Page 5 of A King So Savage

Now, she wondered why she was within his grasp.

Ava sat up straighter, and Kingston’s grin melted as she tried inching away. Those blue-black eyes darkened with interest, coming alive as she began pulling herself together. She recognized that glint. It was the desire to hunt. And he liked seeing her scared.

“You’re right. You and Carson aren’t exactly friends. You probably never were beneath that veneer of civility you showed one another.” A thread of disdain coiled through the words. “We’re not friends either, so tell me why I’m here, Mister Winter.”

“Oh, I do love a woman with a bit of backbone. It makes breaking them all the sweeter. And you will address me as ‘Sir’, from this point forward, little lamb.”

It was foolish, maybe even reckless, but Ava’s anger surged. Half-turning, she pushed at Kingston’s wide chest with her palms. “You don’t scare me, Kingston Winter. I knew you back when that handsome face of yours sported a pimple or two.”

The man simply laughed at the show of bravado and then actually preened for her benefit. “You think I’m handsome? Did you all hear that? Miss Blue finds me attractive.”

“Those drugs must have affected her eyesight,” Oliver drawled.

“You’re just as ugly on the inside as Carson. Just as cruel.” Ava grit her teeth at being the butt of their jokes. “And none of you scare me,” she repeated stubbornly, but the words trembled almost as badly as her body did. She nervously bit the nail of her index finger, worrying it with tiny nibbles. It was an awful habit she indulged in when stressed out.

“I’m the one you need to worry about.” Kingston sobered, his laughter dying away. Tugging her hand away from her mouth, he held her wrist hostage. “And truth be told, Ava, you should be terrified.”

A dismissive flick of Kingston’s hand resulted in Oliver obediently rising from his chair. Coming around the desk, he wrapped his hands around Ava’s upper arms, yanking her off Kingston’s lap and onto her feet.

Her legs were weak, the muscles refusing to cooperate. She fell against him and let out an involuntary yelp when Oliver squeezed with unnecessary roughness. He jerked her closer alongside his leanly muscled body, and although she struggled, she was no match for his strength. He dragged her until she stood on the opposite side of the enormous desk. Like an inmate brought before the warden and presented for punishment.

Kingston’s eyes narrowed on Oliver. “Careful, little brother. Bruise her and I will reciprocate.”

Oliver nodded. “Got it.” His grip loosened imperceptibly, and Ava sagged in response, her cheeks red with embarrassment for her weakness.

The aura of power in the room was achingly apparent. Each man wore an exquisite suit, the expense evident in the quality of the tailoring. They looked as though they’d just stepped from the pages of a men’s magazine.

In contrast, Ava still wore a pair of distressed jean shorts and the black tank top she’d thrown on that morning. Her sandals were missing, leaving her uncomfortably barefoot, and the elastic band used to bind her hair was gone as well. Instead of a neat ponytail, dark blonde waves tumbled down her back in a snarled mass.

Even more distressing was the fact her purse and cellphone were nowhere to be seen. No doubt, those items had already been disposed of.

Ava was certain she resembled a bedraggled doll. Something inside her wanted to smooth her hair into place. Straighten her tank-top so the strap was no longer falling off one shoulder. Put some shoes on.

But the spark in Kingston’s eyes sent a clear message. He liked her state of dishevelment. Enjoyed seeing her mussed and confused. Why was that?

Why had he abducted her anyway?

Oh, God.Panic rose in her throat again. Had anyone missed her? Was anyone even searching for her? Was Drake wondering what happened to her? They’d only gone out on a few dates so the handsome young lawyer probably had no idea she was even gone. And her bosses at the small publishing house in Savannah… would they miss a new employee who wouldn’t report for work for another week?

Ava tried swallowing down her terror. This situation was dire. She needed her wits about her, for she was truly in a den of beasts.

Oliver gripped her tighter when her knees wobbled. Whatever drugs they’d used were affecting her balance.

“Why am I here?” Ava demanded in what she hoped was a strong voice. Staring at Kingston across the width of that gleaming, dark mahogany desk, her teeth clenched when he ignored the question. For some reason, the spot on the inside of her thigh where he’d previously touched her began throbbing. Like a heartbeat. Or the pounding of drums. The imprint pulsed with maddening insistence until Ava shifted her legs together.

Kingston noticed her discomfort. His lips quirked upward as he pulled a thick, dark blue file from one of the desk drawers. Opening it, he thumbed through the sheaf of papers it contained. One page was withdrawn, and he held it up, perusing the figures laid out in neat columns.

“Your brother owes me a great deal of money,” he finally said in an emotionless tone.

“That is his misfortune. It has nothing to do with me.” Her eyes darted everywhere, making note of items on the massive desk. The things that could be utilized as weapons. The glass she drank water from. An ink pen stand with a base of solid black marble. An hourglass made of black iron and translucent glass. The sand was iridescent like it came from pulverized fairy wings. On the corner closest to her was an unusual paperweight, the intricately cut edges catching and reflecting light from the chandeliers.

Two of Kingston’s men waited against the wall with arms crossed. They stood like sentries in a palace, their relaxed stance indicating they hardly feared an attack coming from her.

Kingston smiled with the barest hint of amusement. “It has everything to do with you, little lamb.”

Ava shook her head, hating the way the odd endearment rolled off his tongue like a caress. “If you think Carson will ever pay a ransom, you’re mistaken. I am worth nothing to him. Less than nothing, actually.”

Oliver leaned in, his mouth so close to her ear that Ava cringed. “I wouldn’t say you are worthless, Miss Blue.”

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