Page 75 of Princess of Pride
“There are two other men in this house.” One who hates me, but who’s still a man.
His gaze darkens. “You’re going to wish you hadn’t said that.” He leaves the room, tucking himself in his pants as he goes.
I tense. What did I just do? Provoked the beast in him, that’s what.
Lachlan
After taking my second shower of the day, I dress in another suit but not before sniffing the one marked with the scent of Emery’s sweet pussy. I’m going to taste her tonight. I’m going to eat her so raw she won’t be able to walk tomorrow. Tying her to the bed won’t be necessary.
It wasn’t my intention to fuck her when I checked on her in the bathroom. Nor did I even consider having her suck me off. The reason behind my visit was to make sure she wasn’t suffering still from whatever upset her.
When Stella, one of the housekeepers, rushed in and told me Emery was upset and at the cliffs, my entire world froze. I couldn’t get to her fast enough. My legs felt too slow, and the castle seemed to stretch, making it seem impossible to get outside.
She looked just like her on the ledge. Mum had been wearing a long, white nightgown that day. My mind went back to the moment. When I was too late. Too stunned by fear to react quickly enough. Too blind to have seen the signs beforehand.
Emery’s long golden hair—not dark like Mum’s—pulled me from the devastation of the memory. That and her pale face when she looked at me. The usual golden tone to her skin had blanched and those gilded eyes held so much sadness. My princess—mo bhana-phrionnsa—was aching. I needed to stop her, tosaveher.
Life couldn’t repeat in this way for me. Not ever.
She responded to me. I saw it in her eyes. Mum either didn’t hear me over the wind and waves that day, or she was too lost in her pain before she ended it all.
I’d been farther away. But with Emery, I didn’t freeze. I ran to her. I could lure her back. Force her if necessary. When she started to fall, my heart stopped.
I grabbed her and swore at that moment I’d never let her get to this point again. I’d do whatever was necessary to keep her safe. Letting her go had never been an option like she’d assumed a month ago.
Back then, I wasn’t entirely sure what I was going to do with her besides bury my cock deep inside her. That was always part of the plan, but the way Emery responds to me wasn’t anything I imagined—neither were those gorgeous tits. I knew they were big, but I wasn’t prepared for perfection. She thinks they look wrong on her. Utterly ridiculous.
No man will ever see those tits, except for me. They’re mine.
Unlike the women who throw themselves at me, which gets old, I knew she’d be a challenge. I welcomed it. But the way she turns weak from my touch to the point of almost fainting from just a kiss… It affects me in a way no one else has.
It also reaffirms I chose the right daughter.
Back then, the plan I arranged with my egomaniac cousin, Angus, was simple.
Invest in Spencer Securities.
Become a partner in a year.
Marry Emery so I could buy the company from her dad upon his retirement and fulfill the deal I made with Angus—a deal that meant no more deaths.
It took me nearly three years to get Spencer Securities due to Garyn’s procrastination and reluctance to retire.
At first, I thought Angus would insist I choose another American company. His goal is to expand his laundering business to the US—something he can’t do with his criminal reputation making investors wary. But when I explained I had to marry the owner’s daughter to get Spencer Securities, Angus liked the plan even more.
In his mind, this was atonement for when the 7thEarl lefthis noble birthright to hisforeignmistress and her son, severing Duhnill from the MacReid bloodline.
Justifying my reason for choosing Spencer Securities was hardly necessary at that point. Still, I gave him the speech.
“With its longstanding history, the Spencer corporation is practically indestructible and can survive any corruption that comes its way. Newer companies crumble easier.”
I left out the part about Spencer Securities being my personal choice for my own gain, given its prominence and stability. If I have to leave—trade, as Wes puts it—Scotland for the U.S., it needs to be worth my while and worthy of the legacy I intend to leave my heirs.
As pleased as Angus was with the plan, the wait made him antsy and volatile. His father behaved the same way. His goal was to corrupt Duhnill and use it to his advantage. Angus wants to do the same thing.
Mum fought hard to protect what her great ancestor inherited all those centuries ago.
Just weeks before she died, she told me, “Secure this castle for you and Rory and keep it inourside of the family. The people in this village rely on us. Don’t let that monster poison everything we’ve fought to preserve. Do whatever is necessary.”
