Forbidden (Blood Ties #7)

A whole lot of nothing.

Social media accounts go back five years.

Five lonely years.

That’s how long I’d been planning this exact moment, the second I came face to face with those who controlled, manipulated, and hunted my blood. Five years as Helene Montgomery. Five years of him finally understanding who he was up against.

No one came after my family.

Not if they wanted to live.

“How are they?” he asked carefully as he glanced at my half-finished plate.

“A little dry, actually.”

A nerve twitched in the corner of his eye. It took all my strength not to burst out laughing. If it had been anyone else, I might’ve. But Riven wasn’t anyone else. Instead, I swallowed, making sure to really gulp that mouthful down and pretend to cough…just for emphasis.

Any other man might’ve turned and walked away.

But Riven wasn’t just any man, was he?

He stayed put as I grabbed my orange juice, but then he grabbed my wrist and whispered in my ear. “The living room…now.”

I stayed there, my gaze fixed on the counter as he straightened and strode away.

Fuck you!

I jerked my gaze after him.I HATE YOU!My breaths came hard and fast, so fast the kitchen brightened and blurred. I tried to slow down, tried to keep control of the situation, one where I needed to allow him to call all the shots.

Just until I get to Hale.

I closed my mouth, inhaling deeply before I dared follow him. The room sharpened again as my bare feet softly padded on the tiled floor. I’d barely glanced at this place last night as he’d carried me inside. But now that I wasn’t kicking and screaming and hating myself for allowing the asshole to live, I saw just how stunning this place was.

It wasn’t a house.

It was anoasis.

“You will kneel.”

I jerked my head to where he sat on the plush black leather sofa. The bastard even had his legs crossed, one arm casually lying across the back as he watched me like a damn hawk. A rush flowed through me and a lightheaded, tingling sensation followed.

He lowered his gaze, taking in the barely there fucking thing he’d demanded I wear. Those hateful eyes glittered as he ordered again. “Kneel.”

“Don’t you mean heel? I’m not a fucking dog.”

He met my rage. “No, you’re my property.”

My mouth twitched. I wanted to say a lot more.Just think about Ryth. Think about Viv…think about the babies.

I slowly sank, resting on my heels.

“Good. Now spread your legs.”

Motherfucker—

I did, inching my knees apart.

“Wider.”