Chapter 90

***~Draven~***

Whether Harper passed out from the gaseous drug, the blood loss or the pain was indeterminable. All I knew for certain was that he was very much still alive; exactly the state I required of him. I hadn’t paused to ascertain Riley’s reaction not because I hadn’t been tempted to. Rather, I was terrified of what I might find if I looked into those expressive eyes of hers. This side of me was reserved for those in my professional circle and this was the first—and if I had any say in it, it would be the absolute last time I ever wanted her to experience it.

Thomas and Austin moved Harper, along with his severed fingers. I rotated to find Riley’s back to me, her shoulders rising and falling with exertion as she watched her father being carried out. I let myself really look at her, at her bare feet, torn dress and touches of red, a painful twinge pierced my chest and I had the urge to murder every person involved in this myself. The plan be fucking damned.

“Riley,” I restrained myself from touching her and it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. She visibly stilled at the sound of my voice. We were alone now. All the bodies moved, Thomas and Austin gone with Talia. Eddie was given instructions to meet me here and I was certain he was already outside waiting to take us home.

“Please, look at me, princess.” Did I scare her? Repulse her? The negative thoughts were loud, and deafening and time seemed to prolong. One deep inhale later and those round, teary eyes collided with mine.

“I thought I would never see you again.” She closed the distance, my heart matching the rhythm of every step forward she took.

“If only you were that lucky.” I responded, reaching out to wipe the tears trailing down her cheeks, my breathing instantly become calm. She was right here, she was safe.

“I’m sorry.” She said and I knew instantly why, “Are you mad at me?”

“Never at you, although I was disappointed at first.” I cup her cheeks, my thumbs rubbing circles into her soft flesh. Riley leaned into my touch, her eyes closing momentarily almost as if she couldn’t believe I was real.

“Why didn’t you come to me when Todd propositioned you?” I asked all the hurt I felt coated my words, I’d never felt this vulnerable before, but this is what she did to me. Riley ripped away at the man I thought I was to reveal something softer, something human.

“He threatened to expose your identity and your family. I didn’t want to be the responsible for hurting you or the people you care about.” She explained and a wave of nausea rose. She did this because she was terrified for me. My rage for Todd rekindled with a vengeance.

“Always come to me. I would never ask you to sacrifice yourself for me.” I tell her with an urgency.

“Thank you for coming for me.” She swallowed past the lump in her throat and everything else that wasn’t her melted away.

“I’ll always come for you, princess.” I tell her, my mind flashing to the note she left me, to those very specific words she wrote and I instantly needed to know how she really felt.

“That note you left me, was there any truth in it? Was I not enough for you?” the words staining the air as her eyes fell open to stare up at me. I had been able to push the searing pain at her rejection in that note down while searching for her, now that she was before me, within reach, I needed to know. It took every ounce of self-control not to cover my mouth with hers, to devour her until all she could see was me.

“It was never about you,” she inhaled sharply, new tears added a sheen to her narrowing eyes, “It was about my inability to escape my past and—,” she paused midway, “Did you think I didn’t want you?” she stepped closer, our bodies one shift away from uniting, her neck craned to maintain eye.

“Draven,” she huffed in disbelief when I didn’t answer. “You are everything to me,” her palms flattened on my chest and I sucked in a breath at her subtle heat, intoxicating and pure.

“I love you.” She whispered and all the sound in the world disappeared, siphoned out until all I heard was a ringing in my head, my heart raced, the sound reverberating through every limb.

I cover her mouth with mine, drowning her in my essence while I drank in hers. I pulled her flush against me, my mouth rough on hers, latent anger from her disappearing without a word, without faith in me, seeped into the kiss but Riley moaned, opening up for me.

God, she was fucking perfect and she was mine. I drag my lips away, smirking at her throaty protests. Our chests heaving and I wanted nothing more than to bury my cock into her, to feel as close to her as possible.

“I don’t know if this is love, Riley.” I search her face, admiration swelling in my chest, “All I know with certainty is that you will never be rid of me.” A small smile played on those delectable lips and I almost forgot what I was saying, “I always thought love should be less selfish and that a man in love ought to let his person chose.” She stares at me with wide eyes, enraptured by every word and I hated that I entertained the idea that she didn’t want me.

“The way I see it, Riley, the day you allowed me access to you was the day you signed your life away to me. You’ve no choice but me. I am that shadow that will follow you, envelope you. You are mine and I am yours. I live in the dark, princess and I’m dragging you down with me.” I breathe the last words against her parted lips, our breaths mingling, tantalizing.

“I’ll always go willingly.” Her gaze flickered down to my mouth. Satisfied with her answer, I gave her want she wanted, what we both wanted. My mouth crashed on hers.

***

“The last one just gained consciousness.” Eddie stood when I entered. I’d gone directly to the one-way mirror, watching the group of men we’d captured earlier. Their chattering voices were low but distinct, the air ripe with fear and uncertainty. I had them all stripped naked and chained, the clattering of the iron as they tested the weight and security was music to my ears and I suppressed a smile. I knew it unnerved Eddie and we were alone down here.

“This is your chance to take a walk.” I tell him, my attention on the men and their futile escape plans. They had hoped to live; I could use that to my advantage.

“I’m staying.” Eddie responded and I said nothing of the nervous shaking of his legs beneath the desk. Instead, I applied pressure to the only button that allowed sound from our side into the box.

“Gentlemen,” I called them to attention, their heads snapping up, twisting about to discern the direction of my voice.

“I know many of you are fond of games,” I grin, my excitement buzzed through my veins. “I’ve taken the liberty of creating one especially for you and to cater for your tastes.”

Eerily silent. Just the way I liked it to be.

“The prize is your life. One lucky captive will have the chance to walk out of here alive.” No, they won’t. I wasn’t above breaking assurances.

“If you were to feel around, there are a few keys scattered on the ground and you’ll find that they unlock your chains. There are also some shards of glass and wood, they are few and sparse but shall suffice as weapons. The object of the game is simple; the last man standing is free.”

I feel the air shift, self-preservation permeating the air and a few men already begin searching the dark for the keys while others seemed shocked. Harper was already at a disadvantage; after I relieved him of those fingers he dared to touch Riley with.

I pull up a chair, watching as chaos ensued. The men clamoured to unlock themselves before slashing at each other. Loyalty and trust disappeared with the idea of survival. This was for all the times Riley felt terrified, cold and alone when someone attempted to take advantage of her vulnerability. For every single fucking time where she had no idea if she would survive; for having to fight. Now, they’d experience hands grabbing their bare bodies with the intent to wound. I wanted them to feel everything she must have endured over the years before death was granted. It would never be enough; the ledger would never be clear but the pained screams from the same men that wanted to hurt her were satisfying.

Eddie did take that walk but I remained until every last one of them lay either battered or dead. And then, I finished them off, bathing myself in their blood with the satisfaction of knowing that Riley was safe. That Poppy Harper was avenged and could now, truly be reborn.