Brandon’s POV
Ruby paced nervously behind me, her war correspondent training event in how she positioned herself to see both the door and the monitors. We should do something,” she muttered for what felt like he hundredth time.
The surveillance feed from room 3702 showed Victoria returning will a satisfied smile, her perfectly manicured fingers tapping out a message on her phone. Through the camera, I watched her lean close to Charles Windsor, who lounged on the leather sofa with practiced indolence.
“Mr. Windsor,” Victoria’s voice dripped honey, “Summer’s had a change of heart. She wants to surprise you.”
Elizabeth jumped in immediately, her maternal mask firmly in place Mr. Windsor, you may not know this, but my younger daughter is quite shy. She’s actually expressed her admiration for you privately Her smile turned conspiratorial, “Summer has such genuine feelings for you.”
Richard stood silently by the window, his eyes darting nervously toward the door. The man’s tells were pathetically obvious – he knew exactly what they’d planned for his own daughter.
Charles’s lazy smile widened as he rose from the sofa. “Well then, who am I to keep the lady waiting?” His movements were too precise, too measured as he straightened his jacket. “I believe I’ll take my leave now. After all, it would be rude to keep Miss Summer waiting for too long.”
My fingers tightened on the desk as I watched him exit 3702. The moment he disappeared from the camera’s view, I hit the
intercom. “James. Lock down every exit. No one leaves The Plaza.”
“Yes, sir.”
Ruby said anxiously, “Where’s he going? We have to find Summer!”
“No.” I kept my voice steady despite the rage building in my chest. The sight of Elizabeth practically offering her daughter to Charles again made something dark and violent stir inside me. But I couldn’t let that show – not now, not when June needed me thinking clearly. “James will escort you home.”
“Mr. Stark.” Ruby’s voice cracked with emotion as she watched Elizabeth’s performance on screen. “I’ve known Summer since college. She’s always tried so hard to please them, to be the daughter they wanted. And now they’re just…” She trailed off, hands clenching
into fists.
I understood her fury all too well. The protective instinct that roared through my veins demanded immediate action, demanded that I make them pay for every time they’d hurt June. But that wasn’t what she needed right now.
“No!” Her protest carried genuine concern. “I’m not leaving without Summer
“If you truly care about her safety, you’ll stay put.” I watched Charless careful movements on the monitor. “I’ll handle this.”
“But Summer-”
“I’m her husband. The words carried more weight than I’d intended. I promise she’ll be perfectly fine tomorrow. Those recordings
you helped her set up might prove useful very soon.”
Ruby’s hesitation was brief but noticeable. “I… alright.”
“Miss Scott.” I softened my tone slightly. “We may need your professional skills again soon.”
“Anything for Summer. Just keep her safe.”
“Get Marcus on the line. I kept my voice steady despite the rage building in my chest. The fact that I couldn’t see where Charles was headed made something dark and violent stir inside me.
The connection was immediate. “Brandon? What’s wrong?”
“You don’t know where Charles is right now, do you?” I let the implications hang in the air.
Marcus’s sharp intake of breath was audible. “Charles? That fucking troublemaker…”
“He’s at The Plaza.” My voice carried just a hint of steel.
“I’ll handle it.” Marcus’s tone promised swift action.
“Stop him quickly, Marcus. And I’ll give you the land you’ve always wanted.”
Several minutes later my phone buzzed -Marcus. “Go to room 808. Took a while to make Charles tell me where he is. That fool… You’d better be quick because I’m not sure if he would listen to me..
I was already moving before he finished speaking. The eighth floor hallway was silent as I approached room 808, but the faint sound of voices carried through the door.
The door to 808 was unlocked – another deliberate message from Charles. The moment I stepped inside, my trained eyes began cataloging details. The lingering sweetness in the air told me they’d used some kind of drug. The hotel’s surveillance device had been destroyed – Charles making sure there’d be no direct evidence of what transpired.
A broken crystal vase lay scattered near the bed, one shard visibly stained with blood.
June lay on the bed, her skin flushed and burning with whatever drug they’d given her. Her restless movements and the way she twisted in the sheets made my jaw clench with fury. But her clothes were intact – Charles had stopped short of crossing that final
line.
My eyes caught more details as I moved closer. The careful placement of the broken vase pieces. The deliberate shallow cut on her hand, precise enough to leave a mark without causing real damage. Even the way he’d positioned her on the bed – everything had been staged to send a message.
The flawless perfection of her skin seemed to mock the violence they’d tried to do here. I could almost see Charles standing over
was mine. her, touching her face with those entitled hands, thinking he had the right to even look at wha
“Sir?”
“Call Dr. Sean,” I ordered, already shrugging off my suit jacket to wrap aroun June. “Have him meet us at the Hamptons estate.”
I gathered Summer carefully against my chest and carried her out of the hotel. Her skin still burned with whatever drug they’d given her, but her breathing had steadied slightly.
James couldn’t quite hide his surprise. He’d clearly expected more immediate retaliation, perhaps even direct conflict with the Windsor family. But the Windsors would have to wait for now.
“The investigation into Victoria,” I kept my voice low, conscious of June’s proximity. “What did you find?”
James & professional mask cracked into a slight smile. “Victoria’s entire life is an open book to us now.”
“Perfect.” I allowed myself a cold smile, absently stroking June’s hair as she shifted restlessly. “I want headlines about Victoria tomorrow. Make sure it’s front page.”
2/3
“Yes, sir.” James hesitated briefly. And the Taylor family?!
“Leave them for now.” My gaze dropped to June’s sleeping face, something warm unfurling in my chest despite the rage still simmering beneath the surface. The gentle innocence of her expression made all my protective instincts surge. Right now, keeping her safe was all that mattered.
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