Page 46 of A King So Savage

“Later. Right now, this is between Oliver, myself, and the message I want conveyed. Stay out of trouble and don’t give Jack any reason to report something bad back to me.”

ChapterFourteen

Now turn my heart

From black to gold

And melt into darkness again

Where my cruelty cannot survive

Ava knew betterthan to be romanced by the luxurious surroundings. Like the man holding her prisoner, wicked savagery existed beneath all of the breathtaking beauty. She could not let herself be swayed by any of it.

But the vastness of the library was astounding, and it was difficult remaining unimpressed by its grandeur.

It was something straight out of a fairy tale. Bookshelves reached from floor to ceiling, every inch occupied by a wide variety of subjects. A few were first-edition classics, so rare they should have been placed behind glass and protected from dirty fingertips.

Jack waited outside the library’s double doors, giving her privacy to do as she wished. While she knew it was foolish, Ava found herself searching the room’s contents in an effort to gain some insight into her captor.

But the library was decorated like the rest of the house. Impersonal and coldly perfect. Tasteful decorations interspersed with valuable antiques. The only room containing a hint of Kingston himself was his office. Brutal and stark yet decadently lavish—steel draped in silk.

Cracking open one of the library’s double doors, Ava poked her head out. She’d spent almost two hours flipping through books, examining artifacts and various curiosities interspersed between the hardbacks.

Jack was in the hallway slouched in a high back chair, arms crossed over his barrel chest. He wasn’t dozing, but he was relaxed enough that his legs stretched before him. They took up most of the corridor and blocked the library’s entrance.

“Miss Blue.” He nodded, one blond eyebrow cocking high. “May I get you something?”

Ava swallowed hard. The man resembled a Norse god—all muscles and dark blond hair cut in a high fade style with thick waves piled on top of his head. She guessed he was around the age of thirty based on the tiny laugh lines around his bright blue eyes. Built like a giant, he was at least two inches taller than Kingston.

“If it is allowed, I’d like to sit on the terrace where I had breakfast earlier today. It’s so lovely outside and I—"

“Of course.” Jack unfurled his body. Coming to his feet, he cracked his neck from side to side. The smile he gave her was friendly, and while Ava knew he was there to keep her safe, she wasn’t stupid enough to fully trust him.

“Kingston said you were allowed to go there and the walled garden below it if you want.”

Ava nodded. “Yes. I would like that very much. Perhaps we could first stop by the kitchen and get something to drink?”

“I think I could whip up some kind of cocktail, if necessary.” Jack laughed, sweeping his arm out to indicate she could exit the library.

“Oh, no.” Ava blushed. “Just water. Or maybe an iced tea, if it isn’t too much trouble.”

“I’m sure we can manage to find something.”

Upon reaching the kitchen, it was Antony who poured her a specially mixed combination of iced tea and peach juice. The refreshing concoction reminded Ava of Savannah, and for a brief second, thoughts of that stolen life twisted her stomach with resentment. She should be there now. Starting her new job. Buying stuff for her apartment and making it her own safe place.

“Ugh. Too sweet for me.” Jack grimaced, pouring his glass of tea out in the double sink.

“I think it’s perfect.” Ava smiled at Antony. “I never knew how much I loved peach tea until I moved down south. Yours is as good as any I’ve had.”

Antony’s scowl for Jack turned to a pleased grin that lit up his plump features. “Thank you, Miss Blue. If you like, I can bring a pitcher out onto the terrace along with some snacks as well. I can whip up some canapés. A few sweets and some fruit and cheese. There’s this amazing recipe I’ve been dying to try—"

“That’s very considerate of you, Antony. But I think I’ll have just the tea for now. I’m still full from that wonderful breakfast you prepared.”

Antony huffed under his breath. “Mister Oliver sure ruined that, didn’t he?” Then he brightened. “I’ll have the tea ready in a few minutes, miss.”

All evidence of the breakfast she’d shared with Kingston on the terrace had been cleared away. Ava sat on a bench overlooking the garden below and absorbed the sunlight with her eyes closed.

“Am I allowed to walk into the garden?” She directed her question to Jack as he took a seat in the shade near the French doors.

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