Escaping The Beast: A Darkhills Romance (The Darkhills Series Book 2) by Elizabeth Greene (young adult books to read TXT) 📕

“There’s my little Kitty-Kat, right on time.”

Katherine reached the edge of the carpet and stepped up onto the dais in front of the striking man, who hadn’t taken his eyes off her for an instant.

“Lord Lucian Nightingale, I presume?” She held out her hand, “Katherine Daxton. Thank you for meeting with me to discuss the terms of my father’s contractual arrangement.”

The man held her gaze for a long moment, before casting his eyes to the side to consider her father briefly. His dark eyes gave nothing away. Katherine was about to retract her hand when he refocused his attention and lightly closed his hand around hers. She shook it swiftly, ignoring the slight tingle that danced across her skin at the contact. Smooth hands. He didn’t engage in any physical work or hobbies.

“Miss. Daxton, you are most welcome. However, it appears you have been misinformed.” A cleanly cut British accent spoke resolutely.

“In what sense, Lord Nightingale?” She asked.

The man’s eyes bored into hers and she fought against the powerful urge to look away. His eyes were so fathomlessly dark, she wondered if they held any colour at all.

“Now, baby doll, I may have-”

“Mr. Daxton, what exactly did you tell your daughter?” The man’s commanding tone cut across her father’s voice. He kept his eyes on Katherine’s as he spoke giving her the impression that she was being watched by a predator, determined to find its prey’s weakness.

“OK, so, you see now, honey pie, Lord Nightingale here has given me the opportunity, a very good opportunity, to prove that I can earn him a neat profit.” Her father stepped forward, clasping his hands nervously.

“So I am here because?” Katherine had a horrible sinking feeling about where this conversation was going. She held her nerve and the gaze of the devil with whom her father had gotten himself embroiled. She knew if she looked at her father’s lying, cowardly face her temper would rise and she might say or do something that she would regret. She couldn’t afford to show her hand. She had no doubt in her mind that the man in front of her would exploit any sign of weakness or vulnerability.

“Ah, you see that brings me to the interesting part. Did you know that this place is actually a lot more comfortable than it looks,”

“Enough.” Lord Nightingale, held up a hand and effectively silenced her father. “Miss. Daxton, your father owes me a great deal of money. Despite having ample opportunity, he has not been forthcoming in repaying his debt. He has refused my offer to accept repayment in the form of his employment within my household and has instead opted to secure the appropriate finances within a limited timescale. In order to provide good faith in his ability to secure said finances he has designated you to act as his guarantor.”

Katherine’s blood was at boiling point. Of all the rotten, despicable things her father had done, this was a new low. He was using her as a safety deposit. She’d been made to wash dishes at restaurants before to pay his bill, she’d been forced to act as arm candy for more than one handsy old crook in her time, but never had she been effectively used as a bartering chip.

Deep breaths. Keep your composure. She reminded herself.

“I see.” She finally turned her face to look at her father. He visibly withered under her ice-cold glare.

“Now, Kitty-Kat, I know what you’re thinking,” Her father began, “I’ve got a sure thing lined up. I’ll be back with the money within a week, I promise, baby doll. And this place really ain’t so bad. The food’s good and the room has the biggest bed you’ve ever seen,”

Katherine turned her head back towards Lucian and blocked out her father’s conman shpeal. She would be damned if she was going to sit around and wait for him to get this man his money. Knowing her father he wouldn’t get the money within a week as he claimed. There was no point arguing with him about it, the power in the room lay with the devil himself.

“State your terms, Lord Nightingale.” She lifted her chin and levelled a steady gaze at him.

He shifted in his chair, leaning back in order to consider her.

“They are simple, Miss. Daxton. You will remain here at Tumbricane for the duration of the extended contract. Your father believes he will be in a position to return with sufficient funds within seven days. I suspect you and I believe otherwise, therefore I am proposing that the arrangement be reviewed weekly, with a maximum contract period of three months. Should the debt remain at the end of that period, Mr. Daxton will return to take up a position within my household and your involvement will cease. You will be at liberty to leave.” The man, trawled out the terms of the contract matter of factly, his gaze shifting to where he inspected his fingernails.

“I would like to negotiate on the length of the contract and state a number of conditions, if I may?” Katherine replied firmly.

Lucian’s eyes returned to hers. She wished he had remained indifferent, there was something about the way he looked at her that made her pulse kick up a notch.

“State your request, Miss. Daxton.”

“The contract term will last no longer than two weeks. While I am staying here, I will not be subjected to servitude, degradation, manipulation, or ill-treatment at any time.” Katherine began, “You will ensure my wellbeing, health, and safety is ensured throughout. I will be permitted free movement and will continue to have contact with others outside of this estate, for example, my cell phone will not be confiscated.” Katherine took another breath and put a little more force behind her next statement, “I will be not be expected to perform any acts of a sexual nature and I will not be prevented from contacting the emergency services should I deem