“He’ll die,” my King growls like the beast he truly can be.
“Torturously,” I agree. “But not until he’s lost everything.” He nods. “I need Daniel to get papers together for her. Birth certificates, records, DNA tests. I want solid proof that this boy belongs to her.”
We will get her out, even if that means Holden goes with her.
* * *
Holden
Noelle is the most stunning creature I’ve ever seen as she sits across from me at the restaurant. Hadley and Ashton swear the Cardi istheromantic spot to take a girl, so here we are. In the light-colored dress that covers her front from view but leaves her back wide open, I’m tempted to switch seats so I can touch her. Run my fingers along her flesh, tangle them in the curls flowing down her spine.
“So,” she says, her gaze distracted as she looks around. “You wanted to do this so we could get to know each other.”
“I did.” I can’t take it anymore; I need to sit closer. As I stand, her eyes widen until I slide into the booth at her side. “I needed to be closer,” I murmur. Leaning forward, I kiss along her neck, loving the way her breath hitches; and even though she stiffens, she still sways towards me. “Can I tell you how stunning you are? How much I want to glide my hand up your skirt and play with your pussy?”
“Holden.” She hisses my name, and my dick stands at attention, ready and willing to do whatever I want. “We’re in public.”
Which isn’t a no.
“Your drinks.” The server appears, placing my bourbon and her tea on the table. “Are we ready to order?” he asks, and I can feel his eyes boring into Noelle even though I’m not looking.
“No, we aren’t,” I snap, glaring at the man. He scurries off. “Where were we?” I groan when she turns her body towards me. Pushing the skirt up her thigh, I lay my hand above her knee, pulling her closer.
“You said we would talk.” She sounds nervous.
Backing off, I recognize a skittish kitten when I see one. “I did. Tell me about your parents.”
Her spine straightens, and I know I’ve caught her off guard. While I did look into her, it only scratched the surface. I want her to be the one to confide in me the important things.
“They’re dead.” Her eyes drop. “We were driving home from my school play—I was a fairy...” Her smile belies fondness. She enjoyed acting. “There was a deer and black ice. The car rolled, and for some reason, I was ejected. When the car hit a tree, it just exploded.”
“Christ, Noelle, I’m sorry.” I should have looked deeper.
“It’s fine.” She waves her hand in front of her face. “It just-. It was the beginning of the end, really.” That’s an odd thing to say.
“Why?” I’m an asshole for taking advantage of her vulnerability, but I need to know everything from her. A computer can only ever tell so much.
“Coming here, living with my aunt and uncle, it’s not a fairytale. I’m working hard to get Sawyer and me out, but I don’t think they’ll ever allow him to leave.”The fuck they won’t.
“I’ll help, you know? Anything you need, I’ll do it.”Even when she doesn’t ask me to.
“I appreciate that. But I’ve worked hard to ensure I have a future for us. I graduate soon, and I’ve already got a job lined up right over there.” She points to the hotel next door.
“Seriously?”Impressive.My girl is going to kill it working there. “We should toast, then.” I lift my bourbon as she lifts her tea. Her giggle about our contrasting drinks is addicting. “To fresh starts.” After clinking glasses and taking a sip, the server returns, and it takes everything in me not to bash his face off the wall.
“Celebrating! Anything special?” His eyes never leave Noelle. My anger is reaching a boiling point.
“Remember when I said I wanted to show you off?” I gaze over at her. She nods but looks torn about what’s happening. “I lied. I don’t. Because if this asshole keeps looking at you like you’re a piece of meat, I’m going to rip his head off and drink from his skull.” The last part is growled with so much menace and hatred that my jaw nearly locks.
“Sorry,” he mumbles and runs off.
“Holden.” Noelle’s breathless voice gains my rapt attention.
“You fucking liked that.” It’s my turn to groan as she blushes.
A female server interrupts. “My apologies for Casper. What can I get for you this evening?” We order the house specials and a bottle of merlot. I know she isn’t legal yet, but they won’t question me, and I have a feeling Noelle isn’t a drinker, anyways.
“Why hospitality?” I finally ask her one thing I’ve been dying to know. I find it an odd field to study in.