Dark Prince (Devious Heirs #1)

Chapter Thirteen | Cordelia

We’ve been in the car for a couple hours at least and I have no idea where we’re going, which is a little concerning. I just climbed into a car with two famously known killers, even if it’s never been proven.

“Where are we going?” I ask, hoping I get more from them than what Axel gives me.

“To my homestead.” Candace says, holding Garrett’s hand.

“Didn’t we just leave it?” I ask, a bit confused.

“No darling. We left the fortress. We’re going to where the guys and I grew up.”

“Well, except me.” Garrett laughs.

“Axel said that I was going to be tested. What does that mean?” I ask. Not really sure if I want to know the answer.

“We’ll test you to see if you’re as good as you think you are.” Candace leans back and looks over at me. I’m sitting behind Garrett, who is driving.

“And if I’m not?”

“Then you won’t need the clothes Axel will get you.”

I laugh, because that’s basically what Axel said. He really is his father or fathers’ son. “So, will I fight to the death or something?”

“Oh no. We have a surprise for you little one.” Garrett smiles ominously in the rearview mirror at me.

“Be nice to the girl.” Candace chuckles softly.

“Oh Butterfly, I’m always nice.” It’s kind of sweet to see people so in love, even someone like them. Ruthless mobsters, holding hands and making lovey eyes at each other as they drive down the highway. A loud motorcycle flies by us, making so much more noise than they need to. Obnoxious asshole.

I don’t bother saying anything else for the rest of the car ride, because I have a suspicion that they wouldn’t answer me. We pull into this long driveway with a large metal gate and I watch as Garrett punches in the code, the heavy gates opening for us. There’s a small farm house to my right but we drive past that and further down the gravel road until we slow down and stop in front of a very large fucking mansion. “Are we - is this - this seems out of place.” I say. It’s been nothing but farm lands for the last hour and now I’m staring out at a marvelous mansion in the middle of nowhere.

“We own a very large plot of land here, left to me by my father and Damien’s father. We use this for a lot of things, but my sister and her family live here permanently. However, they’re out of town.”

“In Washington with JT.” I reply, not taking my eyes off the building before me as I step out of the back of the SUV.

“How’d you know that?” Garrett asks.

“Axel told me.” I blink away and look up at the very large man who is a tad bit scary looking. Axel has tattoos, but this man has them on his face, that's hardcore.

“Come.” Candace snaps her fingers as she walks towards the tall double wooden front doors. I’m both excited and nervous about whatever surprise they have behind these doors. Is it my death? Is it another game?

This damn house isn’t a house at all, it’s money painted on the walls, it’s money dripping from the ceiling. The gold accents against the white and grey walls make it look like it belongs in a magazine, not here in the middle of nowhere. The floors are polished so well that I can see my reflection. These motherfuckers are so damn rich that it makes me just a little uncomfortable. There’s no way they brought me here to this luxurious place to die, right?

Nope. Not my death, it’s my retribution.

The one man who broke me is currently tied to a chair. One I’ve been looking for, for a very long time. “Clayton.” My voice is low and I feel the anger rip me apart from the inside out. My fists clench at my sides as I refrain from pulling Garrett’s knife from his waist and shoving it into this monster's face.

“Sweet little Cordy is all grown up.” He laughs, his left eye is bruised and his lip is busted.

“Don’t fucking call me that.” I spit at him, “How did you find him?” I ask, looking over at the beautiful blonde woman, who stands there with her hands on her hips.

“He was in Chicago. I have connections.” She smiles. “I know who he is.” She states.

“Do you know what he did to me?” I ask, feeling like my skin is crawling, I don’t even want to think about it.

“I do.” She replies with a saddened look on her face. “He’s the reason why you kill men who touch you, right?”

“Yes.”

“Today, you can have your revenge.”

“Why?”

“Because in order to have a future, you must leave your past behind. You can’t leave it behind if he’s still alive.”

“This would be easier to do at my house.” I tell her.

“Why?”

“My basement.”

“We have everything you could ever imagine needing and then more in our basement little one.” Garrett ushers me to a door on the left. “Come see.” He almost looks excited.

When I get down the stairs, I see Axel sitting there. “What? How?” Axel tries to stand up, but he’s tied to the chair.

“He’s part of the test.” Candace says from behind me.

“How so?” I flip my head around looking at her.

“Clayton did horrible things to you, that twisted you up. Then I watched the video of what my son put you through, so you have two men, completely at your disposal, to do whatever you want with. Depending on how you respond...” She doesn’t finish her sentence.

“If I kill Axel, you’ll just kill me.” I shake my head.

“No. This is your test, your rules. I’ll be upstairs. Garrett will bring Clayton down.” And just like that, she leaves me staring at Axel, tied to a chair, with duct tape on his mouth. He’s fighting to get out of the chair, but I think his parents have more experience with this kind of shit than he does.

“Well. This has taken the words plot twist to a whole new level.” I sigh out, putting my hand to my forehead.

I hear thumping and when I turn around, Clayton is being dragged down the stairs by Garrett, still tied to his chair. Garrett spins Clayton, whose mouth is now taped over, around to face me. “Have fun little one.” Garrett nods, turning on his heels and heads upstairs.

“What in the fuck nuggets just happened?” I look from Clayton to Axel and let out another sigh. “You’re parents are fucked up my guy.” I point a thumb up towards the stairs and make a face, because what kind of parents ties their kid to a chair and willingly gives them to a known man killer, especially one who kills men for touching her. Axel tries to say something, but all I hear is mmmgmehrr.