Page 37 of Dragon Unhinged

It’d be so much better if I could just disappear into the basement. Trace all the markings I can find on his skin, his cuffs, anything that looks even remotely magical.

Hell, if I could, I’d bring Ellie in, let her see the spell work for herself. Maybe she’d be able to get the cuffs off quickly. To set him free.

The only way I’d be able to do that, though, would be to sneak her in during the day, and with my never-ending parade of drivers and spies watching my every move, I just don’t see how I’d get an entire person into the house undetected.

Getting up, I start to pace the room, imagining that Declan’s doing basically the same thing, just two floors down.What would you do right now, if we weren’t being held prisoner?

I need something else to think about, something else to occupy my mind, so that I don’t have to think about the awkward dinner I’m about to be forced into.

Besides feasting on the one person who’s kept me sane these last few weeks?I can hear his chuckle reverberate through my mind, as warm and as real as his embrace is.I want to take you far from here. Introduce you to my brothers, their mates, my little sister. Everyone important in my life. I want to find my heartstone, so that I can use its power to keep you safe, and to show the world you’re mine.

How in the hell did fate somehow know to bring Declan here, to the house we’re both trapped in? How did fate know that I would need him, as much as he would need me?

I’m yours, huh? What exactly does that mean?

Declan chuckles again.Come down here, and I’ll show you. All night long.

My core clenches just from the suggestive tone he’s using.

Soon. The minute our guests leave, I’ll find a way to get back to you.

Now that I know that I can connect to Declan’s mind, that I can talk to him, even with floors separating us, I’m tempted to send him every thought I can. I don’t like him being alone down there, even with Ewan and Kayden in the adjacent cells.

Papa knockson my door a few minutes before the Lees are due to arrive, and I know it’s another one of his completely irritatingchecks to make sure I’m perfect. Everything a submissive, duty-bound wife could be for their son.

“Just a second.” I run my fingers through my hair one last time before slipping on the petite kitten heels.

It’s taken every last minute I had to put on this stupid dress, to get dolled up for a guy who would have no trouble at all making me suffer as his wife.

Especially if he were to find out just how many ways I’ve let Declan claim me already.

Papa doesn’t wait to be invited into my room, and he throws the door open just as I get the second sling-back strap into place.

“You shouldn’t keep people waiting, Brianna.” He crosses his arms over his chest as he strides around me, taking in the outfit, the jewelry, the subtle, barely-there makeup. “I wish you’d put more effort into your hair. It looks like you’ve barely brushed it. Don’t you have curling irons or something?”

“I’ll make sure to curl my hair more next time.” I hate I even have to make such promises, especially because there’s not a hair out of place on my head, even if it is straight right now.

It’s probably a preference that Peter Lee holds, which makes me even more irritable about it.

At least I can say with some certainty that Declan’s favorite way for my hair to look is sex-rumpled.

“You better. There are far worse matches you could make than Peter.” He grabs me by the elbow and tugs me toward the door, clearly not in the mood to play nice until he has to.

Not that Papa’s ever been the type to play nice, in fact he gets off on playing control-freak asshole.

Chapter

Sixteen

BRIANNA

“You look lovely. Green is a good color on you.” Peter presses a chaste kiss to my cheek, and I clasp my hands tightly behind my back to stop myself from shoving him off me and slapping him.

I bite back the urge to correct him on the color, since the dress I’m wearing is far more of a teal. His touch burns almost like acid on my skin. Lingering. It takes every ounce of will power to not scrub him away. I worry Declan will be able to smell him on me too. The sooner I can get this night over with, the sooner I can get down to Declan.

“We’re so glad you could join us for another dinner.” Papa smiles widely, looking more like a great white shark than a loving father or brilliant businessman. “Brianna has hardly stopped talking about you, Peter.”

It doesn’t matter that it’s a lie.

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