A Debt Repaid Read online

  A Debt Repaid

  Clarissa Wild

  Contents

  License Notes

  More Books by Clarissa Wild

  Description

  Music Playlist

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Epilogue

  Excerpt of Caged

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  More Books by Clarissa Wild

  About Clarissa Wild

  License Notes

  A Debt Repaid © 2019 Clarissa Wild

  Copy Editing by Editing4Indies

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, places, organizations, or person, whether living or dead, is entirely coincidental. All characters in this book are eighteen years of age or older.

  License Notes

  This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to the retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  More Books by Clarissa Wild

  Standalones

  Mr. X

  Twenty-One (21)

  Ultimate Sin

  Viktor

  Father

  Dark Romance

  Delirious Series

  Stalker & Killer (prequel to Stalker)

  Wicked Bride Games & Dirty Wife Games

  Savage Men Series: Caged & Locked & Chased & Branded & Hanged

  New Adult

  Fierce Series

  Blissful Series

  Ruin

  Erotic Romance

  The Billionaire’s Bet Series

  Enflamed Series

  Bad Teacher & Bad Boss

  Hotel O

  Visit Clarissa Wild on Amazon for current titles.

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  Description

  He stole my hand, but I won’t let him steal my heart.

  On the worst day of my life, I was given away by my own blood.

  Sold to a handsome bad guy in exchange for my father’s debt.

  Easton Van Buren claimed me and locked me up in his mansion.

  That devilish man wanted more than just my body,

  So I ran.

  But when a rich man’s prized possession escapes,

  he’ll do anything he can to get her back into his claws.

  Anything he can to entice her heart to fall for him …

  And submit.

  Book Two of The Debt Duet. Please read A Debt Owed first.

  Music Playlist

  “Six Feet Under” by Billie Eilish

  “Lovely” by Billie Eilish ft. Khalid

  “I Love You” by Billie Eilish

  “When The Party Is Over” by Billie Eilish

  “Hostage” by Billie Eilish

  “Bad Man” by Esterly ft. Austin Jenckes

  “Undertow (Unplugged)” by Cut_

  “Slip Away” by Ruelle

  “Game of Survival” by Ruelle

  “Hurts So Good” by Ruelle

  “Ending” by Isak Danielson

  “Trampoline” by SHAED

  “I Will Fall For You” by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui & Woodkid

  “Kamikazee (Stripped)” by MISSIO

  “Black Roses” by MISSIO

  “Young And Beautiful” by Lana Del Rey

  Chapter 1

  Easton

  Charlotte … my fucking princess … was a filthy, cheating thief. Stealing my precious notebook? I have to admit, I never expected her to pull something like this. After everything I did for her to make her life as pleasant as possible, after all the kisses and pleasurable touches, this is how she repays me? By taking a notebook I’d retrieved from her apartment?

  Goddamn that woman for getting her hands on the key. I should’ve known she’d distract me. Was it her plan all along to seduce me so she could steal it away from me? No wonder she switched from being silent to a sudden vixen. She already knew she was going to take my key.

  Fucking smartass girl, stealing what belongs to me. Doesn’t she know it’s dangerous to play these games with me? Or did she think she could get away with it? Not a fucking chance.

  I would’ve found out regardless because I check the notebook daily to help me dig deeper into her interests and passions. And fuck me, I wasn’t even here to see the look on her face when she realized I’d taken it from her apartment.

  That notebook belongs to me now, and I will get it back, one way or another. She’ll pay for what she’s done.

  “Come home. Now,” I bark to Jill through the phone.

  “Um, sorry, sir, but I can’t,” Jill replies with a jittery voice.

  “What do you mean you can’t?” I shout.

  “Sir …” She pauses. “You might want to sit down for this one.”

  Sit down? I can’t fucking sit down. I can’t even stop pacing due to the adrenaline coursing through my veins. “Just tell me what the fuck’s going on.”

  “Charlotte has …” She pauses again and sucks in a breath. “Escaped.”

  “WHAT?!” The vessels in my eyes almost burst.

  My Charlotte … escaped? No, it can’t fucking be true.

  “I’m sorry, sir,” Jill rambles. “It wasn’t supposed to happen. I was checking the clothes, and then the cashier talked to her, and somehow—”

  “I don’t need a rundown, Jill. Where is she?” I ask bluntly.

  “I … can’t find her,” she mutters, crying a little. “I’m so sorry, sir.”

  “Stop. You can cry later. Find her. Now.”

  “She stabbed the guard accompanying us. She was rabid and so fast. She could be anywhere by now.”

  “Then start looking. I don’t want you to call me again until you’ve found her,” I growl, and then I hang up the phone.

  Rage makes me grab the nearest books and rip them to pieces, throwing them on the floor.

  “Fuck!” I scream, kicking the chair. But nothing can curb the anger circling through my body.

  If she’s truly gotten away, she could be anywhere. Hell, if she grabbed a cab, she could be across the border within three hours. And then I’d probably never see her again.

  I can’t let that happen.

  I have to fucking find her, no matter the cost.

  * * *

  Using one of my other cars, I make my way to the store Jill indicated. She’s standing outside the door, clutching her phone while waiting for me. I barrel toward her and grab her by the coat.

  “Did you find her?”

  She shakes her head, and my heart sinks into my shoes.

  I release Jill and pace around the area to look for Charlotte, but there’s no way I’m gonna find her now. Ten minutes
have already passed, if not more. She could’ve gone anywhere.

  “Why? Why did you let this happen?” I hiss at Jill.

  “I’m sorry, she … slipped out,” she explains, and her eyes tear up.

  “That’s no excuse, and you know it,” I say.

  “Well, maybe you should’ve been nicer to her,” she blurts out, but then she immediately covers her mouth.

  I narrow my eyes. “What did you say?”

  “I’m just saying … If you’d treated her nicer, she might’ve actually wanted to stay.” She gulps, and rightfully so. It’s taking everything I have right now not to fire her, but this is Jill we’re talking about. She’s been with me from day one. The only one who believed in me when I told her I was going to grow my business into an empire. She’s been my assistant for as long as I can remember.

  Grinding my teeth, I turn away for a moment so I can think.

  “I shouldn’t have said that,” she mutters under her breath.

  “No, you’re right,” I say, sighing out loud. “I thought she was finally warming up to me and getting used to the idea of being my wife, but apparently, it was all in my head.” My hand forms a fist, and I find it hard to resist the urge to punch the wall. “She only came close so she could steal my key … and the notebook.”

  “I’m sorry for letting her escape. I truly am,” Jill mutters. “I know you can’t ever forgive me, and I’m not asking that, but I will make it up to you. I promise.”

  “Stop,” I say, holding up my hand. “Stop apologizing.”

  The shock on her face turns to a gentle smile. “I … wish I had done better.”

  “I know you do,” I say while I rub my forehead. “But it happened, and now we have to deal with it.”

  “I already called Nick and told him to send out an alert to all your contacts.”

  My pupils dilate. “You didn’t tell them she’s a—”

  “Prisoner?” she fills in for me. “Of course not, sir.”

  I breathe a sigh of relief. “Good.”

  I couldn’t take people realizing I’m a sadist on top of the fact that Charlotte’s escaped. That’s a little too much to handle right now. I need to focus on one thing and one thing only, and that’s finding her alive, no matter what it takes. I’ll deal with the aftermath later.

  “We need to start a search. Call every staff member and every assistant I’ve ever had. I don’t care what they’re doing, offer them more,” I tell Jill, who’s still clutching her phone as if her life depends on it.

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Tell them to look for a girl clutching a notebook.”

  “Why do you keep mentioning that notebook?” Jill frowns. “Is it that important?”

  “It’s why she fled, probably.” I lick my lips and grab her shoulders. “Just do what I ask, please.”

  The added please makes her nod and smile. “Yes, sir. I’ll do whatever I can to get her back to you, I promise.”

  I nod and take a deep breath.

  Now’s not the time to fall for the rage coursing through my veins.

  Charlotte’s out there … alone and afraid … searching for comfort and a home to come back to. All I need to do is find her.

  The hunt is on.

  Chapter 2

  Charlotte

  Through the city streets, I run as fast as I can in my long white slanted-shoulder dress and high heels. People stare at me wherever I go, but I don’t know if it’s because of the ridiculously fancy outfit or the way I’m running.

  I’ve never fled something this fast, never knew my legs could take me as far as they are. Running on pure adrenaline right now, I don’t even know where I’m going. I just know I need to get away from that store and away from Jill.

  The shock and horror on her face replay over and over in my mind as my feet take me someplace I’ve never been. A sudden wave of guilt washes over me because he will likely punish Jill for letting me go.

  I pause for a moment.

  Should I go back?

  No, I’ve come too far and sacrificed too much to turn back.

  The moment I stole that lady’s key and went out that door, I made my decision. I need to stick to it, no matter the cost.

  I need to get away from him—Easton Van Buren, my husband, my tormentor—but at what price?

  My lungs feel as though they’re about to burst from running so hard. When I can’t take it any longer, I stop and bend over to catch my breath. Oxygen fills me, but the longer I remain still, the more jittery I become. Though my body is high on the adrenaline that comes with escaping my captor, it’s clouding my mind too. I haven’t thought any of this through.

  What will happen to my father now that I’m no longer in Easton’s possession?

  Will Easton have him killed?

  And the rest of my family too?

  That thought alone makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

  Just because I don’t have the best relationship with my father and brother doesn’t mean they’re not still my family. Somewhere deep down inside, I still love them a tiny bit, and that tiny bit is enough to break me both physically and mentally. Sinking down onto my heels somewhere in an alley, I wrap my arms around my legs. For the first time in forever, I take a moment to think … to breathe, and to come to my senses.

  To realize that I’m finally out of that wretched mansion and free to roam the world again.

  But where do I go? Back to my father and brother, so I can warn them and keep them safe?

  No, they’d send me back to Easton and force me to stay with him so they can keep their dignity … and their lives. They’d barter me in exchange for more wealth if they had to. My father’s done it before, and I don’t doubt he raised my brother the same way. I don’t even know why I care that Easton would kill them. After all, they gave me away in a heartbeat.

  Still, none of that changes my current situation.

  Sighing, I look out onto the streets at the people living normal lives like normal people do. I can’t blend in wearing these clothes with these shoes and with my experience. I’ll never fit in.

  If these people knew who I was married to, they’d drag me back there for a hefty reward. And this ring on my finger gives everything away.

  I peel it off like dead weight and cast it away from me. The ring tumbles through a drain in the middle of the street and clatters into the sewers. Good fucking riddance.

  But what do I do now? How do I survive on my own? If I can’t go to my family, where do I go? Who do I turn to in this country where I don’t know a soul? I’ve got no one here in the Netherlands—no one except Easton Van Buren—and I’m never going back to him. I’d rather sit here all by myself in this alley.

  My clothes begin to itch, and I realize then that I’m still carrying the notebook in my underwear. I fish it out and readjust my clothes while I stare at it. All this trouble just because of this notebook.

  I flip through the pages, but the words don’t read like my own. They read like they were written by a teenager, a girl with no clue about the real world. God, I was so gullible.

  I chuck it into a trash bin up ahead where it belongs. I should’ve done that before I went to the store with Jill instead of holding onto it just because it was mine.

  At least now Easton won’t be able to use my thoughts and ideas against me.

  As I gaze up, the sky opens up, and rain starts to pour down. “Oh, great …”

  Not only am I lost in an unfamiliar country without a place to stay and without any access to money, but now my clothes will get wet too. I shake off the drops as they fall, but the more I move, the more soaked my dress gets until it sticks to my skin like glue.

  I should find someplace to stay. Maybe a hotel will be generous and let me stay the night. At least then I can take a warm shower and maybe grab some fresh clothes from someone. Something that looks a little less ridiculous and over the top.

  I should at least give it a try, so I take a deep breath and get up. Walkin
g out of that alley in soaked clothes puts a damper on my spirit, but I can handle this. It’s only rain. I’m not stuck in that house anymore like some pet on a leash. I can go wherever I want and do whatever I want.

  First thing’s first … find a hotel that’ll let me in for the night.

  Despite the stares, I do my best to fit into the crowd as I walk around the city and enter the first hotel I can find. However, from the moment I step inside, I get nasty looks. It doesn’t help that the first few I come across are four-star hotels.

  The first hotel that doesn’t bounce me immediately is the fifth in the line of hotels I’ve visited, but I guess five’s a charm. I keep a smile on my face at all times as I approach the front desk.

  “Hi,” I say, assuming he speaks English. “Can I get a room, please?”

  “Of course, ma’am,” the man behind the desk says. “What kind of room are you looking for?”

  “Any is fine. Whatever you can give me.”

  He narrows his eyes and places a form in front of me. “We accept credit cards only.”

  My lips part as I stare at him while he looks at my soggy dress with furrowed brows. We’re both searching for the non-existent pockets because I have no bag, and there’s no way I could carry a credit card like this. And he’s right. I have nothing to pay him with except gratitude.

  “I … I don’t have any,” I say with a weak voice.

  He makes a face. “I’m sorry, ma’am. I wish we could take cash, but—”

  “I don’t have that either,” I interrupt, and I lean over the counter. “But I will pay it back. I promise.” I bite my lip and stare at him with big eyes, hoping to appeal to his noble side.

  “I’m sorry, but we—”

  “Please, I have nowhere else to stay. Don’t you have a tiny room? Just a single bed and shower, nothing else? I’ll take anything you can give me.”