Page 75 of Princes of Sin
“What the hell are these?” he asks, holding up the metal manacles.
I look down at my own set, taking in the rusty chain links. “I think they came with the place.”
“Very funny.”
A loud bang makes us both jump, and a second later, a dog comes corralling into the cell.
My chest cracks in half when Cocoa–it’s her, it has to be–starts to lick me wildly. A second later, Charlie saunters in.
“Someone’s happy to see you.”
“How–” My voice cracks as Cocoa begins nuzzling my arm as if to help me up. Even now, even ten years later, she still knows me.
I vow to protect her. Now that I have her back…
“Shall I start from the beginning?” he asks, his accent fully Glaswegian now—proving he was disguising his voice.
Disguising their appearance, disguising their accents… it all clicks into place.
When Lachlan and I don’t respond, he crouches down to pet Cocoa, and I want to rip his fucking hand off for touching her. “Fourteen years ago, I started doing business with a man named Joseph Banks.”
My heart catches in my chest, and the blood drains from my face.My father.I’m too stunned to speak, and Charlie continues.
“We were under investigation by the Lords for trafficking. Bloody fucking heroes. Your father wanted to stop all business immediately. He was worried about Alaric Cross coming for him–apparently, he’d heard the rumors.”
My chest rises and falls rapidly.
“They’re going to know,” my father had said, his voice resigned.
“Darling, we don’t know that,” my mum had replied, sounding exasperated.
“Lord Alaric Cross has been watching me for years. Trust me. They know.”
“The Lords of Darkness are a scourge on this earth. We have to trust that our people will take care of it before it becomes an issue.”
“The night they were murdered, I’d gotten word of the plan, and I quickly transferred their assets to an offshore account so no one could touch them. Cocoa here paced in front of your house for days, and despite what you may think, I’m not a monster. I took her in. I presumed you were dead as well. So imagine my surprise when I showed up to a ball three months ago and saw someone who looks just like Charlotte Banks,except she’s hanging out with the Lords? I quickly put two and two together.”
“You’re wrong about one thing,” I growl, tugging at the manacles. “Youarea monster.”
He smirks as he stands up. “I never intended to eliminate the Lords of Darkness. We know the power you all hold. All we wanted was a free state–no more crown, no more monarchy. Our goals were simple–focus on eliminating the royal family. Restore Britain to what it once was–without the crown taking everyone’s tax dollars. Being Scottish, I never wanted any part in the monarchy’sinclusiveness,” he spits. “It’s all shite. England and Scotland need to return to their conservative glory days.”
“Jesus fuck,” Lachlan laughs. “Do you really believe in all of that?”
Charlie’s face stays neutral, but his fists curl at his side when he turns to face Lachlan. “You should be thanking me. It’s people like us–like Citadel–who work to release British nationals from prison.”
“You’re crazy,” I scoff. “Do you realize what you’ve done? They’ll come for you. Mark my words–by tomorrow, your skull will be smeared on the concrete you now stand on.”
Charlie turns back to face me, and his eyes narrow as he crouches down in front of me again.
“Such filthy words for a pretty girl.” Reaching a hand out, his fingers twist in my hair, and Cocoa whines uncomfortably. “There, there, girl,” he purrs, tilting his head as he pets Cocoa. “You don’t want anything to do with this trash anyway. Shall I see if you taste as filthy as you speak, Charlotte Banks?” Before I can push him away, he holds my hands down and lowers his face to mine.
“Fuckyou,” I hiss, turning my cheek. “Don’t touch me–”
“Or what? Have your big, scary boyfriend throw a punch?”
Movement behind Charlie catches my eye, and I see Lachlan hold a finger up to his lips.
A finger attached to a hand most notablywithoutcuffs.
