Brandon’s POV
June’s call had left me more unsettled than I cared to admit. The tremor in her voice, the way she tried to sound brave even as fear crept in it made something protective and dangerous stir in my chest. I’d promised to stay away, to let her handle this herself,
but…
‘James. My voice carried absolute authority as I hit the intercom. nd out which room the Taylors booked at The Plaza. Then get everything ready surveillance, security, all of it. I want eyes and ears on that entire floor.
A few minutes later.
“Done, sir.” James said. “Room 3702,”
A slight smile tugged at my lips. “Good. Have the car brought around
The drive to The Plaza felt endless, my mind racing through contingencies. June might think she needed to face her family alone, but I’d be damned if I let her walk into another trap unprotected. The memory of finding her drugged at her grandfather’s party still made my blood boil.
The Plaza’s thick carpeting muffled our approach as we neared room 3701. James had already secured the entire floor – necessary precautions when dealing with someone like Charles Windsor. The bastard had no idea who he was really dealing with.
The door opened silently, revealing a young woman with short hair pressed against the adjoining wall. She spun around at our entrance, eyes widening in alarm.
“You are?” Her voice carried more steel than fear.
James stepped forward smoothly. “This is Mr. Stark’s room. Perhaps you’d like to explain your presence here?”
I studied her carefully – this must be Ruby Scott, the war correspondent June had mentioned. Her defensive posture and quick assessment of exits marked her as someone used to dangerous situations. Good. June needed friends like this.
“Brandon Stark.” I introduced myself simply, watching understanding dawn in her eyes.
“Oh thank god!” Relief flooded her face. “You’re Summer’s husband! She told me about you. Mr. Stark, you have to help – they’re threatening her with some video and that Charles Windsor is here and-”
“I know.” I cut her off gently, gesturing for her to take a seat. The monitoring equipment James had set up covered every angle of room 3702. June’s voice carried through clearly, making my jaw clench. Even through the grainy footage, I could see how they crowded her, trying to break her spirit.
“You’re just going to watch?” Ruby’s voice rose slightly. “We have to do something! Summer’s in there alone with those people!”
“Miss Scott.” I kept my voice steady despite the rage building in my chest. “Do you really think June is that easily broken?”
Ruby’s expression shifted from outrage to thoughtful consideration. “No… actually, Summer’s stronger than most people realize. It’s just… these are her family members. They know exactly how to hurt her.”
Precisely.” I settled into one of the chairs, eyes fixed on the monitors. Every cell in my body screamed to intervene, to shield June from their poison. But she needed this needed to face the truth about her family head–on. “She needs to face this. Sometimes you have to taste true despair before you can break free.”
“That’s cruel!” Ruby protested, but there was understanding in her eyes.
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“Crueler than what they re dong to her now?” I raised an eyebrow, even as my hands clenched into fists beneath the table. You’re
her friend you’ve watched this pattern repeat for years, haven’t you
Ruby’s silence was answer enough.
My eyes never left the monitor as June squared her shoulders, facing down her so–called family with quiet dignity. Pride and protectiveness warred in my chest. Show them who you really are, Jure Show them they can’t break you anymore.
Summer’s POV
The weight of Charles Windsor’s gaze made my skin crawl as I shifted in my seat. The Plaza’s elegant dining room suddenly felt suffocating, trapped here with the very people who were supposed to protect me.
“Mr. Taylor,” Charles’s lazy drawl carried an
of
tisement, your family certainly puts on quite a show.”
Richard’s face turned an interesting shade of red. incredibly rude-”
Windsor, please forgive my younger daughter’s behavior. She’s being
“Actually,” Charles cut him off smoothly, “I find Summer quite fascinating.” His eyes found mine with predatory focus. “Won’t you sit
down, Miss Taylor?”
“Excuse me.” I stood abruptly, unable to bear another moment of his presence. “I need to use the restroom.”
Victoria’s heels clicked against the marble floor as she followed me out. I could feel her perfect mask cracking with every step.
“Charles Windsor choosing you is a blessing,” she hissed once we were alone in the hallway. “You should be grateful!”
I turned to face her, finally letting my own mask drop. “Grateful? Like how grateful I should be that you stole my fiancé?”
“Don’t act so superior!” Victoria’s composure shattered completely. You think I don’t know about the video? Mom has it ready to release any time. And Charles Windsor… well, you’ve heard the rumors about his… particular tastes, haven’t you?”
Ice crystallized in my veins as I studied the stranger wearing my sister’s face. “Drop the act, Victoria. We both know you’ve never
seen me as a sister.”
“Of course not!” The words exploded from her like poison. “Why should you get everything? I’m just as good as you – better even! But somehow you’re always the special one!”
“You’re not worse than me,” I said quietly, studying her perfect features twisted with hatred. “You might even be better in many ways. Victoria, what exactly is your problem with me? I’m done talking to you.”
“Scared?” Her laugh held no humor. “Well, you should be. The venom in her voice made my skin crawl. “You won’t escape this,
Summe
“That’s not for you to decide.” I met her gaze steadily.
I pushed past her into the bathroom, feeling her eyes burning into my back. Something about her expression made me uneasy. This wasn’t like Victoria normally she would have kept pushing, kept twisting the knife. Why back off so quickly?
The thought nagged at me as I washed my hands. The bathroom felt eerily quiet, the elegant marble surfaces suddenly oppressive. Then I caught a glimpse of movement in the mirror – a dark figure appearing behind me with terrifying speed. Before I could react, a hand clamped over my mouth, pressing something sweet–smelling against my face.
My last coherent thought as consciousness slipped away was of Brandon.
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Cha
