Hope Restrained (Estate Series) by M.S. Willis Read Free Book Online

disposable
toy.”
    Maddy chuckled. She continued cleaning Hope’s skin when she
responded, “It doesn’t matter what I like, only what he likes.”
    Rolling her eyes, Hope suddenly recognized the weak spirit
in front of her: completely pliable and easily conquered.
    It was almost like Maddy knew what Hope had been thinking. “You
remind me of him. Your darkness, I recognize the hatred and the rage. I wouldn’t
be surprised to find that you enjoy your kills as much as he enjoys his. People
like you need someone to look out for you, to pull you back from whatever black
depth to which you’ve fallen. It would be a futile task if that person didn’t
use something that brought you joy, don’t you think?” She looked pointedly at Hope
but then smiled softly. “There. You’re clean, however I don’t think I’ll be
able to remove the bullet without assistance. Does your arm hurt?”
    Hope rested her head against the wall. “I don’t know. My
arms have gone numb from the chains.”
    “Oh, good. We won’t need to drug you then.”
    Disbelief crept across Hope’s thoughts. “What the fuck is
wrong with you people? How the fuck are you standing here like a fucking saint
when you’re surrounded by death?!”
    The door opened and Xander entered the room carrying a file
in his hand. He looked surprised to find Maddy in the room, but his expression
quickly returned to a blank canvas. Placing the folder on the table, he pushed
it in Maddy’s direction. After packing up the supplies, she took the folder
from the table and thumbed through the contents. Hope couldn’t understand why she
was being treated with such high regard.
    “I find it ironic that your name is Hope … especially
considering that you have none.” His voice was amused, yet stern — a
hidden warning within the mocking words.
    Her eyes narrowed. “You know my name. Congratulations .”
    “Actually, I know more than your name.” He leaned back
against the surface of the table, his hands folded in front of him. Maddy put
the folder down and reached up to touch his shoulder. The minute her hand
connected with his body, his expression softened and he turned to look at her.
    “Go easy on her, Xander. She’s a woman who finds herself in
the same situation that we all have experienced at one point.”
    He smiled at her, taking her hand in his to remove it from
his shoulder. “You shouldn’t be here, Cricket. She’s a lot more dangerous than
you realize.” Looking up, he met Hope’s stare. “Hope is a trained assassin,
aren’t you? I suspected as much based on your behavior, but now I can say
without a doubt who you are.” Looking back at Maddy, he motioned towards the
door. “You should leave. I have a lot to discuss with our guest.”
    Maddy silently nodded and left the room. Xander stood and
stalked towards Hope. She noticed a slight limp to his stride and grinned.
    “How’s the leg?”
    Xander stopped, looking quickly at his leg before glancing
back to her. “It’s better than your shoulder, I’m sure.” A crooked smile peeked
out on his face, his humor evident in the glint to his eye.
    Hope didn’t respond, allowing him to approach. Despite being
chained, she wouldn’t relent or accept defeat. Too much weighed on her. Fearing
that the men who took her sister had already learned of her failure, she was
desperate to escape — but if she couldn’t, she wanted to inflict as much
damage as she could on the bastard that stood before her. When Xander had
stepped within range, she pushed off the wall with one foot, kicking out at his
injured leg with the other.
    He caught her foot. Angling his head, he grinned
mischievously. His voice sounded like a growl when he teased, “Now, now, Ms.
Delacroix, I’ve already discovered the strength of these …” His eyes burned a
path up her calf and inner thighs. “… long legs of yours.” Tightening his grip,
his fingers dug into the muscle of her calf. Out of reflex, she attempted to
pull away