Page 66 of A Hunt So Wicked
I was less than five feet away when she reached the final door. She twisted the handle, and it opened. Evie didn't hesitate and threw herself into the room, trying to close the door behind her. I was too close now, easily preventing her from locking me out.
"Leave me alone!" she screeched as she scrambled deeper into the room, searching for anything she could use as a weapon.
I stepped through the threshold and shut the door behind me, twisting the lock.
"Evie, stop this." I kept myself between her and the door as I crept closer. A vase came flying at my head, and I stepped aside, letting it smash against the wall instead. We were in someone's office, and Evie rounded the desk, staring me down.
"I want nothing to do with you," she hissed.
Both of our chests heaved from the chase and the emotions that were overtaking us. Locked in a stare down, I noticed her hand move the tiniest fraction. I tracked that movement and spotted the pair of ornate scissors on the corner of the desk. My gaze returned to hers. Time stood still for a split second. Her anger, rage, and despair radiated off her with a force so strong I felt as though I might smother from the sheer intensity of it.
"Don't do—"
I didn't get to finish before she moved, which triggered my instincts. I sprang forward, hurtling myself over the desk. Wrapping my arms around her, I twisted us before we both hit the ground, the scissors clattering across the room. Holding her tightly with both of her arms pinned at her sides, immediately she fought me.
"Let me go! Let me go!" Her legs kicked, searching for any way she might be able to harm me.
"Evie! LISTEN TO ME!" I bellowed, a growl lacing my words, and the woman in my arms went limp. I didn't trust that she wouldn't try something stupid if I released my hold on her, so we remained there. Me, with my back on the floor, and her back to my chest.
"I hate you," she whispered.
My throat tightened at her words.
"I didn't know, Evie."
"I don't believe you. I don't believe a word from anyone in this cursed palace!"
"On my kingdom, I swear it. I was not in control out there. None of us were. We did not know what had been planned. Please," I begged, willing her to understand. It was the first time in my life I'd begged anyone for anything.
“You hunted me down out there, and you just now did the same thing! And youenjoyedit.”
“I did not enjoy it!”
She scoffed and then wiggled. I assumed she was trying to get free, but I froze when her hips moved against my dick, which was hard as a rock.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t notice…” I stammered, horrified that here I was, trying to convince this woman that I had her best interests at heart, all the while, my cock twitching against her ass, telling a completely different story.
"Release me, Alasdair. I want you to look me in the eye when you lie to me," she demanded.
I sighed and removed my hold, pushing us both upright. She sat on the floor next to me and slowly raised her eyes to mine. With her so close now, I could see the evidence of her grief and pain. Puffiness beneath her eyes and the splotches of red upon her face... Broken by the image, I reached for her cheek only to have my hand smacked away.
"Evie, please.” I sank my hands into my hair, tugging at the roots in frustration. “Let me explain my side of things."
"I clearly don't have a choice in the matter, so talk." She crossed her arms and stared at the ground.
I shook my head. "Up until an hour ago, I had no idea what that felt like. How horrible it is—to have no say in matters that pertain to you. So, you're wrong. If you really do not wish to hear me, then go. I'll never force you against your will, and I vow to ensure that nobody experiences what I was forced to, ever, again."
The air grew heavy between us as she sat there like a statue. What was she thinking? I supposed I wasn't entitled to that information, but that didn't mean I didn't desperately want to know. I meant what I told her, though. I'd never force her to do anything, and that included marrying me. But she had to believe it. I had to prove it to her. All I could hope was that she would allow me the chance to earn her trust.
And that she'd forgive me.
Chapter seventeen
Hewouldn'tforceme?I'd just been forced to do countless things for this fucking realm, and he thought he could just... win my trust by saying he wouldn't force me? That wasn't going to happen, but this was the most information I'd gotten since we entered the castle, and I desperately needed answers.
"Absolutely nothing has been my decision!" I fired at him, making him lean back from me. "Not from the moment those guards appeared on my doorstep and told me I had no choice but to answer the call of duty to my realm!"
Dair's face seemed to harden. "Add that to the list of things we were not informed of."
