Caged by the Prince, Saved by the Monster - Chapter 7: Chapter 7

Desmond stood frozen, completely stunned. His mouth hung open like he wanted to say something, but no sound came out. "You... your legs..."
Terrence didn't even dignify that with a response. He just strolled over like he owned the place and slid his arm around my waist like it was his favorite spot.
The scent of whiskey clung to him - that rich, smooth kind that makes you think of dark bars and expensive tastes. That cool, commanding aura of his wrapped around me too, and somehow, against all logic, it felt like coming home.
Desmond still looked like he had more to say, but I was done. I linked my arm through Terrence's without a backward glance.
"Let's roll."
In the car, Terrence buried his face in the curve of my neck, his warm breath sending shivers down my spine.
"Next time," he murmured, that possessive edge creeping into his voice, "don't waste your breath on him."
I laughed outright. "Well look at that. Terrence D'Angelo's got a jealous streak."
He groaned. "I can't stand him breathing the same air as you. It's insulting."
I reached up and ruffled his hair, slow and affectionate, like calming a grumpy Rottweiler. When he looked up, those golden eyes burned just for me.
I leaned in and brushed my lips against his.
Next morning, I'd just buttoned my blouse when shouting erupted from the garden.
I pushed open the floor-to-ceiling windows, and the rose-scented breeze hit me. Our security team had formed a human wall by the fountain. Outside their line stood Desmond, yanking on a golden retriever's leash.
His eyes went wild when he spotted me. "Cassie!" he shouted. "Look! It's Shadow's twin!"
The dog sat obediently, tongue lolling, tail thumping. For half a second, I could've sworn it was Shadow - my childhood companion.
I took the stairs slow, measured.
Desmond's face lit up like I'd handed him the keys to heaven. "We can start fresh," he whispered when I got close. "Name your price."
"Desmond," I said, voice flat as pavement, "Shadow's been dead ten years. Just like whatever you think we had. It's gone."
"No..." The word came out broken. "I'll prove it to you."
His whole face came undone then. Whatever sanity he'd been clinging to slipped through his fingers.
Three days later, Terrence and I were enjoying tea under the pergola, morning sunlight dappling through the vines. Peaceful. Quiet.
Until the shouting started at the gates.
Desmond came barreling in, dragging someone behind him.
Gwen.
Except it barely looked like her anymore - hair matted, face swollen, clothes torn and filthy. Desmond shoved her forward.
"On your knees!" he barked.
When she didn't move fast enough, he yanked her down so hard her knees cracked against the flagstones. She collapsed at my feet, sobbing.
"I'm sorry, Cassie! It's all my fault! I'm trash!"
Desmond kicked her like a stray dog. "Louder! You loved stealing from her, didn't you? Playing people like puppets?"
I shot up so fast my teacup shattered. "Enough!" The word tore out of me. "You think this makes anything right?"
Old memories surged up, sharp as broken glass. Then Terrence's hand was on my shoulder, solid as bedrock.
Desmond's voice cracked. "Even my father's written me off. Are you gonna abandon me too?"
I didn't blink. "There was never anything to abandon. Get out."
But Gwen scrambled forward, clutching my leg. "Please!" she begged, shaking like a meth addict. "Call the cops, send me anywhere! Don't let him take me back to that drunk - he'll murder me!"
In the end, I didn't say much. Just arranged for her to disappear into Willowdale - some nowhere town where trouble wouldn't find her.
As the car vanished down the drive, Terrence threaded his fingers through mine.
"Feeling charitable?" he asked, that playful lilt in his voice.