Page 7 of Fallen Dane

“Then why did you do it?”

I reach over and grip her chin, forcing her to look at me. Her eyes are wide, and there's a hint of desire there, too. Fucking beautiful.

“I would think it’s obvious, kitten. I want you.” The words come out rough. Honest. More honest than I intended. “I believe I told you already how I wanted you. Then I watched you marry that useless bastard Gerald because the Ravens told me I couldn’t have you.”

Her breath catches. I can feel her pulse racing under my fingers. Her eyes search my face, looking for the lie, the trap. She doesn’t trust me. Good. She shouldn’t trust anyone in this world.

But she’ll learn that I keep my word.

“There’s no one to tell me no anymore, Whitney. Gerald is dead, and you belong to me now.” I tighten my grip slightly. “Your daughter is safe. Your daughter is free. But you are mine. Do you understand?”

She swallows hard. “Yes.”

“Good girl.” I release her chin. “Now come and see your new home.”

She opens her door and steps out without hesitation.

I come around to her side and grip her arm tightly. I want her to feel my control. I want her to understand that claiming her on that stage was just the warm-up.

I lead her through the house without speaking. She keeps pace with me, her heels clicking against the marble floors.

“You can take a more formal tour later. But for now, there's only one room you need to become familiar with.”

I lead her up the staircase, past the grand paintings of each of my sons. She scans each of them as we pass.

“We’ll have a painting done of Sloane soon,” I tell her. “We can have it hung there just after Thorne.”

A tenderness appears in her expression. “You would do that?”

“Surely you don’t think I’m a complete asshole. I want you to think of this as your home. And besides, have no doubt that I won’t hesitate to protect Sloane the same as I would my sons. It’s not her fault she had an aged idiot for a father.”

“I . . . I guess I didn’t peg you as the family man.”

“Then you haven’t been paying attention, kitten. I’d snap the neck of anyone who should threaten what’s mine. And that includes you and Sloane.”

Her body goes rigid, and she doesn’t meet my eye.

Her reaction is a bit odd. She should know my reputation. I control the Talons, and I'm not afraid to do what needs to be done.

We reach the double doors at the end of the long hallway. I push open one door and release her arm. She enters and then moves to stand in the center of the room.

“Is my room near yours? I thought you might appreciate it if I freshened myself up a bit.”

“This is your room.”

Her eyes take in the suite. There’s a large four-poster bed, a sofa in front of a massive fireplace, and a hallway that leads to a large bathroom and double closets.

“This is for me? I can only imagine what your room must look like.”

That tells me she and Gerald didn’t share a bed on a regular basis.

“Perhaps I should have been clear. This is our room. You don’t sleep apart from me. You’ll find that your belongings have already been put in your closet, minus the vibrator.” My assistant texted me that he found one in her belongings, just as I suspected.

I step closer and grab her by the throat. “You won’t be needing that. In fact, you aren’t allowed to touch yourself at all unless I tell you to. Am I understood?”

Her nostrils flare, and I think for a second that she might argue, but she releases a small sigh. “I understand.”

“Such a good little wife.” I place a light kiss on her lips. “When you want me to fuck you, all you have to do is drop to your knees and beg.”