Indebted - Piper Stone Page 0,3

silently to the floor. As I reached under, I closed my eyes, holding my breath as I’d done so many times before. The slender handle was comforting, the only reason I’d been able to tolerate the last few days. Swallowing, I pulled the knife into the light, studying the serrated edge, the sharp point. Everything in the house was kept just so; cutlery perfectly polished, knives sharpened after each use.

As I stood, my legs began to shake, my mind reeling from what I was about to do.

Killing a man in cold blood was something I’d never done before.

After slipping the blade under my dress and into the folded napkins I’d fashioned into a holder, I bit back a whimper. Then I smoothed my hands down the beautiful frock the color of the Aegean Sea, a hand-beaded creation from the finest designer in Paris. I’d been allowed to pick it out, an unconventional choice for what most people considered a festive event. To me, this was nothing more than additional chains.

Perhaps I should have chosen the color red.

The color of hearts.

And roses.

And blood.

I should feel like a princess, cherished by an adoring man.

Instead, I felt like a mannequin with strings attached, a puppet waiting for her master.

I was waiting for his summons.

He’d lured me with an offer he knew I wouldn’t refuse.

He’d provided me a chance for atonement.

He wasn’t supposed to be my hero.

But he’d become that and so much more.

He’d become my obsession.

The man I’d fallen in love with.

The dark abyss was the ultimate cage...

Chapter Two

Two weeks earlier

Gabriel

Within two hours, the helpless bird, a woman so beautiful that she deserved to be in a cage would be in my possession. I would control all aspects of her world, including her pain as well as her pleasure.

And I couldn’t wait to exact my revenge.

Merciless.

Heartless.

Cruel.

I’d spent my entire adult life being called all three and a hell of a lot more. While I’d never taken much time to contemplate whether the terms bothered me, I was aware both had created fear in the toughest of men. I wasn’t going to apologize. Not for my personality and certainly not for my business tactics. I’d learned to be fearless, absolutely ruthless when it came to my involvement with my family’s corporation.

Now I was worth billions, the subsidiary achieving unequaled heights. I should be revered by my family instead of being hated.

I’d been sent to America to embark on a new chapter several years before, my brothers taking various honorary positions within the family enterprise. They’d been coddled their entire lives. I’d been nothing but the black sheep. It was funny how fate had intervened. I’d recently learned my brutal father had finally succumbed to diseases brought on by excess, something I loathed in all human beings. Weaknesses were unacceptable on any level.

He would certainly laugh in my face given my past proclivities. Booze. Women. Violence.

That was a lifetime ago.

Unfortunately, it had reared its ugly head, bringing back all the sordid memories.

Only two weeks before I’d been tasked to take over the helm of the family enterprise, my father’s will very specific. I’d survived the penance my father had bestowed on me after one long weekend of debauchery in my youth, the single mistake a thing of horror I’d yet to overcome. Perhaps his direction was my reward for doing so, but his angry words all those years ago were ones I’d never forget.

“You’re nothing but a fucking disgrace to this family. You disgust me. I refuse to protect you any longer. This is the last time I get you out of your predicaments. You’re either going to mature or end up dead. I’m not certain any longer if I care which one.” He stood behind his desk, puffing on his cigar as he glared into my eyes before shoving a folder across the polished mahogany surface. My actions and carelessness had brought shame against our family, intolerable on any level.

I’d merely laughed in his face.

Sadly, the papers enclosed within the file had given credence to his anger. I’d been excised from his sight, my name erased from both company and family records on Irish soil, but not before he’d inflicted his personal brand of punishment. I’d been given one possibility of resuming my place in his good graces. Even the hot-headed young man I’d once been had known better than to ignore the opportunity.

I’d paid the price, suffering in ways few could understand, including my brothers. Maybe my father’s method of forgiveness was entrenched