Chapter Twelve
CAMILLE
I’m trapped in luxury.
The world blurs by outside, barely visible through the black tinted windows of the armor-plated Escalade. Aiden relaxes beside me, sipping a bourbon like he’s on the way home from the office.
A second Escalade follows with the rest of his security detail.
This could be any other night of my life, except my clothes aren’t tailored and my mother isn’t in the car lecturing me to sit up straight, then rolling her eyes like I’m hopeless and flirting with my fiancé.
The locket rests between my breasts, tucked away from Aiden’s gaze. My fingers itch to hold it. To have an anchor to hope.
But I can’t get the last vision I had of Bronco out of my head. He was so still. Blood pooled near his temple, dark against the wood floors. Shards of glass glittered in the red liquid from the destruction Aiden’s men did to his beautiful home.
“I’m sorry it took so long to find you, darling. The men responsible for the delay have been punished of course, but that’s no relief to you. You must have been terrified.”
“I was.” That you wouldn’t leave me alone..
He pats my hand like I’m a child. “I’m here now.”
“How did you find me?” We searched everything I had on me.
“I tracked your phone as far as that gas station. You were clever, letting your sister know you were close to your destination. It gave my people enough triangulation to narrow down your general area. After that, it was a matter of cross-referencing Lone Star employee records. Foolish of him to take you to his own house, but exactly what one expects from the people of his ilk.”
My stomach rolls, and I have to cross my arms over my waist to hold back the dry heaves. He listened to my conversation with Elizabeth. I don’t know how, but then I didn’t know he had a way to track my phone. I’ve been so na?ve.
I led him to us by taking my phone when I ran.
Another thought interrupts that. How long has he been listening to my calls? What else has he heard that I told her in secret? What did he learn about her that he’ll use against her or my family?
“What about my father?” How deep is he in this?
Annoyance flickers over his features. “He swore this protection detail was meant to see you securely to my side. Instead, I find he’s been working to... annul our agreement.” His look says he’s about to deliver bad news. “I’m sorry darling. I will have to deal with him.”
“Like you dealt with the man who choked me?”
“That will depend on him.” He leans forward and squints through the windshield. “Good. We’re close. Once we’re aboard, you can clean up and change into something more suitable to your status.”
“Aboard what?” I look out the window as the car slows. I can just make out a dome shaped building and concrete stretches of road. We round the building, and an airplane comes into view. I grip the door handle. “Where are we going?”
“I thought you might like to get married in Hawaii. You’ll look beautiful with flowers in your hair as the sun sets on the water. Every man in the world will be envious.”
Oh god. I can’t marry him. “Is it money? Is that why you’re doing this? Power?” I don’t understand. He has both. Why is he forcing me to marry him?
He tilts his head, studying me like he doesn’t understand my question.
“It’s you, Camille. If I wanted more wealth and power, any wealthy woman would do.
It’s true, I initially sought your family out because a marriage tie would grant me access to the places money alone isn’t enough.
” His lip rises in derision. “Some people only care about bloodline. As if theirs carries the elixir of life.” He settles his features and takes my hand.
“But then I saw you. So frail and lovely. A flower waiting to be plucked.”
A shudder runs through me.
“I’m a patient man. I waited for you to come to me. When you didn’t, I realized that was your fathers doing. He needed a bit of convincing, but in the end, you’re mine. We have the rest of our lives to learn and love together. You won’t want for anything. I swear it.”
Just my freedom. And Bronco.
The car rolls to a stop by the airplane.
In minutes, I’ll be transferred from one cage to another. I can’t help it, I reach for the locket, needing the comfort.
Please be alive, Bronco.
Aiden’s hand snaps out, yanking the pendant from my hand. I’m jerked forward by the chain until I’m inches from him.
“What’s this?” he growls.
“J-j-just costume jewelry. Mr. Calhoun’s sister brought it with the clothes.”
He flips it over in his hand, squinting at it.
I reach slowly for it. “I’m nervous. The cool metal feels good.”
His face softens, and he releases the pendant back to me. “I promise, everything will be better from now on. You can even pick your own dress this time.”
I nod, afraid to open my mouth because I might scream. Locking down the instinct, I straighten my spine and prepare to run.
All I need is an opportunity.