CREWE'S POINT OF VIEW
But I was still a woman.
My plan had been to coax him, to make him desire me enough so that he wouldn't hand me over to Bones. If I made myself desirable in his eyes, he would want to keep me. I wasn't entirely sure if my plan had worked, though. After sleeping with me, he didn't seem to feel any new affection. In fact, it felt like he hated me even more. His decision to change my punishment might have just been a coincidence,maybe it had something to do with Bones or the overall situation. But I would never know, because he would never tell me.
Probably seeing my reflection in the window, he spoke.
"Did you sleep well?"
"Like a log."
He took a sip of his coffee, still staring out the window. He didn't say anything else.
Finley emerged from the kitchen, wearing a white chef's jacket over his collared shirt and trousers.
I was about to prepare Mr. Donoghue's breakfast. Would you like something, Lady London?
My stomach rumbled in response. Fortunately, I was the only one who heard it.
"Please. I'll eat anything."
Crewe took another sip.
"Glad to see you've changed your attitude. Most people take advantage of having a chef at their disposal."
Finley ignored his master's comment.
"You'll have to be more specific, Lady London. Because I can make absolutely anything."
He gave me a warm, affectionate smile, a stark contrast to Crewe's coldness. He had crow's feet around his eyes, but it gave him a reassuring look. Finley was the only person around here who was even remotely kind to me.
*I should take advantage of it more often.*
"I'll have the same thing as Mr. Donoghue."
Crewe finally turned around and looked at me, the front of his T-shirt soaked in sweat.
"Call me Crewe."
He frowned, daring me to provoke him in front of his butler.
"Nothing else."
I simply nodded.
"Mr. Donoghue likes egg whites with grilled green vegetables on the side," Finley explained. "Would you like me to prepare the same for you?"
I couldn't help but grimace.
"Yuck, absolutely not. Who eats that in the morning?"
"A man who looks like this."
He flashed his rock-hard abs, illustrating his point.
I rolled my eyes.
"Arrogance isn't sexy."
"I'm confident," he corrected.
"Confidence is silent," I argued. "And you are not."
Instead of getting angry, a smirk played on his lips.
"Your quick wit is cute."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Are you hitting on me?"
"No. If I were hitting on you, you'd already be bent over the table, ass in the air."
He was still smiling, but his eyes smoked with raw, indecent intent.
My cheeks flushed crimson because Finley was standing right there, listening to our conversation.
He resumed talking as if he hadn't heard a thing.
What would you like to eat, Lady London?
Just call me London.
The title wasn't necessary.
No, Crewe intervened. You will call her Lady London.
Finley didn't object.
But I did.
If I want to be called by my name, people are going to call me by my name.
Not in my house, Crewe threatened. Everything under this roof belongs to me,including you.
I gave him a disgusted look.
You're messed up, you know that?
Would you say I'm worse than Bones? he countered. Because I'll gladly sell you to him if that's what you want.
He hid his smirk behind his coffee.
Now, I truly hated him.
What will it be, Lady London? Finley asked. I can whip up anything you want, even American dishes.
The thought of food made me forget all about Crewe.
Can you make pancakes?
The fluffiest pancakes in the world,he said with a smile. Anything else?
Bacon and eggs?I asked optimistically. And maybe some toast?
"Of course. I'll get right on it.
Finley grabbed the ingredients from the fridge and set to work.
"Have a seat and drink your coffee."
I sat down at the table and held the mug with both hands, savoring the warmth.
Crewe was still leaning against the counter, staring at me.
"That's a big appetite for just one person."
"Not when you haven't eaten in three days."
He chuckled before sitting down across from me. I preferred this table to the one in the dining room, where I had sat naked while Bones groped my breasts as if he already owned my body. Crewe drank his coffee, keeping his dark, intimidating eyes locked onto me. It felt like he was stripping me with his eyes.
I refused to let myself be intimidated by this man. I didn't believe he was as dangerous as he claimed to be. He had never hurt me unless I gave him a reason to, and he listened to me when I begged him enough.
In fact, I was grateful to be sitting in front of him right now—and not that other monster.
Finley placed the plates on the table.
"Enjoy your meal."
He left the room, leaving us alone. Crewe's small plate looked ridiculous next to mine; nothing but eggs and greens.
That was not what I called breakfast.
I poured syrup over my pancakes, then took a bite of bacon, feeling the meat crunch beneath my teeth. Unintentionally, I let out a moan because it tasted so good—my stomach was on the verge of an orgasm.
Crewe watched me, a faint smile on his lips.
"I've never seen a woman eat like that."
"Like what?" I asked. "Like a real person eating food? Do you spend most of your time with models?"
He smiled.
"And here it goes again."
"What?"
I started cutting my eggs with the side of my fork.
"Your jealous side."
He set down his coffee and picked up his fork.
"What?" I asked, incredulous. "I am not jealous."
"You're imagining the kind of women I sleep with, and you assume they're all models. And you're right. I've never slept with a woman who wasn't stunning."
He took a bite of his food and chewed silently, checking me out.
I knew he had just paid me a compliment, but I refused to let myself feel flattered.
"The only woman I'm jealous of is Ariel—because she gets to go home every night."
"But she's never truly off the clock. She works a lot from home."
"Doing what?"
I still didn't quite understand how Crewe made a living. He said he sold intelligence, but what did that actually mean? He didn't seem like a government employee.
"All kinds of things. She's the biggest gear in my machine."
He took another bite, almost finishing his meal since it was so meager.
"I don't know what I'd do without her."
"Now, I am a little jealous."
He smiled.
"I knew it. You are the jealous type."
"I'm jealous that you respect her so much, because you don't show me an ounce of respect."
This man wasn't the pig he claimed to be. Ariel wasn't his slave. She was free to do as she pleased, and clearly, he trusted her.
"Why should I show you respect when you haven't earned it?
Excuse me? I frowned. I've been locked up here for weeks, and I haven't thrown a tantrum or tried to kill myself. I deserve your damn respect.
He continued to sip his coffee, appearing to completely not care about what I had just said.
It takes a lot more than that to impress me, Sweetheart.
I wanted to tell him to stop calling me that, but it was futile.
So, what do we do now? Are you going to keep me forever?
Among other things, yes, he said vaguely.
What is that supposed to mean?
How about you don't worry your pretty head about that, Sweetheart?
He took a bite of his green vegetables.
I'm not stupid. You must have some idea of what you're going to do with me. I have a right to know.
The fact that you think you have rights bewilders me.
He chewed slowly, stretching out the seconds with his silence.
I told you, you are my property,now and forever. You do what I tell you, when I tell you. Your life no longer belongs to you. You deserve nothing. You have no rights.
I wanted to strangle him. Just this morning, I had been grateful to him for not handing me over to Bones. But my murderous thoughts were coming back in full force.
Once you accept that, you will finally appreciate the chance I've given you.
A chance? I practically spat. You consider slavery a chance?
He swallowed, his Adam's apple moving as he gulped. His jaw was covered in short stubble that extended down to his throat.
I am one of the most powerful men on the planet. I have more cash than most countries. You will never be as rich or as safe as you are with me. You can have everything you've ever dreamed of.
It doesn't matter, because all I want is freedom.
Freedom is overrated,he said coldly. Do you think paying exorbitant tuition fees just to get an education is freedom? Do you think paying fortunes in taxes every year while you're out there saving lives is freedom? Living in a country where you will always be seen as less qualified than a man,is that freedom?
He shook his head.
Life is much more than that, Sweetheart. I can show you the world. I can show you things your pretty little brain can't even conceive. Instead of whining and spending your time complaining, shut up and appreciate what you have.
CREWE
Ariel walked into my office, dressed in jeans and a gray blouse. She had impeccable taste and always wore clothes that highlighted her elegance and beauty. Her hair was pulled up in a loose bun, and her makeup brought out the sharp blue of her irises.
Did you change your mind?
She sat down in the armchair across from my desk and crossed her legs.
I set down the document I was reading.
I realized I could put her to better use.
Really?
She tilted her head, her beautiful face looking ice-cold.
You found a better revenge than handing her over to one of the most cruel men in the world? If that's the case, I'm curious to hear it.
Ariel had known me for a long time, so it was hard to avoid her suspicions. Her gaze was sharper than a microscope. She could see things hidden deep down. She perceived my emotions before I even expressed them.
And it was incredibly annoying.
If I keep her with me, everyone will know I took her from Joseph. And I have no problem flaunting her in society. He won't be able to do anything about it,he's too much of a coward.
She rested her arms on the armrests.
And what about the four million missing from the vault?
I'll get it back.
How?
I didn't like being questioned, not even by her.
Don't you have work to do?"
Yes, plenty.
She stiffened in her chair.
But I am not going to let my boss,the man who runs the company whose success I am partly responsible for through my hard worksoften up for this little whore. You insult me with your lame excuses. I know exactly what you did, Crewe. So, don't take me for a fool.
Her rage always impressed me. She managed to intimidate even the most terrifying men. In many ways, she reminded me of my prisoner with her zero-tolerance policy for bullshit. Ariel did her job efficiently and never let any obstacle stand in her way. The fact that she could go toe-to-toe with a man and win had won me over. When I saw her stand up to five ruthless men, I had offered her a job on the spot.
🔥 I look forward to seeing your thoughts in the comments!
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😩😩😩 If you were in London's shoes, would you accept Crewe's wealth and protection... or would you choose freedom at all costs?