Should I run, scream, beg?
I couldn’t do any of those things with my body quickly dying, but I needed to know, to prepare…what is my new fate?
Along with a constant wash of copper, I struggled to breathe. My tongue had swollen to the size of a cruise liner. It didn’t listen to my commands to move. It merely sat, partially severed and agonising, distracting me from everything.
Mr. Prest carried me to his car, ignoring the shocked look from a man with dark hair standing motionless, his eyes dancing up and down the driveway as if expecting law enforcement to appear at any moment.
“Sir…”
“No questions.” Mr. Prest waited until the man opened the vehicle then jumped inside. He didn’t speak again as he manhandled me, sitting down all while keeping me in his arms. My blood decorated his cheekbone where he’d smeared it as war paint, daubing him as the devil I suspected while fresh crimson soaked like oil into his clothing.
I shivered from pain and cold.
Understanding without asking, Mr. Prest slid me across the black leather (no longer white and white and more white) and wrenched off his blazer. Draping it around me, he tucked in my arms, not caring my blood saturated his clothes and car.
How much had I lost?
How much could I afford to lose before I died?
Already, I was light headed and wispy. My tongue continued to swell, blocking ability to swallow.
For so long, I’d begged for death.
And now that I was only heartbeats away from it, I didn’t want to go.
I was free.
I was in a world of colour rather than monochrome.
I don’t want to die.
If I wasn’t so confused and wracked with pain, I might’ve cared that this rescuer, this dark angel, saw me drooling and glassy eyed. He watched me fade in and out of unconsciousness.
“Drive, Selix.”
The muffled sound of a door closing happened a nanosecond before the car tore off with tyres screaming.
“Where to, sir?”
“Phantom. Call ahead. Tell Michaels to be ready.”
“Right.”
The sliding partition rose as Mr. Prest dragged my woozy form back into his arms. He kept me tight, acting as a seat-belt as the vehicle soared around corners and squealed down roads I’d never seen before.
Breathing hard, he ran a death-dirty hand over his face, smearing blood over his brow and chin.
I huddled in his embrace, trying to turn invisible all while gagging on flowing metallic.
Oh, God, please let the pain stop.
Please, don’t let me die.
Not now.
Mr. Prest looked down, catching my out of focus vision.
Close your eyes.
You’re safer that way.
It was a stupid trick, pretending he couldn’t reach me when I couldn’t see him. But my loss of blood and strange vaporous agony gave whimsical fancy solid reasoning.
Curling tighter in his arms, my skin prickled with intensity as Mr. Prest bowed his head, his hot breath skating over my bloody face. For the longest time, he sat there, still and silent, waiting for me to open my eyes.
But I couldn’t.
I can’t.
I wished I was blind as well as mute. Deaf too, so I would never hear the squelching sound of my tongue being cut or the crunching of bones as he threw Master A against the kitchen bench.
Finally, his patience ran out. Taking my chin, he guided my face upward.
I was weak and queasy and had no choice, but I obeyed because I’d just witnessed what happened to those who angered him. He killed so quickly, so easily—it was nothing to him.
I didn’t want to be nothing.
I wanted to remain in his good graces. There, I might find a kind word or gentle stroke. I didn’t want more violence. I’d had enough to last me a lifetime.
Mr. Prest cupped my jaw, his fingers slipping in sticky blood. “He deserved to die for what he did.”
I agree.
He deserved to die in a hundred ways.
I didn’t move. No nod, no twitch. Nothing.
He frowned. “I know you understand. What are you afraid of? You’re safe now.”
Afraid?
I’m afraid of you.
I don’t know what’s worse, you or death. And I don’t know how to get answers before it’s too late.
My eyelids fluttered as icy blackness stole over me, blanketing everything for a moment. Was that death? Or merely shock?
I was vaguely aware of Mr. Prest growling at his chauffeur, “Drive faster, Selix.”
The car lurched at his command, engine snarling.
A few minutes passed.
I danced between awake and unconscious.
His voice dragged me back; his question made me open my eyes.
“Are you grateful? That I saved you?”
Tired, so, so tired.
I stared.
No.
Yes.
Thank you.
He stared back, unable to stop waiting for an answer that would never come. Finally, he huffed. “Well, you shouldn’t be.”
My heart tap-danced.
The car bounced over a bump, pressing our bodies closer. His fingers dropped from my jaw to lash around my floppy wrist forming a new bridle, a new master, a new life in servitude. “I’m not the hero in this story, Pimlico. I’m another villain. You’d do best to remember that.”
Looking down at the mess I’d made and the shackles of his touch, my eyes fell on the dollar bill he’d given me. I’d somehow managed to hold it while my tongue was severed and three lives were taken.
He noticed too, stealing it from my tight grip. The green money now resembled a macabre tie-die with threads of dirty crimson. “You found my origami.”
It’s mine.
I couldn’t take my eyes off the one thing I had left.
I didn’t care that it was money. I only cared that it was a gift and I wanted it more than anything.
Sensing I needed it back like a child needed its favourite toy for comfort, he opened his palm.
I snatched it.
“It’s yours. I’ll fold you another when we’re home.”
Home.
Where was home?
What was Phantom?
Dark clouds stuffed my head with cotton wool and thunder storms. My eyelids drooped as I skidded into blackness again. However, as my vision stuttered and I clung to lucidity, something flashed white inside the breast pocket of the jacket I wore.
Instantly, the fog lifted.
I know that corner.
My eyes shot to Mr. Prest.
You did take them.
My letters to No One.
How dare you!
Tucking bloody hair behind my ear, he smiled. “Yes, I stole them. But now, I’ve stolen you, so you can have them back.”
Did you read them?
Did you laugh at them?
Is that why you returned—because you felt sorry for me?
I shuddered, liking and loathing him. Grateful and confused. Shocked and shivering.
His smile was rough. “You have every right to look at me like that. I took something you treasured but I won’t apologise.” His legs bunched beneath me. “I won’t apologise because I’ve just taken you and that is not a good thing.”
I sucked in a breath, choking on blood.
Why?
Why is it not good?
He’d rescued me. I was alive because of him. If he wanted me dead, he didn’t have to return.
His voice hushed to a whisper as he cupped my cheek. “I will say I’m sorry for one thing.”
I trembled as his thumb stroked me sweetly.
His face softened just a little, unable hide the ferocity he wielded. The sleekness he harnessed. Th
e threats he promised. “We’re leaving this place and you’ll never be found. You belong to me.”
His lips touched mine, smearing my blood between us. “Oh, and seeing as you’re mine now, you might as well call me Elder.”
Pre-Order the entire Dollar Series NOW
2016: Dollars CLICK TO PRE-ORDER
2016: Hundreds CLICK TO PRE-ORDER
2016: Thousands CLICK TO PRE-ORDER
2017: Millions CLICK TO PRE-ORDER
To be the first to know about upcoming releases, please join Pepper’s Newsletter (she promises never to spam or annoy you).
Pepper's Newsletter
www.pepperwinters.com
DOLLARS (Dollar Series #2)
Coming September / October 2016
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I suck at these. The hardest part of writing a book for me is this small section at the end. I’m going to blanket thank everyone I’ve ever spoken to as my brain turns to mush. However, I must give an epic thanks my beta readers: Amy, Vickie, Tamicka, Katrina, Melissa, Yaya, and Celesha. Thank you to Jenny for editing, Katrina for keeping me sane, hubby for keeping me fed, and every author who knows the pain and joy of rewriting a book six times.
I’m also so incredibly grateful to everyone who reads this new series. Since the moment I published Tears of Tess, I’ve been living a dream and every day that I wake up with words in my head and letters pouring from my fingers, I send huge hugs to everyone who makes that possible.
Have a fabulous rest of 2016 and hope you enjoyed Pennies. xx
PLAYLIST
Monsters by Imagine Dragons
Demon by Imagine Dragons
Skyscraper by Demi Lovato
Defying Gravity by Idina Menzel
Time is running out by Muse
Last Hope by Paramore
Safe and Sound by Taylor Swift
Bring me the horizon by Throne
Madness by Muse
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Pepper Winters is a multiple New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today International Bestseller. She loves dark romance, star-crossed lovers, and the forbidden taboo. She strives to write a story that makes the reader crave what they shouldn't, and delivers tales with complex plots and unforgettable characters.
After chasing her dreams to become a full-time writer, Pepper has earned recognition with awards for best Dark Romance, best BDSM Series, and best Dark Hero. She's an #1 iBooks bestseller, along with #1 in Erotic Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, and Erotica Thriller. She's also honoured to wear the IndieReader Badge for being a Top 10 Indie Bestseller, and signed a two book deal with Hachette. Represented by Trident Media, her books have garnered foreign and audio interest and are currently being translated into numerous languages. They will be in available in bookstores worldwide.
To be the first to know of upcoming releases, please join Pepper’s Newsletter (she promises never to spam or annoy you.)
Pepper's Newsletter
Or follow her on her website
Pepper Winters
You can stalk her here:
Pinterest
Facebook Pepper Winters
Twitter
Instagram
Website
Facebook Group
Goodreads
She loves mail of any kind: pepperwinters@gmail.com
All other titles and updates can be found on her Goodreads Page.
OTHER WORK BY PEPPER WINTERS
Pepper Winters is a multiple New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today International Bestseller.
New York Times Bestseller ‘Monsters in the Dark’ Trilogy
“Voted Best Dark Romance, Best Dark Hero, #1 Erotic Romance”
Tears of Tess (Monsters in the Dark #1) CLICK TO BUY
Quintessentially Q (Monsters in the Dark #2) CLICK TO BUY
Twisted Together (Monsters in the Dark #3) CLICK TO BUY
Je Suis a Toi (Monsters in the Dark #4) CLICK TO BUY
Multiple New York Times Bestseller ‘Indebted’ Series
“Voted Vintagely Dark & Delicious. A true twist on Romeo & Juliet”
Debt Inheritance (Indebted #1) CLICK TO BUY
First Debt (Indebted Series #2) CLICK TO BUY
Second Debt (Indebted Series #3) CLICK TO BUY
Third Debt (Indebted Series #4) CLICK TO BUY
Fourth Debt (Indebted Series #5) CLICK TO BUY
Final Debt (Indebted Series #6) CLICK TO BUY
Indebted Epilogue (Indebted Series #7) CLICK TO BUY
Grey Romance books include:
USA Today Bestseller Destroyed CLICK TO BUY
“Voted Best Tear-Jerker, #1 Romantic Suspense”
Survival Contemporary Romance include:
USA Today Bestseller Unseen Messages CLICK TO BUY
“Voted Best Epic Survival Romance 2016, Castaway meets The Notebook”
Multiple USA Today Bestseller ‘Motorcycle Duology’ include:
“Sinful & Suspenseful, an Amnesia Tale full of Alphas and Heart”
Ruin & Rule (Pure Corruption #1) CLICK TO BUY
Sin & Suffer (Pure Corruption #2) CLICK TO BUY
AUDIO LOVERS
Tears of Tess / Quintessentially Q / Ruin & Rule / Sin & Suffer / Debt Inheritance / First Debt / Second Debt are available now on iTunes, Amazon & Audible.
Click HERE
Upcoming releases are:
Pre-order DOLLAR SERIES on All Platforms
2016: Dollars CLICK TO PRE-ORDER
2016: Hundreds CLICK TO PRE-ORDER
2016: Thousands CLICK TO PRE-ORDER
2017: Millions CLICK TO PRE-ORDER
TBA: The Argument CLICK FOR MORE INFO
TBA: Indebted Beginnings (Indebted Series Prequel) CLICK FOR MORE INFO
To be the first to know about upcoming releases, please join Pepper’s Newsletter (she promises never to spam or annoy you).
Pepper's Newsletter
Or follow her on her website
Pepper Winters
THANK YOU FOR READING!