ummer’s POV
Brandon’s hand found mine in the darkness, his touch surprisingly gentle despite the tension radiating from him. “Send It,” he ordered, his voice carrying enough ice to freeze hell itself. “Now.”
The video arrived seconds later, its timestamp showing less than a minute of footage. My heart hammered against my ribs as Brandon pulled over to the shoulder of the road, the Bentley’s engine purring softly in the night air.
“You don’t have to watch this,” Brandon said quietly, but I shook my head.
“I need to know.” My voice came out steadier than I felt.
The video was brief but crystal clear, a close–up shot from what must have been a phone camera, I watched myself writhing on the bed, my movements clearly influenced by whatever they’d put in that tea. My face was flushed, my expressions unguarded. The intimate angle of the footage made my stomach turn.
“It was Charles Windsor,” I whispered, my voice shaking. “It had to be. There was no one else in that room except…” I couldn’t finish the sentence. My own family had drugged me and left me there with him.
“But why?” I couldn’t keep my voice from shaking. “He was filming me. Why would James have it?”
Brandon’s thumb traced gentle circles on my palm, the gesture at odds with the dangerous glint in his eyes. “Because I have James monitoring all communication between the Windsors and your family. His dark eyes found mine in the dim light.
“What?” The word came out as barely a whisper.
“Maybe this was a threat.”
“Threatening my parents?” The words tasted like ashes in my mouth. “What do we do now?”
Brandon’s free hand came up to brush my cheek, the touch feather–light. “June. Look at me.”
I turned, caught off guard by the intensity in his expression.
“They can’t touch you anymore.” His voice dropped lower, sending shivers down my spine. “You’re mine now. My wife. Let them try their pathetic schemes – I’ll show them what real power looks like.”
Something warm unfurled in my chest at his words. The possessive note in his voice should have frightened me, but instead it felt
protection against everything my family had tried to do.
like armor
–
Suddenly, Brandon shifted gears, guiding the Bentley back onto the empty highway. “Want to try?”
“Try what?”
That dangerous half–smile played at his lips. “Want to try racing?”
“Racing?” I stared at him in disbelief. “Now? With what car?”
His lips curved into that dangerous half–smile as he started unbuckling his seatbelt. “Who said I was the one racing?”
“Wait…” I pointed at myself in shock. “You want me to race? No, no, can’t! I only have a basic license – I can barely drive normally, Het alone race! And this isn’t even a proper racing car!”
1/3
“I’m not scared! The denial came automatically. “Just… this is a very expensive car,”
June, don’t be afraid. He reached over and squeezed my hand reassuringly. “Some things you need to try before you know your limits. I wasn’t always good at racing either.”
His gentle voice washed over me like a spell, drawing me in despite my fears. I blinked at him uncertainly. “But I don’t know…
When I’m feeling down, I like to race,” he continued softly. “Pushing your limits, feeling that speed it makes you forget everything
else. Want to try?”
“Okay,” I heard myself say.
The driver’s seat felt different more intimidating somehow, with all those controls and that perfectly polished dashboard. Brandon settled into the passenger seat like a king on his throne, watching with barely concealed amusement as I adjusted everything to my height.
“Nervous?” His voice carried just a hint of teasing.
“Shut up.” I gripped the steering wheel, trying to remember everything I knew about driving luxury cars. Which was basically nothing. “If4wreck this…”
“You won’t.” His confidence made something warm flutter in my stomach. “Trust yourself, June.”
The engine purred to life under my touch, responding to the slightest pressure on the pedal. We cruised through the empty streets, the city lights blurring past like stars. Despite my initial nerves, the Bentley handled like a dream – smooth and powerful and impossibly responsive.
I couldn’t help but press down harder on the accelerator, feeling the thrill as the speed increased. The empty road stretched before us like an invitation. Brandon sat quietly beside me, his presence giving me a strength I didn’t know I possessed.
“Brandon, I feel like I’m flying!” I exclaimed, gripping the steering wheel tighter. “The car and me together, we’re flying!”
“Mm.” His approval was subtle but clear. He reached over and lowered both windows, letting the rushing wind fill the car. The cold air stung my cheeks, but I couldn’t stop grinning.
Suddenly, a modified sports car shot past us, followed by several others. My competitive spirit flared unexpectedly. I glanced at
Brandon.
He raised an eyebrow, looking pleased at this turn of events.
“There’s a gathering up ahead,” Brandon said suddenly, gesturing to a cluster of headlights in the distance. “Interested?”
As we got closer, I could make out several modified sports cars arranged in loose semicircle. The smell of burning rubber and high–octane fuel filled the air, mixing with the thunderous sound of revving engines.
“Is this… are they actually racing?” My heart rate picked up despite myself.
A figure approached our car, whistling appreciatively at the Bentley’s sleek lines. “Well, well! What do we have here? Bentley’s not exactly street racing material, but…” He grinned, leaning against my window. “Want to try your luck, beautiful?”
I should have been intimidated. Should have politely declined and driven away. But something about having Brandon beside me, about the way he looked at me like I could do anything…
I turned to Brandon, expecting him to shut this down immediately. Instead, those dark eyes studied my face with dangerous intensity. “Your choice, June.”
4
1 unbuckled my seatbelt. “Brandon, I think for the sake of your reputation..
Hmm? He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused.
“I mean, your car might look understated, but that license plate is impossible to miss, I gestured at the pristine Bentley. If I lose today and these people look up your car… Wall Street’s most powerful CEO participating in illegal racing? Your reputation would he ruined!*
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