Sheltered Spirits (Crime Kings Book 5) Read online

  I don’t know who she is, or where she came from, but I do know one thing, she’s infiltrated my cold, dead heart and I’m not letting her leave anytime soon, possibly ever.

  Chapter 2

  Faye

  The man doesn’t take his eyes off me the whole ride up, but I can only meet his gaze for a few seconds before glancing down. His stare is so powerful, overwhelming. He says I don’t have to be frightened any more, and somewhere inside I believe him, but I'm still scared. The elevator opens, and the man steps out and offers his hand. When I look back, the other guy gives me a soft smile then tilts his head to the first.

  “Come, I won't hurt you,” he says in a soft voice. I step out at his urging and give a small gasp when I see a wall of windows showcasing the Chicago skyline. It’s beautiful, like nothing I could ever imagine. Without thinking, I walk to them and look out. This is what I wanted, to come to the city and expand my small world, but I was never expecting this or how it happened. I still don’t know why I was taken in the first place other than some guy named Leo wanted a pure bride and, apparently, I was to be her. Then Connor took me to give me to his boss, the man I’m with now, as payment for a debt who I think has a grudge against Leo. It’s difficult to keep it all straight right now. These businessmen only think of money, such an unimportant thing where I come from.

  I turn and see the two men talking quietly, then the one in charge dismisses the other and we’re alone. The man, who I now know is Porter since I heard David refer to him that way, glances at me. Power surrounds him and I can understand why Connor was afraid.

  “Are you hurt?” He asks, sounding genuinely concerned.

  I immediately retreat until I feel the glass against my back as he moves toward me. He stops for a beat, his face twisting into what I assume is annoyance, before he closes the space between us. I’m shaking harder now and flinch slightly when he starts to touch my face, but that doesn’t stop him. He gently cups my cheek and turns it back to him. His eyes devour me, scanning every inch as he waits for an answer, and I slowly shake my head.

  “N-no,” I manage to get out, and it's the truth.

  He gives me a long look, then his hand circles my wrist. I pull away and this time his expression is one of hurt. It makes no sense, but he ignores my reaction again, his thumb slowly moving over my bruises. I feel sore and scared, but not injured.

  “Let’s get you cleaned up. I’m sure a shower would feel nice,” his voice rumbles. He takes a step back and offers me his hand. I look at it for what seems like forever before I take it.

  It’s warm and firm, and, for some reason, a little comforting. He leads me down a hallway and into a beautiful bedroom that seems like it should be in a magazine. Next, he walks me into a bathroom and I can't help but gape at the large shower and tub.

  “Take your time. We can talk after.”

  “Ye-yes, sir,” I stutter.

  “Porter.” Confused, I snap my head up to look at him. “Not, sir. My name is Porter. Say it,” he continues, his words coming out as a demand.

  “Porter,” I whisper. He smiles but I don’t return it, instead glancing at the shower. Even after what I’ve been through, I find myself excited to use it and see what else this world has to offer.

  “What’s your name?” He asks, pulling me out of my thoughts.

  I look at him, then lower my eyes before raising them again, his gaze still as intense. “Faye.”

  “Like a fairy.”

  I smile for the first time. “Yes,” I reply, and we have a moment while we stare at each other.

  “I’ll be back,” he says, ending it before walking out. I try to turn the shower on, but there are buttons on it, something I didn’t even know was possible. Porter returns with clothes, then lays them on the counter and informs me, “These are Annabelle’s. I’m sure they’ll fit you.”

  “Is that your wife?” The question pops out instantly and I blush.

  He smiles and explains, “She’s a friend. She and her husband stayed a bit after she gave birth.”

  “That was very kind,” I say, surprised at the news.

  “I am with people I care about. I’ll be right outside if you need anything.”

  “Umm,” I start before he can leave. “I don’t know how to work this,” I admit, gesturing toward the shower when he looks at me. It’s more like a spaceship from one of Hanna’s books.

  “Never seen one?” He asks, joking.

  I let out a small giggle before I slap my hands over my mouth. “Not like this.”

  He laughs and walks toward it, brushing against me as he turns the water on. I feel an imprint of his touch even after he backs away, his eyes on my face. “It’s a good temperature, a little on the warmer side but that’s probably what you need.”

  “Thank you,” I tell him.

  When he reaches up this time, I don’t flinch as he uses his thumb to stroke my cheek. “Take your time,” his voice is low, then he leaves and I have a sudden need to take a deep breath.

  I strip and step inside, the warm water wonderful on my skin. I use the soap and can tell by the smell it’s his. It feels like a sin to even use the same as a man, but I ignore it. He’s not like those at home. Oh, I’m sure he's the strong silent type like they can be, but there's something else about him. He’s intense and mysterious and there’s a pull between us despite the fear and confusion I’ve experienced since being taken. I’ve never felt anything like it.

  I quickly finish and dry off. Grabbing the clothes Porter left, I recognize the pants like Hanna wears, something I’ve never worn. Putting them on without any undergarments feels like I'm breaking another rule. The sweater is warm and the size makes me think it’s a man’s. I sniff it and recognize Porter’s scent then look in the mirror, something we don’t have much of in the community. I’m not a stranger to glimpsing at the water or a window to see my reflection, but out of curiosity, not vanity. I have no idea if I’m beautiful or not. My mother used to tell me I was, but isn’t that just something they say?

  I take a deep breath and open the door to look in the bedroom. I don’t see Porter anywhere, so I walk across the room and turn that knob. I hear noises down the hallway and head toward them, still trying adjust to what seems like a completely different world. I stop at the kitchen when I see Porter holding a glass of water and fruit.

  He sees me, then walks to the table, somehow commanding me with a smile as he says, “Sit.”

  I do, making sure I take the seat with the view. “Thank you,” I tell him before taking a sip.

  “Feeling better?”

  “Much.”

  “I’m glad,” he informs me with a long look before asking, “Where are you from?”

  I take a big gulp of water, before choosing a piece of fruit. He’s patient and lets me gather my thoughts. “My name is Faye Amos, and I live in Fort Peace, in Arthur, Illinois.”

  “Fort Peace?”

  “It’s an Amish community,” I clarify and his eyes widen at that news.

  “You’re Amish?” He asks in disbelief.

  “Yes, I was walking to my friend Hanna’s farm when some men took me.”

  “Leo’s.”

  “Yes, then yours took me from them. I’m not sure when the bag was placed over my head. All I know is we stopped and there was yelling, and I was moved from one car to another, and brought to you.”

  He looks angry now, saying as if defending himself, “I never asked them to.”

  “I know that now,” I assure him quietly and he sighs.

  “Do you know Leo?”

  I shake my head instantly and tell him, “I’ve never left Fort Peace. I don’t know why some strange man would want me.”

  “Because you're beautiful and a virgin,” he says instantly, making me blush. “But it still begs the question why you specifically?”

  I shrug and continue to eat the fruit. “He’s a businessman like you?” I ask.

  He looks taken aback, then seems to think over his words before
answering, “Yes, and a thorn in my side you could say.”

  “Is kidnapping a regular part of a businessman’s day?” I joke.

  He cracks a small smile. “Not usually.”

  “So, can I go home?” I question him, yet I don’t know if that’s what I want. I still want to explore this world I found myself thrown into.

  “No,” the word comes out hard, and my eyes shoot to his. “Leo is not a good man and will be looking for you, wanting retribution for you being taken from him. You need to be protected.”

  “And you’ll do that?” I ask with a little hope in my voice.

  “Always,” he says like a vow.

  I’m still scared, but not so much of him anymore because I believe him. I can see the truth in his eyes - I’m safest with him.

  Chapter 3

  Porter

  I’m watching her, then again, I always do. It’s hard not to. She’s so goddamn beautiful and has a pure spirit that lights every corner of my dark soul, and that alone makes it impossible not to look at her.

  I've noticed she likes to stare at the view of the skyline, in awe of everything around my penthouse. Whether it be the food I order for her or hell, even my electric toothbrush.

  When she said she loved books, I bought her a Kindle. She had no idea what it was and I laughed at her expression when I told her it could hold thousands of books. She hasn’t put it down since we set it up, just curls up on the chair by the window and reads. Every day.

  I don’t know a lot about the Amish aside from the fact there are different variations and communities. Some are more open to the real world and have cell phones, but it seems Fort Peace is tiny, preferring to be closed off and Faye has never left it before.

  She's very shy, even with me. I start all our conversations, and she’s always soft spoken. But I'll take it because spending any time with her makes me feel like a king. I’ve been working in my upstairs office these last few days, loving the view it gives me of Faye. I just want to be near and gain her trust at the same time, something I'm not doing too well at. She seems to think I'm a businessman. And though I am to an extent, I don’t want to pop her little bubble with the truth and have her see me in a different way. My heart couldn’t handle seeing her scared of me any more than she already is.

  I feel like I was reborn once I laid eyes on her. Something clicked, settled, or whatever the fuck you want to call it. It’s been a very long time since I've been with a woman. I guess you could say I was a late bloomer, too busy fighting to survive, but I quickly realized how empty and meaningless it all was. I didn’t enjoy the few times I was, and I never pursued any, not that any made me look twice…until Faye. Hell, I didn’t have to look twice, she captured my attention the first time.

  I hear the elevators and I know its David. I see Faye freeze as she looks up, still a little unsure about her safety here. David walks in, giving her a wave and smile which she shyly returns. She seems so small and fragile with the skyline behind her.

  “Boss,” David says, getting my attention.

  “David,” I greet him before asking, “any news on Leo?”

  “He went underground, but we’re tracking him and some of his men. There’ve been whispers on the street though,” he tells me. “How’s Faye?” He asks, glancing at her and seeing she’s consumed with the book she’s currently reading.

  I’d get angry with him but I can see it’s nothing sexual, just concern. “She seems fine aside from being scared. She’s shy,” I tell him. “What rumors?”

  David takes a seat in front of my desk then lets out a breath. “The guy is obsessed with Faye. All he talks about is his pure virgin bride,” he scoffs.

  I growl in anger at just the thought of Leo with his hands on Faye. It makes me want to paint this town with his blood. “Why some Amish girl who lives hours from here?” I mutter to myself, though seeing her I can understand his obsession.

  “Maybe he saw her before? I’m not sure, boss, but he wants her,” David reminds me, his words not helping me calm down.

  “He’s not getting her,” I snap.

  David nods and asks, “Talked to Duke and Griffin yet?”

  I shake my head at him and tell him with a hard stare, “I want to keep Faye a secret.”

  “From them?”

  “For now.” I don’t know what I would even say at this point. Connor wasn’t wrong that Faye can be used to draw Leo out, and I could deal with him then, a plan Duke and Griffin would probably suggest too. But I’m worried about her safety and won't use her like that.

  “He has a significantly bigger group than we previously thought,” David mentions. “We need to deal with him soon.”

  “I know, I know,” I grumble and look at Faye again. “For now, capture more of his men and torture them for all the information you can get. It’ll prevent them from sabotaging us,” I order.

  “I’ll get the men on it, telling them to leave no stone unturned.”

  After he’s gone, I decide I can't wait any longer. I’ve been giving Faye space, not pressuring her to talk, but I need more. I want to know every little thing about her. When I join her, taking the seat beside her, she puts the Kindle down.

  “How are you?” This is the same question I want to know every day.

  “Fine,” she replies, her one word answer also always the same.

  “What are you reading?” I ask, trying to relax her.

  “The Wing Kingdom,” she perks up.

  “You like fairy tales,” I say, stating the obvious. “Why?”

  “When my mother went on her Rumspringa, she visited a bookshop here and fell in love with them, especially the fairy tales. Thumbelina was her favorite.” Her whole face changes when she’s talking about books. She's happy and animated, no longer scared.

  I smile and ask, “Is that what you did on yours?”

  Her beautiful smile suddenly turns sad when she admits, “I didn't go on mine.”

  “Why?” It comes out as a demand, and she jumps a little, so I lay my hand on her forearm settling her. “Sorry,” I tell her. Goddamn, I’m temporarily distracted by how soft her skin is, and I love that she doesn’t pull away as much when I touch her. “Tell me why, Faye.”

  She looks at me and I see the sadness pooling in her eyes. “My brother, Samuel, went missing during his. He was only sixteen; he never returned. We all thought he just ran away but found out later he was murdered,” she says, whimpering at the end.

  I grab her hand and slowly bring it to my mouth to kiss. “I’m so sorry. “

  She gives me a weak smile and wipes her tears before continuing, “My mother took her own life when we learned the truth and, after losing so much, my father didn’t want to risk me too, so I stayed home.”

  I can tell she doesn’t want to talk about this anymore and I don’t blame her. I can feel her pain and understand why her father tried to keep her close. She’s so innocent and soft, Chicago could eat her up. I decide to change the subject, wiping another tear that escaped then tuck her hair behind her ear and ask, “What are your hobbies?” I remain in her space, wanting her to get used to me.

  “Hobbies?” She asks, like she doesn’t understand.

  “What do you do for fun?” I clarify.

  “Well,” she replies before pausing, “I enjoy baking. It’s my job at home, and reading, of course.”

  “I can get you anything you need to bake,” I tell her instantly.

  She looks shocked at first but gives me a shy smile. “I can also cook, so you don’t need to order out every night.”

  “I don’t remember the last time I had a home-cooked meal. It was probably when Annabelle was here, and that was months ago.”

  “If you allow me, I’ll cook for you,” She says unsure of herself.

  “You can do whatever you want. I’d love it if you cook for me.” I slowly cup her face, fucking giddy when she leans into it. It’s a small step, but I’ll happily take it.

  “Thank you,” she says with a smile that w
idens when she turns to look out the window.

  “You like the view.”

  “I love it,” she whispers.

  “You want to go on the balcony?” I ask.

  Her head whips around so fast I’m worried it might spin off. “There's a balcony? We can do that?” She asks, almost like she doesn't believe me.

  “Yes,” I say with a chuckle then stand and extend my hand. “Come with me.”

  She doesn’t hesitate to jump up and take it. I lead her to the kitchen and open the sliding window to step onto the balcony. It’s warmer today, but there’s still a little chill from the wind. The night sky and the city light make a breathtaking view and Faye lets out a gasp as she leans against the railing.

  “It’s so beautiful! I’ve never seen so many buildings,” she breaths out.

  I join her at the railing, her face glowing stronger than any of the lights before us. I can't help myself and once again tuck a piece of her beautiful blonde hair in place. When she stares at me, her smile doesn’t dim and my heart picks up speed. “You're beautiful,” I tell her honestly, making her blush.

  She’s so carefree in this moment, letting me see the real version of her, the one that's not scared for her life. I will do everything in my power to keep her safe and happy. Hell, just keep her period.

  Chapter 4

  Faye-Two weeks later

  I do a little spin in front of the mirror, loving what I’m wearing, sure I’ll never get used to them. Porter had a beautiful older woman named Marie come by, and she helped me choose a whole new wardrobe. Everything was so beautiful and different, I couldn’t believe it. According to Marie, a lot of my choices were on the conservative side, but still very elegant and classy. That shocked me as they felt so revealing, yet made me feel empowered at the same time. For some weird reason, my only worry was if Porter would like them. Based upon the gleam in his eyes when he sees me every morning, he does. Today I'm wearing a long green wrap dress that hugs my body. It's sleeveless, so I throw on a white cardigan over it. I look and feel like a different person, my hair unbound, laying in waves down my back. It's free and I feel that way too.