STEPHANIE
EIGHT
Every fairytale warns you about the beast. None of them prepare you for falling in love with it.
Christopher Burnside donates his promised five hundred million to the foundation and follows it up by demanding I be his lead contact to update him on how his funds are being spent.
Trying to be the most supportive friend in the world, I agree while wanting to scrub my skin raw from the way he looks at me when Honor isn’t watching.
There’s something very, very wrong with that man.
I’d bet the rest of my days on it. We step out into the sunshine, but it doesn’t help to chase the chill away.
Christopher shakes Honor’s hand but continues to stare at me like he’s imagining how I’ll sound when he breaks me.
He can keep on dreaming because it’s never going to happen.
His lips twitch as if he can read my thoughts.
“I’ll look forward to my first update next week,” he murmurs in my ear as he takes my hand and pulls me in closer than decorum allows.
I keep my mouth closed. If you have nothing nice to say, then say nothing at all. It’s a motto many of us would benefit from. His grip tightens around my hand, making my bones creak. Yes, very fucking dangerous. I get your vibe, Mr. Burnside, and it’s a complete turnoff.
Honor links my arm and pulls me away. “Forgive us. We have another meeting we’re late for. Thanks so much,” she hollers over her shoulder at him with a wave in the air.
I glance back to meet glacial eyes. His jaw tics as if he isn’t amused at being dismissed by Honor. I’d bet the real problem is not Honor herself, but because she’s a woman.
“We have another meeting?” I wonder.
“No,” she breathes, unlocking the Escalade and nodding at me to get inside.
She says nothing until we’ve passed the billionaire still decorating the sidewalk like he could will us back with his force of will alone.
“What do you think of him?” Honor murmurs.
“He’s very rich.”
“Fact, not feeling. Try again.”
I huff and fold my arms. “I feel like he’s a very dangerous man who doesn’t understand the word no. But I have to caveat this with the likelihood that I see demons lurking in every corner.”
“I’ve told you to trust your instincts.”
“What about you?” Honor herself has been through hell and back to find her forever place with Fox. They are sickening in love, and it makes me smile every time I witness the way he watches her. What I would give to have someone look at me the same way.
Honor taps her fingers on the steering wheel and purses her lips. “My spidey senses are tingling too. Like you, sometimes I see evil where there isn’t. But...”
“But?”
“But, in this case, I’ve met him on a few different occasions, and the only time he’s warmed to the foundation is the moment he spotted you. I don’t like it.”
I stare at the fields swaying in the gentle breeze as we glide toward home. “Then we avoid being in the same room as him.”
Honor bobs her head. “And if it can’t be avoided, either my husband or your brother needs to be present. He’s a bully, Stephanie, and do you know the common thread that binds all bullies?”
“They are cowards,” I whisper.
She pulls into the driveway and puts the brake on at the front door but doesn’t get out. “You let me know if anything unusual happens?” she asks.
My mind flickers to the wilting lilies. But those make zero sense to be connected to a man I’ve exchanged a few dozen words with.
“I will.” So long as I judge it’s connected. Otherwise, I’ll be containing my crazy. No need for everyone around me to lose their shit because I’m acting like a scared rabbit.
The front door opens, and Fox folds his arms and leans against the frame while staring at Honor as we exit the car. Anyone would think they’d been parted for weeks, not a few hours. Like I said, relationship goals.
I grin as he wraps his arms around her. Duke pushes around him and butts his head against my hip. Maybe my future is being a dog mom. If they’re anything like this big softy, I’ll be good. As for the romance, the desire, the needs... I can get that from some outstanding books.
I usher the beast through the house and disappear out the back door to give them some privacy. I could do with a nap, anyway. As I place my key in the door, my phone, which is definitely on silent, starts blasting an unfamiliar alarm. Duke growls low, perturbed at the disruption.
“What the actual fuck?” I mutter as I drag it from my purse. My idiotic brother’s name and mug shot flash like a beacon. I groan, step inside the pool house, and swipe to accept the call as a shadow shifts in the kitchen, raising the hairs on my arms.
“Stephanie?” Hunter growls.
My mouth drops open, and I prepare to scream the house down. The figure moves fast. Too fast. He slams his hand over my mouth. My heart thrashes in my chest as I take a split second to realize who it is.
He tilts his head in question, and I narrow my eyes and tear his hand from my mouth.
“If you don’t answer me, I will set a hundred hairy bikers on you in a heartbeat,” Hunter snaps.
“I’m here,” I mutter as I scowl at James. “What’s wrong?”
James puts a finger to his lips. I roll my eyes as Hunter’s voice rises. “What’s wrong, she asks.”
“Stop spiraling and just tell her,” Eleanor prompts. “Like an adult, as agreed.”
Oh, how I love this woman.
Hunter gives a long-suffering sigh, and my chest tightens. I can never repay him for what he’s done and how he’s protected me as I’ve pieced myself together. But now he’s struggling to let go. “You’re being hunted,” he starts.
“Stick to the facts,” Eleanor says.
James folds his arms, and Duke sniffs at his leather jacket as if he’s trying to decide if he’s worth his time.
James raises a brow and slides a few dog treats out of his pocket.
That’s it, my canine protection is lost now.
He is anyone’s puppy for food. Doesn’t explain why he’s here in my home, never mind how.
I glance at the lilies still on the table.
Surely they aren’t from him? James hides a darkness, but he isn’t a lost soul.
He wrestles with them daily but in a way that’s completely different to myself. However, I can spot a kindred spirit.
“The facts are that one of the worst men still breathing has an entire file on you.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I grumble. Is this another one of his overprotective stunts to get me to move closer, or worse, be readmitted? I won’t entertain either.
“Christopher Burnside,” Hunter snarls. “Ring a bell?”
The world contracts as James closes his eyes and shakes his head. He’s here because of Christopher? And my brother is losing his shit for the same reason? Who the hell is this man? Freaking Satan?
An insidious thought tries to worm its way in. Again, maybe it’s you, it whispers.
Fuck that, and fuck Christopher Burnside.
“What makes you think he’s hunting me?” The fact that James is here tells me that Hunter isn’t off base, and his level-headed partner agrees.
“The seventy-page dossier he has on you,” he growls. I flick my eyes to the lilies again. Holy shit.
“It’s because of me,” Eleanor adds. “He had his sights on me a while back until he got his wrists slapped by the cult my brother is leading into oblivion.”
James is doing what? Wait, he’s still leading the damn cult? I stare at him, waiting for an explanation. I need to get my brother off the phone.
“Well, as you can hear, I’m safe and sound.”
I decide not to explain that I spent the best part of the morning sipping coffee at the same table as the man Hunter is freaking out about. My eyes land on the unfamiliar duffel bag on the sofa, and I try to pick apart what that represents.
“I’m coming to get you,” Hunter decides.
“That’s not what we discussed,” Eleanor groans.
“Good, because it’s not happening,” I snap.
“You don’t get a say in this, Stephanie Melissa King.”
I focus on the man on the phone, not the one watching me with unnerving attention.
Not in the same way Christopher does. James has this look in his eyes whenever we meet, like he wants to hold me up and protect me all at the same time.
But he restrains himself because he thinks I’m untouchable on account of my brother ripping him a new asshole.
“You listen closely,” I utter, determination filling me.
I have to stand up to him, or I will never be free.
“I am safe in my pool house behind the gates of the Alderidge property. I’m not taking any risks, and I won’t go anywhere alone.
If you call, I will pick up the phone, but I will not be coming to live with you, and I repeat this because I believe you have selective hearing.
I will not be leaving here. So suck it up, brother.
I might be your little sister, but I am not young or na?ve. That girl died long ago.”
The silence is loud as I wait for Hunter to acknowledge my words.
“Don’t go anywhere alone,” he checks.
“Nope.”
“Stay in touch daily. Strike that. Twice a day calls.”
“I’ll message you three times a day. Calls are more intrusive, so let’s minimize those.”
He sighs. “Are you sure about this?”
“Do I need to repeat myself a third time?” When there’s no answer, I take that as a yes. “I am not leaving.”
“Fine,” he growls. “Love you, Steph.”
“You too, Hunt.”
The phone beeps out.
I fold my arms and glare at my intruder. “Now what the fuck are you doing here?”
“Pack a bag,” he drawls. His voice does funny things to my stomach. I thought I’d imagined that effect he has on me, but alas, no.
Wait, what? “Why?”
“Because you’re leaving.”
Fuck my life. Fuck Christopher Burnside. Most importantly, fuck overbearing males and their unwavering belief in their way or the highway.
I throw my phone on the sofa and stand my ground. “Absolutely not. You heard me say no to my brother, so why would the answer be any different for you?”
He shrugs. “Your brother has a moral compass I lack. Pack a bag, Stephanie, or I’ll pack one for you.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
He points at the duffel. “I’ve already started.” He flicks his wrist. “You have fifteen minutes to gather everything you need.”
I huff and don’t move in answer.
“Remember, I gave you a choice.”
Then his hand swipes out, and a cloth covers my mouth. Chemical sweetness fills my lungs.
“Sorry, sweetheart,” he mutters as my world goes blank. And my last thought as my body crumples into his waiting arms is why I couldn’t have fallen for someone normal. The answer? Because there’s a darkness that lives in me too, and normal couldn’t handle it.