He says in a hard voice.
“What else?”
I gulp for air. How does he know I’m holding it back? He sees inside my soul. Maybe he’s the Devil, it certainly feels that way.
I shrug. “Don’t you see. I failed at that as I failed at everything else. I couldn’t go through with it even with what it promised me. I wasn’t strong enough for that or to fight back. I can’t be that victim anymore. If I stayed it would happen all over again. I would be passed from one man to another and powerless to defend myself. I’m not sure what the answer is but I have nowhere safe to go. Tyler can’t protect me forever. He’s as much a pawn in our father’s games as I am. If he knew about Tyler’s alter ego, he would end up destroying him. We both did what we had to do to escape. The trouble is, I'm starting to realize there is none.”
I feel him approaching and shrink back in fear. He stands before me and fixes me with a hard look.
“Then let me tell you how it’s gonna be.”
I look at him startled, and he fixes me with a hard gaze.
“This job is your best option. I want you as my wife for your own protection. My baby needs a mom and what she needs she gets. If you stayed here as the hired help you would be hit on by every cock sucking bastard out there. As my old lady, you will be safe to look after my Angel with no distractions. You will be my wife so can’t marry another. If they come for you, they will regret it. Your past is behind you and this is your future. I promise you will be safe and want for nothing. If you decide to leave at any time, you can go. Just don’t break my baby’s heart in the process. You play the perfect mom and I’ll play the protector. It’s your call, darlin’.”
My heart beats faster. I feel unsure and yet for the first time in my life, I feel hope. Then I realize what being his wife could mean and I stutter, “What about… um… you? You don’t expect me to… um… be a wife to you in every way.”
I watch his eyes flash and a wicked grin breaks out across his face.
He leans towards me and whispers, “I want a wife in every way but one. I’m not interested in forcing myself on an unwilling woman, that ain’t my style. I have whores who are more than happy to look after my needs. However, when you are ready, you will come to me. We both know it, I know you feel it too.”
Grabbing my head, he pulls my face within inches of his and says softly. “You will beg for it, darlin’ and then I’ll know you’re mine. Until then you are safe, however that part of our deal needs to be only ours to know.”
My legs weaken as I feel him so close. He is overpowering my senses and I can’t think straight. I say huskily, “What do you mean?”
He pulls away and I feel the loss.
“Those men need to think you’re mine in every way. In public, we need to keep up the appearance of a loving couple. In private you’re on your own. Like I said, I’m only interested in willing women and you my darlin’ aren’t ready for me… yet.”
I sink back in my seat and try to make sense of everything I’ve heard. He leaves me be for a few moments and then says softly.
“Do we have an agreement?”
I raise my eyes to his and stare at him with a determined look.
“On one condition.”
He looks interested. “Which is?”
I pull myself up and say as bravely as I can.
“You teach me how to fight. I want to learn how to protect myself.”
He grins and then laughs softly.
“It’ll be my pleasure, darlin’.”
He holds out his hand.
“Deal.”
I take his hand in mine and smile weakly.
“Deal.”
7
Ashton
“Are you ok with this, Ashton? You know, you can change your mind if you want, it’s not too late.”
I feel the nerves bubbling up inside me and look at Tyler with pure terror in my eyes. I try to be brave. Ryder was right, this is the best solution all round. I didn’t think it would be so quick though.
As soon as I agreed he swung into action. He sent for someone called Judge who turned out to be just as his name suggests. Within the hour it was all arranged and now I’m standing next to Tyler holding a small bunch of flowers that Bonnie thrust into my hand.
She smiles at me happily.
“You look lovely, honey. Ryder is one lucky son of a bitch.”
I smile shakily and try to stop my teeth from chattering. Bonnie whisked me away and proceeded to make me the bride I should be. From out of nowhere, she produced a beautiful white dress that falls to the floor in a cascade of silk and lace. She styled my hair and made up my face so even I didn’t recognize myself.
I questioned the need for such speed and she smiled and rolled her eyes. She told me that it had to be this way. I wouldn’t be safe until Ryder had claimed me.
Tyler is quiet beside me and I worry about him. He feels responsible and has the look of a man in torment. Reaching for his hand I squeeze it tightly.
“It’s ok, Ty. I want this. Ryder told me I’d be looked after and there’s nothing to worry about. It’s for the best.”
He nods bitterly, then before he can say another word, we are called for.
As we walk into the bar, I see the whole club watching us with curiosity. I feel the stares. The men look at me with hunger and the women with looks of pure hatred. Ryder King is King around here as his name suggests. He’s the President and top dog and to be his old lady is the highest prize a girl can get. To them, I have walked in and stolen it away. Of course, they hate me.
I walk holding onto Tyler’s arm with Bonnie behind me. I see Snake and Ryder standing watching and my heart skips a little as I see him staring. His expression is closed but I see it in his eyes. The hunger, the passion, the ownership. I’m like a lamb to the slaughter and once again I have given myself away lightly. Will I ever learn?
We draw near and he briefly smiles and pulls me to his side. Tyler stiffens beside me and I pray to God this is over quickly. I need to sort this once and for all. This is my escape, not a great one but the best on offer. I will make this work for me, not him.
As we say our vows in front of the officiator, I mean every word. Well, almost. Trust Ryder to throw ‘obey’ in there.
It doesn’t take long. As the club bears witness to our marriage, I feel the walls closing in. This is it. My future.
Ryder
I had to move fast. I told her it was for her safety. I’m a lying bastard. One word from me and she would have been safe as houses. My men wouldn’t disobey a direct order, it’s not how we roll. No, I painted the sorry tale to get her to be my bride and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I didn’t want to give her room to change her mind.
As soon as I saw Ashton something switched on inside me. I have always been a loner. Cool, detached and unemotional. I have never loved a woman or ever wanted to. They serve a physical need for me and nothing else.
But when Ashton walked into the club, something stirred inside me. She was so small, so vulnerable and so damned perfect. A vision of innocence and yet the hottest girl I have ever seen. She is mine. I knew it then and I know it now. She is what I’ve been waiting for all my life and I knew I had to act fast. She’s damaged and broken and I will wait as long as it takes to build her up again and make her whole. I’ve already waited a lifetime, what're a few more weeks, months, even years against a lifetime with my woman.
When she walked beside her brother to become my wife everything slotted into place. My world was complete. She was home where she belongs.
Judge wraps it up quickly and then says the words I’ve been waiting to hear.
“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss the bride.”
I turn to face my new wife and see the nerves in her eyes. She looks scared to death but there’s something else. I see in her eyes what I saw when she looked at me for the first time - a matching hunger to mine. The room is silent as I reach for her. This needs to count.
&n
bsp; I run my hand around the back of her head and pull her face to mine. Her lip trembles and her eyes dilate. I know desire when I see it and it makes my heart swell. I lower my lips to hers and claim them as I have wanted to do since she first walked in. I take my time. I taste the delights in my arms like a man tasting fine wine for the first time. I savor it and commit it to memory. I taste every part of her with a starvation I never knew I had. I inhale her and feel drunk on desire. I shut everyone out but the woman before me. The only one that counts is in my arms and I’m going to make it right for her. I twist her silken strands in my hands and feel the soft, sweet-scented crown that flows around her beautiful face. I want to bury my face in it and commit every last scent to memory. I want to breathe Ashton as if she is the only air I need.
She kisses me back with the passion I know she holds back. Feeling her tongue entwined with mine feels so right. She tastes of sweetness and innocence and my cock hardens unbearably. What I wouldn’t give to sweep her up run to the hills. But not now, not tonight. She needs to beg for it first—and she will.
I release her unwillingly and note with satisfaction the flush in her cheeks and the brightness in her eyes. The guys crowd around and pay their respects. Tyler does not. He hangs back and looks as if his world has ended.
I see Kitty wailing in the background. She’s not the only one and I don’t care. I never promised them anything other than my cock when it suited me. They know the score and give it up freely to anyone who asks in exchange for a protective home and everything they need. These girls aren’t old lady material. They just think they are. However, I need to keep Kitty on side. I need her for another reason now and I’m sure she’s gonna like it—a lot.
In less than an hour, it’s time to wrap things up. I leave Ashton in Bonnie’s capable hands and nod to Tyler. “Follow me.”
We walk to my office and once we’re inside, I close the door firmly.
He scowls at me and I laugh.
“Relax, Tyler. I’m no monster. You did the best thing for your sister. Now, we’re gonna make things right for that girl, between us.”
He looks startled.
“What do you mean, how can we? The men that hurt her are the most powerful in the land. The men that want to hurt her are her family. How can we sort this?”
I grin wickedly. “You forget who you’re dealing with. I’m gonna tell you everything I know about your predicament and how to deal with it. Then you must head home and carry it out to the letter. In return, I only want five things from you.”
He looks confused. “What can I give you?”
I stare at him with a cold, hard, expression.
“I want their names.”
He pales and shakes his head.
“I can’t, it’s impossible.”
I fix him with my deadly gaze.
“You will tell me, Tyler, or this gets uglier.”
He looks nervous.
“If they ever found out I told on them I’m dead.”
Shaking my head, I laugh softly.
“I don’t intend on having a conversation with them. I just want their names that’s all. I’m not saying I’ll do anything, today, tomorrow or even next week. What I’m saying is they’re now on my list. When someone gets on the Reaper’s list there is only one outcome. It will come to them eventually and will be the sweetest of them all. Tell me their names and it will set you and your sister free.”
He looks down and I know I’ve got him. He then tells me five names that I write down and commit to memory. Five bastards who are about to pay for their sins. Five men who danced with the devil that night and are heading straight to Hell and five problems that I’m itching to solve.
Then I tell him what he needs to know. It’s up to him what he does with it. It’s no longer up to me. When Tyler returns, he will return a free man.
8
Ashton
The party goes on all around me. Huge, intimidating guys crowd around, offering their congratulations. They make me feel smaller than I am and scare the hell out of me.
The women are no different. They smile but their eyes are cold. They hate everything that just happened and I know they will never accept me. I’m not like them. They don’t want me here and who can blame them. I’ve stolen their prize and they will never forgive me.
Bonnie appears the most genuine. She fusses over me and makes sure I get to eat and drink. She watches that nobody oversteps the mark and makes light conversation; trying to distract me from what just happened.
When I think of Ryder my heart flips. That kiss. That amazing, once in a lifetime, super sexy kiss that blew my world. I can still taste him now. I can still smell that scent that was all male, surrounding me and filling my senses. My husband. How good that sounds.
Almost as soon as the ceremony and legalities were over, he disappeared with Tyler. When Tyler returned he did not. I feel empty without him already. I’m going through the motions but already my heart aches for him. I find myself looking for him at every turn and feel disappointment when I realize he’s missing. What’s happening to me?
Now it’s time and I fight back the tears. Tyler is leaving and taking with him my security, my comfort, and my heart. My brother is the only one I love and to see him walk away is hard. I try to stop the tears from falling but fail miserably. He pulls me close and I never want to let him go. He strokes my hair and whispers,
”I’ll be back for you, Ash. Stay strong, you’ll be fine, I have Ryder’s word on that. Despite his hard edge, he’s an honorable man. No harm will come to you in his care. Trust me to make this right for you.”
I nod, trying to curb the sobs from wracking my body. I can’t fold in front of these people. I need to be strong.
Just before he leaves I see Ryder enter the room. Kitty is with him and my heart sinks. She catches my eye and smirks. Then she wipes her mouth with her fingers and looks at me triumphantly. So, this is how it is. I am the perfect wife to the world outside and yet she gets the part of him I crave. He told me had others to satisfy his needs, and it was obviously true. Almost as soon as the ink was dried on our contract, he was celebrating with another. Why does it hurt so bad?
I watch as they move across the room. Ryder stares at me the whole time and I can’t tear my eyes away from him. He demands attention just by his overbearing presence. I don’t miss the cocky smile and amusement in his eyes as he sees me stare. He knows he affects me and loves it.
He moves beside me and slings his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close. He drops a light kiss on my head and nods to Tyler.
“I’ll take care of her. You can count on it.”
Tyler nods and looks at him with a tight expression. He turns to me and I see the pain in his eyes. As he opens his arms, I walk into them and sigh as they fold around me. Burying my face into the familiar, hard, comforting chest, I feel my firm resolve slipping away. When Tyler leaves, he will take a piece of my heart with him. He’s everything to me and I’m not sure if I can see this through. I feel my whole body trembling as I wait for the inevitable parting. He leans down and whispers, “Stay strong, Ash. I promise I will sort this and set you free. I love you baby sis, always remember that.”
I nod but words fail me. I can’t speak, it’s too painful. Then I feel a strong hand on my shoulder and feel myself being pulled back to Ryder. He folds me into his chest the same way as Tyler and the familiar changes into the unknown. This chest is strong, and protective but at the same time dangerous. This chest spells danger for my heart and I recognized that the first time I laid eyes on it. He doesn’t speak but I feel his hands rubbing soft circles on my back. He holds me protectively but I also sense an ownership. Just that one gesture says it all. He has taken me from my family and now I’m his.
Tyler clears his throat and I hear the emotion in his voice as he says, “Look after her, Ryder. She’s all I’ve got and I’m trusting her to you. Don’t let me down.”
Then I’m surprised to hear him say roughly.
I look up in surprise and see Kitty standing next to him looking excited.
“I sure am, honey. Readier than you will ever know.”
I hear Ryder laugh softly and look at them in confusion. Tyler just nods and with one last anguished look towards me, he heads off closely followed by Kitty. As the watching crowd disperses I look at Ryder in shock.
“What’s going on?”
He shrugs. “She fancied a change of scene so we traded one woman for another.”
I narrow my eyes and hiss.
“Do you really expect me to believe that? Why would my brother be interested in your whore?”
I feel my blood boiling as I think of that woman with Tyler.
Ryder grins and his eyes flash.
“Men are all the same, Ashton. Haven’t you realized that yet? Put a tempting proposition in front of them and their dicks make the decision for them. Kitty is good at what she does and is one hell of an attractive package. I have no use for her anymore so what’s the problem?”
He leans towards me and whispers huskily. “I have a wife now and what a sexy one she is.”
Click to buy Daddy’s Girls
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Amazon Canada
Amazon Australia
Now back to Twisted if you started here first.
Twisted
Do you wanna get
Rocked?
Read On for a preview of the book that started this ball rolling.
1
“Morning Amelia.”
I wave my hand but carry on running, there is no time to waste. As I look at my watch, my stomach tightens with anxiety. Silently, I start the countdown.
Ten minutes.
The sweat flows down my back and my running vest is soaked with perspiration. I don’t let up though; I can’t afford to be late.
The Billion Dollar Baby_A Billionaire Romance Page 19