Page 14 of They Will Burn

“Kneel,” Charles commands, and it takes a moment for the word to filter through my mind.

I glare up at him. “Not a fucking chance,” I snap. There’s no way in hell I’m kneeling for this asshole. It’ll be a cold day in hell before I’d do anything of the sort.

He moves so fast, I miss the backhand coming until it’s too late. Pain radiates across my cheek, and when I reach for something to catch myself, there’s nothing to hold on to.

My ass hits the cold white tiles, and I let out a squeak as pain radiates up my back. It’s nothing compared to when his men tracked me down that alley and beat me, but the pain that’s bloomed across my face takes a moment to breathe through.

Charles stands over me and crouches so our faces are so close I can taste his breath. His fingers wrap around my chin in a punishing grip, but I force my features to remain neutral. “When I tell you to do something, Camilla, I expect you to do it. You may have been able to get away with this shit before, but I expect obedience at all times.”

“I’m not a dog,” I snap.

He chuckles as his fingers move into my hair that hangs loose around my shoulders as an added line of protection given my state of undress. He drags me toward the table, and agony blooms throughout my scalp. “Until further notice, you will kneel beside me while I eat my meals, and if you’re well behaved, I’ll consider allowing you to eat.”

“So you’re going to starve me if I don’t do as I’m told?”

“If that’s what it takes.” He shrugs. “I don’t want a fat wife, so it might do you some good to skip some meals.”

I glare at him, the fucking asshole. I’ve never had any body image issues, but if I didn’t know better, I would think he’s trying to give me some.

If he wanted an insecure little mouse for a wife, he chose the wrong woman.

Instead of biting back, I allow him to place me where he wants me, my legs curling under my body until I’m kneeling as he requested.

“Much better,” he hums and takes his own seat.

I stare down at my bare legs and listen to the knife and fork on the plate, all the while ignoring the rumble in my own stomach.

We sit there for long minutes, him eating peacefully and me quietly seething at all that has transpired this morning. If I didn’t already know I needed to get the fuck out of this apartment, I sure as hell do now, but I’m no closer to having a plan than I was when I arrived.

“You will accompany me to my bachelor party tonight.” He breaks the silence, and it takes a few seconds for his words to register. Why the hell would I go to his bachelor party? “Seeing as you haven’t had the chance to meet any of my friends, I thought this would be a nice way for you to get familiar with them.”

There’s something in those words that doesn’t sit well with me, and a dusting of goose bumps moves over my skin. What exactly does he expect me to do tonight?

“We’ll be heading to one of my clubs. I will have a dress delivered for you, and I expect you to do your hair and makeup to match it. Don’t let me down, Camilla. You won’t like the consequences if you continue to defy me.”

I don’t bother responding as hope flutters in my chest. He’s taking me out of the apartment. This is my best, maybe my only, chance to escape, and I won’t waste it.

I refuse to go down without a fight.

CHAPTER TWELVE

CREW

Fatigue weighs down on me as I stifle another yawn.

Four fucking days she’s been gone, and we’re no closer to getting her back than we were the day Kaos handed her over.

The thought of my nephew has rage boiling in my stomach, but I force myself to breathe through it. I’ll deal with him once Camilla is back where she belongs.

If you’d told me two months ago that I would be putting our entire organization at risk to get an eighteen-year-old back from the man she was technically promised to, I would think you’d lost your fucking mind, but that’s exactly what I’m doing right now.

There’re a million reasons we should just leave her where she is, but that’s not an option. Not when our feelings for the little menace are already so fucking deep.

I never thought I’d feel the way I do about her. I didn’t think a man like me was capable, but maybe that’s why I fought so hard to begin with. Because I knew she was different. I knew she could bring us all to our knees.

I stare at the computer screen, but none of the words register. While trying to bring Camilla home, I’m desperately trying to keep the Syndicate running by myself.

Kovu and Bishop are searching for ways to get her back while also keeping an eye on Davenport’s building, and Kaos is MIA more often than not, which just leaves me.

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