Milked by Royalty: The Full Collection (A Human Cow Erotic Romance) (18 page)

“Only the law,” she said. “Under Title 13 of the Royal Hucow Trading Agreement, any human cow or bull found to be engaged in an illicit relationship with its owner will be subject to immediate seizure by the Crown.”

Julia’s heart beat faster. Seizure by the crown? But she belonged to his lordship. She was his cow, not the Crown’s. What right did anyone have to take her away?

“I’ve already discussed the whole matter with Thomas, James,” Melissa went on, “and the duke and I are in complete agreement over what must be done.”

“What must be done?” Fury touched his lordship’s voice. “For God’s sake, Melissa, I’ve barely had the woman five days. What type of relationship are you talking about?”

Melissa snorted. “Don’t try to play the innocent with me, James. We all saw the way you behaved last night. And to place a crown on a creature like that…” The lady in red lifted her nose as she turned towards Julia. “Why such an action is nothing short of an abomination.”

Muffled whispers rose from the crowd, but Julia couldn’t tell what anyone else was saying. All she could focus on was his lordship as he strode towards the stage.

“This woman is two days shy of completing her contract,” he said. “I won’t have her taken from my land, especially when she hasn’t yet agreed to extend her service.”

“Hasn’t agreed?” Melissa laughed. “Would you listen to yourself, James? That creature is a cow, an animal. She has no rights in choosing what’s to be done with her. I would have thought losing Belle would have taught you that lesson.”

His lordship froze. Even from her spot on the stage, Julia could see his lips tighten and the color leave his face as he fought to control his temper.

Melissa smiled. “Don’t tell me I’ve struck a chord, James.”

His lordship’s hands curled into fists. “If you try to take her off my land, Melissa, I will kill you.”

No one spoke.

“All right, I believe that’s enough.” The duke’s voice rose up from the opposite end of the stage. “Melissa, I would have hoped you’d had the sense to keep last night’s conversation to yourself, and James, obviously there are some rather extenuating circumstances about this case that still need to be evaluated.”

“Extenuating circumstances?” Melissa crossed her arms over her chest. “Thomas, I don’t see how this case could get any clearer. James has developed a romantic attachment to yet another one of his cows. Once could be considered a mistake, but to do so a second time? Obviously I would think he’s not only unfit to keep this cow, but all the rest as well. After all, the law does say—”

“I know what the law says,” the duke said. “And I hope you can understand what I’m saying when I tell you to shut up.”

Despite the severity of the situation, Julia couldn’t help but smile when the woman in red sputtered indignantly.

“Now,” the duke went on, “since we obviously don’t want to disrupt the festivities for everyone else, might I suggest we continue this discussion somewhere a bit more private? I’m sure your Jewel would be quite content to wait in her stall while we decide what’s to be done with her.”

The duke gave her milkman a nod, and her handler tugged sharply at her lead rope. Without any other option, all she could do was follow behind the man in the white coat as he led her away from Lord Ashe and the rest of the gathered assembly.

Her heart beat faster with every step she took away from his lordship.

You’re just being stupid. There’s no reason to worry. Lord Ashe won’t let anything bad happen to you. He promised
.

She was so intent on reassuring herself, that she hardly noticed where she was going. Only the hum of a nearby car’s engine finally made her look up long enough to realize she was far from where she needed to be.

“Wh—”

A sharp slap on her ass cut off any further words.

“Now, now, Julia, if you want to be a cow, you’re going to have to act like one.”

Julia’s mouth went dry.

That voice. It’s…It’s…

Her milkman pulled down his mask, and her worst fears came true.

“Matthew? But what…How…”

Her ex-fiancé hit her again only harder this time. She gasped, still too shocked to even scream.

“Never were a fast learner, were you, Julia? Lucky for you, I don’t mind giving you extra lessons.”

There were so many questions she wanted to ask. How did he find her? When did he get here? What was he planning to do? She almost slipped up and spoke again, but she knew better than to push him a third time. She’d lost a whole row of teeth for making that mistake once before.

She watched him yank the surgeon’s cap off his head. Wavy blonde hair spilled out from underneath. He raised a hand to his eyes, and in one quick motion he slipped off his contacts. Once more, his eyes were the same green she’d once loved and feared.

And sweet Lord, had she ever feared him.

“You know, Julia, ever since you left I’ve been wondering what I was going to do when I found you.” He smirked down at her, and she tried her best not to shiver. “And I always swore I’d find you. Changing your name from Storm to Dorne was a nice touch, but even a stupid little slut like you had to know it wouldn’t keep you safe forever.”

He reached down to cup her chin, and Julia shook so hard she could barely stay upright. She needed help. She had to get help, but there was no one nearby. The barn wasn’t even in sight, much less the stage and bleachers his lordship’s guests were currently occupying. All she could see was the moss-covered stones of the manor house behind her, and the bright red door of the sports car humming behind Matthew.

“Do you remember all those months we spent together? You were such a wonderful canvas. I just knew I could make something truly spectacular out of you, but then you had to up and run out on me.”

He squeezed Julia’s chin so hard she thought it might crack. Despite her better judgment, she reached up and grabbed his hand.

“Please, Matthew,” she said, “I don’t belong to you anymore. I belong to his lordship. He promised to protect me. He—”

A quick backhand knocked out any other words she’d thought of saying.

“Your lord isn’t here right now,” Matthew said. “I am. Now shut up and do as you’re told or I might get angry.”

Julia took a deep breath and tried not to cry. Her cheek throbbed, but she knew better than to touch it. Matthew never liked it when she touched his “work.”

“Hurry up now,” a voice called from the car. “Ms. Evers wants that one out of here before anybody gets suspicious.”

Ms. Evers?

Julia’s gaze darted to the man now handing Matthew the keys to his coupe. Jack. She recognized the man immediately from their brief encounter on her second day at the farm. He’d threatened to rape her, but Lord Ashe had stopped him.

His lordship saved you once. Maybe he can save you again
.

She wished more than anything her hopes would come true, but his lordship was with the duke now. He was probably already arguing his case to keep her even as Melissa Evers fought to take her away.

And all of it just a ruse, nothing but a stupid trick so these bastards can steal you right out from under his lordship’s nose
.

She ground her teeth together. Matthew might hurt her, but she’d be damned if she let him show up his lordship like this.

She waited until the two men turned their backs on her, and then she made her move. She jerked back her neck as hard as she could and ripped the lead rope out of Matthew’s hand. She almost laughed at the shock on his face, but she knew better than to waste any time. She leapt to her feet. She ran around the side of the giant manor house as fast as she could. All she had to do was find someone else, tell them what these bastards were planning, and then she’d be safe.

Matthew’s footsteps pounded behind her, but she forced her legs to pump harder. If she could just get out in the open, maybe she could call for help. Yes, she could call for help, and then everything would be okay. His lordship would hear her. He’d rescue her.

The corner of the house was only a few yards away. She sucked in a deep breath. Just a few more steps. She could make it just a few more steps. The scream already welling in her throat would escape any minute, and then—

Just as she turned the curb, a man darted in front of her. Her shock made her mute, and she shied away from him on instinct.

“Julia? Julia, what’s wrong?”

The voice drew her up short.

“Brandon? Oh, my God, Brandon, you have to help me.”

Just seeing her old friend made her legs weak and her chest tight. Brandon would save her. He had to. He was her friend. He was Lord Ashe’s friend. He was the one who’d first brought her to Farthington, so surely he wouldn’t let anyone take her away.

Tears streamed from her eyes as she took a step towards him. Her terror-induced adrenaline dried up in an instant, and her legs folded beneath her. Only a quick dash from Brandon saved her from collapsing onto the ground.

“Oh, Brandon, thank God you’re here.” She dug her fingers into his shirt and pressed her naked body into his arms. “It’s Matthew. He…he found me. He’s back, and he’s…he’s trying to take me away.”

She could hardly speak around her sobs, but somehow she forced the words out anyway. Brandon held her tighter. He stroked her back gently as she trembled in his arms.

“Shh, it’s okay,” he whispered into her ear. “It’s all going to be okay.”

“But you don’t understand,” she said. “Matthew—”

“Is here,” he finished. “I know. I’m the one who told him to come.”

Seconds passed before she realized what he’d said. Her back went rigid. Her breaths came harder, faster, and she had to fight to speak around the tightness of her throat.

“But…but his lordship. You…you work for him. You’re the one who brought me to him. You can’t just…just…”

He arched an eyebrow. “Take you away. Oh, I assure you I can. You see, James might pay well for a decent cow, but Ms. Evers will pay even more for a chance to get back at her rival.”

“Get back at his lordship? But what does that have to do with me?”

Brandon shook his head. “Oh, Jewel, come on. You have to know James doesn’t treat his other cows the same way he treats you. I knew from the moment I saw you, you’d be too much of a temptation for him. That’s why I made sure to wait and bring you here right before the auction. I knew he wouldn’t be able to hide his feelings for you so soon, and after I had Jack arrange that unexpected run in with the bulls and you had your little performance at last night’s festivities... Well, it’ll be a wonder if the duke lets him keep his title at all after all those blatant displays of affection.”

“You bastard.” Julia fought to get out of his grip, but he wouldn’t let her go. “What in the hell did his lordship ever do to you?”

Brandon shrugged. “I never said it was personal. I’m a businessman, Jewel. All I look out for is the bottom line, and Melissa Evers makes that bottom line look good.”

Anger welled in Julia hotter and stronger than any she’d ever known. With her arms secured at her sides and her legs folded upon the ground, she did the only thing she could think of. She reared back and spat as hard as she could into Brandon’s face.

Brandon hardly even blinked.

“I’ve enjoyed this last talk with you, Jewel. I’d say we should do it again sometime, but let’s face it, once Matthew here gets you ready for Ms. Evers’ herd, human speech won’t mean much to you anymore.”

A knot settled in the pit of Julia’s stomach. She looked over her shoulder, and there stood Matthew, already examining her with those cold, calculating eyes.

Oh, God, she’d barely survived belonging to him once. How in the hell could she ever hope to get through it again?

“Well, gentlemen,” Brandon said. “I believe we’re already behind schedule. Jack, get the trunk. And Matthew, I don’t believe I have to tell you what to do.”

Julia turned back to her former fiancé, but her gaze didn’t fixate on his eyes. Instead she stared at the black and yellow taser poised in his left hand.

Her mouth went completely dry.

“No, please, Brandon, don’t do this. I’ll do anything. I’ll—”

A shock to the back of her neck took away any further words. Her muscles turned rigid. Her bladder released. She spasmed in Brandon’s embrace while her body fought to breathe and her mind tried to ride through the pain that threatened to send her into darkness.

“That’s enough,” she heard Brandon say. “Matthew, that’s enough. You’re going to kill her.”

Her ex-fiancé chuckled. “The bitch can take more than this. Besides, she deserves it.”

She heard a click, and then the pain intensified. Her spine curled back to the point of breaking. Her arms and legs slapped against the ground. She tried to scream, but she couldn’t get air. Oh, damn, she couldn’t get any air at all.

She heard Brandon yell out Matthew’s name, but her former fiancé was as unyielding as the stones holding up Farthington Hall.

It’s over
, she thought.
It’s all over
.
He has you now, and he’s going to break you just like he tried to before.