“We both know you’re smart, witty, and beautiful.” It was the first time Joseph paid me a real compliment. “The guy would be an idiot not to feel something for you. You’re charming and a smartass—in a good way.”
Since we were in a rush, I didn’t have time to even crack a smile. “I seriously don’t think that’s going to work. We have to think of something else.”
“Just be whatever he wants you to be. Be whatever fantasy he likes. Say the things he wants to hear.”
Easier said than done.
“The only way he’s gonna give up that detonator is if he actually starts caring about you. Otherwise, he’s going to hold it over both of our heads for the rest of our lives. It’s the only way out for both of us.”
I was willing to do anything to free my brother, even something as sinister as this. I didn’t think it was likely to succeed, but I had to try if there was no other alternative. “I’ll do my best…”
“Thanks.” His eyes filled with clouds as the silence stretched between us. He put his hands in his pockets and cleared his throat. “Does he treat you well?” Joseph cringed like he didn’t want to truly hear the answer.
Even if he didn’t, I would have lied about it. “Yeah, he does.”
“Really?” he whispered.
I nodded. “It could be a lot worse. He doesn’t hurt me.”
Joseph suddenly looked away like he was ashamed of the thoughts in his mind. He was probably thinking about the things Crewe did to me at night when we were in bed together. Ashamed that he couldn’t save me, he couldn’t look at me.
“He’s not as bad as he seems.” I wasn’t just saying this to make Joseph feel better. It was the truth. “He doesn’t let the other men touch me. He gives me everything I need. And he protects me against everything. We have dinner together and talk. I would much rather be with him than go to Bones…” That man was utterly terrifying. I wouldn’t be alive right now if I’d been transferred into his care. “I think there’s a chance he could be a good guy underneath all that darkness…”
Joseph looked up, meeting my gaze. “It sounds like you like him.”
“No,” I said quickly. “I just think there’s hope.” Now that I knew he’d lost so much at such a young age, I understood his need for power and control. When he was vulnerable and young, there was nothing he could do to protect his family. He had to wait years before he was even big enough to do anything about it. By the time he was an adult, they’d been gone for twelve years. Now he had to make a name for himself, to be as threatening and terrifying as possible.
I understood him a lot better now.
“I’ll get in contact with you again,” he said. “I don’t know when or how. But I’ll figure it out.”
“Okay.”
He sighed when he knew this was goodbye. “I’m so sorry I got you into this.”
“It’s okay.” He shouldn’t be working in this kind of business, and he certainly shouldn’t have robbed a man of four million dollars. But the time for a lecture had passed. He’d already learned his lesson.
“I would do anything to change places with you.”
“I know, Joey.”
He pulled me in for another hug. “You should get going…he’ll start to get suspicious.”
“I know.” I didn’t want to let go of my brother just yet. He felt like home.
For the first time ever, he kissed me on the head. “We’ll figure this out. I promise.”
“I know.”
He pulled away, reluctant.
Tears pooled in my eyes, but I fought them back. If Crewe saw them, he would ask a million questions. I didn’t want him to figure out what had happened here. And I didn’t want him to hit the trigger on that detonator. “I’ll see you later.”
Joseph gave a quick nod.
I walked out without looking back, knowing I would start to cry if I saw the devastation on my brother’s face. The guilt he carried because of my imprisonment was killing him. I could see it in his limbs as well as his face. I walked down the stairs then returned to the drawing room where everyone was still mingling.
I spotted Crewe against the wall near the window. He was speaking with a beautiful woman with brown hair, wearing a champagne pink dress that complimented her dark skin. She was naturally radiant, looking like a princess without a tiara. She stood close to Crewe like she knew him well, and then her hand moved to his wrist.
As I approached them, I felt the blood pound in my ears. Her blue eyes were glued to Crewe’s like he was the only person in the entire room. She watched his lips as he spoke, hanging on to every word like she was afraid she would miss something.
Now I started to feel angry, wondering what was going on right under my nose. Was she one of the women he slept with on a regular basis? Was this a former lover? A current lover? The second I went to the bathroom, he was already flirting with someone else? If that was the case, the plan would never succeed.
I finally reached Crewe, standing so close to him that it was unmistakable I was his date—not her. I gave her a fake smile, just to make sure I wasn’t offending a monarch who could get me thrown out of this place.
Crewe turned to me when he realized I was there. He didn’t change his posture or look alarmed like he’d been caught doing something wrong. “Hello, Lovely.” He greeted me with a slight smile but didn’t touch me.
The nickname wasn’t enough affection for me. I grabbed his hand and interlocked our fingers. It was the first time we’d held hands this way. It was juvenile affection, something young lovers did. But I wasn’t going to stand there and let this woman think Crewe was available.
Crewe stared at our joined hands but didn’t make a comment. “Allow me to introduce you to Josephine, The Duchess of Cambridge.”
I gave a slight bow, still wearing a forced smile.
“And this is London.” Crewe didn’t refer to me in any possessive manner. But there wasn’t a realistic title to explain what I was to him. Prisoner? I doubt that would go over well with the duchess.
She wore a smile faker than mine. “Pleasure to meet you. Please excuse me.” She walked away, her pink gown moving across the floor. She held her shoulders so far back that her chest looked even more robust. Diamond earrings hung in her lobes, sparkling under the light of the chandeliers. She looked more graceful than the queen herself.
When she was gone, Crewe took his hand away from mine. He placed it around my waist instead. That arrogant smile stretched his lips, and I already knew what he was going to say before he even said it. “You know, it kinda seemed like you were jealous for a moment there.”
I stared him down, not finding his words remotely comical. “I was.”
He was about to chuckle but stopped himself when he heard what I said. He nearly did a double take, surprised by my confession.
“I saw the way she looked at you.”
Crewe’s eyes darkened, his eyebrows slightly furrowing.
“What is she to you? Were you once together?”
Crewe didn’t answer my question. “That’s none of your concern.”
That was enough of an answer for me. “Is it over?”
“I’m here with you, aren’t I?”
That didn’t answer my question. “I want to be the only woman in your bed.”