by Dani René
“What do you want?” My biting tone doesn’t bother him, though. He likes the back and forth, the fight, the tension. He feeds off it and makes it a game.
He settles on my bed, leaning back against the headboard on the same side he slept last night. “I think you need to be nicer to me,” he says. “Especially while we’re back in the town you lost yourself and where you ended up lying to save yourself.”
“What?” My mouth gapes at his accusation, but I can’t allow him to know it’s true. I did lie. But Paulo had no idea, I didn’t tell him what I did. He must’ve been doing some digging when he went into town because I never once mentioned Cassian or what happened that night to anyone. And I know Dad wouldn’t go back to bad memories, no matter how much he hates the Thornes.
Paulo sighs, but there’s a knowing grin on his face. “Sweet little innocent, please don’t play me for a fool,” he says as he pushes to his feet. “Your little boyfriend is in town, and you didn’t think to tell me?”
“What boyfriend? I never once had a boyfriend in school, and when I left here, I walked away from all my friends. Nobody here can tell you about my past.” My tone is filled with confidence I don’t feel, especially when Paulo arches a brow at me.
He pushes to his feet, his hand reaching out to grip my throat in his large hand. His fingers wrap around my neck, and he tugs me closer, causing me to swallow against the tight hold of his palm.
“Don’t fuck with me, druggie whore,” he hisses in my face. “Because I will fuck with you, harder, deeper, and much more violent.” There’s no doubt I would know if he were to fuck me, because the man is not only rough, but there’s violence in his demeanor that scares me.
When we have been together, that handful of times, he’s been calm, but there’s always an underlying threat of what could happen if he were to lose control.
“I haven’t,” I manage to spurt out when he loosens his hold on my neck. The glint in his eye is more than a warning; it’s a threat of what’s to come if he finds out about Cassian. At least I know Cass won’t want me after what I did to him, so there’s nothing to worry about.
But even as I think it, I have a feeling this evening is about to explode in a flurry of secrets and truths I’m not prepared for. And some of those will most probably get me killed.
And for a moment, I wonder if it would be so bad.
Not being here.
Paulo leaves me to get ready, and I breathe a sigh of relief.
Time to get into character, and once that’s done, it’s time to face my past.
The Thorne mansion hasn’t changed. Not that I thought it would in the past five years, but seeing it up close, all lit up with decorations, makes it seem almost normal.
We’re welcomed as if we were royalty. Champagne is offered, and I quickly take a flute and gulp down a mouthful. The bubbles fizz over my tongue as Paulo presses his fingers against the base of my spine in warning. He watches me all the time. Whenever we’re out, the heat of his stare will keep me in line as if I were a puppet on a string, and Paulo grips them oh so tightly.
We move through the crowd, and as I search the sea of people for a familiar face, I realize my heart is thudding against my ribs. He’s close; he must be. With every step out into the garden, nervous energy takes hold and doesn’t let go. It would’ve been better if I were here alone, so I could talk to Cassian without Paulo’s watchful gaze. But that would never have happened.
“Hello.” Mr. Thorne saunters up to us, his hand outstretched to shake Paulo’s before he brings mine to his lips. “Welcome to the party. I trust you’ll enjoy the evening. We’ll have a few games, dancing, and drinks throughout the night.”
“Thank you,” Paulo responds because I can’t find the words. The man who stood in my living room when I was seventeen is before me. Cassian’s father. He doesn’t recognize me, and if he does, he doesn’t say anything.
Once we’re alone again, I turn to take in the house from this side of the garden. It’s exquisite. Fairy lights trail along the balconies of the bedrooms on the first floor. Lanterns of dancing flames frame the garden, along with a dance floor that has been set up on the grass. But the moment I step on it, I find it’s stable enough to feel like an actual concrete floor.
Music blares from the speakers, but my mind is still racing with possibilities. The thought of finally seeing him is at the forefront of my thoughts, and when Paulo leans in, I gasp in surprise.
“I’m going to the restroom,” he tells me. “Be a good girl.” There’s another warning in his tone. Paulo has never trusted me. The past two years have been a struggle. And even though I have no choice but to keep the ring on my finger, deep down, I wish someone would save me from the life I chose.
I set my empty glass down and move through the garden. With every step, I can’t help but smile at the decorations. After years of hosting the gala, the Thornes still go out of their way to ensure it’s the talk of the town.
A cold shiver trickles down my spine, and when I turn toward the porch which lines the back of the property, my mouth falls open. In the shadows, closest to where the kitchen entrance is, is a form. A man. It’s clear that he’s staring right at me, his gaze driving a hole through my chest.
The lights are off, which casts him in an eerie glow from the illumination from the party. I’m about to make my way toward him. To demand he talk to me when someone grabs my arm. I turn to find Genevieve, the redhead who I grew up with, smiling at me.
“It’s good to see you,” she says. “I didn’t realize you were back.”
“We only arrived yesterday,” I inform her. We’ve never been friends. She’s always wanted a Thorne on her arm, and while her jealousy over my friendship with Cassian was clear, it didn’t stop him from choosing to hang out with me rather than her.
“Well, I hope you enjoy the party. Cassian and Finn will most certainly be shocked to see a blast from the past,” she remarks before leaving me alone. I want to turn around to see if he’s still standing there, but I don’t. Instead, I fall into the sea of people and find a few old classmates.
We get into conversation, and for a moment, I relax.
But I know it won’t last long.
Because those eyes are still on me.
8
Cassian
The silver moon peeks at me from between the dark and stormy clouds, reminding me that it’s watching. I can’t help but smile. The promise of a night of debauchery is what I needed, and now that I’m back in Thorne Haven, I can enjoy the freedom.
The woods beckon with the creak of branches as the howling wind snakes through the trunks. Nature has a mind of her own, and when she’s angry, you’d better be careful. Shrugging on my hoodie, I smile, which causes the skeleton mask painted on my face to twist into a grin. There are easily a hundred guests at the party, and the moment I step foot off the porch, onto the soft, lush grass, my gaze zones in on my prey for the night.
The wavy, silky chocolate strands hang to the gentle curve of her bared shoulder blades. She’s draped in a long, satin champagne-colored dress that hugs each curve of her frame. Tanned arms are bare, offering me a clear view of the small rose tattoo inked on her shoulder.
The music vibrates through me, the deep bass reminding me of just how fragile we are. If something so small can make the body feel so much, just imagine how an object made of sleek, cool metal can break through the delicate flesh of a human body.
Her laugh echoes across the grass toward me, and I close my eyes, basking in the soft tinkling melody that’s made my dick hard each time I’ve heard it. Following her is something of a hobby, a pastime that’s become an addiction.
My father sent me off to London; he ensured I had work to do. Keeping me busy was the plan, but what my family doesn’t know about me is that I’m susceptible to human emotions as well. Not the sweet and loving kind, but the dizzying darkness that takes over.
When I was thirteen, I told Dad I was worried. I needed to see a professional. All
I got in return were a few sessions and some pills. Talking to a stranger didn’t appeal to me after a while, so instead, I enjoyed the calmness and serenity that came with swallowing those little white capsules of calm.
“She’s a beaut,” my brother Finn says from beside me. A few years younger than me, and he’s most probably had more women than I have. But that doesn’t bother me too much. I don’t respond to him; instead, I sip the spicy alcohol in my glass. The rum that my father imports is sweet, but there’s a hint of spice on the palate, and I have a feeling the woman before me will be just as delicious as my drink.
She moves with her friends as they drift over the lawn to the buffet table. My gaze keeps her in my sights. Her every movement is mine tonight. Only, she doesn’t realize it yet.
“You ready for it?” Finn asks.
“Of course,” I tell him with a small grin curling my lips. She turns to face the garden, and I get my first look at half of her beautiful face. It’s partly hidden by a champagne-colored mask made of lace. The pattern is delicate, like a snowflake, covering her pretty expression. But I don’t need to remove it to know what she looks like. “I’ve been waiting for a long time.”
Finn’s hand lands on my shoulder in a show of camaraderie. “I know.”
When we were growing up, there was a family who lived in town, with a pretty little girl who used to run around in her pink tutu shouting lines from Shakespeare. Her parents were infamous faces, but it was her beauty that brought them a fortune. They plucked the pretty rosebud before she’d bloomed into a beautiful flower and took her to the tainted City of Angels.
“I can’t believe what I’m seeing is real,” I tell Finn. If Damien were here, he’d be as shocked as I am to learn they’d returned. But I did my research, I investigated the reasons, and now I know why. At first, I wanted her out, but now that I’ve seen her again, I’ve changed my mind.
Instead of sending her packing, I’m going to ensure she never leaves Thorne Haven again. She’ll be a captive to me, to this town. She walked away before, leaving me with nothing but memories; this time, she’ll stay, whether she wants to or not.
Because what she doesn’t know is that I will own her.
If she does anything, it will be by my side.
The only problem is, I’m almost certain she hates me as much as I hate her.
It’s almost time.
The hands on the clock will hit the eleventh hour, and our game will start. Everyone gathers on the porch and spills out onto the lawn close by. My father takes a cue from his best friend, grinning like a teenager hyped up on something, and speaks into the microphone, informing the crowd that this year, the party will have a special game of hide-and-seek in Thorne Manor.
Usually this is reserved for the Haven party, our neighbors in town, but when we came to the agreement that the Thornes will host, we went all out.
I glance at Finn, who knows what he must do.
The moment the signal goes, some women race into the house, others into the darkness of the garden to find their hiding places. The adrenaline that’s currently racing through my veins has my body alert and my mind at the ready with so many delicious scenarios.
My father glances toward me, already knowing what I plan to do. I’m aching to race inside, to go to her, because I’m certain of where she’ll be. Our maids have been positioned in the mansion, keeping an eye on her.
He offers me a nod, and I can’t stop my feet from moving into the living room and toward the foyer where I find Joy. She’s standing at the foot of the staircase, her smile bright and cheery. She doesn’t know what I’m about to do.
“Champagne-colored dress, curly brown hair,” I tell her quickly, my voice already turning husky with the thought of finding her on the roof.
“She went up with another girl. They’re on the third floor,” Joy informs me, and my feet have a mind of their own as I race upstairs, taking them two at a time. “Oh, and Cass,” she calls to me from down below, “be careful, would you?”
With a quick nod, I’m moving to the third level of the house, which isn’t actually a full floor. It doesn’t span the width of the manor. There are only two rooms up here, and with the silence I’m met with, I’m sure it’s practically empty.
When I push open the door, it creaks, squeaking along the floorboards of the attic-turned bedroom. It was a space we, as boys, used to bask in because we could be us. No pretenses, no smiles when we didn’t want to. It was a safe space.
But tonight, it’s nothing of the sort.
“Come out, come out, wherever you are…” I call to the darkness. Even with the sliver of light from the moon, there’s not much illumination in the small, cramped space. A shuffle from behind me has me glancing over my shoulder toward the hallway, and I notice a dress that is short, nothing like hers, moving toward the steps.
I could catch the girl racing away from me, but my prey is hidden in the depths of this room. A creak from deeper inside causes my head to turn forward, the closet door isn’t closed, and I know for a fact it’s something we pride ourselves in—tidiness.
“You know,” I tell the room, “I used to think that beauty was in the eye of the beholder. I also believed in love and loyalty. And even now, I wonder if that’s something you’d stand by.” The more I remind myself of what she did, the deeper I walk into the room. Soft breaths filter across the space toward me.
I ponder my move.
This was never my game.
The hide and seek, the hunting, it was more my brothers—Damien and Finn—who reveled in it. I was more of a lurker, a stalker if you want to call me that. I would watch from a distance, allow the prey to come to me. But with her, I want her scared. Desire thrums through my veins. It’s as if I can smell the fear which emanates from her like a perfume, filling the confined space.
“Come out, little liar, time to pay your penance,” I call in a sing-song tone. A soft gasp sounds when I reach the closet door, and a smile cracks on my face. “In the dark, dark night, the hunter finds his prey,” I tell her. “And when he captures her, he’ll feast on her fear and devour her flesh.”
Shoving the door wide, I listen to how it creaks, and the silky material, the same color as the bubbly that we’re serving the guests, comes into view. I reach into the cupboard and fist my hand into the soft strands of brown curls, tugging harshly.
She stumbles from her hiding spot, and those wide chocolate eyes lock on my cold teal ones. Her breath catches when I lean in, inhaling her scent as I grin down at her. I must look like a maniac in my mask. She won’t recognize me. It’s been years since she even laid eyes on me.
“Are you scared, little liar?” My voice is husky as I question her. I’m only met with a slight nod before I say, “Good. Because you’re going to be mine. The next few weeks are going to be your worst nightmare.”
“Cassian? Is that you? Why are you doing this?” The fear in her voice drips over me, warming me like molten lava from a raging volcano. Her eyes, widening and her lips, parting as I whisper my mouth over hers. The flavor of the wine she’d been drinking earlier tantalizing me.
“Who else did you think it was, Kalyn?” I question her, with a smirk curling my lips. “Because the moment you stepped foot back in my town, you asked for this. You made yourself a target.”
“I-I can’t believe you could do this to me,” she whimpers, the pure and utter dread in her tone drenches every word. “Why are you doing this when we’re—”
“Don’t even fucking say we’re strangers, or I will show you just how angry I am right now.” I release her from my hold, and she stumbles backward. The rules of the game ensure she’s mine until our December Winter’s Ball. This little game is nothing compared to what she’s about to live through.
“Please, just let me explain what happened, why I did what I did. It’s better—”
“Get on your fucking knees,” I bite out, stepping in her path to the exit. We can hear people on the lower levels, the squeals, and laughs, but
they won’t come up here because Finn is keeping guard.
For a moment, she hesitates, but the look on my face must show her I’m not joking around. Slowly, she sinks to the floor, her eyes locked on mine, and I notice the tremble that continually shoots through her.
I smile, and I’m sure it causes the make up on my face to turn sinister. I enjoy the torment I’m causing because when she left, she didn’t think twice about what she did to me. And that’s okay, I’m over it; the only thing left to do is earn my revenge.
Slowly, torturously, I lift my hand and reach for the gold chain hanging around my neck. I tug at the metal and bring it up over my head until I’m freed from the confines. I flick open the locket and twist it toward her.
Her eyes widen when she sees the two kids standing side by side. And when I glance down at the woman that I’m about to torture for the next six weeks, I offer the dark grin that usually makes others shudder.
Her mouth falls open when she finally looks up, meeting my eyes, and sees me. Her expression changes from worry, to excitement, to fear. Just like I knew it would.
“Cassian.” My name on her lips is nothing more than fuel to the already raging inferno that’s taken hold of me. She did this to me. She made me a monster. And then she says, “I’m sorry.”
9
Kalyn
There’s no more running because he is inches from me. The words fall from my lips without me even thinking about them. “I’m sorry.” For a long moment, he doesn’t respond, and I’m thankful Paulo isn’t here right now; he doesn’t need to see this. He most definitely doesn’t need to know Cassian is here and only a step away, and my heart thuds a nervous rhythm like it usually does around him.