I’ve pierced her nipples, and I’ve branded her with the Lords’ crest. But that’s not enough. Anyone can have something pierced, and any Lord can brand a woman. I’ve seen it done countless times over the years during my time at the house of Lords. But a tattoo that I do just for her? One that no other bitch will ever have?
That’s ownership. It’s another way for me to mark her. Another reminder of who she belongs to. It might not be plastered across her chest, but I’ll know it’s there and so will she. And if any man ever gets the chance to get her naked enough to see it, then it’ll be the last thing he’ll see before I rip his fucking head off.
I come to a stopping point and wipe the blood off that runs down her back to her ass. “You’re doing so good, Elli,” I say, and she shakes with a mumbled sob. “Almost done.”
ELLINGTON
ONCE AGAIN, I wake up with a pounding headache. I can’t move. I’ve never been this sore in my entire life. I’m pretty sure my throat is swollen. Is that possible? It’s hard to swallow and breathe.
I get up, throw on some clothes, and make my way to the kitchen to look for something to eat because I’m starving, when I stop dead in my tracks. My mother sits at the island. Lincoln in front of the open fridge.
“Honey.” She frowns seeing me. Walking over, she reaches out and tries to run her hand through my tangled hair. “What happened to you?”
“I can guess.” Linc snorts.
I take a step back, her hand dropping to her side. “What … what is going on?” My voice is rough, throat scratchy. “How did you know…？” I start to cough and clear my throat. “How did you get in?” How did they even know this is where I was?
My mother smiles at me like she didn’t tell me to kill myself just days ago. “How did I get in?” She pulls a key from her pocket and sets it down. “My key.”
“Where did you get that?” My voice shakes while trying to catch my breath. Why would Sin give her a key to our house?
“I bought this house for you.”
My heart races at her words. “No,” I say, shaking my head. “You didn’t.”
She frowns. “Who do you think owns this place?”
“Me. And Sin.”
“Oh, honey.” She starts laughing and looks over at Lincoln who gives me a pity look. “Why, why would you think that?”
“Because he bought it…” I trail off as they both start to laugh. “We signed paperwork. He added me to it.” I’ve never bought a house before. I don’t know what it requires but he had everything ready. Said it was done and ours.
“I did not raise you to be this na?ve, Elli.” My mother shakes her head. “Me and Lincoln bought you this house while we were away getting married. It was Lincoln’s idea.” She points at him and my stomach drops. Why would he want to buy me a house? He wanted me at home where they are. He even told me, said he’d make those six years with James feel like heaven.
I’m still asleep. This is a nightmare. It has to be.
“He wanted to give you a gift. Since we eloped and knew the wedding announcement would be … hard on you. It’s a gift. From us.” She opens her arms out wide, gesturing to the house.
I shake my head, taking another step back. “No.”
She sighs heavily, looking at Linc, but he shrugs. Obviously not knowing what to do or say to make me believe their lies.
“Yes, Elli. This is from us. Here…” She opens her large Louis and pulls out a set of papers. “These are your copies. I brought them for you to have.” Handing me a manila envelope, my shaking hands take it.
Opening it up, I pull out the deed to the house. It’s got multiple signatures. It looks the same as what me and Sin signed. But my name is nowhere on it. Just my mom’s signature and Linc’s.
“You’ll need these too.” She hands me another set of papers. “This is the trust. It’s all yours. Free and clear.”
“This has to be a joke,” I whisper more to myself. They printed off the fake papers online to fuck with me.
“Seriously.” She huffs and digs out her phone this time. A few seconds later, she’s showing me emails. It’s between her and a real estate agent. The woman sent her pictures of this house. It’s fully furnished, just like it was the day me and Sin arrived. It talks about a cash sale. Closing date. How she wants it ready before she gets back.
My heart is hammering. He lied. He lied about Amelia. About this house. About how he loves me. What else hasn’t been the truth? I fall into the chair at the island and try to keep the tears back.
“Honey.” She places her hand on mine and I look up at her. “The house isn’t the reason we’re here.”
“What is?” What else could it fucking be? And where the hell is Sin? After he was done with me last night in the basement, he gave me a shower and laid me in bed. Did he lie down with me? I can’t remember. What time is it even right now? How long have I been out?
“Me and Lincoln have decided on your future.”
“My future?” The headache I already have intensifies.
She nods. “We’ve found you a husband.”
“No.” I jump to my feet. “I’m not getting married, Mom.” We’ve talked about this. She knows how I feel.
“We—”
“Darling, have a seat,” Linc interrupts her, and she nods, doing as she’s told. “See, Elli, after the incident at the reception. We’ve decided that it’s time you settle down. Become a Lady.”
“I don’t want—”
“This isn’t up for discussion, dear,” my mother states, her tone harder than before. “You will settle down with a respected Lord. And you’ll be initiated into a Lady.” She reaches out and grabs her purse. End of conversation. “The wedding will be in two weeks,” she states and Linc walks over to grab her hand.
Wedding? Two weeks? Initiated? “Wait,” I shout desperately as they go to exit the house. “Can I choose? Who I marry?”
“No. It’s been decided. Lincoln met with him this morning. And he’s agreed.” She lets go of his hand and walks over to me. She cups my face. “You’re lucky anyone will marry you, Elli. With your … past and current situation.” Her eyes roam my tangled hair and swollen face with disgust. “You’ll see this is for the best.”
My chest is so tight it hurts to breathe. I always feared this would happen. She’d dictate what I do, who I can date. The older I got, the less I thought about it. This has to be Lincoln. He’s making an example of me. Getting her to throw me away for good. “What about Sin?” I whisper.
She frowns. “He’s already promised to marry, Elli. Jesus, did he not tell you anything? You know how this works. Honestly, I don’t even know why you dated him in the first place knowing it couldn’t go anywhere.”
Couldn’t go anywhere? I never thought about marriage, but I also never thought about him marrying either. “No.” I shake my head. How long had I been asleep, for Christ’s sake? “He’s not…”