“How the fuck should I know? I didn’t fucking ask to be kidnapped,” I snap

back angrily as I smack his chest with my fists. “Did you know I was there?”

“No,” he snaps. “If I had, I would have fucking come and gotten you sooner.

Trust me, I’ll be having words with Peter about that. Now answer the fucking question.”

“Peter knew?” I squeak out as the feelings of betrayal wrap around my chest

in a tight band. Peter is, was, my favorite cousin and the closest thing I have to a sibling.

Tears are now freely running down my face. I barely register the stinging smack to my ass through the tightening of my chest. My heart seizes as feelings of betrayal and helplessness begin to set in. The question why keeps circling around in my thoughts. The word getting louder and louder in my head as the seconds slowly tick by.

I can’t fathom an explanation as to why James would do such a thing. The

man had been my father’s best friend and business partner, who’d seemed to fall in love with my mother over the years of helping her cope with my father’s sudden death. He’s always supported me in my choice of advertising as a career over business, despite my mother’s hope I’d eventually fill my father’s shoes at MacKay International. James had also been the one to encourage me to spend the semester abroad.

I shiver with disgust as what the overseer implied begins to register, what James had planned to do with me. He’s always been so kind and never gives me

any unwanted or creepy attention. Unlike some of my parent’s other business acquaintances, his eyes never roam my body, and he doesn’t take an opportunity to touch me.

I’m bumped and jostled on the crowded bus as it sways zigzag through the

city. Up until now, I’ve never had a panic attack in my life. But my chest continues to tighten as reality finally settles in. Before I know it, I’m shaking and gasping for breath.

“Breathe,” the man’s gentle voice says in my ear. One hand moves along my

back in a soothing, steady rhythm, and the other gently forces me to rest my head against his hard chest. My arms automatically wrap themselves around him, anchoring myself to the present. I can hear the faint rush of traffic and the whispers of the other commuters surrounding us.

“Take a deep breath in, Princess,” his voice directs me calmly. “Now let it out slowly. That’s a good girl. Now another, take a deep breath in, and slowly exhale.”

The man soon has me breathing easier again, and the tightness in my chest

recedes slightly.

“Why?” My voice cracks as I attempt in vain to hold back the tears.

“I don’t know, Princess. But don’t worry, I won’t let that fucking bastard get anywhere near you. I promise, Lily, Mayer will pay for what he’s done,” the man states emphatically, wrapping me up tighter in his arms and resting his cheek on the top of my head.

I feel safe. A mirthless laugh escapes me at the very idea of being safe with this man, of trusting his word that he’d protect me.

“Who are you?” I demand, pushing back against his chest to look up at him,

having come to the startling realization that I don’t even know this man’s name, a man who’s seen, touched, and tasted my entire body. A man who I willingly had sex with—who I enjoy being with.

I can feel the stares of the other commuters who are enjoying their morning

entertainment. The man turns his head and scowls at them, and I watch as his thick eyebrows form an ominous dark line. They quickly look away.

Turning back, he looks at me with his warm golden eyes and his mouth turns

up in an amused smile before he answers, “Xavier Finch.”

“Xavier Finch,” I parrot back, instantly recognizing the name of Peter’s best friend, Finn. A man I have heard spoken of over the years, but don’t remember ever meeting in person. “As in Finch Distributing?”

“Yes.” And for the first time, I see a genuine smile brightening his face, making him even more handsome.

The bus lurches and I fall into Finn’s chest. He wraps his arms around me tightly once again. “Don’t worry; I’ve got you.”

The story continues in the exciting second novel in the series, begin readingnow…

Claiming Lily

~ Finn ~

Mid-April – Hong Kong

MY ANGER at our fucked-up situation and the crowded bus has me feeling both

jittery and suffocated. Grounding myself, I tighten my hold on Lily and rest my cheek on the top of her head. “I promise, Lily, Mayer will pay for what he’s done.”

“Who are you?” Lily pushes out of my embrace and smacks my chest, demanding an answer.

We have regained the attention of those around us, and I turn my head to scowl at them. They quickly look away.

Smiling, I turn back toward Lily, amused that despite how intimate we’ve been since last night, she still doesn’t know my name. “Xavier Finch.”

“Xavier Finch,” Lily parrots back, and I see recognition dawning on her beautiful face. Despite the fact we haven’t seen each other since she was a teenager, she knows who I am—her cousin Peter’s best friend and business partner. “As in Finch Distributing?”

“Yes,” I tell her brightly, enjoying her shocked expression as she realizes who I am and how I am connected to her.

The bus lurches, and Lily falls forward into my chest. Her thin arms wrap around my waist as she anchors herself to my body.

“Don’t worry. I’ve got you,” I say, tightening my hold on her. I’m never fucking letting go.

My princess is relying on me to keep my shit together and to get us out of the fucked-up situation we’ve found ourselves in. Last night I had begrudgingly met with a new business contact, Robert Ban, at his favorite exclusive brothel, Executive Hospitality Limited, here in Hong Kong. Our meeting started with constructive negotiations, and I felt good about the prospects of us doing business together. That all turned to fucking shit when we entered the large lounge where the entertainment was. It was there I found Lily, barely dressed and serving drinks to the other men, all while avoiding being molested.

After an unforgettable night getting to know one another—in every way possible—we successfully walked out of the brothel she had been held captive in for almost three weeks. Not before an armed confrontation with the asshole manager and his muscle, who runs the place. Thank fuck for my Krav Maga training. The manager informed us that James fucking Mayer, Lily’s fucking stepfather, was the one who had her kidnapped in the first place. It was clear his plan had been to have her for himself and profit from whoring her out. Thank fuck I got her out before his planned arrival.

The blaring of horns turns Lily’s and my attention toward the windows. I crane my head to see outside and notice an all-too-familiar black SUV swerving through traffic and trying to get closer to the bus.

Fuck.

“We need to get off at the next stop.” With my arms still wrapped around Lily, I push our way closer to the door.

“What?”