The Scotch Series: The Complete Series (Scotch #1-3) - Penelope Sky Page 0,143

I hoped Crewe didn’t figure that out. Since the day we met, I always thrived alone. I didn’t need anyone to take care of me. I’d been looking after myself for a long time. But the more I wanted him, the more powerful it made him feel. There was nothing Crewe wanted more than power.

Crewe’s annoyance dimmed slightly. “You can stay in the hallway if you want. But we need to have this conversation in private.”

I knew that was his final answer and arguing wouldn’t make any difference.

He grabbed my chin with his fingertips and pressed a kiss to my lips. It was tender and soft, a quiet apology since I couldn’t get what I wanted. He walked inside and shut the door behind him. The last thing I heard was him speaking to Bones. “Call her a whore again, and I’ll kill you.”

Bones chuckled. “Ah, so she’s not your whore. Can’t blame you. She really is beautiful.”

Their voices trailed away, and I couldn’t hear their words anymore. I stayed in the hallway and looked from left to right. Crow was in the first room near the staircase, and I considered joining him. But I knew Crewe would be pissed that I’d crossed the line with his client. I shouldn’t interfere when I didn’t have anything to do with the drama unfolding at this party.

I considered going back downstairs and joining the party. If I stuck to Ariel’s side, I’d probably be fine. She was observant, so it would be stupid for Joseph or one of his men to make a move. But I might also be putting myself in the spotlight. If they watched me walk away with Crewe, they probably assumed we were still together.

Nothing had happened so far, so I decided to stay put.

Fifteen minutes later, I heard a door click far down the hallway. The lights were on, but the pathway was dimly lit. I searched for someone to appear out of the doorway, but there was no movement.

I got a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach.

I heard the noise again, and that’s when I spotted Joseph emerge from one of the doorways. One of his men was behind him, carrying an AK-47.

“Jesus…”

I grabbed the door and twisted the knob, but of course, it was locked. “Crewe?” I banged my fist on the door.

I didn’t get a response.

I turned to Joseph again, who was walking quicker now. He wanted to snatch me and run. I shook my head vigorously and waved my hand in front of my face, telling him to turn back.

Joseph shook his head in response.

“Crewe?” I knocked again.

Thankfully, the door flew open, and Crewe emerged. “You’re lucky we’re finished because we don’t appreciate your impatience.”

Joseph was still coming down the hallway, but he halted when Crewe emerged.

If I didn’t do something, Crewe would see him. And if Crewe saw him, Joseph’s men would fire. Bones was probably packing, so he would shoot Joseph. No good would come from any of it.

I cupped Crewe’s face and kissed him as I backed him back into the room, moving my mouth hard with his so he would be knocked off-balance. I pressed my body into his and circled my arms around his neck, giving him everything I had so he wouldn’t step into that hallway. Bones was probably watching the whole thing, but that wasn’t important right now.

Crewe eventually broke away, and judging from the look on his face, he wasn’t annoyed with the affection. He just wanted more of it.

“No wonder why you didn’t let this one go.” Bones walked around us and entered the hallway. “Let me know what you think about our arrangement, Crewe.” He disappeared, leaving us alone.

I suspected Joseph had taken off. If there were a man in the hallway carrying a huge gun, Bones would have said something.

Crisis averted.

Crewe pressed his hand against the door and pushed it closed. The second we were alone together, I knew exactly what was coming next. His hands moved to his belt and the button at the top of his slacks. His pants came loose, and he pushed them to his ankles. “I wanted to wait until the evening was over, but you aren’t giving me much of a choice.” He turned me around and pushed me hard against the wall and hiked my dress around my waist. My thong was pulled past my thighs, and he shoved himself harshly inside me.

I gripped the wall for balance as I felt him pound