Don't Escape, My Contract Bride

Chapter 1 Tied Up

"You filthy b***h! After all these years of raising you, don't you think it's time to repay the favor? Hell, if I'd known how much you're worth, I would've had my fun with you first before selling you off! Now I'm practically giving you away for free and I almost regret it! Haven't even had my turn yet!"

Raine Alden woke up with a start.

The ugly, lecherous face of her uncle-in-law, Victor Barnes, flashed through her mind, filling her with a mix of fury and despair.

After her parents died in a car crash years ago, she'd been sent to live with Victor and his family. Not only did she endure constant bullying from her cousin Chloe Barnes, but she also had to put up with Victor's disgusting habit of spying on her while she showered.

'So close,' she thought bitterly. 'I was so close to escaping that hellhole.'

But fate had other plans. Three days ago, Victor had botched something at work, crossing the wrong people and racking up a debt he couldn't repay. And now, he'd schemed to sell her off to settle it.

Raine's eyes were blindfolded, and her hands and feet were tightly bound with rope. She propped herself up on the bed, straining to listen for any signs of movement.

The room seemed quiet, no one else around. Slowly, she began to fumble with the blindfold until she managed to pull it off.

Bright light stabbed into her eyes, making her wince. She raised a hand to shield her face and glanced around the room.

'Where am I? Is this the hotel room they're planning to trade me in?'

No one was around. Her gaze darted to the door nearest the bed. A surge of survival instinct kicked in.

'If I'm quick, maybe I can...'

Determined, she sprang into action, twisting and pulling at the ropes on her wrists.

After a struggle, she finally managed to loosen them. But just as she was about to free herself completely, footsteps echoed from outside.

Raine hurriedly rewound the rope around her wrists, flopping back onto the bed to feign unconsciousness.

The door creaked open, and several sets of footsteps entered.

"She's still out cold," a man sneered. "Mr. Drake said we're taking her to Damien Voss' room soon."

"What? Damien Voss?!"

"You mean the Damien Voss. The one who's always clashing with Mr. Drake? The biggest mob boss in Crestfall?"

"No s**t, genius. Who else could it be?"

"Damn, this chick's in for a treat. I heard Voss goes through three or four girls a night, and not a single one can walk straight the next morning. Hahaha!"

Their laughter was abruptly cut short as another set of footsteps approached.

"Out. Now." The command came from a deep, authoritative voice.

"Mr. Drake..." one of the men started, but the door slammed shut, silencing him.

Raine's heart pounded in her chest. 'Malcolm Drake. The infamous drug lord.'

She heard his steady footsteps draw closer until the bed dipped under his weight.

A rough hand slid over her leg, trailing upward.

Raine's entire body shivered, and before she could stop herself, her eyes snapped open, locking with a pair of piercing brown eyes.

Malcolm smirked. "Knew you were faking it."

Raine scrambled upright, retreating as far as the bed allowed. Her voice trembled with both anger and fear. "What do you want?"

Malcolm leaned back casually, his eyes roaming over her figure without shame.

She was tall, with perfect curves in all the right places, her disheveled clothing exposing a tantalizing glimpse of her cleavage.

'Such a foolish girl,' Malcolm mused, his lips curling slightly. 'Does she even realize the kind of power her looks give her?'

If it weren't for her flawless beauty and that irresistible body, he wouldn't have agreed to use her to cover Victor's massive debt.

The more he stared, the darker his gaze grew with desire.

Rising from the bed, Malcolm closed the distance between them.

"What are you doing?" Raine demanded, her voice laced with panic.

He chuckled lowly. "What do you think? Just what a man and a woman should do."

His hand shot out, gripping the back of her neck. Her soft chest pressed against his solid thigh as he blew a whistle, his fingers tracing the curve of her exposed cleavage in a slow, deliberate motion.

"I planned to hand you over to Damien Voss," he said lazily. "After all, I need him to turn a blind eye to my latest shipment. But before that, there's no harm in taking a little sample, is there?"

With that, he wrenched her arms behind her back and slammed her face down onto the cold table.

Raine gasped in pain as her cheek hit the surface.

"Let me go!" she shouted. "Goddammit, that junkie's debt has nothing to do with me! Tell him to get his own ass here and pay it himself!"

Malcolm ignored her protests. His body pressed against hers, scorching hot and unyielding. With one hand pinning her down, the other slid up her skirt.

"Shh, shh. Such a naughty little kitten," he murmured.

His free hand moved to unbuckle his belt, fully absorbed in the moment. He didn't notice Raine's fingers slowly working the ropes loose.

The next second, her hand darted toward a nearby ashtray. The ashtray smashed against the side of his head, eliciting a pained yell.

Raine didn't waste a second. She broke free from his hold, bolting toward the door.

"You goddamn b***h!" Malcolm roared behind her. "Get her!"