Page 144 of Fallen Princess: Shadow Stalker

“Any hanky panky and you’re out, I mean it!”

He chuckles, removing his shoes and socks. “Hanky panky?” he looks at me bemused. “What are you 70?”

“If I don’t get my rest, I risk looking like one soon. So cuddle me, but if a hand starts to roam, you’re out.”

He slides into bed with me, chuckling, and I turn my back to him so he can cuddle up and wrap his arm around my front. His aftershave smells fresh and sweet, and I love how I fit so perfectly in Asher’s body, like I was made to fit for him.

I feel the yacht gently rocking with the rhythmic movements of the calm sea, creating a soothing lullaby. The large window surrounding the cabin offers panoramic views of the tranquil ocean stretching out to the horizon. The sunlight plays on the water’s surface, casting a warm, golden glow that fills the room.

Closing my eyes, I allow the gentle caress of the sunlight to warm my face. The sound of seagulls’ calls in the distance blends with the gentle lapping of waves against the yacht’s hull.

With each passing moment, the worries of the world seem to drift away, replaced by a profound sense of peace. My mind is in a blissful rest.

It all reminds me of a time when I was on a yacht like this. His arm wrapped around my body, as it does now. Feeling the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest on my back. Far out at sea, undisturbed by the outside world. I’d stir in my sleep to find him facing me, his black mask on, concealing his facial features, and if I attempted to sneak away through the large windows, my chain would alert him, and those dark brown, almost black eyes would pop open.

“Where are you going,little mouse?”

“Please,” I’d beg.

Every day, I’d beg him to let me go, promising to never tell anyone, and he would yank the chain around my neck, pulling me back to his bed. Those large ugly hands on my skin. Touching me everywhere.

“Please, stop.” I’d beg as he’d lick my skin as if wanting to devour me, and I’d be unable to move because of the drugs he’s injecting me with.

“Please take me home,” My tears were the only parts of me that freely moved.

“Eddie.”

“My name isLittle Mouse, Mr. Mask.”

“Eddie.”

“Eddie.”

“Fucking hell, Eden Rivers!”

“Wake up, princess.”

Suddenly, the dream fades, and I’m staring at four faces.

“What?” I ask, unsure how I got here.

“Was he here?” I ask, terror ripping through me.

“No, baby. He’s not. He’ll never touch you again.” Callum scoops me up from the corner I’m crouched in and goes to take me back to the bed.

“Not the bed, please. Not the bed!”

He looks around, and one of the men tells him to settle me in a large brown leather armchair.

All four men gather around, crouching down to my level.

“What happened?” I ask, confused, running a shaky hand through my hair.

“Do you remember when we lay down to sleep?” Asher asks, positioning himself beside my knees; he takes one of my shaking hands and squeezes it with reassurance.

I nod.

“It probably wasn’t more than ten minutes later when you started screaming, begging, talking gibberish, and then when I tried to calm you down, you fell off the bed and rolled over to the corner of the room, screaming and crying. Rick broke the door down, thinking someone had broken in from the window, and I told him to get the others here.”

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