Page 24 of The Devil's Heir
"I can't say for sure, Sir. She keeps turning her back to us," Jackson replies, and he's right.
It's almost as if she's trying to keep her face hidden from us. Unfortunately, the woman then walks into the tent and closes the door to it, leaving me wondering whether my eyes are playing tricks on me.
It couldn't be my pauper. I had men looking everywhere for her. For an entire year, maybe a little longer, I kept putting up flyers, yet nobody ever called in a sighting. I thought for sure she had gotten away. My cock stirs at the thought of seeing Liliana again. Would she run from me like last time? Surely, she isn't still holding a grudge against me after all these years.
Another thought pops into my head. Now that I'm in charge, I can have whoever the fuck I want. If that woman is who I think she is, then I want her. Somehow, some way, she will be mine.
After a grueling three hours of having drinks and cigars with the dull mayor, I'm finally on my way back home. We're only a few blocks from the club where I met with the mayor when I see a familiar figure walking out of a seedy convenience store. No long locks are hanging down, but I don't need to see her hair. Iknewit was her before—it's Liliana Sumner.
We're stopped at a red light, so I get to watch the sway of her hips as she heads down the street carrying a bag. I frown as I look around theneighborhood and notice how unfit it is for her to be walking through it alone. Anything can happen to her.
The light turns green, and Jackson gives the car gas, but I tell him to hang back before instructing him to pull up alongside the figure. I roll down my window and call out, "Liliana!"
The woman looks back but quickly snaps her head forward. "You've got the wrong person, Sir," she calls out over her shoulder.
I grin because that voice…
"Stop the car."
Jackson does as he's told, and I jump out. Using my stern voice, I call out one last time, "Pauper, stop!"
She freezes.
It's like her body knows who I am. It remembers its master and still listens to me well.
I circle around, studying every inch of her. Reaching up, I snatch the cap from her head, and her long, beautiful hair falls in silky waves. I lift some up and take a whiff. It isn't vanilla and lavender, as I remember it, but that's okay. I'll make sure she gets her scent back.
"Get in the car, pauper," I tell her.
She lifts her chin in defiance. "I'm not that girl anymore, Jarek. You can't make me do anything."
My cock jumps at the attitude emanating from her, and my hand itches to redden that ass into submission. I've forgotten how much fun it was tangling with this spitfire.
Leaning in, I remind her, "I own this fucking town; therefore, I ownyou. Now, I have a proposition for you, and I think it's in your best interest to listen."
"Why is that?" she asks cooly.
"Because pauper, you're in need of money and security, and I need," I pause before adding, "something else."
"Once again, why?" She crosses her arms in front of her chest.
"I will tell you why, little pauper." I caress her dirt-streaked cheek. "I run this town, and you, my dear, have stayed way too far under my radar. I want you to return with me to my home so I can care for you. I will give you work, and you will be paid handsomely. In return, I only ask one thing."
"W-What is that?" she stammers as she stares up at me like a deer in headlights.
"One year. I want one year as your Master and you as my servant, and then after that, you are free to leave if you so choose." I can see the gears grinding in her pretty little head, weighing her options. I shouldn't pick her; she still looks way too innocent, but then again, just the thought of breaking her and seeing those beautiful tears roll down her cheeks has me getting harder.
"Only one year?" She asks, confirming, and I smile devilishly at her.
"One year and then you will be set for life, never having to worry about living on the streets again or where your next meal will come from." I study her, and I feel the need to warn her of one more thing because I want her to come into this with her eyes wide open, "There is one last thing that you should know about me, little pauper," I pause, sliding my hand to cup the nape of her neck before I lean in close to her ear and lower my voice in warning. "Make no mistake, I'll take care of you, but I'm the fucking devil himself. I plan on having you, Liliana, and when I do, you will call me your God when I have you screaming my name."
I feel the shiver that runs through her whole body, and I smirk. Letting her go, I step back and wipe my hands from the dirt that coats my little pauper. Straightening my clothes, I nod to my driver, who then opens the door, and I wait for Lily to get in.
"I'll take you back to your camp. You shouldn't be walking these streets by yourself."
Sighing in defeat, she gets in, and I follow. The drive back to Sunset Avenue is short and when we get there, Jackson opens the door for her. I roll the window down just before we take off and grin at the little nymph.
"You have twenty-four hours to give me your answer, little pauper. Come to the address on this card if you want to take me up on my offer." I hold my hand out the window and wait for her to take it. She's quick to obey, which does not go unnoticed.
