The Dark Prince (The Dark Prince Trilogy #1)

by Autumn Winchester

  Summer sat quietly, watching them all interact. Peter was the quieter of the men, but watched knowingly. It seemed like he just knew things without words needed to explain.

  “Where’s everyone else?” Chase asked after a short pause.

  “Valerie is still being held downstairs and Trent was trying to talk to her, but I’m not sure he’s having much luck,” Peter answered slowly in a lazy drawl. “Hawk is on guard duty.”

  “What!?!” Chase bellowed, making Summer jump. “He's not allowed here!”

  “Chase, give him a chance,” Trent spoke up, Hawk following closely behind.

  “I’ll explain,” Jackson said, leaning against the door jam, his arms crossed over his chest in a lazy nonthreatening manner. “If by the end, you do not feel I am on your side, then I’ll let you shoot me.”

  Chase made a hand motion, telling him to go on. He’d hear him out. Even though Chase was not thrilled that he was in the house, let alone near his wife. Chase pulled Summer into his side to calm her down again from his yelling, and couldn’t help but notice how the man’s eyes looked her over with a brotherly look.

  Chase remembered having play dates with Jackson as children, and that was put to a stop when his mother remarried. But they had been good friends before that had happened.

  “Growing up, I never liked Jason. My mom, Joy, admired him. I have no idea how she got on his good side, and I’ll never know as she’s six feet underground. Anyway, Jason forced me and my brother to do his work, learning how to handle things,” Jackson began.

  “I did everything I could at being the age I was, to keep Summer from his abuse, but it was never enough. I had to watch countless times when that man would make Summer do something that children just don’t need to do. I had to stand by when that monster brought Summer down with his words and fists. I wanted to help her. And I would do just about anything to make sure she didn’t die at his hands."

  "Jason figured it out, and sold her to someone else and I didn’t see her again. He kept tabs on her constantly, as she is his only daughter that he knew of. Then one day I saw you interact with her, Chase. I thought maybe she would be going with your family, where I knew she’d be treated as she should be. I knew without a doubt that you’d treat her better than anyone else ever could."

  "I knew your parents would treat her so much better. Even that man you were with seemed like he’d treat her better than Jason ever did. He was supposed to make her learn how to behave in the company of men, no matter who they were, and Jason thought that selling her off he’d make money in the process. He wanted her to be a submissive, for the better lack of term. A submissive he’d sell by the hour to gain money alone. He was one sick bastard."

  “Jason ended up thinking that I was in love with her, so once I was old enough, he made me track her down. And I did. When I saw a place that wasn’t right for her, as Summer needed to be treated better than just a pet, I made threats, saying it was on Jason’s terms. I thought that she should be treated with respect, and shown kindness, but that was never the case.

  “Every time I made my threats, Summer was sold off to another household shortly after. People, no matter who they were, feared what Jason would do if he learned where his daughter was.

  “I didn’t know where she went for a while after that, but I was sure I tracked her down in Vegas just weeks ago, but she was too happy. It couldn’t be her,” he went on, uncrossing his arms and stuffing his hands in his pockets. His light brown eyes danced between Summer and Chase, not sure who he wanted to keep eye contact with. Although, Summer kept her eyes down from his for the most part.

  She looked so little as she curled herself into Chase. She’d always been on the smaller side, but Jackson could see that she was finally in the place she belonged. He hated that it took so long, and she had to endure so much pain to get here.

  “But then I did figure it out and you were both gone,” his eyes bounced around the room before landing back on Summer and Chase once more.

  “I wanted to explain to you then, but I was sure I had the wrong couple. Jason had things starting up to have you both killed the next day while you were out of town to make it look like a freak accident. He would have either had you both ran over by a stray car while walking the strip, or poisoned by food at any restaurant you would have gone to. I’m sure he had other ideas up his sleeve.

  “I know for a fact that if Jason couldn’t have Summer, no one would be allowed to. Jason wanted her in arm’s reach at any given time, and she had been until you found her, Chase.

  “Before I knew it, you were both back home, so that crisis was avoided. You were both, once again, safe from him. Jason wasn’t happy and blamed everyone but me. He thought I was on his side, but I never once was. I have been waiting to take him down myself, but I knew that would never happen. Jason would have made sure I’d go down with him, and that wasn’t an option."

  “I learned that Jason had plans to take me out as well once Summer was back at his place, and there, he’d claim her as his own slave. He wanted you Summer, for his own sick pleasure,” he went on, a look of disgust on his face.

  “I know I made your life Hell, Sums, but if Jason knew what I was doing, trying to still protect you, we all would have died. But I had to make sure you were safe as best as I could."

  “That man, Summer. That man wanted you for his own. He always had a thing for you, even though he tried to pawn you off on me, knowing I would never touch you that way. I swing the other way,” Hawk said, ending with a shrug. “His brother is just as bad, if not worse."

  “But when I saw you come around that corner, I knew I had to take my chance. Jason would have his bit of fun, but he would die then. If Chase hadn’t come when he did, I would have killed him myself.”

  Summer gave her brother a small teary eyed smile before tucking her head back against Chase. Even though Jackson had saved her life, that didn’t mean she was going to leave her husband’s strong hold any time soon. Nor would she say anything to him if she was able to string a few words together.

  “Alright,” Chase said, not able to stop from pressing his cheek against the top of her head.

  “I was in on it the entire time,” Peter piped up, knowing he’d be paying for that little secret. “So, don’t kill my boy.”

  “Your boy?” Jackson laughed out, a fake glare shot towards Peter. It gave Chase time to process the words. Peter simply laughed with a knowing look. The age difference was of no concern to either of them, surprisingly. Even if Peter was easily old enough to be his father.

  “I’ll give you chance, Hawk. But one step out of line, you’ll pay,” Chase said, giving the boy a hard look.

  “You trusted Blackhawk, you can trust me,” Jackson said, saying more than he needed. “So when I had the chance to, I reached out to you, Chase, knowing you wanted Meads dead just as much, if not more, than I did. Working as an in for him was perfect, really. You can trust me.”

  Chase knew right then who his secret weapon with keeping tabs of his enemies was. He still had his own personal spy to deal with, but he would do that in time.

  With a nod, Jackson took Summer’s empty chair and helping himself to what was left of the food on the table.

  Chapter 30

  In the en-suite that was connected to the master bedroom, Summer soaked in the huge bathtub, this time alone. Her thoughts were all over the place as she tried to get her feelings to calm down. She knew, in reality, she was over reacting. But she couldn’t help it. Her love and fear for Chase at the same time made things difficult. She didn’t fear him as a man, but feared what could happen to him.

  Of course, she wasn’t totally alone, and for good reason. Chase didn’t want her to try, and possibly succeed, with taking her life like last time. Clare sat on a chair, reading on her iPad and trying to give her sister the illusion of privacy as much as possible. Chase didn’t want to risk it. There was no way he could after everything now. And Summer couldn’t blame him.

  Summer
was thankful with not being totally alone though. Knowing his love for her kept her grounded as she tried to relax in the warm bath. She was . . . . she wasn’t sure what she felt. But she assumed shooting the man that was your father would do that to you.

  To anyone.

  Her hands still shook, hours later. Maybe they would for days. Summer wasn’t sure if she’d ever be back to normal. She didn’t know what she was going to do, or how her life would be from now on. All she knew was that she couldn’t possibly leave her husband, even if the option was there. She shot her father to save him. And she’d do it again. And again.

  Downstairs, while Summer took a long, and hopefully relaxing bath, Chase finally took that time to talk to one Valerie Sate who was in the holding room in the basement. She refused to change her last name, even after Trent demanded she do it anyway. The room was soundproof, and only used once or twice. It was a safe room, but Chase put it to good use in times like this. It was always good to be prepared.

  The door was hidden behind a bookshelf so no one but a select few knew of it, and the man planned to keep it that way. Even his wife didn’t know about it, and he didn’t think she needed to at that moment in time.

  There was a hallway, small but there all the same, that Carter sat in a chair playing around on his phone, waiting for his next command. He wasn’t exactly needed, but he sat there anyway, mostly so no one was tempted to come kill the woman that was held inside. Plus, he was watching a live monitor feed of the camera that was inside, more amused by the fits of who was held inside.

  Chase did have to give Valerie credit, as she did try to find a way out, but there was none. Chase made sure of that by keeping the door locked and sealed with no way out unless he said otherwise. Exactly how he had it built. And no one ever went against his commands.

  Chase nodded at Carter, pleased that he picked such a trustworthy guard. The man was only a year or two older than Chase himself, but he did a wonderful job at keeping the younger man alive, even taking a few bullets through the years for him.

  They had been working together for well over five years, and Carter was first employed by Ivan when Chase was beginning to learn the ropes of the business outside of the home. The older man never once thought that his son could have too much protection. Not when there was people out there that wanted him dead.

  Unlocking the door, Chase stepped into the white, sterile like room. Valerie sat on the one single bed, looking worse for wear. Her clothes were wrinkled, her hair a mess, and eyes cold and red rimmed. A clear sign that she had tried just about everything to get out of the locked room. The few sheets that were on the bed had been thrown about the room by her just an hour ago in a fit of rage.

  There wasn’t much to the room, but there was a bathroom, a bed, and a small table and chair. It all served its purpose when needed. There wasn’t any color to anything, keeping it blank and almost sterile feeling, like a hospital. Actually, a hospital was probably more welcoming than this bare room.

  Chase kept quiet, knowing her ice amber colored eyes were on him from the moment the door opened. He moved the black fold up chair, placing it between the bed that the door he left ajar so Carter could hear, or intervene if necessary. It was likely he’d need to step in if Chase’s anger got the better of him.

  Chase never hit women, ever. But this one in front of him tested his limits. And he was not in the mood to be bull shitted either. He wanted to be with his wife, keeping her calm and safe as much as he could.

  He felt miserable for Summer. It was hard to wrap a mind around the subject of her shooting the man that made your life living hell for years. But he didn’t blame Hawk for his part. He was trying to help, even though he didn’t know that moving the girl so much caused her just as much stress.

  Chase had been surprised to find out that Hawk was Blackhawk, but after thinking about, it did make sense. His concern and thoughts were in the right place, and at least Summer didn’t have to die a painful death by the hands of her sick twisted father.

  That was why Chase sent Peter and Jackson out to take care of a few shipments that were coming in on Jason’s turf, while he dealt with Valerie. Chase would put a stop to all shipments of weapons, drugs, and slaves, by the end of the week. Although, he had most of it taken care of already. Only a few more straggling weapon containers that might come into the shipping yards over the next few weeks.

  Jack was second in command for the Meads family, and he was more than happy to go along with Chase’s wants and wishes. Jackson never wanted this role for his life, so working under the Prince’s care was better than dying or being forced to work for a man he hated more than life itself, as he had Jason Meads. Now, he could help make things better.

  Ryder was now busy taking down drug lords and men that worked for Jason. It really was easy. None of the men knew what was going on, or who had turned them in. For all they knew, Jason had a rat or two, but they also could have turned themselves in to stay out of the limelight.

  So far, everything was going as easy as Chase knew it should once he got to each stage. Although, he had planned for Jason to come find him in the hotel conference room, as he had made it known he was holding a meeting with a few men. That would have been where Chase would’ve returned fire in self-defense. Summer would have been safe in the hotel room, having no clue what was going on.

  But that all went out the window when Peter had texted him half an hour later on Summer’s whereabouts. And somehow, he wasn’t all that surprised by his wife. She was smart and he knew to never underestimate her, even with her lack of strength and training. Chase was more surprised that Peter had planned around his meeting, letting his wife take the lead on shooting Jason Meads. Chase never expected Summer to be able to do that on her own, if at all. Of course, Ivan already had words with Peter about his actions, and to never do that again unless he wanted to lose his life.

  “Let’s have a chat,” Chase said after taking a deep breath. He wanted to get this over with. Chase briefly thought about letting Asher deal with her, but he was busy watching every account like a hawk. Chase knew that money would be missing soon enough as men on both sides would be trying to make a run for it. A time like this would really show who was on the Marcel’s side.

  “I have nothing to say to you,” she huffed, crossing her arms across her chest and glaring at the man. If she could cause someone to burn, no doubt Chase would be burning right then. It was almost laughable.

  “I need answers, and only the ones you can give me,” he responded, making himself comfortable in the chair, knowing he’d be there for a while. He let his back lean against the back of the chair, legs spread out. The handle of his gun poked through his shirt around his waist. He kept his voice hard, not budging.

  “I want my husband!” she snarled, leaning forward on the bed, ready to pounce. “You think you have a say over how he does things. You are wrong. He’s going to come back and get me out after killing you.” She was bluffing, but she was always good with words to get her way.

  But not this time. Her words meant nothing to Chase. He knew that Trent was done with her. He already forced her hand to sign the divorce papers a few weeks ago when he found out Valerie was a rat in the family. Yes, Trent, or even Chase, should have shot her already, but they would use her against the enemy instead.

  Trent had been talked into marrying her by her father, thinking that combining the two family blood lines would be the best way to go since Chase had yet to marry, or even have a child. It made sense at the time, even when Ivan disapproved outright on such a choice.

  “Is that so?” Chase said with a laugh, although he wasn’t the least bit amused. “If so, then why isn’t he here? Why did he call daddy dearest to let him know what you did? Trent wants nothing more of you.”

  “He wouldn’t?” she asked, more like stated, in fear. Her eyes widened only slightly.

  “He did,” Chase said, keeping his voice uncaring. “And he’s not happy. He asked me to hand you over, but I’m n
ot done with you yet. I need answers, then I’ll kill you myself. Traders never die quick.”

  “You’re lying,” Valerie said, her voice breaking. She didn’t know if Chase was lying or not. She could never read him and that alone bugged the crap out of her. Would he really do it?

  “Here’s the deal,” Chase said, looking at her with no emotion as he propped his elbows on his knees. “Tell me what you get out of helping Jason, and I’ll let you go. If not, I’ll let Mr. Rodrigo deal with you.”

  “You’ll kill me. Either you will or he will,” Valerie said, refusing to meet his eyes as she thought over his words. Her father wouldn’t go to that length, but it would be close enough. Her father, Saul Rodrigo, would lock her away to let her rot in hell, even being his only daughter.

  “I’d be happy to let the man out in the hallway do that,” Chase said, waving his hand towards where Carter was waiting. And he would kill her without question. Carter never batted an eye on who was the target of any of his bullets. “I didn’t say anything about myself killing you in the first place. I just want answers. Now answer,” he ended darkly, a hidden meaning behind his words.