Chapter 17: Who’s More Powerful, Me or Him?

Highgrove Estate sat on the western edge of Meridian City, tucked against the cool base of the hills. It was its own private world complete with private roads, its own security, and a reputation as the most exclusive residential enclave in the city.

Lucas Kane did not take Claire Bennett back to the villa they had used before. He drove her straight to Highgrove, the place he preferred above all others.

The white Koenigsegg glided through the gates. Claire watched the grounds roll past the window: perfectly clipped lawns, a still blue artificial lake, and elegant pavilions half-hidden among the trees. Everything spoke of quiet, expensive power.

The car stopped in front of a grand European-style villa. White stone walls were carved with delicate details; floor-to-ceiling windows flashed in the late light.

Lucas stepped out, opened her door, and lifted her into his arms without a word. The scent of his cologne wrapped around her as he carried her inside.

The living room was vast and spare, filled with museum-quality furniture and pieces of art that could not be bought at any price. He walked straight through to the master bedroom on the right, locked the door behind them, and set her down on the wide bed.

Claire sank into the soft mattress.

For a moment neither of them spoke.

Then Lucas’s gaze moved over her slow, cold, and sharp. The backlighting from the windows made his face harder, his narrow eyes colder than usual. A faint, humorless curve touched his mouth.

Before she could sit up fully, he stepped in and tore open the front of her white shirt.

Claire’s hands flew up to cover herself.

“Are you jealous right now, Mr. Kane?”

Lucas gave a low, derisive laugh. “Don’t flatter yourself, Claire. I simply dislike other men putting their hands on what is mine.”

His voice dropped. “Especially when that man is Julian Ashford.”

He ripped the ruined shirt the rest of the way off.

The marks left on her skin stood out clearly in the bright light dark, unmistakable evidence of another man’s mouth and hands. A large cluster of bruises and love bites covered the upper curve of one breast.

Something dangerous flared in Lucas’s eyes. He stared at the marks as if they were a personal insult.

Claire tried to cover herself again. Lucas caught both of her wrists in one hand and pinned them above her head against the mattress.

“Did Julian Ashford make you feel good?” he asked, voice low and rough. “Where did he touch you?”

She turned her face away. He forced it back.

“Answer me.”

Claire’s cheeks burned. “Lucas, you’re going too far.”

A dark smile touched his mouth. He leaned down until his lips brushed her ear.

“Am I going too far?” he murmured. “Was Julian the one who went too far first?”

His free hand traced one of the marks, then pressed harder.

“Tell me,” he said, the words edged with something close to fury. “Who do you think is more powerful him or me?”

Claire twisted beneath him. “Lucas, you bastard”