Page 52 of The Claiming

“Several times. We even checked the floor for signs of any disturbance, but it appears the door hasn’t moved for centuries.

“Then she must have made it back to the house.” Cassie ponders and Ali shakes his head.

“Not unless she was fucking invisible. The only way out of that place is via the river or the door I was guarding.”

“Did you see anything unusual while you were waiting?” She asks him and he shakes his head.

“No. There were a few students lingering around after you entered the dungeon, but they soon got bored and left me to wait in the darkness.”

“Are you sure?” She stares at him with a thoughtful expression, and Ali hesitates before shrugging.

“I didn’t move from the door, but I may have been momentarily distracted when Susan Harper decided she had a thing for masked men.”

“Fuck, Ali.” I groan. “Are you sure you never left the door unguarded, even for a second?”

He shrugs. “What was I to do? I banged her against the fucking door, so I’m pretty certain Abigail can’t walk through iron and flesh for freedom.”

Santi laughs out loud. “I’m calling door sentry next time.”

Cassie’s eyes meet mine and the expression of disgust on her face is enjoyable to behold because if she thinks Ali banging a girl against the door is bad, she doesn’t know what I’m capable of.

I head her way and note her sullen expression as I lean down and whisper, “You can hate this all you like, baby girl, but the result is the same. Get used to being my girl and all that involves, unless you want to suffer the consequences of betrayal.”

She hisses against my lips, “You won the challenge, Frankie, not my soul, so be careful what you wish for. I’m nobody’s property and you would be advised to deal with that from the outset.”

“Or?” I raise my eyes and she shrugs.

“Or face humiliation in front of the entire school. It’s your choice.”

I push her from the room and she hisses, “What are you doing?”

As I grab her hand, I pull her into the laundry room and close the door, loving how she faces me with fire in her eyes that quickly turns to surprise when I stroke her face lightly, noting how she doesn’t flinch as I whisper, “I only have your best interests at heart my little spitfire. We can do this the hard way, or the, shall we say, more pleasurable way. You will soon realize that being my girl comes with a load of privileges, so can the attitude, suck up the loss and make the best of a situation I couldn’t be happier with.”

Her eyes darken as I continue stroking her face, staring into her eyes with desire lighting mine, reeling her into my web. I have always found seduction a far more effective weapon than force, and she is no exception to the rule as she visibly relaxes.

“What happens now?”

I smile softly. “I’ll escort you back to your dorm, and we’ll grab some sleep. Tomorrow is a new day and nothing will change, except for our commitment to one another.”

“Our commitment?”

“I will have your back and we will spend time together safe in the knowledge nobody will come between us. It’s a breathing space if you like. A time to let the dust settle and learn about one another without the added pressure of guys hitting on you.”

“What if I want my freedom, Frankie?”

“The only freedom worth having is the one earned through making mistakes.”

“Is that what this is? A mistake?”

I stare deep into her eyes and whisper, “Only time will tell. But I control my destiny and choose it wisely. What is the point of waiting for something to happen naturally that you already know will be amazing? Why place all your hope on chance when you can engineer the desired result and move on? Life is too short to waste a second of it and thiswillbe amazing, Cassandra King, because I feel it in my soul.”

Her eyes darken and she can’t tear her gaze away and I seize the moment and touch my lips to hers, sliding my hand around the back of her head as I kiss her deeply. I don’t rush the moment—I savor it. This is my reward for a well-orchestrated plan and as she returns my kiss, everything slots into place.

TWENTY-SIX

CASSIE

How can rage and anger turn into desire on the edge of a softly spoken word and a gentle touch? I couldn’t stop kissing Frankie if I tried because I am seduced by him, his words and the lengths he went to to get what he wants.

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