AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I really don’t think you’re in the best position to be making threats, do you, Liam?” asked Nathan, his tone becoming darker with every word.
“I don’t care what you do to me, Nathan, but don’t you dare lay a finger on my sister.”
I was surprised by the forcefulness in my brother’s voice. Liam was usually a calm man, a joker not a fighter. Even when we were growing up, I never saw him get angry.
Nathan let me go and moved so he stood right in front of Liam. “Maybe I won’t touch her.” His smile was dark. “How is your wife, Liam? Still pregnant?”
Liam’s face went red and he lunged towards Nathan. One of the men pulled Liam back and threw him down on the lounge, causing his head to hit the wall behind him. I cried out and went to help my brother, but the other man put his arms out and stopped me from reaching him.
“Sit down, Rose,” Nathan said, his tone firm. He moved away from Liam and grabbed me on the arm, pushing me softly down into the armchair. “We’re not getting anywhere. Have you thought of a way to pay me back?” Nathan’s voice had calmed down, but he was beginning to sound impatient. He turned his dark eyes to Liam.
“Apart from helping you to find another car, what can I do?” Liam sighed. I could see the fight had gone out of him and now he just looked exhausted.
Nathan turned to look at me and a sly smile slowly formed at his mouth. I felt fear run right through my body to my very core. “Maybe you can’t help me, but I think your sister can.”
“Me?” I asked, wondering what I could possibly do to help. “I don’t have much money and I really don’t have any knowledge of cars. I don’t even own one.”
“I don’t want your money.” Nathan looked me right in the eyes, unflinching. “I want you.”
I really didn’t like the sound of that. I felt my stomach lurch and my throat went dry. “What...what does that mean?”
“Exactly that. I want you. I want you to come and live with me, be with me...” He smiled sheepishly. “You know exactly what I want, Rose.”
I felt the room start to spin again. A feeling of sick started to rise in my throat. I did know exactly what he wanted and it wasn’t someone to do his cooking and cleaning. I could hear Liam call out in protest, but it sounded like it was a million miles away.
“For how long?” I asked, not bothering to hide the shake in my voice.
Nathan shrugged. “Until I get sick of you. Months, years even.”
“This is not a reasonable request.” I heard Liam struggle to get the words out.
A furious look swept across Nathan’s dark features. “I don’t care. As far as I’m concerned you have three options. One, I have my men break every bone in your body. Two, I tell the police and you go to jail, or three, Rose comes to live with me in my mansion, where she’ll live a life of luxury... as my mistress.” Nathan shrugged. “I think the latter is a good deal for everyone.”
“Fine, call the police. I’d rather go to jail.”
“Liam, no,” I cried. “You’re about to become a father. Charlotte isn’t going to be able to do this on her own.”
I thought about Liam’s wife, Charlotte. She was spending the weekend at her parent’s house. She was a soft, quiet little thing. Every time you were in her presence you felt like you had to protect her. Charlotte was one of the sweetest, kindest, most beautiful people you could ever meet. I would never help Liam out with money if it weren’t for her. Even when he gambled his entire pay check in one night, the way he had many a time. Charlotte was eight months pregnant, the furthest she’d been to term after two miscarriages. The pregnancy was really taking its toll on her and I didn’t think she could deal with the pressure of all this, especially if Liam went to jail.
“I’ll do it,” I heard myself whisper. I had no choice. I glanced up and I thought I saw a microsecond of surprise flash across Nathan’s face.
I glanced at Liam and watched as a tear slid down his cheek. “No Rosie, you can’t. I won’t let you.”
I could hear the shame in his voice. I knew this was hurting him beyond belief. He wasn’t a bad person, and now he was torn between what was best for his pregnant wife and what was going to happen to his sister.
I flashed Liam a weak smile and shrugged one of my shoulders. “Sure I can. Who doesn’t want a life of luxury?”
“Fine then, that’s settled.” Without wasting a second, Nathan grabbed me by the arm and pulled me to my feet. “Let’s go.”
“Right now?” I asked. But Nathan ignored me, it was like he didn’t want to give me the chance to change my mind. Without even a goodbye, he led me outside to where a big black SUV was waiting on the other side of the street. I hadn’t even noticed it when I arrived.
“There are a few things I need from my house,” I said as Nathan lightly pushed me into the SUV. I was using all my strength not to cry.
“It can wait until tomorrow.”
“But...”
“But nothing.” He sounded as if he was talking to a child and I felt a fission of anger shoot through me. “I said it can wait.”
