Acts of Redemption by Eleanor Aldrick

“What the fuck do you mean we don’t have access to Preston’s bedroom? The entire home was wired, as is customary for all of our clients.”

Granted, I’ve never used it to spy, especially when given a direct order from our client to not disturb them. Typically, we use it for surveillance, if—and only if—the client is not in the room or if motion was detected around the perimeter of their quarters.

However, my conscience is perfectly clear when it comes to Charlotte and Preston. I know the fucker is up to no good, and I highly doubt he intended on the good kind of physical contact.

The thought of him touching Charlotte in an intimate manner has my lunch threatening to come back up, making me press a hand to my stomach. What the hell? Since when do I care who Charlotte fucks?

“You okay, boss? You look sort of green.” Jimmy, one of my men, grimaces. “I hate puke. It gives me the skeevies.”

I roll my eyes and shake my head, “You’re a trained killer, but a little vomit can throw you off your game? Tell me again why I hired you?”

“Because I’m one of the best when it comes to tech.” He shoots me a proud grin before his statement reminds me of why I’m upset in the first place.

“If you’re the best, then why’d you forget to rig up Preston’s room?” I cock a brow, waiting for his response.

“I didn’t forget, sir. It looks like they were all removed by Mr. Rutherford himself.”

My brows knit together as I try to piece together every one of Preston’s tells.

He manhandles Charlotte, she’s skittish as fuck, and he’s secured a dead spot in the home where he can do whatever he wants without eyes on him.

Despite how much I want to pound this man’s face into the ground, that’s still not enough to justify my doing so.

If he were any other man, I’d march into that room, put him in his place, throw Charlotte over my shoulder and carry her out.

And then what?

Make her mine.

Running my fingers through my hair, I tug at the ends. This is some fucked up shit going on in my head. I dated her sister for fuck’s sake. She wouldn’t want to be with me.

“Boss? What would you like to do?” Jimmy’s voice breaks me out of the mental purgatory I’m in.

Pressing the heels of my palms to my eyes, I groan. “Give me a minute, would you?”

But let’s be honest, I’m going to need a whole lot more than a minute to break myself free of whatever the hell is going on inside my head.

Charlotte

My back hits the chair as Preston releases me from his grasp.

“You were standing awfully close to Aiden Moretti the other day and now I walk in on you saying you’re getting into trouble,” He loosens the knot on his tie as he begins to pace back and forth, “Charlotte, do I need to remind you of who you belong to?”

My body tenses and I turn my face so I’m not directly in his line of vision. I can’t let him see the disgust written all over my face.

“Answer me!” Preston roars in my direction, but I still don’t turn.

His steps get closer and its seconds before his cold fingers are gripping my face, physically turning it so I can look into his shit-brown eyes. “I. Asked. You. A. Question.” His words come out staccato, as if I’m not mere millimeters away from his mouth, able to hear the vile spewing from his mouth.

“No, Preston. I belong to you. I’m yours and not anyone else's.” My tone lacks all emotion, he’s drained it all from me, sucking it out of me like the energy vampire that he is.

I know that this will anger him, but I’m too tired to care. Too tired to fight him, too tired to give him what I don’t have.

“Don’t look so enthused.” He snarls before rearing his hand and slapping me with the back of it, the impact leaving a trail of fire across my face. There’s no doubt I’ll have a welt in a couple of seconds. Something else to cover up.

At this point, I’m a walking billboard for camouflage concealers. It hides the darkest of secrets.

Despite the pain I don’t cry nor do I say a word. I’m numb. Numb to this shit and as soon as his little show of dominance is done, I’m finding a way out. I can’t do this anymore.

One more night of this and I fear I’ll lose myself forever. Unable to find my way out of the lies he’s fed me.

You are nothing.

You have nothing.

You’re just a pretty plaything.

I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to get the words out of my head, but they keep looping over and over again.

“Open your damn eyes, Charlotte. I want you to look at me as I remind you of who you belong to.” Preston places his hands on his belt buckle, slowly undoing it and sliding it out of the loops.

My throat constricts and my vision becomes blurry. I can’t do this. I can’t let him touch me again.

I’m about to stand up and make a run for it when there’s a loud bang on the door.

“What part of do not disturb do you not understand!” Preston growls, his temper finally coming through to someone other than myself.

“Senator, it’s Governor Howard on the line.” Aiden’s voice is a beacon of hope. Maybe this hell will be over soon.

Muttering under his breath, Preston refastens his belt and walks toward the door. “This isn’t over, Charlotte. I’m coming back as soon as I’m done talking to Howard.” Flinging the door open, he glowers at Aiden, attempting to push him as he walks past.

Aiden bites back a smirk, since Preston is unable to move him with his little shove. Well, he’s smirking until he takes a look at my face.

Shit. The welt. There’s no hiding what just happened. Closing my eyes, I shake my head. A silent plea for him to stay out of it. Preston will be back and I need to find a way to get out without his help. Doing so will only drag him into my mess.

I knew. Deep down I knew marrying him was a mistake, but I wanted to make my father proud. I was never his favorite. Clara always got his love and affection, I was lucky if I ever got a sliver. When Preston started courting me, I suddenly became the favorite daughter. I preened and soaked up every minute of it.

Never in a million years did I think it would come to this.

Tears flow freely down my face and it isn’t until a big calloused hand is wiping them away that I open my eyes.

Aiden Moretti. My childhood crush stands before me, anger waging a war in those amber eyes. But despite all the rage, his touch is nothing but tender.

This man would never hurt me.

“Char. My principessa perfetta. What did he do to you?” This beast of a man is kneeling before me, touching me with gentle affection. So at odds with his usually cold and callous demeanor.

I suck in my lips, unable to respond for fear of unleashing all of the ugly that’s been bottled deep inside. I shake my head, hoping he understands that I just can’t. I have nothing to give him.

“Charlotte, please. I can’t help you if you don’t talk to me.”

Finding the courage to speak, I finally open myself up a little. “I can’t right now. He’ll be back any minute.”

“No, he won’t. The governor promised to keep him on the phone for a while.” There’s a gleam in his eyes as his words sink in. My god, did Aiden have governor Howard call Preston on purpose? To distract him? To protect me?

A slow smile spreads across his luscious lips and I bite my lip, wanting nothing more than to sink my teeth into his instead.

“Don’t look at me like that or I’ll be forced to do something that we both know isn’t right.”

“In this world where everything is upside down, who’s to say what’s wrong and what’s right. Can’t we make up our own rules?” This brazen outburst surprises the hell out of me. I’m usually the epitome of proper and polite. This is definitely neither.

His eyes narrow before he looks away, and just like that, I’ve lost him. Retreating into myself, I fall into Preston’s words.

You are nothing.

You have nothing.

He’s right. What do I have to offer Aiden? I’m broken. A married woman who’s coming onto him like an emotionally starved beggar. It’s a miracle he hasn’t walked out of the room yet.

“Stop.” Aiden gently cups my face in the palm of his hands. “I see those wheels turning. We don’t need that right now. What we need right now is for you to tell me what that man has done to you.”

I sigh into his hold, “It’ll be my word against his, Aiden. I can’t risk it. Nobody will believe me.”

He wipes away at a rogue tear, and his affection is my undoing. Tears flow from me, wanting to run away and escape this shell of a body I'm in. If only I could run away with them too.

Aiden’s jaw clenches, and I see the reality of our situation in his eyes. He knows it as well as I do, without solid proof we have nothing.

“Don’t you worry your pretty little head, my perfect princess.” Bringing my face to his, he presses his lips to my forehead, lingering for a few seconds before finally pulling back. “We will get through this together. I give you my word.”

I smile despite the tears. A famous Moretti promise is worth its weight in gold.