Page 38 of Dirty Legacy

Connor parks out front and kills the engine.

“This is the Maguire family home.” He says it like that should mean something.

“You live here?”

“I inherited this place ten years ago when I took over the business. I haven’t spent much time in this house though.”

“Why are we here?”

“Because it’s the most easily defensible place in the city.”

“Defensible? What does that even mean?”

He closes his eyes for a beat as if gathering himself and it’s like a different man shifts his body in my direction. “You will not cause trouble. You will be patient. Everything will make sense soon and all your needs will be met. But for now, you will sit tight. Do you understand me?”

“I don’t understand anything, Connor, and you’re freaking me out.”

“Get out of the car.” He pushes his door open and comes around to my side. I flinch away but he doesn’t hesitate to drag me along behind him. I stumble, forced to hurry to keep pace as he strides up steps toward a pair of massive double doors. A simple key unlocks a loud bolt and the smell of must and dust hits me as we step inside.

My mouth opens to complain when his hand clamps onto my wrist but I’m too busy taking in the place to say anything.

The entryway is huge with tall ceilings, a beautiful chandelier, and all hardwood floors. The molding looks original, dusty, but gorgeous. Some furniture is covered in white cloth. An oil painting of a boat on fire hangs on the wall. I want to stop and look, but Connor pulls me up the carpeted stairs.

“This is the East Wing,” he says, turning to the left and dragging me through another set of double doors which open on more hallways.

“How many rooms are there in this house?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never counted. Dozens at least. There’s the West Wing and the South Wing, and you will not be permitted to enter either of them.”

“Why not?” I catch glimpses of rooms through half-open doors, some of them empty, most of them with cloth-covered furniture standing like ghosts in haunted corners. “Seriously, does anyone live here?”

“You do.” He reaches the end of the hall and shoves open the doors to a sprawling bedroom.

It’s the first space that looks like it has been used in the last decade. A beautiful plush rug in front of a fireplace, a sitting area with surprisingly modern chairs and couches, and a truly massive bed against the far wall. There’s an en suite bathroom, fully updated, and a closet bigger than my bedroom back home.

“This is too much,” I say softly, feeling dizzy and overwhelmed. “I don’t want to be here, Connor. I want to be back home with my mom.”

“It’s not an option anymore.”

“When can I see her? She’s freaked out. I need to make sure she knows I’m okay.”

“I’ll message her tomorrow.”

“I need my toiletries, my clothes, all my things. Connor, you can’t just throw me in here⁠—“

His face gives me nothing as he stalks over and takes me by the hips. I yelp in surprise, pushed off-balance, and I stumble back against the fireplace. The stones are rough and hard and hurt my back and he pins me there, one massive hand grabbing my wrists and holding them above my head. He’s breathing hard and fast, a note of chaotic rage playing across his beautiful lips, and he looks like a handsome lion about to lose control. I’m terrified, but when his knee presses against my legs, a pang of desire burns deep into my core.

“You will not make this difficult for me, do you understand, angel? I need to hurry now. I have plans to put in motion and people to protect. Nobody knows what I’ve done, not yet, and if I’m careful, I can get them out safe.”

“Get who out safe?”

“You don’t have to worry about that. But for now, you will stay here, in this room, and you will be quiet.”

“What if I’m not? What if I scream?”

“This house is ten thousand square feet on ten acres of private waterfront property.” His lips bend forward, grazing against my ear. “Nobody’s coming.”

My chest rises and falls rapidly, brushing against him, and I want him to bite down. I want him to rip out my throat, or I want him to kiss me, or I want to throw myself out a window, except I’m worried about what he might do to my mother and I have a baby to protect.