A Debt Owed(53)

The glass in my hand topples over, and I stare in disbelief at the alcohol pouring over the bar. The bartender jumps into action, wiping it all up.

“Sorry,” I mutter, frozen in place.

“It’s fine,” he replies, swiftly cleaning the bar and leaving it as shiny as it was before I knocked over my glass.

I didn’t mean to, but something made me snap. A memory of a night from before I was married when I was still in my own bed in my own home …

And found the main door unlocked the morning after I woke up even though I was a thousand percent sure I locked myself inside.

Fear ripples across my back.

What if it was him?





Chapter 23





Easton



On our way home, Charlotte’s unusually quiet. When I found her at the bar, she was staring off into space with hollow eyes and cold fingers. She came without a fuss, not even a word. In fact, I don’t think she’s spoken to me at all since we arrived at the restaurant.

I suppose seeing her father and brother alive and happy was a bit of a shock to her. It’s one of the reasons I decided to attend the event uninvited. Of course, her father didn’t expect to see me there, but I always need to make sure my investments are solid. I wouldn’t want my name attached to any failing business.

Charlotte was probably dying to see her brother, so I gave her some time alone at the restaurant to spend however she chose. I’d hoped it would take the edge off things. After all, it’s time outside the mansion, time which she highly values. I didn’t expect her to end up this … shaken. Maybe I misjudged her coping abilities. Unless her brother said something to her that caused her to break.

I pull her closer toward me in the car, but she only petrifies. “Did you have a good time?” I ask in an attempt to lift her mood.

“No,” she replies, and she tries to shake me off. “If that’s your version of a date, I don’t want to go on any more dates.”

“No.” I laugh, but she’s not even slightly amused. “But I thought you’d enjoy seeing your family.”

“They’re not my family,” she huffs. “Not anymore.”

“Well, I’m glad you see it that way.” I smile at her.

She gives me the stink eye. “Neither are you. I don’t need any family.”

“Everybody needs family. And I need you,” I say, and I caress her cheek, but she leans away from me. “What’s gotten into you? I took you outside and off the property. I gave you what you wished for.”

“No, you gave yourself what you wanted, which was seeing my father’s face and pride dissolve when he saw me.”

Well, I did enjoy showing off my prize and seeing how badly his business was going, but I didn’t bring her there just for that, so I shake my head. “Nonsense. He doesn’t care about that.”

“About me?” she retorts, raising a brow.

I grab her chin and make her look at me. “He doesn’t give a shit that I took you. That’s how much he loved you.”

She jerks free from my grip. “Like you’re any better.”

“At least I try to be,” I retort.

“You bought me,” she quips.

“He sold you,” I hiss.

“Semantics,” she replies, side-eyeing me. “How long are we gonna play this game?”

“As long as you can keep it up.” Or as long as I have the patience to deal with her.

“What do you want from me?” she asks. “Do you want me to be grateful for the chance to spend time with you at my father’s business while my brother ascends the throne over my rotting corpse?”

“Is that what you think happened to you? You equate being in my care to a rotting corpse?” I have to admit I’m a bit offended by that remark. My house is not a graveyard.

“Might as well since we’re both dead inside,” she huffs, crossing her arms.

“You’re only saying that because you’re upset,” I reply.

“Because you dangled a carrot in front of me and it. Was. A. Lie.” She pronounces each word as though it’s her last.

I cock my head at her. “You’re assuming this was the only time I’ll ever take you out,” I say. “Keep going like that, and it might become reality.”

She huffs. “So what, it was a test?”

I clear my throat. “Perhaps.”

I wanted to see what she’d do. I even brought along a few guards to make sure she wouldn’t get away should she attempt to escape. But also to protect both me and her should anything happen to her. Maybe someone would try to steal her away from me again, so I wanted to prevent that at all costs.

But she surprised me by staying at the bar. She didn’t even try to run, which is commendable. Maybe there is some hope left after all.

“I’m proud of you,” I say, leaning toward her. “You faced your family with dignity and didn’t give in to their needs.”

“No … but I gave in to yours,” she says, sighing.

“And there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that,” I whisper, placing a hand on her thigh. “There’s nothing wrong with letting go in the moment, Charlotte. You’re allowed to enjoy every touch, every kiss … every bit of my ownership.”