Richard's POV
The amber liquid sloshed over the rim as I smashed the glass onto my desk, whisky burning down my throat. I clenched my jaw so tightly that it hurt, and I held onto the crystal tumbler with my fingers until I thought it might break in my hand.
The mansion was too quiet, strangely quiet. There were no distant voices, no laughter, and no heavy boots reverberated down the corridor. The walls seemed to be choking beneath the weight of what had transpired, and the air seemed heavy.
Some of my men were dead.
Elizabeth was gone and Adam was still alive.
Everything had gone to hell.
I exhaled through my nose, nostrils flaring as the fire in my chest burned hotter. I had been so f*****g close. So close to breaking her, bending her to my will, owning her completely.
