“Cut off my hand, alright?” Spit flew from his mouth because he was talking so fast. “Just spare her.”
“Sorry. I have to make an example of the people who cross me. Every time they see London chained to the wall during a business meeting, they’ll think twice. When they witness her cruel treatment, her rags for clothes, they’ll know deception isn’t worth it.”
Joseph yanked on the chains again. “This isn’t right.”
“No, it’s not,” I said simply. Most things in life weren’t right. And it certainly wasn’t fair. Like everyone else, I’d suffered once upon a time. But I changed my future rather than accepting it. Everyone had the choice—whether they realized it or not. “I will take her when I wish. My men will take her if they so choose. Every night, when you’re sleeping in your warm bed, just know London is wishing for death.”
His face turned pale as the blood drained from it. Instead of being livid, he looked terrified. Knowing his sister was facing a lifetime of cruel punishment because of his mishap must have been the heaviest form of guilt a man could experience.
“I’m gonna let you go, Joseph,” I continued. “Your punishment will be to live. To live and know your sister’s life was taken because of your stupidity. If you try to save her, I’ll kill you. It’s as simple as that.” I snapped my fingers, cuing Dunbar into action.
Dunbar unlocked their handcuffs, letting their arms go free. Joseph massaged his wrists, which were red and sliced in some places. He stared me down with the same rage as before, but now it was mixed with grief.
I waited for him to do something, to make an attempt on my life. I hoped he would. Then I would get to snuff the life out of this man and still abuse his sister. It was a win-win. Everyone in my world would know I exercised complete power. I saw everything—even if I pretended not to.
Joseph finally stood up, his cronies following suit. Dunbar and the rest of my men escorted them outside while I remained in my chair. I didn’t see him off, and once he was behind me, I didn’t look back. My back was vulnerable and completely exposed, yet I didn’t have a single care in the world.
Because whatever attack he made would miss the mark.
2
Crewe
The plane was already in the air before I began my conversation with Joseph. After they landed at the airport, they took my private helicopter and flew to the Shetland Islands, the northern tip of Scotland where I kept my residence. Subarctic, it was cold year round—but absolutely beautiful. I’d lived in many places during my lifetime, but the remote archipelago had a quaint quality I couldn’t find anywhere else.
With a small population, Scandinavian influences were prevalent among the islands. Life moved at a slower pace, concentrating on old Scottish ways of life. Most inhabitants were Shetland breeders, the small horses that weren’t much bigger than a pony. The grass was always green, and the ocean brought fresh air across the land on a daily basis. Full of wildlife, it was far removed from the bustling city and the rest of the United Kingdom.
My home had been built hundreds of years ago. I had to refurbish the interior, adding hardwood floors, central heating, and all the renovations that accommodated my eccentric taste. However, it still took on the appearance of a castle in the Scottish Highlands. It felt like a castle rather than a home, sometimes.
I sat in the living room, drinking my scotch and looking over a report from my distilleries where they created whiskey, making sure the blending was just right and still true to the flavor my ancestors created in the fifteenth century.
Ariel walked into the room in jeans with heels and a thick black sweater. Her brown hair was pulled back into an elegant updo. While she was soft on the eyes, she was hard on the inside. She was ruthless, authoritative, and cold—the best business partner I could ask for. “The helicopter is landing, Crewe.”
I set my work on the coffee table, abandoning the smooth scotch that flowed down my throat with just the right amount of heat. “Thank you, Ariel.” I buttoned the front of my suit then adjusted my watch. “We should give our new guest a proper greeting, shall we?” The corner of my mouth rose in a smile, knowing Joseph would pay for his recklessness until the day he died.
We left through the backdoor and crossed the short hawkweed and chickweed grass as we approached the helicopter that was slowly descending on the flat field. The property was right at the coastline and very secluded. I was never concerned neighbors would discover my criminal activities due to their proximity. The only way back to the Scottish mainland was by boat or helicopter. The help was in charge of gathering supplies we needed on a daily basis.
Ariel walked beside me as we approached the chopper. It landed on the grass with grace before the engine was shut off. The propeller still spun as the engine cooled down. We stood side by side as we waited for our guest.
Ariel’s loose strands flew back in the wind from the propellers, and slowly, they fluttered until her hair was perfect once more. She placed her hands in her pockets, looking just as terrifying as me.
Dunbar came from the rear and joined us, his arm crossed over his muscular chest.
Ethan emerged from the helicopter carrying a woman in his arms. She was unconscious, her head dangling over the edge of his arm. Her long brown hair blew in the wind. She wore dark jeans and a simple top, obviously used to the humid weather of New York City in the summertime.
She was in for a surprise.
Ethan carried her toward me, the rest of the team in tow. In a black hoodie and dark jeans, he carried London effortlessly. “She was a bit ornery. Had to put her under.” He shifted her in his arms before he handed her off to Dunbar.
I took a peek at her, seeing the fair skin of her flawless cheeks. She had a small nose, full lips, and eyelashes that would make her eyes stand out if they were open. Petite in size, she didn’t seem like she could put up much of a fight. “She reminds me of a puppy—so innocent.”
Ethan chuckled. “This woman is not innocent. She almost got a hold of my gun. There’s no doubt in my mind she would have pulled the trigger.”
Now my interest was truly piqued. “Maybe she has more in common with Joseph than we realized.” I nodded back toward the house. “Let’s go.”
We walked back inside and went downstairs to the basement. It was still in the formation of a prison, with cement flooring and walls. There was a small cot in the corner, a toilet and a sink, but nothing else. There weren’t any windows because the basement extended deep into the ground. Only a few lights were on at a time, keeping my prisoner in near darkness.
Dunbar set her on the cot and pulled the blanket over her shoulders since she was frozen from the trek across the lawn. He pulled her hair out of her face and took a good look at her. “I’m excited for a go. She really is as beautiful as Ethan said.” He left her on the cot then closed the door, locking her up in a cell made of steel bars. She had no privacy from anyone within the basement. But now that she was no longer a real person, it didn’t matter. She was my retribution for what Joseph had done to me. I would get the four million dollars that was owed to me.
Actually, London would.
Everyone except my butler left for the day. Ariel and Dunbar took the helicopter back to the mainland, where they lived their own lives and spent their free time. I remained in the living room, drinking scotch in front of the fire and placing the cool glass against my temple when I felt a migraine coming on.