I look at her with interest. “What brings you here, Bonnie? What’s your story?”
She winks. “Fell in love with that beast Snake. He made me his old lady, and I never left. He may seem rough and scary but he’s a teddy bear under it all. We live here and I love it. The guys are great and when you’re someone’s old lady, they leave you alone. If not, then you have your work cut out for you. You may want to spend a lot of time in this room, Ashton because there’s probably not a biker down there that doesn’t have their eye on you.”
I look at her nervously.
“I’ll be safe though, right?”
She winks. “Can’t promise you that but you’ll have fun.”
I sink onto the comfortable bed feeling very worried. Oh no, not again. I can’t allow myself to be used again, I can’t deal with that.
Bonnie looks worried and comes to sit beside me. “What’s the matter, honey?”
I shake my head and whisper. “I can’t tell you, Bonnie. I’m not sure I can stay here either. If any of those men touch me, I can’t allow it. Please tell me they won’t.”
She looks concerned and puts her arm around me.
“Hey, you’re shaking. What’s the matter? Did something happen to you?”
Before I can answer there’s a sharp knock on the door.
As Bonnie opens it my heart lurches as I see Snake and Tyler enter the room. From the look on Tyler’s face, I am not going to like what I’m about to hear.
5
Ashton
Snake calls Bonnie away and leaves me with Tyler. His look sends panic shooting through me and I lick my dry lips nervously.
“What’s happened, Ty?”
He moves across and sits next to me on the bed and takes my hand in his, squeezing it gently.
“Things have changed. Ryder wants to renegotiate the contract.”
I swallow—hard.
He speaks in a low, solemn voice.
“He can’t guarantee your safety under the current terms. He feels that looking like you do it will be too much of a temptation to his men. The only way he can keep you safe is if you agree to be his wife.”
To say I’m shocked is putting it mildly. His wife!
I start to shake.
“No, please don’t make me, Ty. I can’t marry him, why would he even want me to?”
He looks at me with devastation in his eyes.
“He’s right, Ash. These guys are used to taking what they want, when they want. They hit on girls and wear them down. You saw the women out there. They are here to serve a purpose and any female within these walls that isn’t tied to one man is fair game. Ryder knows this and wants to protect his investment as he put it.”
I shake my head, trying to take it in. His investment!
Tyler smiles ruefully.
“You know, this could work out well for everyone.”
I look at him in horror.
“You’re not seriously thinking this is a good idea.”
He nods.
“My first thought was to grab you and run. Now, however, I think he has a point. As his old lady, as they call them, you will be respected. Nobody will approach you and you’ll be safe. Ryder just wants a mom for his daughter and wants her to have the family life she deserves. If you are married already, then you can’t marry another. Do you get what I’m saying?”
I fall silent. I shiver inside as I think about the man I am to marry. Not Ryder, the other one.
I shake my head. “You’re wrong if you think that will count, Ty. You know as well as I do that if they want me to marry Marshall, I will and nothing will get in the way. Even if I’m already married, they will make it go away. They won’t care about the Twisted Reapers. It’s why I ran in the first place. There’s no getting away from what they have in store for me, daddy wouldn’t allow it. Marshall Emmerson is my future according to him and I don’t get a say in it.”
Tyler is silent and I know he understands. Our father made a deal with his business associate and friend Marshall Emmerson to make me his bride. As soon as I graduated, I was to be shipped off to him. The fact he’s my father’s age doesn’t count. Daddy made a business agreement with him years ago. His virgin daughter for a lucrative contract. That contract brought in billions of dollars and my feelings no longer counted. The two families were to merge, and I didn’t get a choice. The fact that Marshall is the most obscene man I have ever met makes it all the harder. Just thinking of him sends me into a panic attack. I had to run, the thought of a future with him was too much to bear.
Tyler looks at me sympathetically.
“You’re wrong about the Reapers.”
I look confused. “In what way?”
He shakes his head.
“I told you, they are the untouchables. If anyone comes calling, they regret it. Sometimes you have to fight fire with fire. What you have to decide is which of the two is the lesser evil. Not much of a choice but a choice none the less. It’s up to you, Ashton. Your future is in your hands.”
Ryder
Snake and Bonnie head back to the bar and immediately I see that Bonnie is troubled. I raise my eyes as she approaches, and she shakes her head.
“Something’s wrong there, Ryder. The girl is scared shitless about something.”
I fix her with a hard look.
“Tell me.”
She shrugs. “I told her to expect to get hit on by the guys and she started trembling. The panic in her eyes said it all. That girl has been hurt and not in a good way. She’s vulnerable and frightened, this may not be the place for her to heal.”
I look at Snake who shrugs. “What are you gonna do?”
I shake my head. “What I said, I’m gonna make her my old lady and Cassie’s mom.”
Bonnie shakes her head. “She won’t agree to it, I saw it in her eyes. That girl has issues and I’m not sure this is where she should be. Let her go, get someone without any baggage, for Cassie’s sake.”
I look at her angrily. She’s wrong. This is the best place for that girl but she doesn’t know it yet. I growl.
“Send her to my office—alone.”
Snake shoots a warning look to Bonnie who just turns on her heel without a word. As she goes to get Ashton, Snake whispers.
“You sure about this boss?”
I nod. “Never been surer of anything in my life. I’ll find out what’s bothering her and then we will deal with it as only we can. Nothing is gonna get in the way of Cassie’s future. You can count on that.”
Snake grins and I watch his eyes glitter dangerously. I laugh to myself. Snake loves what we do more than most. He’s my right-hand man and I trust him with my life. We were crewed together on many missions in the SEALS. We’ve done things that would make grown men cry and destroy them forever. The fact we continue to enjoy that little hobby is an added bonus for us both. Nothing gets past us and whatever problem that little darlin’ has is soon to be mine. They won’t like how I deal with my problems. I’m right, she’s come to the safest place for her – next to me.
I wait for her in my office. Now I just need to persuade her to stay.
6
Ashton
Bonnie escorts us to Ryder’s office and I feel nervous and apprehensive. Just the brief moment I met him messed with my mind. I have never met anyone like him in my life. He sets me on edge and I’m not sure why.
She leads us down a passage where we see Snake waiting outside a door at the end. He holds up his hand.
“Only the girl, you’ll have to wait in the bar.”
Tyler shakes his head.
“No, I’m going in with her.”
Snake looks at him with a menacing look.
“I said, just the girl.”
Tyler looks angry and I look at him with what I hope is a confident look.
“It’s ok, Ty. I’m fine. Wait for me in the bar as they said.”
I can’t bear the hurt in his eyes as he struggles to deal with the situation we now find ourselves in. Th
is is all my fault, and it’s up to me to deal with the fallout. I smile shakily. “Honestly, it’s fine. I won’t be long.”
Bonnie smiles at him sympathetically and nods towards the bar.
“Come on, honey. I’ll fix you a large one.”
I watch them head off and try to stem the nerves that have taken hold. I can do this, it’s just one man. I’ll be fine.
Snake is looking at me with interest and I clear my throat.
“I’m ready.”
He flashes me a dark look and holds open the door. As soon as I step one foot in the room, it slams shut behind me.
For a moment I just stand and stare. There he is, every bit as dangerous as I first thought. Why does he affect me this way?
He watches me, silently staring and his face devoid of any emotion or expression. My heart hammers in my chest as I try to remain cold and aloof.
He nods towards a chair in front of a desk, filled with papers and files. I try to walk steadily but feel my legs wobbling beneath me. He watches me intently and I try to look composed when I feel anything but. This man has such a power that surrounds him. He is menacing, forbidding and hard and so damn sexy it makes my heart pant.
As I sit, I look anywhere but at him. I can’t because if I look into those eyes I would be undone.
The silence is choking me. The atmosphere is intense and suffocating. No words are spoken, they aren’t necessary. We both know he will get what he wants. It’s an understanding lying heavy on the air that separates us. There is something about him that draws me close and wraps me up in the ever after. Is he my destiny? I know he is.
Then he speaks softly.
“Tell me what’s bothering you.”
I swallow and my heart races.
“I can’t.”
Once again there is silence. He moves and comes around to my side of the desk, perching on the edge in front of me.
“I said, tell me what’s wrong.”
I shake my head and he leans down and takes my chin in his hand and lifts it to face him. His eyes bore deep into my soul and I see the gentleness mixed with curiosity. He considers me for a moment and I try to shake off the feeling of his hands on me. It’s like an electric current that starts my heart beating once more. He raises his eyes.
“I know why you’re here, Ashton. I know about your marriage and what you did to escape it. I know that you must have been desperate to agree to what you did. I don’t judge and I don’t feel. You did something brave that most girls would lack the courage to see through. What I don’t know is why you find it so hard to move on.”
The tears fill my eyes as he speaks. He knows. He knows what sort of person I am. Weak, foolish and desperate. Not the person best placed to care for a child.
He continues to hold my face and I try to distance myself from his touch. I can’t think straight with his hands on me.
The tears escape and my lip trembles. I shake my head and pull away, saying softly.
“You’re wrong about me.”
He doesn’t speak and I turn away.
“I’m not brave. I’m weak, foolish and easily led. All of my life I have been told to be something I’m not. I have tried to live up to my father’s expectations and become the perfect daughter he demands. He rules my life and dictates my future. My childhood was full of luxury laced with oppression. What daddy wants daddy gets. I have lived in his shadow all my life. My friends were chosen for me and my interests dictated. Strictly no boys allowed and schooled with girls. My future was to be the same. I was to be passed from one domineering man to another. The Virgin sacrifice that sealed a lucrative deal. I had no say in what was to happen, it was expected. The only way out was to run. I needed enough money to start again. I wanted to run to a place he would never find me. I wanted to take control of my life starting with my virginity. It was mine to give away not his. For once I rebelled against him. I would give away the prize that wasn’t his to give. I didn’t know that it would prove so hard.”
I look to the floor and do everything in my power to drive the memory of last night from my mind. It’s too raw, an open wound with no time to heal. I’m not strong enough to deal with the consequences of my actions. I am broken.
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?
Twisted_A Billionaire Romance Page 18