Tristan glared at him and then at me. “Take her to my room. I’ll deal with her personally.”
Shades lifted me in his arms, one hand still over my mouth and the other wrapped excruciatingly tight across my chest. I struggled to breathe, as everything was too constricting. He carried me up the stairs to the third floor, and by then I felt like I was going to pass out.
As soon as we got to Tristan’s room, he dropped me to the floor and I gasped for air. “You’re lucky you’re his,” he hissed low, glaring at me with soulless blue eyes.
I jumped to my feet. “Or what?”
He stepped closer and snarled. “Or I’d beat the shit out of you for hitting me. Where we come from, lassies like you respect their men. You’ll learn soon enough.” Turning on his heel, he stormed out of the room and slammed the door.
I didn’t even have to try the knob to know he’d locked me in. Heart pounding, I rushed to the windows and peered out. I had no clue how to save my dad or Connor. Hell, I didn’t even know how to save myself.
Hadley
“Are you calmed down yet?” Tristan asked as he entered his room.
Fighting him was no use. I’d either find myself drugged or beaten, and there was no way I could help my father in that state. “Go to hell. I don’t even know who you are anymore.”
Grabbing my arm, he turned me around and pulled me to him. I used to love looking at his hazel eyes, but now they made me sick. “There are some things you need to know before I take you to Ireland. One, you’re mine. Listen to me and do as I say, and I will give you everything you’d ever want. You’ll learn to love me.”
I scoffed. “You expect me to love you after taking everything away from me? Have you lost your mind?”
“Let’s get something straight, love. Your father took everything away from you. It was his decision to fake your death.”
“Yeah, after Connor coerced him into it,” I snapped. “It was you who wanted me to disappear.”
He trailed a finger down my chin and I stiffened. “When I want something, I get it. This was the only way I could get you all to myself. No more Blake, no more Nick, no more sharing you with the world. Just you and me.”
Eyes wide, I backed out of his touch. Why hadn’t I seen it sooner? “Out of the way? It was you, wasn’t it? You’re the one who killed Scott and shot Nick.”
His lips spread wide. “You’re a smart girl. He deserved it too, taking my idea to be with you . . .” He kissed his teeth in annoyance. “It all worked out perfectly when that crackhead took the fall. The idiot was probably scared the police were going to bust him for the drugs and went on the run. It was all the ammunition I needed for your father. Once your bodyguard was gone, Connor was right there. Just a few more death threats on your life and the deal was sealed.” He stepped forward and backed me into the wall, blocking me in with his arms and hips.
“It was you the entire time,” I stated.
“From the very beginning, love. For two years, I’ve been trying to get you, and now you’re here. Tomorrow we leave for Ireland. Your future and everyone else’s depends on you.”
“What are you saying?”
Pressing his body against mine, I could feel his erection against my hip and thought I might vomit. Trailing his nose up my neck, he breathed me in. “Am I correct in assuming you want your father alive?” he asked, murmuring the words in my ear.
My eyes burned. “Yes.”
He trailed a hand over my breast and rested it on my hips. “I can promise to keep him alive, but you have to show me how bad you want it.” He closed his lips over mine and I jerked away.
“Why are you forcing me to do this?”