Page 7 of Drowning in Darkness

I glance over my shoulder before we disappear from the room and find him still staring after me. The hairs on my nape rise. He should have moved on by now when it became clear I’m not one of the auction lots.

Honor senses my change in mood. “What’s wrong?”

“Blond hair, blue eyes. Do you know who he is?” I murmur with a jerk of my head.

Fox twists around, searching the crowd. “The dude you were talking to outside?”

“That’s the one,” I say.

“Christopher Burnside, fashion mogul.” Fox cracks his knuckles. “Is he giving you grief?”

“No, but if creepy were a currency, he’d be on Forbes.”

Honor frowns as she studies him. “Did he say anything to you?”

I shake my head. “No, it’s stupid. I’m overreacting. Ignore me.”

She pulls me from the room with determined steps. “There’s something I haven’t told you, Stephanie.”

“What?”

“Always trust your instincts.”

But my instincts were always screaming danger, and that’s not sustainable.

FOUR

JAMES

The sword of justice isn’t always wielded by a righteous man. Sometimes it’s by a vengeful woman, and other times by a broken soul looking for absolution.

I grit my teeth. Every raid makes my stomach drop, no matter how many times we do this. So much could go wrong. Catching powerful men in horrific acts is necessary, but the victims are never more vulnerable than they are in this moment. If they kill the witnesses, the case weakens. Everyone here has much to lose.

My gaze sweeps the expansive dark room, all mahogany paneling, low amber light, and deep leather chairs. The kind of place built generations ago for gentlemen to drink expensive liquor and trade secrets behind closed doors. I’m sure it was never meant for this. My attention settles on Owen, our target. I fight the urge to be violently sick. He doesn’t just take pleasure in the pain; he fucking revels in every scream. And worse, he’s the dean of a prestigious college and has access to many impressionable young women. His lawyers are overworked but adept at making the accusations disappear. He’s not stupid; he sticks to the ones on scholarships or who aren’t from affluent families. Money talks loudest to those without it.

He embodies everything I hate and represents all that I am trying to dismantle.

‘’Are you keeping that pretty redhead all to yourself tonight?” Graydon wonders as he sips his scotch from a crystal glass and glances at the woman who is dressed in a white gown kneeling at my feet with her head bowed. My grip tightens on the chain around her neck, a warning to every other man in this room that she is claimed.

It’s a good thing Camryn is only ninety seconds out, waiting for my signal. All these girls and women are marked for extermination as they’re deemed too rebellious, used, weak, or barren. Their last days will be spent tortured by men who believe themselves untouchable.

I shrug. “Undecided.”

“You enjoy a blonde, no?” he asks. “We never see you with them, though.” He shakes his head. “You must do some nasty shit, because they never make it out alive.”

“I enjoy my privacy.” The blondes he’s referencing not only make it out alive, but head straight into the witness protection program. I haven’t touched a woman in years, not in pleasure or in anger. It was a fine balance when Jonathan was leading us. Now, as their new man in charge, I’m caught between being under more scrutiny and being afforded the privacy the boss commands.

“But we enjoy the depravity,” Graydon pushes.

“Then you’re in the right place, but I am not here for your pleasure. Remember your place,” I growl, lasering him with a glare. He holds my eyes for a beat. Graydon is a formidable man in the boardroom, but here I am king, and there can be no doubt in his mind that I am the worst of us all. Anything less, and I may as well place my head on the chopping block.

I release the chain and lay it across my lap, knowing she won’t go anywhere. I lean back in the leather armchair, nursing my bourbon while keeping Owen in view. He has not one, but two girls tied back-to-back at his feet as he toys with which implement to use. This party is scheduled to go on for the entire weekend, but I’m about to bring it to a screeching halt.

Fire floods my veins as Owen lifts a cat-o’-nine-tails and trails it across the bare breasts of the brunette, who whimpers and turns her head to the side. I send an apology to the universe for the suffering I have to let happen when all I want to do is snap his neck. My sleep would come easier knowing scum like him were feeding the fishes. It would be the greatest contribution to the world he’d ever make.

Graydon’s breath catches beside me as Owen lifts the whip and brings it down with enough force to break the skin. Owen’s smile is gleeful, and it’s one I’ve seen enough of to know that he’s going to kill her if I don’t pull the trigger now. I stand and snatch the arm of the redhead at my feet. She glances at me and blinks.

“Bend over and grip the arms of the chair,” I utter. She does as I command but doesn’t break eye contact as she watches me place my glass, still full of ridiculously expensive bourbon, on the table. I can’t stomach it on a night when every move I make could end or save a life.