Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Three

Leona refused to look away from the general. “You do not need this child. He is happy over in England. Agree to let them both go and I will tell the duke and marquess any lie you want. I’ll say I am staying, willingly.”

“What if I threaten everyone else? You do not hold any bargaining power over me,” the general spat.

“I don’t care about the rest. I am willing to trade my life and my freedom for those two. And you are wrong. I know you recognize the Duke of Stokley’s name. It was all over your face.”

“You will pay for this insolence.”

“I know.”

She beckoned to Falcon, who yanked free from the general and ran back to her. Sinking to her knees, Leona hugged him then drew back, cupping his face.

“You are perfect. Never forget that. No matter what anyone else tells you, Trace is your father. He loves you and will give his life for you if needed. I need you to hug Jupiter and Neptune for me when you get back.”

He shook his head. “You have to come too.”

“No, I will not be going back with you and your father. I was raised here and it was time I came home.” She used her thumbs to move the tears from his eyes. “You own a place in my heart, Falcon. Thank you for being part of my life.” Her heart was being ripped in two. “Be good for your father.” She kissed his cheek and stood.

With a deep breath, she looked between the general and Trace then back to the man she’d despised from the moment she’d received the letter. He nodded. Lifting her chin, she walked to Trace.

He looked gaunt, and she knew his time had not been an easy one. He had a patch over his right eye. The change had been shocking, and gave him a much more dangerous air.

“I am not leaving you, Leona.”

“I love you, Trace Morgan. Now and always. It is my turn to do the saving.”

The corners of his mouth pinched. “No, you saved me on the field. It’s my turn.”

She wanted to touch him but didn’t think the general would allow that. “You have always saved me. Never forget that. Take your son and go to England. Live the best lives you can.”

He must not have given a damn about the general, for he grabbed her upper arms and yanked her close.

“Do you think I give a fuck about any of that if it means you are left here?” The question was tortured.

Her body flew to life at his touch. “I think you’re a father who will do what is best for his son.”

“You are what’s best. For him and for me.”

“Him growing up with the general in his life is not what is best. We know this. I am sorry it couldn’t have been different for us, Trace. Go, be free. Sell this place and take flight.”

She saw the flicker of understanding in his eye. Giving in to her need, she touched his face and brushed her fingers along the strap for his patch. “I like the look. Very dashing.”

“I am not leaving without you.”

She stepped back. “Goodbye, Trace.”

The general gestured and two men appeared to take a struggling Trace back inside. Falcon stepped in front of her when two other men moved toward her.

“No harm comes to my son. Not yet. Take him to a room and chain this one up in the back.” The general glared at her as he made the command.

Leona didn’t resist when she was dragged through the house, past faces she’d not seen in years to a small windowless room in the back off the kitchen, where the house slave had slept. The room was a lot like she recalled and as the man tossed her to the floor, she bit back a cry of pain.

The heavy door slammed shut before a lock was engaged. She scrambled to the corner pallet, wrapped her arms around her legs and sobbed. Holding images of Trace and her open home in her mind, she tried to figure out how in the hell she was going to go through living like this once more. This time would be worse, of that she had no doubt.

* * * *

For two days she barely saw anyone. All the men did was let her out for a few moments, then it was back in there.

After she had gotten cleaned up on the second day, the general was there when she was pushed back in the room. He was a large man, and she could see where he had made a good leader.

“We have someone coming to talk about buying this place. I want you there to serve. It was Trace’s stipulation. I guess he thinks I am beating you like you deserve. What he doesn’t understand is I want you unblemished when I take you to my bed. Then I will beat you to within an inch of your life. Right now, you will serve. You will not speak unless spoken to. You will remember your place.”

“Yes, sir.”

He gripped her chin. “It’s been so long since I’ve had one who was as pretty as you. I cannot wait to make you choke on my cock.” He released her and gestured to the wall, where a dress hung. “Change.”

Knowing there was no point in asking him to leave, Leona just went to the maid’s outfit. Undoing the buttons on her dress, she shrugged her shoulders, allowing it to slip to the floor, leaving her in her undergarments. Also exposing the scars on her back to the man in there with her. She reached for the outfit and dropped it over her head then fastened it up with haste.

Turning back to him, she said, “And shoes?”

“You have some.”

“These are not maid shoes.”

Irritation flashed, but there was a pair for her shortly. She slipped them on and smoothed her hands down the dress. Nothing more than playing hostess. I can get through this.

They had set up food outside, and as she carried the drinks out, she breathed a bit easier when her gaze landed on Phillip, who sat near Trace. General Harrington was there as well, but she’d expected that.

They discussed the sale of Hawk’s Cove and she did as she had been instructed—served the men and kept her mouth shut.

There was no way to ignore how Trace’s gaze followed her whenever she was in sight, and the struggle not to react was hard. Walking back inside, she stiffened when the general smacked her on the ass.

“Keep your fucking hands off her,” Trace growled.

“Remember your place.”

Leona whirled around in time to see Trace launch himself up and out of his chair to hit the general square and take him down. She couldn’t even find it in her to scream. In her peripheral vision she noticed Phillip getting up, but she couldn’t take her gaze from Trace and the general rolling around before her.

Flashbacks of Trace fighting with his brothers came to mind, but this was much more deadly, the consequences more severe.

She felt the staff gather beside her but she still didn’t look away. Two of the larger men stepped forward.

“No,” she said. “This is between them. We do not interfere.” The men listened to her.

She regretted her words moments later when the general rose up over Trace, hands around his neck, choking him. They were so close Leona could not see space between them. They continued to fight and tussle. Time slowed for her until the loud retort of a gun shattered her world.

“Trace!” She leaped toward him but was caught up by Phillip, who had returned at some point.

“Give him time to get to his feet.”

“But he was shot.” Or so she thought because it looked like the general had the upper hand.

General Harrington’s body was heaved to the side and Trace exhaled sharply before he got up. Phillip released Leona right away and she ran to the man she loved. He caught her and yanked her close. Mouth slanting over hers, he kissed her.

Digging her grip into the collar of his shirt, she held Trace as tight as she could. Tears slid unchecked down her face.

He peppered her with kisses until he finally put them nose to nose.

“I love you, Leona. I want you to be my wife.”

“Yes.”

“Do not ever do anything like that again.”

“Your life for mine is acceptable, Trace Morgan.”

“Not to me, kitten. Never to me.”

She moved her hands up to his jaw, held him and kissed him. “What about the rest of his men?”

“I don’t care,” he said without looking away from her.

“Should we not be worried about them?”

“No. I have to explain this to Falcon then you and I are going to bed.”

She dropped her gaze. “Trace, it’s the middle of the day. And there are people around.”

“Then they can leave. I don’t fucking care. You and me, kitten. Give me a few minutes to talk to our son.” One more kiss and he stepped away.

Trying to control her embarrassment at how loudly he’d announced he was taking her to bed, she finally looked up and gasped. The general’s men were all on their knees before a group of men she’d not thought she would see again. Lucien, Jackson, Conar and Rafe stood there beside Phillip.

Jackson stepped around them and held out his arms. She flew into them and held him.

“I am so sorry, lass.”

“Thank you for coming.”

He tipped her chin up. “You are my daughter. I will do anything for you.”

“Thank you, Papa.” She hugged him again and looked to the others there. “How? I thought you were not coming until later.”

Lucien shook his head. “My wife said if we did not get on the same ship as you did, she would. We know she would have, so we did. We just did not disembark until after you had.”

“Thank you all.”

“You are family.”

“Kitten?”

She melted at that familiar endearment. Brushing a kiss over Jackson’s cheek, she hurried up the steps to Trace’s side. Falcon looked at them both then scampered down to where the other men stood.

Trace swept her up in his arms and carried her inside, not stopping for anything until he got to his bedroom and placed her down. Bracing himself over her with his body, he kissed her until she trembled.

“I will always love you, kitten.” Another kiss. “I’m going to sell this place and you are right, it’s time for us to take flight, but I do not want to go without you.”

Skimming her hands up his torso, being careful of any injuries he may still have, Leona smiled. “By your side forever, Trey.”

He claimed her mouth once more as her world shrank to the two of them, only.