Exquisite Death: Dark, Friends to Lovers Romance (The Gilded Sovereign Book 3)

Chapter 21

The cold wallsof the mansion hold me hostage, like prison bars. And the eyes of my captors burn into me, their silent judgment suffocating me.

Initially, when I called my father and asked him to come, he refused because he was on urgent Sovereign business, but having heard the fear in my voice, he said he’d be at the address within the hour. Thane hasn’t told me what he wants from Dad, but knowing that Mrs. Calvert was once in love with my father makes me think it has something to do with their past. And nothing to do with me.

I’m about to ask when Mrs. Calvert says, “Thane, we should leave. Just as we always planned. I’ll disappear, like I did before. Tarian doesn’t want me in his life, and I know he’ll be better off without me.”

“Yasmine,” Thane responds as he turns to regard her. “You know what we must do. I want the Crown, and Gregory can get it for me because he is one of the original Elders left in the society. With Abner in prison, there is no other member I can go to. And the Crowns have to ask the Elders for permission.”

I’m merely a pawn in a game of vengeance and ambition orchestrated by Thane Calvert and his mistress, Yasmine Calvert. My only hope of escape is the promise from my father that he’ll be here soon. If his imminent arrival can satiate Thane, I can leave. I know my father won’t want me anywhere near the bastard who’s now peering at me through thick, dark lashes.

The sound of tires on gravel alerts us to someone’s approach. I’m sure it’s too soon for my father to arrive, but before I can say anything, Thane has already made his way out of the room.

Tarian’s mother stays with me. She’s standing by the window and staring outside, lost in her own thoughts. Pushing to my feet, I make my way over to her but remain silent. I don’t want to irritate her, because I’m hoping she’ll be able to calm Thane down and persuade him to let me leave.

It soon becomes clear that the car I heard pulling up contained the rest of Thane’s men, and a few minutes later Tarian’s uncle returns to the living room to wait with us. I’m not sure where my father’s traveling from, but with each passing moment, my hope dwindles like a candle flickering in the wind.

Eventually, the lights of another car illuminate the driveway, and my chest tightens with anxiety.

“Ah,” Thane says, “It seems good old daddy is coming to save his little princess.”

Thane’s words echo in my head, reminding me I’m at his mercy. My heart pounds in my chest with a mixture of fear and frustration.

“If Daddy can’t do what I need, maybe you’ll have to stay here, Grecia. I’ll enjoy owning a new pet.” His words are a chilling reminder of the danger that lurks within him.

“Thane, that’s enough,” Yasmine admonishes in a tone that has him glancing over his shoulder at her. “Gregory will ensure you’re made a Crown, and then we can be on our way.”

“Who said I want to leave Tynewood. It’s the only place I’ve ever felt at home. Tarian may hate it, but I certainly don’t,” Thane responds as the door opens, and two men in suits escort my father into the living room. The men then leave the room, and Thane locks the door behind them. “We can’t have you trying to escape, now can we?” he says with a smug smile.

I take a step toward him, but Yasmine grips my arm, holding me back. When I look at her, she shakes her head slowly, warning me not to move. I stay where I am and look at my dad, who gifts me a sad smile.

“What do you want, Thane?” Dad demands. “My daughter can leave now. Whatever it is you need, it’s between the two of us. It has nothing to do with Grecia”

“Dad, I’m not leaving you,” I protest, shuddering at the idea.

“Don’t worry. You’re not going anywhere, sweetheart,” Thane tells me with a smirk. “I’ll have use for you later.” It’s another veiled threat from his lips, and it makes my stomach churn with anxious energy.

The bile rises in my throat at the idea of being at Thane’s mercy. I’m aware Tarian’s uncle has always enjoyed lurking in the shadows, waiting to strike when least expected. And now, with me trapped in his clutches, there’s no telling what he might do.

Growing up, I’d occasionally see Thane around Tynewood. We never had any interaction, but there was always something about his piercing glare that sent shivers down my spine. He’s giving me that exact same look now, but even as fear gnaws at my insides, a fierce anger burns within me. A fiery defiance flares and refuses to be extinguished.

I will not become Thane’s plaything— a pawn in his twisted game of power and control. I will fight tooth and nail to escape his clutches. I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure my dad’s freedom as well as my own.

Ignoring Yasmine, I stride over to my father who engulfs me in his strong arms. After he left my mother and she remarried, I didn’t get to see him as much as I would have liked, but he’s always been there for me when I needed him the most.

Thane steps up to me and grabs my arm, and as he pulls me away from my dad, his lips curl into a cruel smirk.

“Running to your daddy isn’t going to save you, Grecia,” he taunts, his voice dripping with scorn. “I’m not letting either of you leave here until I get what I want.”

He glares at my father, who answers the silent challenge with a scowl. Thane’s presence casts a dark shadow over the room, and when his eyes flick to mine, the intensity in them sends a shiver down my spine.

“What is it you want, Thane? Stop playing games.” My father’s voice booms through the room, bouncing off the walls.

Thane pins my father with a stare. “I want what is rightfully mine. I want a crown.”

This causes my father to guffaw. I wouldn’t dare laugh at Thane, but Dad seems unperturbed that this dangerous bastard has us both at his mercy.

My father shakes his head as he says, “That will never happen, Thane. You know it’s only the eldest child who can take that position.”

Thane tilts his head to the side.

“What about Ares?” he questions.

Thane’s right. Ares is the younger of the two Lancaster brothers. Only Philipe should have been a Crown. As the younger brother of Theodore Calvert, Tarian’s uncle was not permitted to be one.

“That’s a different scenario, and you know it,” Dad tells him. “In any event, I’m not in a position to help you with your request. I’m no longer on the Sovereign board. If a crown is what you want, you need to go to Ares, Etienne, and Tarian.”

Thane suddenly tugs me backward, and I stumble into his body.

“Fair enough. I’ll keep Grecia and you here until Tarian confirms my place in the society. I want it more than my brother ever did and far more than my nephew does now.”

“I’m not staying here,” I insist. “You can’t keep us hostage when you’re demanding something my father and I can’t give you.” My voice sounds more confident than I feel, my father’s presence gifting me the strength I need to stand up to Tarian’s uncle.

Thane’s smirk widens into a predatory grin. His eyes are alight with a sinister gleam.

“Such fire, little sweetheart,” he purrs, his voice a velvet whisper that sends a chill through me. “Your daddy’s going to get me what I want because I have you as collateral.”

He looks over at my father and smiles.

“I’ve already had a conversation with the Crowns,” my dad responds. “I’ve given them their options.” My father’s gaze flicks to Yasmine for a moment, and the anger that creases his expression sends a ripple of fear through me.

But Thane who draws my father’s attention once more. “There’s no need for options.” Thane shakes his head. “Tarian will convince the rest. He’ll play the hero for his pretty little girlfriend here because he knows he fucked up.”

Thane’s talking about the other morning when he goaded Tarian into telling me to leave. He doesn’t know that Tarian came to apologize to me, and I chased him away with a gun.

I voice my response with conviction. “He doesn’t want me anymore.”

“Are you sure about that?” Thane challenges.

“Sadly, Miss Birchwood, I’m sure you’re mistaken.” Mrs. Calvert’s voice startles me. She’s been quiet all this time. “I don’t know my son as well as I should, but I can tell he cares about you,” she says with a knowing smile, but there’s ice in her words. “And as much as I hate the idea because of who your father is, I am certain my son is a good judge of character.”

“Your son has been on his own for years. He’s more than capable of making his own decisions,” Dad throws at Yasmine with rage dripping from every word. “You have no control over him, or what happens in Tynewood any longer. You should have stayed away.”

I tug myself out of Thane’s hold and step away before he can grab me again. Just then, the living room door caves in, splintered into shards of wood by three gunshots.

My father pulls me to the floor and holds me down, protecting me, as a small group of men storm inside, their shouts echoing around me.

The next second, my father is gone and I’m being lifted off the floor by a strong pair of hands. Turning my head, I look up into the eyes of my savior and see the blue there that’s held me hostage all these years.

“That wasn’t very nice,” Thane says as Tarian pulls me to my feet. “I’ll have to get that mended.”

“What the fuck do you want?” Tarian asks his uncle.

“Make me a Crown.”

Thane’s demand is clear. Ares, Etienne, and Tarian stare at him. The three men who run the society have angry scowls on their faces.

“Why would we do that?” Tarian questions as he steps in front of me.

“Because if you give it to me, I’ll leave Tynewood and only return when I need to meet with the rest of you. My reasons for wanting to be a part of the Gilded Sovereign are my own, and I don’t intend to explain them to you.”

“I beg to differ, Thane,” Tarian throws back as he steps up to Thane. “You must tell us why you want to become a Crown. If you refuse to do that, there’s no way you’ll get what you want.” There is a darkness to the words coming from Tarian, an underlying threat.

“As I said, I have my reasons. If you don’t guarantee me a place in the society now, then the next time I return, you won’t have any choice in the matter.”

“This isn’t a negotiation,” Philipe says as he stalks into the room, looking like a crime boss in his dark suit and crisp white shirt. His dark blue tie pops against the light material. “You cannot hold an Elder and his daughter hostage and then demand a crown.”

“What are you doing here?” Thane asks.

“I’ve come at the request of a few of our mutual business contacts. They’d like to see you back in New York, along with your… associate.” Philipe glances over at Yasmine, who’s looking sheepish.

“You can’t become a Tynewood Crown unless you live there.” Ares steps forward as he addresses Thane. “However, we could offer you an associate position in the society. Under one condition.” Ares looks over at Etienne and then Tarian, who are both nodding their heads in agreement.

Thane smiles before he asks, “What’s the condition?”

Philipe steps up beside Ares and says, “You will return with me to New York and complete a job that’s come to the attention of my men. If you succeed, then maybe we will consider your request to join the society.” Philipe’s tone is tight with frustration, and I don’t blame him.

“What does this job entail?” Thane asks.

“I can fill you in on the details when we’re on the plane,” Philipe replies as he looks at Ares, then Etienne, and then Tarian. “No one else here needs to know about our business dealings.”

I’m not sure what that means, and frankly, I don’t care. Thane is a grown man, so he can look after himself. All I want is for him to leave and never come back.

“And you’ll take her with you,” Tarian adds as he gestures with his head toward Yasmine, who’s staring at her son with an expression that looks a lot like fondness.

“I will,” Philipe confirms.

“Tarian—” Mrs. Calvert begins to speak.

“I don’t want to hear it, Mother,” he spits the word with such venom that even I flinch.

“Please let me talk to you. Once I have, I’ll leave. Please, Tarian.”

Her plea tugs at my heart. I want him to listen to her. After all, that’s why I came here today, to ask her to make things right.

“You have ten minutes,” Tarian says before he turns to me. “Are you okay?” The tender look he gives me, filled with remorse, has my heart thudding against my ribs. I wish he would see just what he means to me.

“Yes.” I nod.

“I’ll be back soon,” Tarian tells me before he follows his mother out of the room.

I’m left standing in a group with Ares, Etienne, and my father, while Thane has settled himself on the sofa. He doesn’t look like someone who’s been given an ultimatum. Instead, he looks like he’s just won a war.

“Once I have my title, I won’t return to Tynewood. I can promise you that,” Thane confirms.

“My brother and the rest of the Crowns will make sure you never step foot in there again. That is, if you survive the job I have planned for you,” Philipe warns him.

“Oh, I’ll survive, and I’ll put Tynewood in my past.” The tone of Thane’s voice is resigned, but there’s pride in his words.

I know he’s not going away forever, because men like him don’t keep their promises.