Destined

CHAPTER THREE-1

CHAPTER THREE

“Go to hell.” Dee tossed the breakfast tray on the floor the next morning. “I’m not eating anything.”

Candra Martel leaned over to clean the mess, her petite breasts jiggling under the flimsy dress. “You have to eat.”

Dee sat against the headboard, crossing her arms. “I’d rather starve to death.”

“That’s unfortunate.” Candra scooped scrambled eggs up with the napkin. “What about your baby? Is your hate for Jonathan more important than your baby’s health?”

“Don’t pretend like you give a damn about me or this baby.”

Candra raised her head, her loose curls bouncing.

“You don’t want me here no more than I wanna be here.”

“Not true.” Candra wiped up jam. “You make Jonathan happy. If Jonathan is happy then I’m happy.”

“Candra, you don’t need Jonathan.”

“He gives me strength.”

“You’re strong on your own. You were almost killed and you survived. Jonathan needs you more than you’d ever need him.”

Candra batted her eyes.

“You’re only twenty-years-old, Candra. Get out while you can.”

“I don’t want to leave.”

Dee groaned, shaking her head.

“You’re lucky to have a man who’d do what Jonathan’s done for you. He loves you, Dee.

He would do anything to protect us. That’s why The Circle is so important. That’s why fate brought us here.”

“Candra, please. You won’t be able to live with yourself if you don’t stop this.”

“What I don’t get is why would you want to leave? This place is a wonderland. Everything you need is here.”

“I need the man I love.” Dee jumped out the bed, seizing her. “You can’t let him do this, Candra. Help me.”

Candra closed her eyes.

“You want to be Head Mistress and you think if you do his dirty work he’ll reward you, it

won’t happen. He’s using you the way he’s using all the others. He’ll leave you in ruins.”

Candra raised an eyebrow. “Then I’ll better enjoy it while it lasts, huh?”

Jonathan opened the door, his earthy cologne entering the room before he did. “Morning.”

Dee huffed, turning from his gaze.

“She won’t eat,” Candra said.

Jonathan looked at the mess on the floor. “Yeah, the spilled food kinda gave that away. Would you leave us please, darling?” He kissed Candra’s forehead.

“Sure.” She smiled at him, rolled her eyes at Dee and left.

Dee faced Jonathan, holding her breath.

“Every day you get more beautiful.” He slipped the key in between his fingers. “Always got that glow.”

“Let me out of here.”

“Is that what you want?” He scratched over his buzz cut, boasting a fresh trim. “Then get on your knees.”

“You’re disgusting.”

“Come on, Deidra.” He walked toward her as she backed away. “You telling me you haven’t thought about it?”

“Get away from me. I’d rather die than do that.”

“I knew you wouldn’t.” He grinned. “But a teeny part of me hoped you would.”

“I can’t breathe in here, Jonathan. I need to go outside. I need air.”

He caressed the straps of her white, cotton dress. “Say you’re sorry.”

She pressed her lips together.

“Say you’re sorry, sound like you mean it and maybe I’ll let you out.”

Dee contemplated doing so but seeing how she’d rather go to hell then give him any satisfaction, she sat on the bed and turned away from him.

“The more you fight me, the more I want you.”

“Keep wanting me. You’ll never get me.”

“How can you still underestimate me after all this? Thought by now you wouldn’t question my abilities.”

“You can kidnap me, d**g me and fake your death until eternity but unless you’ve got some potion to take the feelings in my heart, it’s all for nothing.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure. I have other cards to play.” His aquiline nose lifted. “I still have people in Baltimore. People who will do anything I want. Just a snap of my fingers...” He snapped his fingers. “Winston is dead.”

“I’ll kill you if any harm comes to him.”

“I would’ve done it a long time ago, but I kept him alive for you.”

“Don’t you dare touch him.”

Jonathan leaned into her, puckering his lips.

“No.” She tried to turn her head away but he held it still.

“I can’t wait to be inside you again and this time you’ll feel it, Deidra.”

“Get off me.”

He laid, his cool, wet lips to her cheek. “I’m never giving up.”

She pushed him, wiping away the kiss. “I damn sure won’t either.”

****