James' POV

I grunted out my release and hung my head down for a few seconds. Victoria slung an arm over her eyes and let little pants of air hit me in the face as she worked on catching her breath. I rolled over and slicked my hair back. I grabbed a cigar from the side table and lit it. I blew the smoke up to the ceiling.

Victoria rolled over to snuggle into my side. I rolled my eyes as she rubbed her hand up and down my chest. Why must she cling to me after I fuck her?

"How was that?" She whispered into my ear. I let her take a drag from my cigar before I took it back and placed it rightfully between my lips.

"Don't I always give you the same response? It was okay. The same as any other time." Her eyes narrowed and her lips formed into a tight line.

"Anything else I can do for you?" She made her voice breathy and slipped her hand under the sheet covering my bottom half. I yanked her hand away and threw it over her stomach.

"No." She clutched the sheet to her chest and glared at me as I got up and tugged my trousers on.

"Why are you always in such a hurry to leave?" She whined. I looked over my shoulder at her.

"I have to work. Unlike some people, I have important things to do and have more money to make. My wedding is also this evening." Speaking of money. I fished out some coins from my pocket and slapped them down on the table.

"I work, you asshole!" She seethed. The bed creaked as she got up and wrapped a robe around her.

"Being a whore isn't working." She got into my face and spit flew as she yelled at me.

"You prick! This is all I can do!" She grabbed the coins and counted them. "This isn't enough! You're rich. Don't be cheap!'

I raised my brows at her. "Aren't you?"

I saw her hand coming a mile away. I grabbed her wrist in my hand and squeezed.

"Don't you dare," I spit. She yanked away and flicked her red curls out of her face.

"If I'm so cheap, then why do you keep coming back? You have a perfect virgin girl at home that could use a good shagging!" I ignored her as I finished dressing. I looked in the mirror on the wall and smoothed my hair back. I took the cigar between my lips and shoved it between hers. I didn't look back and heard something hit the door as I closed it behind me.

I got to the bank and greedily eyed the bags of money brought in and set on counters. I went to my office and sat back in my chair. I lit another cigar and stared at all the papers strewn across my desk. So many people to talk to and take their money. People don't realize how tiring it is to gain people's trust and steal their cash. I laughed and blew smoke from my mouth. I also had to be home in time to have Isabella become my wife in front of a pastor. No one else, fast and easy. Have it over and done with.

I looked up at the knock on my door and beckoned the tall man into my office. He shut the door behind him and rubbed his hands together. I didn't like the look on his face.

"What is it?" He swallowed thickly.

"One of your maids informed me that Isabella is nowhere to be found. They got a messenger to check her father's home and her horse is gone also." He tried to keep his voice steady, but I could hear the tremor in it. I took a deep breath and walked over to my cabinet. I poured a small glass of scotch and enjoyed the burn the liquid left on the way down.

"So she's gone? Took the fucking horse and left?" My voice was calm as I gripped the glass tight and I pressed my teeth against the cigar. Felix looked around nervously.

"Well her clothing are still in her armoire, but she is gone from the property. The maids saw her to bed last night, but was gone when they woke her for breakfast."

That selfish bitch.

I finished off my drink and resisted the urge to slam it down until it was in hundreds of pieces at my feet.

"So she brought no clothing or food?" Felix shook his head.

"The wedding dress is untouched?" He nodded nervously.

"Stupid girl," I muttered. "Go back to the house and pack whatever you need. Get the rest of my men and get the horses and dogs ready. I'll be home soon."

"You're taking this quite easy, sir." I dismissed him with a wave of my hand.

She'll realize what a big mistake she made once I have her back. That was the only thought that kept me in control as I left my office. I talked to some of my employees and got my meetings set back. I made no eye contact as I left and set out to my next destination.

I slammed the door open to the Swan's home. The dust stirred up, but I ignored that as I marched down the hallway and stepped into the room that used to belong to Isabella. Everything was covered in dust, obvious that nothing had been moved since the house was abandoned. The whole house was drowning in it along with bugs and rodents. I walked out with a sneer.

"Oh, Isabella. Where have you run off to?"

~.~

"Sir-" I pushed the maid out of my way and walked into my office to see the rest of my men. They stood up straighter and had sacks all thrown over their shoulders.

"I'm going to make this short. You guys get on those horses and make those dogs track her down, you understand me?" They all nodded.

"I don't care if she gets hurt on her way here. She just needs to be alive so that I can marry her. Have some fun with her for all I care. Just bring her back alive! Send the messenger to me once you find her. Don't touch her right away." I ground my teeth together as they all stood there like they had no idea what to do. I slammed my hand down on my desk.

"Go!" They disappeared from my sight and I heard the dogs barking soon after.

I gripped my hands almost painfully behind me and stared out the window behind my desk. I watched the horses run off with the men on their backs and the dogs running close behind.

Isabella won't know what hit her. The thought put a smile on my face.

James - 27