AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I think she should stay.” The threat in Thane’s tone is clear. If I’d known he would be here, maybe I would have asked to meet Tarian’s mother in town. “Don’t you, Yasmine?”
Thane leans in and brushes his hand across my shoulder, sending ice down my spine. I want nothing more than to run, but there’s nowhere to go. I’m pretty sure he’ll have me dragged back if I try to escape.
“Thane, we don’t have to do this,” Tarian’s mother tells him.
“Do what?” I ask, looking at Mrs. Calvert, whose expression has changed considerably from the contentment I saw on her face a few moments ago.
Thane’s chuckle vibrates through his chest as he responds, “Let’s sit down. This might take some time.” He gestures with his hand in the direction of the living room where we’ve just come from. “I think you need to make a call to your daddy, Grecia.”
We return to the living room, and as I’m shoved down onto the sofa, I know without a shadow of doubt that trouble is brewing.
CHAPTER 21
GRECIA
The cold walls of the mansion hold me hostage, like prison bars. And the eyes of my captors burn into me, their silent judgment suffocating me.
Initially, when I called my father and asked him to come, he refused because he was on urgent Sovereign business, but having heard the fear in my voice, he said he’d be at the address within the hour. Thane hasn’t told me what he wants from Dad, but knowing that Mrs. Calvert was once in love with my father makes me think it has something to do with their past. And nothing to do with me.
I’m about to ask when Mrs. Calvert says, “Thane, we should leave. Just as we always planned. I’ll disappear, like I did before. Tarian doesn’t want me in his life, and I know he’ll be better off without me.”
“Yasmine,” Thane responds as he turns to regard her. “You know what we must do. I want the Crown, and Gregory can get it for me because he is one of the original Elders left in the society. With Abner in prison, there is no other member I can go to. And the Crowns have to ask the Elders for permission.”
I’m merely a pawn in a game of vengeance and ambition orchestrated by Thane Calvert and his mistress, Yasmine Calvert. My only hope of escape is the promise from my father that he’ll be here soon. If his imminent arrival can satiate Thane, I can leave. I know my father won’t want me anywhere near the bastard who’s now peering at me through thick, dark lashes.
The sound of tires on gravel alerts us to someone’s approach. I’m sure it’s too soon for my father to arrive, but before I can say anything, Thane has already made his way out of the room.
Tarian’s mother stays with me. She’s standing by the window and staring outside, lost in her own thoughts. Pushing to my feet, I make my way over to her but remain silent. I don’t want to irritate her, because I’m hoping she’ll be able to calm Thane down and persuade him to let me leave.
It soon becomes clear that the car I heard pulling up contained the rest of Thane’s men, and a few minutes later Tarian’s uncle returns to the living room to wait with us. I’m not sure where my father’s traveling from, but with each passing moment, my hope dwindles like a candle flickering in the wind.
Eventually, the lights of another car illuminate the driveway, and my chest tightens with anxiety.
“Ah,” Thane says, “It seems good old daddy is coming to save his little princess.”
Thane’s words echo in my head, reminding me I’m at his mercy. My heart pounds in my chest with a mixture of fear and frustration.
“If Daddy can’t do what I need, maybe you’ll have to stay here, Grecia. I’ll enjoy owning a new pet.” His words are a chilling reminder of the danger that lurks within him.
“Thane, that’s enough,” Yasmine admonishes in a tone that has him glancing over his shoulder at her. “Gregory will ensure you’re made a Crown, and then we can be on our way.”
“Who said I want to leave Tynewood. It’s the only place I’ve ever felt at home. Tarian may hate it, but I certainly don’t,” Thane responds as the door opens, and two men in suits escort my father into the living room. The men then leave the room, and Thane locks the door behind them. “We can’t have you trying to escape, now can we?” he says with a smug smile.
I take a step toward him, but Yasmine grips my arm, holding me back. When I look at her, she shakes her head slowly, warning me not to move. I stay where I am and look at my dad, who gifts me a sad smile.
“What do you want, Thane?” Dad demands. “My daughter can leave now. Whatever it is you need, it’s between the two of us. It has nothing to do with Grecia”
“Dad, I’m not leaving you,” I protest, shuddering at the idea.
“Don’t worry. You’re not going anywhere, sweetheart,” Thane tells me with a smirk. “I’ll have use for you later.” It’s another veiled threat from his lips, and it makes my stomach churn with anxious energy.
The bile rises in my throat at the idea of being at Thane’s mercy. I’m aware Tarian’s uncle has always enjoyed lurking in the shadows, waiting to strike when least expected. And now, with me trapped in his clutches, there’s no telling what he might do.
Growing up, I’d occasionally see Thane around Tynewood. We never had any interaction, but there was always something about his piercing glare that sent shivers down my spine. He’s giving me that exact same look now, but even as fear gnaws at my insides, a fierce anger burns within me. A fiery defiance flares and refuses to be extinguished.
I will not become Thane’s plaything— a pawn in his twisted game of power and control. I will fight tooth and nail to escape his clutches. I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure my dad’s freedom as well as my own.
Ignoring Yasmine, I stride over to my father who engulfs me in his strong arms. After he left my mother and she remarried, I didn’t get to see him as much as I would have liked, but he’s always been there for me when I needed him the most.
