Sovereign (15 page)

“You are an astute observer. I sleep naked.”

I tried to pull back.

“Calm down. I kept my boxers on for you.”

“Oh.” I settled against him again and inched my fingers down to check. They met fabric at his waist.

He ran his hand through my hair. “I think you were hoping I was lying.”

I snorted. “No. I just assumed the worst.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t do that about me anymore. I’m in your bed after all. Dick dry as a bone. All because you asked and looked up at me with those goddamn green eyes. I feel like I’m pussy whipped, but I don’t even get the pussy.”

I was already drifting back to sleep as he complained. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’m betting you’ll let me fuck you in the morning.”

I passed out mid-laugh.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

S
INCLAIR

I
SPED DOWN THE
narrow lane, pleased to have control once again. The time spent with Sophia had been full of appointments, duties, and requirements that chafed even the deep-seated decorum I’d been taught.

More than the freedom, I wanted Stella. Not on the phone. Not across a table from me. Not in a fucking first class seat next to me. I wanted her beneath me, crying my name in pleasure and pain. My moods grew darker each day I was away until Sophia declared me “insufferable” and demanded I return home and wait for her arrival.

I was more than happy to oblige, leaving for the airport that night and returning even earlier than expected. My tires hummed on the pavement as a warm summer sun began to heat the muggy air. Impatience stalked back and forth through my mind, and I sped even faster, desperate to hold what was mine.

The gate swung open too slowly for my tastes, but before long I was cruising under the familiar Vinemont oaks. I parked in front and took the steps at a run. The house was quiet, everyone just waking up for the day. I couldn’t stop the smile that quirked my lips as I approached Stella’s door. I slowed my steps, creeping along the runner, not making a sound.

Turning her door handle, I pushed the door open and peered through.

My stomach sank, and every bit of anticipation running through my blood turned to ice. She lay on her side, face angelic in sleep, as Lucius slept beside her, his arm slung across her waist, his face buried in her hair.

They were beautiful together in the morning light. A stunning pair who encompassed so much—pure and corrupt, light and dark. My hand tightened on the doorknob until my bones pressed into the glass. Something this lovely needed to be destroyed. I followed the line of Stella’s body, the curve of her breast through her top, the blanket pulled just to her hip. Lucius’s tan arm stood in contrast her fair skin. My fingertips remembered her smoothness. I’d traced her face every night in my dreams.

My palm grew warm, blood coating the door handle as I took in every breath, every curve, and every hair on her head.

I had two options. I could kill them both as they slept and bring the entire Vinemont line to ruin. Or I could walk away. I stood for long minutes, just listening to them breathing deep and even, no doubt exhausted from a long night of fucking.

Lucius had finally won out, taking her from me while I was busy solidifying our family’s safety. She’d chosen him over me yet again, and I was the fool who hadn’t seen it coming. I studied the back of my hand, the scars there visible, but not as deep as the ones that remained hidden inside me.

Of course she’d turned her back on me. I was a demon. She’d said it in her sleep on dark nights when she would cry out and awake in tears. I’d cradled her in my arms, fighting off the nightmare version of myself. But as I watched her and Lucius, I realized there was only one me. I was the nightmare version, the one who terrified her, haunted her—who took everything from her and left her broken.

My head pounded, and each beat of my heart was an individual torment. A maelstrom of dark thoughts rained down and swirled in my mind, each one worse than the last. Pity was that I couldn’t make good on any of them. Even as she lay in another man’s arms, I still wanted her.

Long minutes slipped by as I weighed my need for retribution against the lives of my two brothers and Stella. Could I destroy it all, killing what little was left of me in the process?

Murder whispered to me. After a few more moments, I shoved the dark thoughts down. Molten lead poured over my heart, charring it and sealing it in an impenetrable tomb. When it cooled, I would finally be the man I needed to be to win the Acquisition.

I closed the door.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

S
TELLA

“
S
O, ABOUT THAT MORNING
fuck we discussed.” Lucius ran his fingers down to the small of my back and tucked them into the waistband of my shorts.

I groaned and rolled away from him. It was too early, though bright rays of sun streamed through the window. My head pounded along with my pulse, a hangover already setting in.

“Nuh uh.” I buried my face in my pillow and stretched my legs all the way down to my toes before relaxing again.

“Come on.” He propped on his elbow next to me and squeezed my ass. “It’ll be fun. I don’t even care if you just lay there. Go back to sleep. I’ll handle the rest.”

I snorted and reached back to slap his hand away. “Asshole.”

“I’ve never met a girl who jumps right to anal, but sure.” He smoothed his hand down farther.

“That’s my cue.” I slid out of bed and stretched, my arm aching where the break had been. My stomach churned—the bourbon had transformed to acid. He lay back in a huff, his erection noticeably tenting the sheet. Climbing back into bed and sleeping in was preferable, but there was no way I was going anywhere near him.

He sat and pulled his knees up. “How did you sleep?”

“Good, actually. Better than when I’m alone.”

“You cried a little.” He glanced away. “I woke up and you were talking about leaves and then rope. I said something to you, and you quieted down.”

I should have been embarrassed about it, but I wasn’t. He knew what I’d gone through at the last two trials. Besides, there was no way I could control what I did in my sleep.

“What did you say to me that helped?” I asked and walked to the bathroom.

“I don’t know. I was half asleep. I guess my voice or something made you feel better.”

“Maybe. Hey, I’m going to shower.” I turned and pinned him with a glare as he smirked. “
Without
you. Your sleeping buddy services, while very much appreciated, are no longer needed.”

“Don’t get used to it. The next time I’m in this bed, I’ll be between those legs.” He licked his lips. “Also, I’m about to be out the country for a week or two.”

I peered at myself in the mirror, the circles under my eyes still apparent though not as dark. “You’ll miss Sin coming home.”

“Yeah, I’m real bummed about that. I’ll cry into my mojitos over it.” His voice receded, and I heard my door click shut.

“Thank you.”

He didn’t hear me, but I meant it all the same. Somehow, I’d spent the night with Lucius Vinemont and made it through unscathed.

I laughed at the thought as I stripped and stepped into the shower. Halfway through soaping up I heard a knock at the bathroom door.

“It’s me,” Renee called.

“Hey. What’s up?” I rinsed off and stepped out, taking the towel she proffered.

“Nothing. Just wanted to come by and see you.” She smiled. Her warmth had dimmed as of late, but it was still welcome.

I glanced to the ceiling. “How is she?”

She lowered her head. “Worse, I think. Lucid less and less.”

“Did you know she chose Sin to compete this year?” I toweled off and snagged some lotion from the counter.

“What?” She canted her head at me. “No, she didn’t.”

“Yes.” I walked into my bedroom. “She did.”

Renee followed and sat on my bed, her mouth drawn into a frown. “That can’t be true.”

“Sin said so. The previous Sovereign chooses who will compete.”

She shook her head slowly as I dressed. “Cal Oakman visited last summer. It was odd. He only came to see Rebecca. The boys weren’t even home.” She lifted her wide eyes to me. “She did this? How could she do this to her own blood?”

I’d never seen a good side to Sin’s mother. When Renee described Rebecca talking and laughing about the boys when they were little, I couldn’t picture it. The cruel old crone on the third floor was the boogie man to me, but Renee still believed there was some good left inside her.

“This is what she does. What she’s become.” I sat next to her and took her hand. “Rebecca set this in motion. I don’t know if it was to keep the Vinemonts in power or what, but she chose him. I’m sorry she kept it from you.”

She stayed silent, though her thoughts were loud enough I could almost hear them.

I squeezed her hand. “Let’s go down to breakfast. Maybe Lucius can shed more light?”

“No. I’m going upstairs. I need to hear it from her.” She set her lips in a thin line.

I knew the look. There was no arguing with it. We stood and walked into the hall. She took the steps to the third floor as I descended to the first. The scent of bacon drew me toward the kitchen, but I stopped as I passed the dining room. Sin sat at the head of the table, his eyes already focused on me as I rounded the corner.

I couldn’t stop the happiness that swelled in my heart, but he regarded me with a cold stare. My joy at seeing him faded like leaves in the winter. Had he fallen for Sophia after all?

“When did you get here?” I strode toward him, wanting to touch him. Instead, I stopped and sat at my usual place. I couldn’t gauge him. The look on his face was stony, but the fire in his eyes was hot enough to burn.

“This morning.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I lay my napkin across my lap and met his glare.

“Why would I have to tell you anything?”

“What?” I stopped what I was doing as anger overtook my earlier happiness. “You watch me get beaten to within an inch of my life, watch me choose between killing my father or Brianne’s mother, and then you leave for a European vacation with that Oakman bitch? And now you’re back and don’t feel the need to even mention it to me?” My voice rose to almost a yell.

He stood and towered over me, hell in his eyes. “Don’t you
ever
refer to Sophia in that manner. You aren’t fit to speak her name, much less stand in her presence. In fact, get the fuck out of here. You can eat with the dogs where you belong.” He swiped my table setting onto the floor. My plate shattered at our feet.

I rose and stood toe to toe with him, craning my head back so I could look him in the eye. “You asked for my trust. I gave it. I believed this entire time that you were cozying up to Sophia to save Teddy. To save
me
.”

He gripped my throat, his palm clammy. “I
said
do not speak her name.”

I couldn’t see him anymore, not the real him. The devil who’d come to my house and offered me the contract was back, his mask firmly in place.

“What is wrong with you?”

He leaned down until we were nose to nose. “What is wrong is that I ever thought you were anything more than the whore daughter of a petty criminal.” The hand at my throat tightened. “Now get out of my sight.”

He shoved me back, and I stumbled into the sideboard. Lucius walked into the dining room and looked from me to Sin.

He bristled. “What did you do?”

Sin calmly returned to his seat at the head of the table. “Get your whore out of here before I do something she’ll regret.”

“What?” Lucius took my elbow and steadied me. “What the fuck are you talking about?”

“You heard me.” Sin leaned back and gave me a withering glance. “I’d do it quickly, if I were you. Otherwise, there will be a bloody mess to clean, and that just wouldn’t do.”

“Wait just a fucking minute. You need to explain—”

“No.” I pulled away from Lucius’s grip. The room spun, but not from my hangover. “I’ll go. I don’t want to be in here anymore. I don’t want to be here at all.” I turned and ran as my heart hammered, my ears burning.

Bounding up the stairs, I almost bowled Teddy over. I’d forgotten school was out for a few weeks before summer term.

He put a hand on my shoulder. “You okay?”

I couldn’t look at him, couldn’t bear his kindness right after Sin had treated me so horribly. I refused to cry, especially in front of Teddy. Explaining it wasn’t an option.

“I’m fine. Hungover is all.” I side-stepped him and continued climbing the stairs. “I’ll catch you later today. Promise.”

“Okay.” His voice remained uncertain, but once I reached the second floor landing, I heard his steps retreating downward.

I turned toward my room and hesitated. Raised voices from the third floor caught my ear. Throwing another glance toward the sanctuary of my room, I took a hesitant step up the stairs.

“Why?” Renee’s yell had my feet moving faster.

Was she asking about why Rebecca had chosen Sin to compete? I wanted to hear that answer. I hurried up the stairs and down the hall, the yelling covering any noise I made.

“Because he’s strong.” Rebecca’s screech raised the hairs on the back of my neck.

“You’ve doomed him. You’ve killed Teddy.”

“No, no, no. Don’t cry. Come here. Let me hold you.” Rebecca’s voice switched to something soothing. The sweet timbre drew me closer and I peeked between the hinges as Renee sat on the bed. Rebecca pulled her into a hug and rocked her back and forth.

“Why?” Renee’s question was thick with anguish.

“I had to. It’s the only way.” Rebecca smoothed Renee’s hair. “Do you know I’ve always thought your hair is the most beautiful I’ve ever seen? The softest I’ve ever touched?” Tenderness suffused every word.