  I give Camden one last glare before walking away.

  I rip the hot pink dress from the hanger and then toss it behind the dresser. I will never wear that shit. I hurriedly change into high-waisted dark purple, red, and black striped shorts, a long sleeve black crop top, and my black combat-style boots. Grabbing my eyeliner, I use it to color my lips black before swiping a heavy amount under my eyes.

  I’m not doing myself up for Camden. This is for me. I feel stronger when I have my war paint on, and I feel powerful in the right clothes.

  I shove my phone into a black, crossbody purse and then meet Camden downstairs. His eyes widen when he takes me in, and then a smile splits his face. “So much better than the dress. You look perfect, my wicked angel.” He gestures for me to take the lead, and I do, walking quickly toward the garage, the hair on my neck raising because a predator is behind me.

  I slip into his car. I want to ask him where we’re going, but I don’t want to talk to him or need anything from him, even information.

  After a few minutes of driving in silence, Camden unknowingly gives me what I want, and says, “My father wants me to take you jewelry shopping.” He turns to me and wags his dark brows. “I think we should go lingerie shopping instead. You can model the pieces for me.”

  “How about gun shopping?” I murmur.

  “Do you want to put a bullet between my eyes, love?” He chuckles and pushes the gas pedal harder. “That’s the only way you’re getting out of this marriage.”

  “You don’t know me, Camden. When I have my mind set on something, I will do everything in my power to make it happen. Hear me when I say that I will not be marrying you.”

  He narrows his eyes and then smiles. “Like I’ve said, little one, it will be fun breaking you.”

  Chapter 22

  We drive down Sunset Boulevard, the GPS directing Camden where to go. Flashy expensive cars roll by with even flashier passengers. I kind of like it. Unlike back home, where everyone is trying to be the same, I’ve noticed most of the people here want to stand out.

  The car slows as a jewelry store comes into view. Maybe Camden’s not as in charge as he likes to pretend. Seems his daddy is pulling his strings.

  “I thought we were going lingerie shopping?” I say in a cocky tone as we exit the car.

  He ushers me forward. “Next time, little one.” He holds the door to the store open and I step in.

  There are a few other people eyeing glass cases of what I’m sure holds ridiculously expensive jewelry. Camden grabs my elbow and leads me over to a long glass case on the left. He points out diamond rings and necklaces while whispering in my ear why each piece isn’t for me. He says things like, “A bright and shiny diamond isn’t compatible with my dark heart” and “Why would I need that necklace to help me stand out when my tits do the job for me.”

  My body is coiled tight with the need to knee him in the dick.

  He gestures to a pair of sapphire earrings. “Your eyes are so beautiful. They were the first thing I noticed about you. I can see the darkness in them, unlike these earrings.”

  Feeling aggravated, I twist around so I can look him in the eyes. “Why are we here?”

  “Hello, Can I help you fi—”

  “No,” Camden cuts the sales guy off. “I’ll fetch you if I need anything.” He waves him away and drags me over to another area. These pieces aren’t bad—less blingy.

  Camden points to a rose gold bracelet and then waves the guy back over and tells him to open the case. The band is solid with medium-sized diamonds strategically placed around it. The piece reminds me of a studded dog collar that Grace has. It’s not bad.

  My eyes widen at the price. “That’s fifteen thousand dollars.”

  Camden ignores my comment as he clasps the thick band around my wrist. “We’ll take this. Ring it up.” Camden strokes my cheek. “Wait here while I pay.”

  I turn my wrist back and forth, the diamonds sparkling as I do. It’s a beautiful bracelet, something I would pick for myself if it had been normally priced. I look up to see Camden snapping a photo of me.

  “Let everyone see how generous I am buying my girl jewelry.” He taps at his phone, probably posting the image to social media while simultaneously alerting fans and paparazzi to our location.

  “We should go,” I say, not ready for any more run-ins with the public. “We got what you came for,” I say as the sales guy hands Camden back his credit card.

  “Not yet.” He brushes hair away from my shoulder. “I want everyone to see me spoiling you. I don’t want there to be any doubt about what we are. It will make the proposal that’s coming seem romantic instead of rushed.”

  “You think you have it all figured out,” I say as he intertwines our fingers and leads me out of the store.

  “I won’t be a failure like Graysen. When I commit to something, I always follow through.”

  We walk down the sidewalk for what feels like miles while Camden rambles on about parties, old friends, and other bullshit I try tuning out. He snaps another photo of us, this one with the sunset in the background. It would be a nice picture if he wasn’t in it.

  “You’re strong, you know,” Camden says when we finally make it back to the car.

  Confused by Camden’s compliment and gentle tone, I look away from the street to meet his eyes.

  “You went through a traumatic experience as a young child and spent years in foster care. Then, when you finally get adopted, your adoptive mother dies a few years later. You put your life on hold to make sure your sister was take
n care of, and now you’re giving up your life for hers. Not everyone would do that. Would you do something like that for Liv? Would you give up everything for her?”

  Not understanding his motive, I say, “Why are you asking me that?”

  “Because I want to know.” His cockiness has disappeared completely. “Would you give up everything for one of your newly discovered siblings?”

  I don’t think about his question, but rather why he’s asking it. The only thing I can come up with is he’d try to use my answer against me later. I don’t trust Camden at all. “Can we go now?” I ask, resting my hand on the door handle but not pulling until I hear the lock pop.

  I scoot into the seat, not able to shake the weird feeling I have that Camden is up to something else. He drops into the seat and shuts the door. I grip my seat as he whips the car into traffic.

  “In a hurry to get back to Nick?” When I don’t reply, Camden says, “It’s interesting you’re with him.”

  “Really? Why’s that?” I ask, not looking at him.

  “I’m taking you to the movies tonight. I reserved a room just for us. Be ready by eight.”

  “Yes, sir,” I mumble with a roll of my eyes.

  “Mmm, not sir, but you can call me master when we’re alone.” He reaches over and threads his fingers through my hair, pulling slightly. “Say it.”

  “Fuck you,” I hiss, and he tugs, my head snapping to the side.

  “Fuck you, master. Say it, Hayley, or your sister might have a little accident.”

  “Fuck you, master,” I grind out. “I will find a way out of this and then I’ll kick your ass.”

  “Oh, little one. You can keep telling yourself that,” He releases my hair and I lean away, getting as far away as possible in the small space. “You fucked up when you let Nora send your sister halfway around the world. I think she originally did it to get her out of the way, but once I found out she was gone, I knew I could hold her over your head. It’s worked out perfectly.”