Page 85 of A Heart So Savage

And the thought of Ava in danger was more terrifying than anything Kingston had endured in his lifetime.

“Ava, you’ll be safest with me.” Kingston sighed, raking a hand through his hair.

“Of course, I would be. But I’m also safe here. Like Rapunzel in the tower.” She was so pragmatic as she argued the merits of remaining in the city. “How could anyone get to me up here? It’d be like trying to break into the National Treasury with all the security measures you have in place. No one is getting in here unless you want them in here.”

Kingston growled, frustrated by the truth of her words.

“For some goddamn reason, I find I cannot deny you anything anymore. All right, Ava. You win this time. Enjoy your little victory for now. I won’t take you with me, but you can be damn sure you’ll pay a price for this show of rebellion. At the rate you’re going, you’ll be tied up and at my mercy for weeks.”

Ava nodded solemnly. “I understand, sir.”

“It does no good to try and placate me now with a belated show of respect. I want you to listen carefully, Ava.” Cupping her elbow, he pulled her so close she flattened against his body as if a hurricane was blowing her into him. “You will not leave this penthouse, and no one comes in other than the guards. The kitchen is stocked, but the restaurant can deliver whatever else you might like. The guards will bring in whatever you order. But no one else comes in, do you understand? No one. Not even Neil, although I imagine he will ask to check on you. It’s too dangerous, and right now, I can’t afford to trust anyone.”

“I understand the rules of my captivity have not changed.” Ava’s voice was husky, her eyes tracking his features as if memorizing them. She stared at his mouth like she wanted very badly to kiss him. “You once told me I could not explore The Den without you, Jack, or Paulie by my side. What has changed? Are your men suddenly more trustworthy than before? Or is it because there’s no chance that I’ll make a run for it? The only way I could escape is to jump off the side of this building.”

“Don’t test me right now, Ava,” Kingston grumbled. “I’m a hair’s breadth away from popping you with tranquilizers and dragging your unconscious body onto that jet with me. You’d sleep through the torture session I have planned for our dungeon guest. By the end of the day, you’d forget he ever existed. And then, I would takeyoudown to the cells and show you what it means to fully submit.”

Ava’s teeth sunk into her bottom lip with such force it left an indentation. The emerald green depths of her eyes darkened with apprehension. “Please don’t do that, Kingston. Don’t drug me. I swear I’ll do as you say until you come back.”

Gripping her face in the palm of his hand, Kingston squeezed in warning. Her cheeks sunk in with the pressure of his hand, hollowing her face.

“I wouldn’t want to be you if you disobey me, lamb.” The corner of his mouth twitched. “Don’t disappoint me unless you want to find out what happens when you do.”

ChapterThirty-Three

With love comes pain

With pain comes redemption.

Ava pacedthe living room until she heard the low roar of running water in the master bathroom.

She’d already had a shower and now wore black leggings and an oversized white angora sweater that was soft as a cloud. Knee-high black boots completed her outfit, the low heels clicking softly on the marble floor.

Peeking around the edge of the door, she quickly scanned the bedroom. It was empty, confirming that Kingston was in the shower. He wouldn’t be able to stop her.

But still, fear paralyzed her. What she was about to do was extremely foolish. Even more idiotic than stealing a fork. She was stealing from Kingston himself. When he discovered what she’d done, which was inevitable, Ava feared she might not survive his wrath.

“Ava, get a grip on yourself. If you want this badly enough, you will do what you must.”

The muttered advice she gave herself was not very helpful.

Kingston’s gold money clip, simple and elegantly masculine, sat on the large island in the middle of the custom-appointed walk-in closet and dressing room. The clip drew her attention, although more specifically, her interest lay in the money it contained.

Folded into the clip was more than three thousand dollars. The dark brown and cream tones of the granite gleamed in the light of the modern chandelier overhead, the rich, walnut cabinetry and mirrored elements reflecting Ava’s worried features as she stared at the money.

While getting dressed earlier, Ava explored as much as she had dared. Inside one of the drawers of the gentleman’s bureau, she found an obscene amount of cash. It proved how disgustingly wealthy Kingston Winter truly was, and while she’d never really cared about wealth, she was grateful that he possessed it in abundance.

She was stealing from the man who had held her captive for nearly two months. The same man who now held her heart in his brutal hands.

Because this was the only way to get back to Bitter Springs.

Bitter Springs and her deceitful, murdering brother.

Taking a deep breath, Ava opened the money clip and peeled off two one-hundred-dollar bills. Before she could rethink her actions, she quietly slid open the bureau drawer she’d discovered earlier. From the stacks of money, she counted out another twelve hundred dollars. It should be enough to convince a taxi to take the three-hour trip north to Bitter Springs. At least, she hoped it would. She’d never needed to go so far in a cab before.

After folding the money into a square as small as she could make it, Ava shoved the wad deep into the inner pocket of one of the handful of coats Kingston had purchased for her. She also removed the fork from the designer handbag and placed it in the coat’s outer pocket.

Carefully leaving everything exactly as it was before, Ava crept from the closet, half closing its doors. Returning to the living room, she sank onto the sofa, waiting anxiously for the moment Kingston joined her. Folding her hands in her lap, she planned out the next step of her escape plan.

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