close my eyes and listen to her for a while longer before I head down to my study. I promised Kahn that he would be able to go to the church to seek out the priest who may have news about his sister, but I need him and his team here.
My brother has gone rogue, and I’m done playing games. Picking up my cell, I hit dial on Kahn’s number and listen. Four rings, and he finally answers—out of breath and gravelly.
“Are you busy fucking?” I ask, my own tone taking on a gruff rumble.
Kahn chuckles. “No, Mr. Shaw, I was working out. Late night in the gym,” he tells me. “What can I do for you?”
“Are you leaving for the convent soon? Or are you still in New York?” I settle back in the expensive leather chair and close my eyes. My head is pounding from today’s shitshow, and even with Scarlett upstairs, safe, I’m not at ease. If Darius is so adamant about stealing her, he could walk in here at any moment. Not that I won’t see him approach, but the thought of a fight tonight doesn’t bode well for the state I’m in.
“I’m still around. Did you need me?”
“I’ll send the jet. I need you in Crimson Falls before sunrise,” I inform him. “Bring the team. I have a feeling this could be a tough job.”
“What’s happening?” Usually, I wouldn’t tell the men until they were all in the room with me, but this is a special case. I’ve never asked them to do something so personal before. Killing my brother is not something I planned to do for a while yet, but when someone threatens my life, my livelihood, I fight back.
“Darius is here, and he needs to be taken care of as soon as possible.”
Silence greets me. I’m certain Kahn is in shock at my response. If I had to be honest, I am too. Holding someone’s life in your hands is a powerful emotion. Something that takes hold and doesn’t let go. Not easily, anyway.
“I’ll make sure the guys are on the flight.”
“Thank you.” I hang up before tapping out a message to the pilot. Once my men get here, we can map out a plan. There's a lot to do with two days to go before the ball and my marriage to Scarlett. Especially getting her ready and onboard.
That’s going to be my toughest challenge yet.
Chapter Seven
Scarlett
When I open my eyes, I shoot up from the lush, comfortable mattress to find I’m no longer bound. Instinctively, I glance at my wrists to see a hint of the bindings that kept me prisoner. I’m not sure how much time has passed. I must’ve been exhausted that I fell asleep while chained to the goddamned bed.
Lycan Shaw is a monster, but I need answers. I push off the bed, feeling the softness of the carpet underfoot. The curtains hang open, and I notice it’s still dark out. Surely the sun is coming up soon.
Pacing the carpet, I stop when I hear a sound outside, and I notice Lycan stalking from the house toward the property line. The shadow I saw earlier is gone, but it doesn’t make sense that he’s out there when he didn’t want me going home. I wonder if my grandmother has asked where I am. I didn’t see her when I arrived. She must know I’m no longer in the house. The staff must’ve heard me scream. Surely, they’ll come to find me.
A shot rings in the air, causing me to jump back from the window. Silence greets me, and my lungs struggle to pull in air as my heart thumps at my ribs. I should’ve run when I could, when he released me, but there’s something about Lycan Shaw that’s intrigued me.
Going to the bed, I find an envelope lying on the nightstand that I didn’t see earlier, and Lycan’s earlier words ring in my mind. Everything will be answered when you get to your room. Ripping open the envelope, I pull out the letter that’s been folded three times over. The handwriting is familiar, and I recognize it instantly. It’s my father’s scrawl, signed at the bottom of what looks like a contract.
I scan the pages of the terms and conditions. Every word, each sentence, sends ice through my veins. My father signed my life, my hand in marriage over to Lycan Shaw. There’s no reasoning behind it, just that he thinks it’s better for me in the