Free Black 21: (Golden Hills Legacy of Black 21 Book 1) by Nancy Glynn Page A

pressed his lips to hers. “Please.”
    She tossed her
head back and forth to fight his kiss. “No!" Her arms were locked down to
her sides in his grip.
    “I love you,
Daisy. Be with me for eternity,” he growled in a raspy, low voice. His lips
came back down to continue his kiss.
    “Get off Daisy
now, son, or I’ll have to shoot,” Uncle Joe instructed in a calm voice.
    Dane turned and
stared at his father holding a gun aimed at him. “Have you lost your mind, old
man?" He pulled himself off of her and stood, staring in disbelief.
    She grabbed the
blankets and covered herself, watching the two men confront each other.
    “You know she
was promised to Christian. You’ve been told to leave her alone." Uncle Joe
still pointed the gun at Dane’s chest.
    “As I’ve said
before, she’s mine.”
    “I don’t know
what you mean by that, but Jack sent me to stop this, and I will, even if I
have to kill you. Don’t make me kill you, Dane,” he said in a flat voice.
“Promise me you’ll leave her alone.”
    Daisy looked at
her cousin and remembered him as a young boy with tussled blond hair, playing
with his trucks. Uncle Joe never really played with him, always ushered him
outside or told him he was busy.
    Dane craved
love anywhere he could get it, especially from his father, wanting to be
accepted. When he couldn’t get it is when he must have turned hard. Now his
father held his life in his hands as if it would mean nothing to kill his own
child.
    All for Jack
Red.
    “Uncle Joe, I’m
fine...really. Please don’t shoot Dane. This won’t happen again." She
paused, thinking of something to do. “I can go stay at Stone Manor until the
birthday. It’s big enough. I’m sure there’s a room for me to stay in until this
dance is over. Would that work?”
    Uncle Joe
contemplated her offer and smiled. “That’s a great idea, Daisy! Yes, yes. Why
didn’t I think of that earlier? I’ll call Bill and make arrangements,” he said,
still waving the gun around, looking mentally unstable.
    She had always
thought of her uncle as a strong, viral man. But this man that stood before
her? He looked like a lunatic. The thought of leaving this house made her heart
sing.
    He turned to
Dane. “You’re one lucky man, Dane. You should be kissing your cousin’s feet.
She saved you from yourself." Uncle Joe turned and left the room to call
William Stone.
    Dane turned to
her and said in a dry voice. “He’s right, Daisy. You saved my life. But will
you be here to save his?” Dane asked.
    “What does that
mean, Dane?" Worry etched her face.
    “Nothing."
He walked to the door and turned back to her. “Maybe you’ll see what really
goes on in Stone Manor and the real Christian in all his glory. You better wear
your cross at all times, Daisy. At least with me you know what you’re
getting." He closed the door and left her to her own thoughts.
     
    ***
     
    Daisy drove
through the black elaborate gates that led through to a fountain of what looked
like gargoyles surrounding a circular marble pond, giving it a dark gothic
appearance. She didn’t really notice this yesterday when she was here, but now
the sun sparkled on every aspect of this magnificent home.
    It was almost
as if dark angels guarded it in statuesque form, perched atop the house, on the
porch, on the gate, glowering from their stoned masks. Luminescent columns held
their position underneath the balcony overlooking the piazza, a gargoyle
standing guard on each end of the dazzling, expansive porch.
    The double
doors opened and James bounced down to carry her baggage. Christian sauntered
behind him with a huge grin, swinging his arms wide to welcome her. His
sensual, dark looks against the stark white structure stunned her as if seeing
him for the first time. She paused, drinking in his beauty, before returning to
her belongings. Popping the trunk open, she went to help him. “No, ma’am. I’ll
get it,” James insisted, putting his hand up.
    “Thank