Devil’s Captive: Fallen Dynasty Book One Read online

  Fucking good, I thought to myself. The kid kept his mouth shut.

  “And then what happened?” I prompted her to go on, my hand absent-mindedly going to the bulge in my pants and stroking my rock-hard dick over the fabric.

  “He told me he couldn’t go to prom,” she whimpered. “I thought he’d changed his mind about going with me, but he’s not going at all.”

  “I’m sorry, Violet,” I managed despite the smile playing on my lips.

  “You should be!” she cried out, rendering me speechless.

  Does she know? Had she somehow found out that I’d threatened the kid?

  He better not have spilled the beans. There were plenty of other limbs I could break, organs I could harm.

  “I don’t have a date now,” she finished, and a weight fell off my chest. “I got that gorgeous dress and now I don’t even get to wear it.”

  “You could still go alone?” I suggested. “Or maybe with some friends.”

  “No,” she muttered, her voice soft. “I’m… I don’t really… I guess I’m kind of a loner.”

  “What does a high school prom matter, anyway?” I asked. “You don’t really care about that shit, do you?”

  “Kind of,” she admitted. “I’ve never been to a school dance. I just want to experience it at least once. And now I can’t go.”

  I could practically see her pout in front of me.

  I sighed heavily, knowing full well what I had to do. But that didn’t mean I liked it.

  “Get dressed,” I got out through gritted teeth. “I’ll pick you up in two hours.”

  I could hear her sharp intake of breath, the barely held-back glee evident in her soft little voice. “Do you mean it? Are you going to find someone to take me?”

  “No, princess,” I growled. “I’m going to take you myself.”

  * * *

  I felt like a douchebag standing in front of her door in my custom-cut tux. I even brought her a goddamn corsage.

  But the truth was, I just wanted Violet to have an amazing time. She would be forced to grow up all too quickly soon enough, and I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if I deprived her of this simple pleasure she deserved as a teenager.

  I wasn’t sure whether she told her dad I was coming, and I felt myself sweating as I pulled through their gates. Before I could even kill the engine in front of the Cabot Estate, the passenger door flew open and there she was. My princess.

  “Hello,” she said, beaming at me as she got into the car. “Do you know where we’re going? Do you need directions?”

  I took one long look at her in that sinful little dress and managed to say, “Get out of the car.”

  “What?” Her mouth gaped open in shock. “Why? What’s wrong?”

  “Just do it.”

  We both got out of the car, and I walked over to the passenger side. Violet was holding herself, shivering in the cool evening air. She wasn’t wearing anything over her dress, and as I approached her, I shrugged my tux jacket off and placed it over her shoulders. She shot me a surprised look when I did it.

  Is it really so hard to believe I can be a nice guy sometimes?

  “Why are you suddenly being so nice to me?” she muttered.

  Yes.

  Yes, it is. Because it’s just not in my fucking nature.

  “Maybe it’s because you look so pretty tonight,” I told her before I could stop myself.

  She flushed at the sound of my words and I smirked at her before pulling out the red rose corsage I’d gotten her. Violet’s eyes widened as I approached her, wrapping it around her wrist. She was thrilled, I could tell, and I was glad I’d made all her dreams of a perfect prom come true.

  “Back in the car.” My eyes were burning with the need to touch her.

  She gave me a shy smile before getting back inside my red Porsche 959 Coupe. I put the directions to her school in my GPS and we drove in companionable silence interrupted by the sound of the music I had playing.

  “I love this song,” she muttered, twisting the buttons so the car was drowned by the sound of the singer’s sexy, sultry voice. “I didn’t know you liked it, too.”

  “There’s a lot you don’t know about me,” I told her with a grin.

  “I wish I did,” she replied with a wistful smile. “We used to be so close, Devlin. What changed?”

  I looked at her out of the corner of my eyes. She looked fucking breathtaking, but how was I supposed to tell her the truth?

  You’re too young, and I want you too much.

  “I’ve been busy,” I lied through gritted teeth. “You know my father wants me involved in the business.”

  “Oh yes, I know,” she laughed out loud. “But since when do you listen to what Dominic Windsor wants, Devlin?”

  She was right, so I rewarded her with an affectionate smile just as we pulled up in front of her high school. I parked the car and got out, opening the door for her. She got out, looking like a fucking vision in that sinful little dress, her excited, sparkling eyes meeting mine for reassurance.

  “You’ll do great, princess,” I told her. “I’ll make sure you have a blast.”

  “Thank you,” she whispered, beaming.

  I led her into the school. The prom theme was ‘Heaven and Hell’. Who knows how the fuck that got approved with some of the religious freaks that were part of her private school. I now understood Violet’s black-and-red dress a bit better.

  “I thought you’d go as an angel,” I muttered in her ear as we made our way into the building.

  She looked up at me, sparks flying between us.

  “You don’t think I can be a devil?” she asked flirtatiously.

  “No,” I ground out. “I think there’s only room for one devil in this city, and that’s me.”

  Seven

  Violet

  “There’s nothing we can do?” I sat at the table across from Raymond, going over the court order that required me to vacate the Cabot Estate by the end of the day.

  “No. I’ve called every judge I know—they don’t want to touch this at all. They are using the Patriot Act to keep from having to show us the evidence they have against your father. I mean, fuck the Constitution, right? Pardon my language.” Raymond sighed angrily. “All they have to do is say the word terrorist and suddenly everyone is afraid to get involved.”

  “Yeah, most of my friends won’t even return my calls.” I stared at the documents and shook my head. “Even the ones that will have been quick to tell me that their parents don’t want them talking to them.”

  “I’m sorry, Violet. Do you know where you’ll go?” He reached out and put his hand on mine.

  “My sister offered…” My voice trailed off and I looked away when I felt tears in the corner of my eyes.

  But I can’t stay with her…

  “Ah, that’s good.” He nodded quickly and patted my hand. “You should be with family right now.”

  “Any word on Rhys?” I looked back at him.

  “No. They’re looking for him though, and if they find him, he’ll be in a cell next to your father.” He sighed. “This is just one big fuck—freaking mess.”

  It really was. My father was in jail and we couldn’t even talk to him. Cabot Manor was ransacked. There was no point in cleaning up the glass the agents broke when they knocked picture frames off the wall. Why bother? I was the last one there, and I had to leave with nothing but the clothes on my back.

  After Raymond left, I picked up the crimson inked letter from Devlin Windsor. I had stared at the letter every day since I got it. I remembered a time when an invitation from Devlin would have made me come running—but that was before I knew who he really was—before I found out that a monster lurked behind his mesmerizing hazel eyes. He was attractive—god was he attractive. He might as well have been sculpted from a fantasy.

  But he’s not my fantasy. Not anymore. Yet he may be the only one who can help me right now.

  I couldn’t move in with my sister, even if it was ju
st a temporary arrangement. Not after what her husband tried to do to me—not after my sister called me a liar when I tried to tell her the truth about the man she married. Devlin was my only real option. If he could help my father, then how could I ignore his invitation?

  I couldn’t.

  Eight

  Violet

  Two years ago

  I wasn’t supposed to be at the prom with Devlin. I wasn’t supposed to see him at all. He stormed back into my life the day I bought the dress I was wearing, but a lot had changed since that day. Our parents were no longer speaking—they had gone from business partners to bitter rivals. I didn’t fully understand what caused the rift between them, but the first thing they did was forbid us from seeing each other again. It wasn’t surprising coming from Dominic Windsor. He didn’t like for Devlin to spend time with me at all, even when we were kids. Devlin’s father tolerated our friendship until it was time for Devlin to start working for them. After that, he didn’t want Devlin to be distracted by anything—the job was supposed to have all his attention.

  And it did.

  For three years, the one person I trusted more than anyone else in the world outside of my immediate family was just—gone.

  I was so excited to see him when he helped me pick out my dress that I did things that weren’t characteristic of me—I flirted. It was foolish. He was much too old for me. Still, I thought I saw a glimmer in his eye—a hint that maybe, just maybe, there was something more than just friendship in our future.

  If it was going to happen, then the prom seemed like the best setting for romance. It would be scandalous, especially if our parents ever found out, but I didn’t care. I knew what I wanted. I wanted the man who was leading me towards the dance floor—the man who called himself the devil and said I was an angel. If he was the devil, then I was ready to sell my soul. I was ready to melt into his embrace. I wanted his gorgeous lips to crush mine—just once—so I could see how it felt. I had all night to make it happen, and I felt more like a devil than an angel—especially when I felt Devlin’s hands on my body.

  “I don’t really dance.” His words came out like a growl and when the light his face, I swear his eyes were glowing.

  “But you will.” I grinned and moved his hand to my hip. “Because I want to dance.”

  “Yes, princess.” He nodded. “I’ll dance.”

  And I’ll give you so much more than a dance if you want it. I’ll give you everything—all you have to do is say the words I’m dying to hear.

  I took a risk calling Devlin when I found myself without a date for prom. I just wanted someone to talk to. My father was consumed with his work and didn’t seem to understand how important the dance was to me—but Devlin did. He didn’t just offer a sympathetic ear, he offered to take me to the dance himself. My heart did somersaults in my chest when I heard the words come off his lips. It was more than I ever imagined, but I thought it was fate—because fate had never been on my side, and I was overdue for a glimmer of hope.

  “I’m so glad you decided to take me to prom.” I looked up at him and smiled. “This night is almost perfect.”

  “Almost?” He raised an eyebrow. “Why only almost?”

  “Well—I’m sure it will be perfect before it’s over.” My smile spread into a devious grin.

  The music stopped for a moment and the next song was faster. I wasn’t really interested in testing the seams on my dress with a vigorous hip-hop song, and I could tell that Devlin had no interest in it either. We made our way over to a table and took our seats. Devlin seemed distracted, looking around the room like he was studying every single person—learning them with a glance. I wanted all his attention and I wasn’t getting it.

  “Do you want a drink?” I looked towards the punch bowl. “Oh, there’s Annie. I should say hello.”

  “You’re not going to leave me sitting here by myself, are you?” He narrowed his eyes at me.

  “You’ll be fine.” I patted his hand and stood.

  If I’m lucky, you’ll watch me walk away and see something you like.

  “You look beautiful!” I walked up behind Annie and grabbed her hand.

  “Violet! You made it!” Annie was shocked for a moment—and then she grabbed me for a hug. “I thought you were spending the night at home. Why didn’t you call me!? I could have picked you up!”

  “I, um, have a date.” I grinned and nodded quickly.

  “What? Steven changed his mind?” She tilted her head inquisitively.

  “No.” I stepped to the side and motioned towards my table. “I found someone a whole lot better than Steven Hawthorne.”

  “No—fucking—way.” Her jaw dropped. “Devlin Windsor!”

  “Yep!” My grin got wider, but I saw a dark expression sweep across Annie’s face.

  “Isn’t that an—issue? Your father…” Her words trailed off.

  “Tonight isn’t about my father. It’s about me.” I reached over to the table and quickly poured two cups of punch. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I believe my date is getting lonely.”

  “Violet…” Annie reached out and grabbed my arm. “Maybe you’re not scared of your father, but what about his? What about Dominic Windsor? He’ll lose his shit if he finds out Devlin is here—with you.”

  “If I’m not worried about my father, I’m certainly not worried about Dominic Windsor.” I started walking back towards the table.

  I’m not behaving like an angel tonight.

  “How’s the brat?” He looked towards Annie for a second and then turned his attention back to me.

  “She’s fine—and probably jealous.” I grinned and put his drink down in front of him.

  “Wait.” Devlin snatched the cup out of my hand and sipped it. “No, you’re not drinking this. Someone spiked it.”

  “So what?” I reached for my cup. “It’s prom.”

  “You’re not drinking this.” He turned and put the cups on the table beside us.

  “I thought you were going to make it a fun night…” I folded my arms across my chest.

  “Then let’s dance. Someone finally found another good song.” He stood and extended his hand.

  He led me back out to the dance floor and we twirled me before yanking me close against his chest. That was where I wanted to be—in his arms—pressed against his muscled physique. He wasn’t a boy anymore—far from it. My heart was racing. My pulse was pounding. I felt things inside me that I had never felt before—urges. I had to have him. I had no idea how long it would be until I saw him again. It might be my only chance.

  “I never expected you to be a gentleman.” The devious grin returned to my lips as I pushed his hand down to my ass and he immediately pulled it back to my hip—it was the third time he had done that.

  “There are boundaries we can’t cross.” He narrowed his eyes and exhaled sharply. “Not that you’re making it easy in that dress right now.”

  “It can be our secret.” I looked into his eyes, feeling the strangest desire to wither against his touch. “You would be my first…”

  “No.” His tone was callous, and his hands fell away from my body. “We both know that isn’t possible.”

  “Why? Because you’re the devil and I’m an angel?” I tilted my head to the side. “I promise that I can be a devil too—if you’ll give me a chance.”

  “Violet—I…” His words hesitated.

  I never got a chance to hear what Devlin was going to say. The doors behind us suddenly flew open and when I turned around, I saw my father standing in the entrance. The music died out, the lights came on—and chaos erupted. Devlin took a step back and my father charged across the dance floor like he was ready to destroy anything in front of him—and all his attention was on my date.

  “Daddy, no!” I stepped in front of him.

  “Get the fuck in the car!” He pointed towards the doorway and his jaw clenched.

  “You’re ruining my prom!” My eyes started to fill with tears.

  “Mr. Ca
bot…” Devlin’s fists balled. “I would suggest that you leave before you say something that you’ll regret for the rest of your life.”

  “You…” My father grabbed my arm and yanked me towards his side. “Once I get her to the car, I’m coming back—and you sure as fuck better not be here.”

  “Oh yeah?” Devlin stepped up, squaring off with my father. “What if I am? What are you going to do—old man.”

  “Devlin!” A voice roared—and the few people that had started to murmur immediately grew silent.

  “Shit…” Devlin’s fists dropped.

  It was Dominic Windsor—and the moment turned into a nightmare. He charged into the middle of the dance floor and pushed Devlin back. Devlin tried to take a step towards me, his father grabbed him. We were forced apart—and when I reached out for Devlin, I only managed to touch his hand before my father started dragging me to the door. Devlin pulled away from his father and ran towards me, but Dominic said something that made him pause in his tracks. I couldn’t hear what he said, but it had an immediate impact on my date. The look of rage on Devlin’s face faded, and he just watched until I was pulled around the corner and lost sight of him.

  “How could you do that?” I pulled my arm away from my father as soon as we got outside. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

  “You don’t understand!” He roared and started walking towards the car. “You can’t see him—not anymore!”

  “Daddy, I—like him.” I managed to avoid saying the other L word—the one that was simmering inside me.

  “You’re a child. You have no idea what you’re doing.” He opened the door when we got to the car. “Get in.”

  As soon as I got home, I had an explosive argument with my father, but he refused to even acknowledge my feelings. When the tears overwhelmed the rage, I made my way upstairs and slammed the door to my bedroom. I immediately grabbed my cell phone and tried to call Devlin, but he didn’t answer. I left him a voicemail, apologizing for what my father did, and begged him to call me. I was still waiting for my phone to ring when exhaustion finally took me several hours later.