Page 17 of Capturing the Ruthless Billionaires

The man her parents would give to Rhea burped loudly, with spittle on the sides of his mouth, after he made a remark that clawed at Alexandria’s nerves.

“The pussy worth twenty million dollars. You’re a lucky bastard, Richard. The end of your financial woes.”

Her parents had sold her for twenty million dollars to carry a Swan heir.

She thought she’d be more upset, but she wasn’t. Maybe because it was completely unsurprising and she had other bigger things on her mind.

Ten minutes before their escape, Alexandria envisioned running out of the dining hall and never returning.

She hadn’t yet spoken to Cara. Oh god. Cara. Both her sisters would be waiting for her, ready to leave, and she was stuck at a dinner party from hell.

. The guests started to leave, and relief consumed her. After telling her that she needed to be more friendly to the councilmen, her mother told her to go to bed.

Alexandria raced up the stairs. She didn’t have time to change out of the silk and lace pale pink ankle-length dress she wore. It cinched her waist and flared out at the bottom with lace and silk ruffles.

They couldn’t be late.

She almost collided with Melle, standing in the shadow. She grabbed Alexandria.

“The guard who watches Cara’s room is the son of a friend of mine.

He’s turned off the surveillance, but you only have ten minutes. I hope that gives you a little extra time. Go now, child. Be safe.”

She hugged Alexandria, then darted away before Alexandria could say anything.

“I love you, Melle.” She hoped the older woman heard her. Tears gushed down her cheeks as she swung Cara’s door open and found her sisters huddled together, stressed and terrified.

Instant relief washed over them at the sight of Alexandria.

“Cara, listen to me, sweetie.” She took her sister’s hand and held it tight. She didn’t want to tell her this way, not rushed like this.

“You three brothers you told me about in your book?”

“Yes.” Cara frowned. “Slade has grey eyes. Cian has green eyes. Lachlan has blue eyes.”

Slade. Cian. Lachlan.

Could those be their real names?

Slade. Cian. Lachlan.

“They’re your brothers, Cara. They have tattoos on their chests. Do you remember them?”

“I made them up.”

“What’s going on, Alex?” Rhea asked, unease reflecting in her eyes.

Alexandria reached for her with one hand and squeezed her sisters’ hands.

“Cara, they’re real. You wrote about them because you remembered them. They were... are your brothers. Do you remember? They’re big and strong and have tattoos on their chests, Cara. Three dragon heads. Your brothers. They’re real. They exist, and they love you more than their own lives. Please, please, please say you remember. They're your brothers, Cara. You were eight years old. Remember?”

“Slade. Cian. Lachlan. They exist in real life?”

“Yes, they do. They’re real.”

“You were taken from them, Cara.”

Cara’s eyes widened. Her face paled. Tears fell down her face like rivers.

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