Stolen Fate (26 page)

We assume we’re the first to arrive at the club because we don’t see any of the guys. But when we round the corner and walk toward the back, containing a more private section of the place, we find all four of them laughing and having a good time. We stop and stare at them, witnessing some of the hottest men any of us have ever seen. And they’re all brothers to boot, which makes it even hotter.

Each one of us zones right in on the man who holds our heart. And it’s then I kind of feel sorry for Eli since he doesn’t have anyone special in his life. He’s such a nice guy, gorgeous and successful. He’s the complete package, just like his three younger siblings.

I nudge Bridgette since she’s standing right next to me. “When was the last time Eli had a girlfriend?”

She looks over at Dela before looking back to me. “Um, it’s been a while,” she says. “I don’t think there’s been anyone since Kalista. But please, don’t bring her up because he’s still real sore about the whole situation.”

“Oh, okay. Yeah, I won’t say anything.”

“Yeah,” Dela interrupts. “Eli was quite withdrawn and angry after they split up. It’s only been in the past year or so that he’s kind of reverted back to the man he used to be, carefree and happy. There’s still a hint of anger looming underneath, but he rarely shows it. And we would like to keep it that way,” she declares before winking at me and smiling.

“Roger that,” I respond before looking back toward the four brothers who are only about twenty feet in front of us.

As we’re about to take a step toward them, all of their glances fall our way, drinking in every inch of the three of us. We see them turn to one another and just shake their heads. I’m confused at first, but when we’re standing directly in front of them and Cal speaks up, I understand the weird look passing between them.

“Are you ladies trying to land us in jail tonight?” Cal asks as he gets up from the table and makes his way toward Bridgette.

“Why do you say that?” Dela questions, feigning innocence as she approaches Dex and proceeds to sit on his lap.

I’m still taking in the whole scenario, when Eli approaches me before Drayden can. I know he’s going to do something which will surely get under his younger brother’s skin. He puts his hand on my waist, leans down and kisses my cheek. “You look stunning, Essie.” Then he looks to his sisters-in-law. “You all look like trouble, though. Cal’s right; we’re going to end up in jail tonight if you leave our sides.”

Eli’s hand is suddenly ripped away from my body and he’s shoved backward. “Stop touching what is clearly mine, Eli,” Drayden growls before circling his arm around my waist, drawing me in closer to him.

“Just keeping her safe for you, brother.” Eli walks back toward the table, sits down and picks up his beer. He winks at me before taking a big gulp. I know he isn’t interested in me like that; he’s just trying to goad his brother. A little bit of harmless rivalry I guess.

“Too bad you don’t want to have sex with someone who’s clearly yours.” I dislodge his arm from me and walk over to greet Dex and Cal, inching toward them to give them both a quick hug and kiss hello. I can feel Drayden’s tension vibrating behind me. It’s so palpable I can’t do anything but smirk, knowing I’m really getting under his skin. But then again, isn’t he being kind of crazy? I’m only greeting his brothers…his family. It isn’t as if I’m hugging and kissing strange men.

But nothing about his possessiveness over me is shocking. Not at this point, anyway.

“You’re going to give him a heart attack, Essie,” Cal laughs before turning back to his beautiful wife. “Stop teasing him and move in with him already.”

My mouth falls open and I suck in a breath of air. He told them? But
what
did he tell them?

“What did he tell you?” I ask, holding my breath in anticipation of his answer.

“He said he asked you to move in with him, but you think it’s too soon.”

My body relaxes just a fraction. “Is that
all
he said?”

“Yeah.” But as I’m turning around to walk back over toward Drayden, he shouts out, “That, and the fact he’s cutting you off—you know, sexually—until you give in.”

Damn it! I stop mid-step and close my eyes. I hear all the guys chuckling but then hear their wives slap them on the arm in unison, telling them to shut it. This causes me to smile but it falters when my eyes meet Drayden’s. I’m shocked he told them that, but I shouldn’t be. He’s grown closer to his brothers in the past year. It’s nice, but it’s times like this I wish he would keep some things to himself.

Once I make my way back over to him, he reaches out and touches my hand, pulling me so hard I crash into his chest. “Do you like seeing me as nothing more than a jealous, possessive man? Because that’s exactly what you’re going to get tonight, even if you never leave my side. Granted, my brothers have their own women to brood over, well, everyone except Eli, of course. But I’m going to end up crushing every man in here if they don’t keep their Goddamn eyes to themselves.”

I laugh, knowing that by doing nothing but showing up tonight I’m getting him all riled up. Reaching up, I position his face between my hands and pull him down to me. I want to kiss him, no matter what mood he’s in. And when our lips meet, he lets go and ravishes me with his mouth, staking his claim for all to see. His tongue wrestles with mine, tasting as much of me as he can manage before nipping my lip. Then he releases me for some much needed air.

“Hi,” is all I say to him as he leans back, continuing to stare down at me.

He shakes his head and smirks. At least some of his mood is dissipating, being replaced by pure lust which is working right into my plan.

“What are you playing at, Ess? Huh? Did you think by walking in here tonight, looking sexy as hell, I’ll waver and forget all about what I said? That I’ll take you home and fuck you fast and hard?” He’s staring, making me a little nervous. He’s so blunt and for some reason, I’m surprised. Why? I’m not sure, but I am nonetheless.

“I don’t know
what
you’re talking about. All I did was dress up to come out tonight. I have no other plans other than having a few drinks, dancing, and having a great time.” I’m able to reel my nerves back in before giving everything away.

“Uh-huh,” is all he mutters before sitting back down, pulling me with him so I’m now on his lap. There’s something hidden in his eyes, something I can’t quite distinguish, but whatever it is, I know it’s not good.              

He presses me close to him, whispering how hard he is because of my dress. And he isn’t lying. I can feel him on my thigh, pressing into my skin, preparing my flesh for the bruise he’s going to leave. I try to get up but his hold intensifies, keeping me right where he wants me.

“Drayden,” I hum in a low warning voice. “You can’t tell me those things. I know what you’re trying to do.”

“What’s that, sweetheart?” He turns his head and takes a sip of his drink.

“You’re trying to get me to weaken and give in to you, but it’s not going to happen. You won’t win on this one.” If he wants to drive me crazy then he better be prepared to be teased right back. Yes, my intention is to get him so crazy with lust, he’ll throw away everything he threatened and give in to me. Take me. Ravage me. But I can see now it’s going to take more than just the visual. I’m going to have to physically drive him insane, something I’m actually looking forward to now.

I move around on top of him, acting like I’m trying to get better situated. And just when I push my ass further back on his lap, he lets out a strangled groan. I smile and bite my lip. Then I do it again but this time, his hands grip my waist and stop my movements.

“Stop it, woman,” he bites out with bated breath.

“Stop what? I’m only trying to get comfortable.”

“I know what you’re doing, and it’s not going to work.”

I lean in close to his ear and whisper, “Yeah? Well, tell that to your cock, because I don’t think he got the message.”

“My cock doesn’t rule me, Essie. I rule him and no matter how he reacts,
I’m
not going to give in.”

Damn him and his unwavering resolve. But did I really think it was going to be this easy?

Frustrated and annoyed, I quickly get up and move toward both Bridgette and Dela, encouraging them to follow me to the dance floor. But not before we’re all warned to stay close by so they can keep an eye on us. We nod, but as soon as we hit the floor, we scatter to a place where we can really let loose.              

The hypnotic beat is addictive. My hips are swaying to the song and I’m really letting go, having a great time. All three of us are huddled together, dancing around each other and laughing. We’re focused only on what we’re doing and not on the men in our lives. The club is packed and the more we dance around, the further out into the crowd we go. It isn’t really done on purpose, but it happens nonetheless.

During the second song, while I’m moving my body in a captivating trance, I’m roughly pulled backward and into a man’s chest. I instantly stop moving and my body tightens. Bridgette and Dela are busy in their own world and don’t take notice of anything going on with me. Before I can wrench myself free from his hold, he spins me around to face him.

And that’s when my world crashes down all around me. I can’t breathe. It’s like all the air is being forced out of the entire place, leaving me gasping and panicking in terror.

I’m confronted with eyes which have haunted me for years.

Still do.

I’m frozen in place, not knowing what to do or even how to escape. Instantly, I’m thrown back to being that innocent fifteen-year-old girl. I’m petrified in this moment, not realizing my life is different, that I’m safe now. Safe because of Drayden’s love. Safe because the man I love in return will never let anything bad happen to me.

Where the hell
is
Drayden, anyway? The one time he picks to leave me alone for a while is the one time my past decides to threaten my life.

“Well, hello there, Essie. It’s been a long time,” Adam sneers at me as he holds onto me tightly, his fingers bruising my arms.

My eyes roam all over his form and I stiffen the more of him I take in. His head is shaved now, something which, for some reason, terrifies me even more. He’s bulkier than I remembered, although it’s been years since our last encounter. When he pulls me closer, I take notice there’s a nasty scar outlining the left side of his jaw.

I don’t even want to know how he got that or who gave it to him.

I’m sure he deserved it, whatever the circumstances.

“What are you doing here? How did you find me?” I’m not sure I want to know any of these answers, but I ask the questions anyway.

“Oh, I’ve been watching you for a while now. I must admit, I lost track of you for some time, but imagine my surprise when you showed up again, and with a rich bastard taking care of you. How did you snag that one? Did you steal him from his family, too?”

“Fuck you!” I yell, but no one hears me except him.
Is the music louder than it was just two minutes ago?

He gives me a jarring look before he speaks again, his beady black eyes tearing me apart. “What do you think your man would think of the fact you like to be double-teamed? Do you think something like that would turn him on?”

“I never wanted that, you sick bastard. You and your deranged friend raped me.” I struggle to be free from him but it’s no use.
Where the hell are Bridgette and Dela?
I can’t even turn around to look for them.

“It’s not the way I remember it. And it sure as hell won’t be the way I tell it, either.”

“What are you talking about?” My fear is quickly replaced by anger. I’m not going to let anyone mess with my new life, especially not someone like Adam. He’s telling lies. I know it and Drayden will know it, if it ever gets that far.

I’m a different person now, and I don’t want anything from my old life to ruin that. I’ll admit this guy scares the shit out of me. I know nothing good resides inside him; he is pure evil. But I have complete faith Drayden won’t be swayed by anything this scumbag has to say. I know he loves me and nothing Adam says will change that. If anything, Drayden will end him if he ever finds out about this little interaction.

“You ruined my life, you bitch.” His hold intensifies even more. “And this time, you won’t be getting away.”

Before I can speak a single word, he moves quickly, pulling me off the dance floor before I can even think to stop him. He drags me through the crowd, past several bouncers and toward a dark hallway. The music is too loud, and there are too many people around for me to stick out as someone in distress.

I’m helpless in this moment.

I have no choice but to be taken, against my will.

Once again.

Only this time, I know the man taking me is going to surely cause me harm.

Adam quickly finds an emergency exit and when he pushes on the handle, for some reason, the alarm doesn’t sound.
Of course it doesn’t. That’s just my luck.

The night air hits me with a warning. If I don’t get away from this man, he’s going to end me. I see the desperate look in his crazy, dark eyes. He’s snapped and there isn’t anything I can say which will change his mind.