Page 27 of Escape From Me

A motorcycle echoed off the concrete jungle of the city and we looked in time to see X and Cali ride up and park next to the car.

“We don’t. But you don’t roll up to a funeral of this caliber on bikes and not blow all the hard work we’ve done to mask what we really are to these people.”

What they really were?

The door closed, and a moment later the driver was getting back into the driver’s seat.

“X will park elsewhere, but it would be irresponsible for us all to be in one place at the same time. Still, Daisy, we wouldn’t be sending one of our own into a den of monsters without some of her own.”

I shifted as the car took off and the soreness between my legs reminded me just what I’d begged for, and fucking hell, did he deliver. This was defiance, and it felt so damn good. So good to walk up to my father with someone’s come dripping betweenmy legs while he tries to pretend like he can sell me. Except, for me? It was about confidence. Not the come. The man that had just been between my legs sat next to me, wearing a suit he very obviously hated. I took in a shaky breath, lost in my own fears, and then Cas’s words registered.

“One of your own? Zeiden? No, wait, you said her. You didn’t mean me?”

Zeid placed his hand on my thigh and it felt so right, so normal.

“Daisy, like it or not, I won’t be letting you go.” He leaned closer and his breath was hot against my ear. “You’re mine, little dove. I want you, and when I want something, I will stop at nothing to own it.”

Those words should have been triggering. They should have pissed me off. I really wanted them to.

“I am not to be owned.”

His fingers danced at the edge of my dress.

“Don’t you though? Says the woman wearing my come under her dress?”

I shivered at his words and the memory of the way he made me come so hard I’d nearly blacked out.

I swallowed. He wasn’t wrong. I turned up my face to his and kissed him, gently, but it was enough. Enough to remind me this was all real. This was all real for now.

“I… What happens when you get bored of me? What happens when my father offers you millions to walk away? When he sees you at the funeral, that’s a very real chance.”

There. I’d finally said what was freaking me out. What would happen if my father just bought Zeid off and he walked away? What if I was that easy to walk away from?

Cas and Zeid both laughed in unison, their voices blending into something far more sinister sounding than I’d expected.

“I do not play games I don’t expect to win.”

I looked at Cas and at Zeid. X was too far ahead of us, but I looked at Rylee too. She wore a simple black dress with a halter, and as she shifted in her seat I saw the same tattoo.

It was clear that I was missing something.

“Who are you guys, really? Everyone is afraid of my dad. I’m afraid of my dad. And why do you all have one tattoo?”

Zeid squeezed my thigh.

“I have plenty more than just one, dove. Perhaps you want a tour later?”

I licked my lips.

“As hot as that sounds, that’s not what I mean. I mean that one. The one on Rylee. Why do you all have it? I mean hers is small, but even I can tell from here it’s the same shape—an hourglass?”

The glance that Cas shared with Zeid said a lot.

“Zeid, who are you?”

His face was a bit softer than I think I’d seen it since sharing that dark corner. His touch careful as he pulled my chin up to look at him.

“Welcome to the Spectors, little dove. Should we introduce ourselves to daddy dearest before or after you tell him you’re no longer available for marriage?”

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