AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My brows furrow in confusion. “Judging someone before you know them is a form of a lie. You tell yourself the truths that you want to hear, but you don’t actually know the whole story.”
“And what is the whole story, princess?” Finn’s voice cuts through the darkness like a blade slicing through skin and bone. Shadows dance across his angular jaw, making his appearance seem almost sinister. He’s wearing a black hoodie, which covers his hair, and all I can see is his perfectly-sculpted face. “Jarred, do you think she’s ready to live at Thorne Manor?” he questions his friend and now I know his name.
“Or are you too afraid to tell us both?” This comes from Jarred, who’s regarding me with amusement. When I was in here alone, I felt calm; when he walked in, nerves set in, and now, I’m tense. Anxious energy zips through me as I take in both men.
“It may seem like my life is perfect,” I whisper. “But it’s far from it.” I don’t know why I’m about to spew my guts to them, but if I don’t, they’ll never accept me. Both men have been broken; Jarred admitted as much. Even if Finn may never tell me the reasons for his anger, I won’t allow him to treat me like a liar.
“Oh?” This comes from Finn as he closes the distance between us. He’s tall, and even though he’s not huge, there’s a menace to him that makes me shiver. Nothing gets past him, and when he realizes I’m afraid, the corner of his mouth quirks. “Then perhaps we should see how well you handle the dark,” he says as he reaches for my hair. His finger tangles in the lock and he tugs it hard.
I didn’t notice Jarred also making his way toward us, and for a moment, I wonder if there’s more between them than just friendship. But I don’t want to ask. I’ll find out, one way or another, but right now, I can’t deny I’m scared of them both.
“Just let me go back to the house,” I whisper when Finn leans in. His mouth hovers over mine. I almost expect him to kiss me, but I’m a fool to even ponder that. He’s not the type of guy to kiss someone; he’d most definitely fuck you into oblivion, but there’s no tenderness in his demeanor.
“And why would I let my little princess do that?” he quips. There’s a menacing, yet playful edge to his voice, and for a second, I almost think he’s going to let me go. But then, he moves quickly and suddenly, and I’m sandwiched between him and Jarred. My front to Finn, my back to Jarred. Heat scores me from head to toe, and my spine tingles as fingertips gently dance their way from my neck to the base of my spine.
“What are you doing?” My question is a squeak, and I silently admonish myself for allowing him to get to me. I am stronger than this. I’ve handled far worse than Finn Thorne. He’s just another guy trying to exert his dominance. “Is this meant to scare me?” Even though I feel no confidence at all, I tip my chin up, hoping I can fake it until he lets me out of here.
Finn regards me through narrowed eyes, his long lashes making those irises hard to see. There’s a small smirk that curls his lips as he leans in closer to my face. We’re inches apart. And my stomach flutters stupidly as I once again think about him kissing me.
“You’re only here because your mother wants this,” he informs me coolly. “There is no reason for you to ever think you’ll be a Thorne. Not by blood, and most certainly not by name. We may be getting married,” he says, before lifting his gaze to Jarred, then he lowers his glare on me. “But you’re just another toy. Another little princess who’s got money so you think you have sway in my town.”
“I didn’t ask for this,” I spit, anger taking a hold of me, squashing the fear all the way down to my toes. “Don’t you ever try to tell me I’m the one who walked in here and tried to become a Thorne. I’m proud of who I am, and I will happily keep my name than take anything from you.”
Finn’s laugh is dark, threatening, and for a moment, I expect him to hurt me. But he doesn’t. Instead, he runs his knuckles over my cheek, the contact making my heart skip and flutters to come alive in my gut. Goosebumps awaken over my skin, and every inch of me is alight with need for more of his touch.
“I like that,” he tells me. My brows furrow in confusion at his words. “I like that you fight back,” he says then when he notices my confusion. “It will come in handy, little princess.”
