The Scotch King (Scotch #1)

“If he had succeeded with an intricate plan, I might actually have some respect for him,” Crewe said with a shrug. “But he did something so amateur. Within five minutes, we knew we’d been taken for a ride.”

“Maybe he thought you wouldn’t be able to track him down,” Bones suggested.

“Well, it only took us two days. We brought him and his men to my headquarters in Glasgow. After a good beating, he doubled the amount he owed me. But, obviously, he never paid up. I couldn’t get the money from him. Instead, I took his sister.” Crewe wrapped his arm around my shoulders. “He knows all the horrible things that will be done to her, and that’s enough revenge. But I’m selling her for the price he owes me—two birds with one stone.”

Bones nodded slowly then lifted his glass to Crewe. “I commend you, Crewe.”

Crewe clinked his glass against his. “Thank you.” He threw back his glass and poured the scotch down his throat.

Bones did the same. “Perfect punishment. But I need to think about it. In the back of my mind, I can’t stop thinking about the number of whores I could get for the same price. Now that I know her backstory, I’m much more enticed. I’ll give her greater beatings just because I know someone is hurting for her.” He stared at me, his cruel gaze piercing my skin. I could feel arousal leaking from his skin with all the unsaid things he wanted to do to me. “I’d love to break both of her knees and watch her try to crawl away. I’d love to break her arm and command her to serve me. But she won’t last as long as the others. She’ll be buried in the yard within a year.”

I forced myself not to shake, not giving in to my fear while Bones was present. But I’d never been so scared in my goddamn life. The sobs pounded in my chest, and I was on the verge of fainting. This man was a monster, far worse than Crewe could ever be. All he ever did was slap me—and that was because I slapped him first. When I asked him not to fuck me, he listened. Crewe wasn’t evil at all—not in comparison to Bones.



When Bones finally left the house, I dashed into my bedroom and covered myself with clothes, my body finally shaking with terror. I couldn’t catch my breath because I was gasping too hard. If I had to submit to that psychopath, I’d kill myself.

That was the much better alternative.

Crewe walked into my bedroom without knocking. “That went well.”

I’d normally respond with a smartass comment, but I didn’t have it in me.

“He’ll be here with the cash in three days.”

“He said that?” My one hope was the price might be too high. I thought I would be too expensive to buy, especially if I wasn’t going to last long.

“Yeah.” Crewe stood with his hands in his pockets, still looking handsome despite the evil sale he’d just made. “He just needs to get the funds and travel back. When you’re always on the move, it’s hard to get your finances together.”

I didn’t care about the explanation. “Crewe…don’t do this.” I begged once before, and he listened. Maybe he would listen again. “Please.”

He looked down at me, nearly bored.

“I’ll get you the money, okay? Your debt will be paid.”

“You’ve got four million dollars lying around?” he asked with a cruel smile.

“No, but I’ll find it.” I’d sell drugs if I had to. “You’re selling me to get your revenge. Let me buy myself.”

He shook his head. “Even if you had the money, I wouldn’t take it. Giving you to a madman like Bones is part of the plan.”

“No…” I felt tears bubble in my eyes, but they didn’t escape. “I’m begging you.” I moved to my knees on the floor. “Please don’t let him take me. I know you have compassion. I know you have sympathy.”

His eyes darkened the moment I got to my knees. “I don’t.”

“Yes, you do. I’ve seen it.”

“The only reason why I didn’t fuck you is because I didn’t want to tamper with the goods. Your pleas have no effect on me.”

I didn’t believe that. Or perhaps I chose not to believe that. “I’ll do anything. Don’t give me to that psychopath. He’s insane.”

“That’s the point,” Crewe said coldly. “He’s the craziest man I’ve ever done business with—and that’s saying something.”

I brought my hands together, not caring about how pathetic I’d become. I was on the ground like a rat, but I didn’t care. I’d do anything to save my life, to save myself from eternal suffering. “Crewe, there has to be something you want. I can give you anything you need. Anything.” My meaning was clear. I never thought I would offer something like this, but I was willing to sleep with him just to avoid Bones. I’d take Crewe over Bones any day.

“There’s nothing I want more than to make an example of my enemies.” He walked around me, his hands still in his pockets. “You leave in three days. You can blame me all you want, but your brother is responsible for this. Blame him.”

“Crewe, please—”

He slammed the door.

Unable to bottle it in any longer, I succumbed to my tears.





7





Crewe

She didn’t come out of her room for meals or anything else. She stayed hidden away. Finley checked on her from time to time to make sure she didn’t hang herself in the closet. I wouldn’t blame her if she tried to take that avenue.

I would do the same thing.

While it was an unfortunate circumstance for her, I didn’t feel any sympathy. That was how the world worked. Evil men would exploit you the second you let your guard down. She should have hidden herself better, left her guard up longer. If she took care of herself, I wouldn’t have been able to find her.

So this was her mistake.

Bones would take her away, beat her senseless, and then kill her within eight months. When she left my house, it would be the last time I’d ever see her—the last time anyone would see her besides Bones. Her death would be just as painful as her remaining months of life.

But I still didn’t give a damn.

The silent treatment wouldn’t change my mind. She could starve herself all she wanted. She would just have less energy to resist Bones if she planned to fight him. Her silent protest had no effect on me. If anything, it was nice not having to listen to her bitch and complain.

Ariel walked into my office. “I just got off the phone with Bones. He said he’ll be here tomorrow afternoon to collect his new purchase.”

“Thanks for letting me know.”

She lingered in the doorway. “That girl has a long road ahead of her.”

“She does. But I hope you aren’t going soft on me.”

“I’m not.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I just wonder if she’s strong enough to survive it.”

I shook my head. “No one is. You know how crazy he is.”

She nodded. “Well, if I don’t see her before she leaves, wish her good luck for me.”

I chuckled. “She’s not speaking to me. I don’t think she’ll ever speak to me again.”

Ariel shrugged. “You aren’t much of a talker anyway.” She winked before she shut the door.