Page 54 of Lady of Darkness
Jurgen nods. “We will have you escorted out ourselves, and we will never bother you again.”
I pretend to debate it. I look between Alaric, Theo, Gideon, and Harlow, who scoffs and stands up, throwing her napkin down on the table.
“Are you seriously considering this?” she asks, her voice shrill. Her cheeks are flushed, andfuck me,she’s doing such a good fucking job.
She’s a true Lady of Darkness tonight.
She is ours.
I grab her wrist as her eyes narrow. She tries pulling out of my grasp, but I tug her back down and into my lap.
“You’ve been nothing but a problem since the day we initiated you,” I growl. “If we have to choose you or peace for our order… we have to think long term.” I bite her earlobe, and the moan that escapes her lips isn’t fake. She likes pain–that’s really fucking good to know. Even here in front of our enemies, she’s distracting as fuck. “Our order is a thousand years old. You’ve been with us for a few weeks. I’m sorry, Harlow. We have to let you go and cut our losses.”
I glance at Alaric, who looks both pleased and horrified at the same time. “I told you, she’s not for sale,” he growls. He’s playing his part very well, too. His voice has less conviction.
“It is up to you,” Jurgen says simply. “But there is only one way you’re walking out of here alive tonight. And that’s without her.”
She is ours.
Alaric leans forward, glaring at Jurgen. “We have men waiting just outside.”
Jurgen mimics Alaric’s murderous expression, clasping his hands together on the table. “As do we. It’s your call. Risk your lives, or let her go.”
Alaric pretends to consider as Harlow sits tensed on my lap. He pinches the bridge of his nose and releases a pained sigh.
“Do you promise not to hurt her?” Alaric asks, his voice tight.
“No, no, no,” Harlow begs, thrashing against me.
“She’s feisty,” I grit out, holding her still with my arms. “Be prepared.”
She is ours.
Jurgen and Kristoff grin as Jurgen stands, holding a hand out for her.
“No,” she says quickly, her breaths becoming rapid with panic. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”
“Take her,” I tell Jurgen. “She’s going to put up a fight.”
Jurgen reaches for Harlow, and she flinches when his hand gets near.
I’m suddenly feeling downright murderous. It reminds me of the first night, of how she flinched away from our touch.
She doesn’t do that with us anymore.
She is ours.
Jurgen grabs Harlow roughly and pulls her into a standing position. “We’ll take good care of you,” he says gruffly, using his hands to feel her up. We made sure she was free of weapons tonight. One of them darts into the cut of her dress, and she gasps when he squeezes her left breast. “Mmm, these are… magnificent. We’re going to have fun with you, Lady Blackwell.”
I’m gripping the edge of the seat so hard, I’m afraid I might shatter into pieces. By the looks on Gideon, Alaric, and Theo’s faces… they all feel the same way. But a second later, we will our expressions and body language into neutrality. If Jurgen knows how much we care about her…
She is ours.
“Thank you for your cooperation, my Lords,” he taunts, wrapping his free arm around Harlow’s waist.
Alaric stands abruptly, his expression one of cool indifference. “If this is all you wanted, we’ll be on our way.” He smooths the lapels of his jacket and waits impatiently.
He’s the most possessive of the bunch.
