A Beauty So Beastly Read online

  I yanked the bathroom door open. “I want steak. Rare,” I growled, interrupting Celeste. The words came out before I could think about them. I wasn’t a big meat eater. But today meat was all I could think about. I was ravenous for it.

  Celeste hesitated slightly, eyeing me and then the fruit and then me again. “Yes, Miss Beatrice.”

  I went into my closet.

  “I’ll let Mrs. Dotts know right away,” Celeste continued.

  “That’ll be fine,” I hollered, scanning the closet, trying to remember how I got from the wine cellar to my bedroom. There were suits on the floor, including the red one I wore yesterday.

  I heard my door open. “Celeste, can you come in here a moment?”

  There was a clattering of utensils and I realized she’d been taking my tray of fruit with her. “Yes?” She entered empty handed.

  “Did you help me change?” The last I remembered I was being cut to pieces by wine bottles. An enormous light fell on me, cracking my head open. The feeling as the heavy light hit my head, and the way the glass cut my skin was still fresh in my mind. A quick check in the mirror verified I didn’t have a single scratch.

  “Yes, miss.”

  I caught her gaze in one of the many mirrors in my closet. Celeste was an older woman, probably in her late forties. She had mousy brown hair, a few wrinkles, and a firm worker’s body under her uniform of gray skirt, white shirt, tights, and practical gray shoes. At least her body wasn’t soft like some of the other servants. “How did I look?” It frightened me to think about how I got from the wine cellar to my room. And the curse? Why had Greg cursed me? And what was the curse? I forced myself not to think about the way I saw Greg change from a hot college guy to a dark mist.

  “Tired. You appeared to be almost asleep where you stood.” She went over and picked up the swimming suits I’d tried on yesterday and began folding them.

  “They’ve been on the floor, the suits need to be washed,” I snapped.

  “Yes, Miss Cavanaugh.” She set them in the laundry basket.

  “I was wearing a crown yesterday, remember?”

  “Of course. It is very beautiful.”

  “I know. Where did you put it?”

  “Right here.” Celeste opened the cupboard above the drawers. The crown sat on the mannequin head.

  She leaned in closer. I heard her suck in her breath.

  “What is it?” I asked, ready for her to go and get me my freaking steak. My hunger grew stronger by the second. It was possible I might be able to eat two.

  “The red jewel in the center? It’s gone.” Her voice had gone soft and her eyes flicked back and forth.

  I peered closer. She was right.

  “That diamond is worth eight million dollars, Celeste. You’d better find it.”

  The maid got on her hands and knees, searching under the drawers and all along the edges. I casually glanced around the closet as well. When Celeste finished, she stood, but kept her head bowed. “It isn’t here.”

  “Was it on my head when I came upstairs?” I went over to my makeup desk and peered around the bottles and containers.

  She seemed to think about it. And that’s when I knew. “You stole the diamond, didn’t you?” I slapped her face. “You think you can steal from me and get away with it?”

  “N—No, Miss Cavanaugh. I didn’t take the diamond. I wouldn’t do that.” I let out a roar. It felt good, right. “You’re lying!” I reached out and twisted my fist into the collar of her white button down shirt, lifting her off the floor. A part of my mind wanted to be shocked at my newfound strength, but my fury overpowered everything else. “Tell me the truth or so help me . . .” I let the sentence die in my throat. So help me what? What would I do to her? Kill her? Just that thought sent my mind into a whirlwind. I didn’t understand what was going on inside my head.

  “Swear—No—Diamonds.” Her words came out in gasps and her fingers dug at my fist. I was choking her. That was clear by the change from cream to purple on her face. If she died it would serve her right. Stealing wasn’t something I accepted with any sort of leniency.

  When I was fourteen one of my friends stole a necklace from me and claimed I’d given it to her. I made her pay until her family finally moved out of state.

  “Please.” Tears lined her lashes and leaked down her cheeks. One dripped on my arm. I watched as it slowly crawled up my skin. Its perfectly round wetness sparkled in the light. A figure appeared within the tear. I peered closer and saw a hideous beast.

  Forcing down a scream, I took a deep breath and dropped her. “Fine.” She fell in a heap to the floor, taking giant gasps and coughing. “But I’m going to call the police.”

  ***

  It didn’t take long for the police to arrive. When I explained the situation, they placed Celeste under arrest and took her away in handcuffs. She was sobbing, still claiming her innocence. I knew better. She’d always seemed overly polite and hard working. No one could be that decent.

  Mrs. Dotts and Isaac watched the situation unfold from the front porch. Mrs. Dotts hugged Celeste. “Good-bye.” She wiped her face and glared at me.

  “You have something to say?” I asked, returning Mrs. Dotts’ sad gaze with daggers of my own.

  “No, Miss Cavanaugh.”

  “I didn’t think so. Bring a rare steak to my room.”

  “Yes, Miss Cavanaugh.” Her voice was laced with disappointment.

  “Hurry up,” I snapped, climbing the steps and walking past her and Isaac into the house. “And make it two,” I added. I trudged up the stairs to my room.

  My cell phone vibrated as soon as I opened my bedroom door. It had been placed upside down on my bedside table. I picked it up. It was a voice message from my mom. I debated whether to listen or not, but after a few seconds decided I should.

  “Hello, Beatrice. This is your mother.” Her voice sounded strange. Garbled. Scared. “We’ve gone away for the summer. Your dad and I need some time away from . . . everything.” She’d paused and I knew the word “everything” was code for me. They wanted to get away from me. “I’m sure you’ll have a great time on your own. You’re all grown up now.” She sniffled and I wondered if she were crying, which was impossible. I’d never seen my mom shed a single tear. I didn’t remember her ever being sick either so it couldn’t be a cold. She cleared her throat. “You may start to experience some changes.” That part bothered me the most. Changes? What kinds of freaking changes? “Seek out the Vaktare histories.” Then I heard my father interrupt from the background. “You’ve said too much. Hang up.” Mom sighed. “Take care, Beatrice.” Then she was gone.

  I flung myself onto my bed, smacking my head on something. “Ouch.” Reaching back, I wrapped my fingers around the culprit and brought it up to eye level.

  “Shit.” It was the large red diamond from my tiara. I guess she didn’t steal it, I thought, a strange feeling washing over me. I shook it off, pressing the Play button on my O-phone so I could listen to my mom’s message again. How could they just leave? Sure they’d never been the most loving of parents, but at least they normally said good-bye. And what was Vack-tare?

  A knock at my bedroom door interrupted my thoughts.

  “Go away,” I hollered even though it was probably Mrs. Dotts with my steak and I was starving.

  There was another knock. “Sorry, miss. There’s a gentleman at the front door and he’s made it clear he won’t go away until he speaks to you.” It was Isaac. If he’d come up, then it must be serious.

  “Oh, for hell’s sake.” My breathing came more heavily. “Okay. I’ll be down in a few minutes. Put him in the main room.”

  “Yes, Miss Beatrice.”

  I stood, considering what to do with the diamond. A wholly unique feeling crept around my heart. It was barely there, like it was tiptoeing, testing what my heart would do with such an emotion. I rejected it.

  In my closet I got on my knees and pushed aside my pants. Feeling for the button, I pushed it, reveali
ng a hidden safe. Entering my code, I put the diamond inside. Then I took off my clothes and went into the bathroom to shower. When I was finished, I dressed in a pair of jean shorts, a butter yellow tank top and Prada wedge sandals.

  I went to my bedroom door and pulled it open to call for Celeste to do my hair and makeup. That’s when I remembered she wasn’t around anymore. I’d sent her to jail. “Dammit!” I went into the bathroom and brushed my hair. It was wet and tangled and I got the bristles caught in it. When I finally got it untangled, I quickly braided my hair, securing the end with a tie. Then I applied some makeup. My eye shadow was too dark, my blush too light and in all the wrong places, and my lip-gloss was the wrong color. “Gah!”

  Whoever the jerk downstairs was, I would make him pay for insisting on speaking with me. Me. No one ordered anything from me. Not from Beatrice Cavanaugh.

  I stomped down the stairs and walked into the living room. “Where is he?” I demanded of Isaac, searching the room. My butler stood beside fireplace.

  “Good afternoon, Miss Beatrice. May I present Adam Haddox?”

  From the golden high back chair directly in front of me stood a man. He stepped around the chair and I couldn’t help but admire him, drink him in like he was water and I was parched. He appeared to be more god than man. He was tall with piercing light blue eyes and blond hair. His body was fit, beyond fit. He caught hold of my gaze. I saw a slight tremor of his lips as he took in the color of my eyes. But he recovered quickly and smiled, making his already glorious face come alive.

  “Hello, Beatrice. May I speak with you?” He glanced at Isaac. “Privately?”

  Seek Revenge

  Three

  “That’ll be fine.” I nodded to Isaac, letting him know it was okay.

  “If you need me, I’ll be right outside.” He slid the pocket doors shut, leaving Adam and me alone.

  I swallowed, forcing away another new feeling, like fireworks going off in my stomach. The buzzing I’d experienced yesterday was back. It pounded against my head, like a raging herd of horses. The throbbing pressed against my eyes. My pulse raced and it was all I could do to walk past him and sit on the love seat across from him.

  “What do you want?” I asked, trying to force away the pain by focusing on my surroundings.

  The room was on the smaller side. It was normally used to entertain guests in a formal setting. Adam stood in front of one of two gold high back chairs. There was the love seat I sat on and to my right was a large stark white couch. It was directly opposite the tall rock fireplace. Above the fireplace ticked a large glass clock with onyx pieces. Behind the couch were three floor-to-ceiling windows. White curtains with gold and black polka dots hung at either side. Potted plants and lamps decorated the corners, the end tables, and the coffee table between Adam and me. A baby grand piano stood regally behind the love seat. And two straight back gold and black chairs were placed in front of it. A small table with a chess set sat between them.

  My knees bobbed up and down, a reaction to the pain, I guessed. It was like my body had a mind of its own. I put my hands on my knees to stop the movement, and noticed my fingers were trembling.

  What’s happening to me?

  I swallowed.

  “You recently accused my mom of stealing—” Adam’s piercing eyes swept over me. “A diamond.” His crossed his arms.

  I couldn’t help but admire him. While my body raged with an unknown storm, he was calm as a hot summer day. If someone had accused my mother of stealing I would seek revenge. Yet, all I saw in his eyes was compassion.

  His blond hair was thick and wavy and a little on the long side. He sat up straight, showing off his broad shoulders and tapered waist. He had loafers on his feet, but he wasn’t wearing socks. His appearance seemed kind of prissy, yet everything about him screamed alpha male. He was older but no more than twenty-five. “Celeste is your mom?” The words came out shaky.

  “That’s right.” Adam leaned forward. “I’ve come to ask you to drop the charges. She didn’t do what you accused her of. She wouldn’t.”

  That irritated me. “So you think I lied? That I blamed her out of spite?” How dare he? Regardless of whether or not it was true. The arrogant ass had no right. “How about I have you arrested . . .” I stood. The world started to spin. My hands went out as I tried to balance myself. “For harassment . . .” A thick darkness covered my vision. I couldn’t see anything except two white lights. And then I hit the floor.

  “Hey, Beatrice. Are you okay?” I felt his arms come under my body. He gently lifted me.

  The pain subsided slightly. I wasn’t sure why. I opened my eyes. “Put me down.”

  “Sure. Sorry.”

  When I was on my feet¸ I pushed him away. “Don’t ever touch me again.”

  I carefully sat and watched as Adam went over to his chair. “I’m sorry if I upset you.” His eyes softened. “I’m not calling you a liar, Beatrice.”

  When my name left his lips, it sent a hot quiver down my spine. I internally shook it off. He was the son of a servant. I was royalty. The man was beneath me. I glared.

  “My mom told me you strangled her.” He flinched as though he felt her pain. “I’ve seen the bruises.”

  Another wave unfamiliar emotion—guilt, my mind said—racked through me. It was true. I had strangled her. But it was her fault. She’d obviously misplaced the diamond and tried to cover up her insolence. No freaking way I’d tell him that. Or that I’d found it. The man didn’t deserve any kind of generosity and neither did his mom. So she hadn’t stolen the diamond, I had no doubt she was dishonest.

  I decided his kindness was actually arrogance and that would not be tolerated.

  For your vanity . . .

  The words entered my mind. I clenched my fists. I was not vain.

  Your cruelty, and your cold unfeeling heart . . .

  I wasn’t cruel or cold. Adam was the one who was cold and cruel. He was the one who’d come to me, questioned me like a common criminal.

  A curse I leave upon you . . .

  I would curse Adam. I would make him suffer. The way I suffer. A plan formed. I smiled. “Call me Miss. Cavanaugh.” I pretended not to notice his thoughtful grin.

  “Very well, Miss Cavanaugh.”

  More fireworks went off in my stomach.

  “I’ll drop the charges. On one condition.” I placed my hands on my hips, ignoring the pain in my head and focusing on the plan.

  Adam’s face lifted. Hope revealed itself on his handsome face. I would use it against him. Hurt him, whatever it took.

  “What is your condition?” he asked.

  “You must agree to live here and take her place as my personal servant.”

  Adam leaned back, surprised by my demand. “Why would you want that?”

  I bit back a trembling smile. It would be such fun to break him. Anger piled on top of more anger. But I wouldn’t let him know he was affecting me. I put my hands behind my back. “My reasons are none of your concern. If you agree, I will have the charges against your mom dropped, and she can go free. But you must sign a contract agreeing to live here and be my servant until such time as I release you, and not a second before.”

  Adam growled. It was low and barely discernable. But I heard it. “I appreciate your offer, Miss Cavanaugh. I’d like to take a day to consider it and get my affairs in order.” His handsome features, while still gentle, became pinched. “If that’s what I decide.”

  Affairs. I wanted to snort. No one talked like that. Instead, I said, “Fine. But if you agree, you’ll be here to do my hair and apply my makeup by—” I glanced at the clock. “Eleven tomorrow morning. Once the contract is signed, I’ll make the call and have your mom released.” I crossed my arms, feeling proud of myself.

  Adam crossed his arms as well. His delicious lips twitched. I wondered if he was mocking me. “Why would you want me to apply your makeup or do your hair? Those things . . .” He let out another growl. “I don’t know what I’m doing. It’
ll end horribly.”

  I smiled for some reason, unable to help myself. A peculiar new feeling crept along my spine, like a winding rose reaching for the light. “That’s what your mom did and it’ll be one of your responsibilities too. I guess you’ll need to learn and fast.”

  Adam raised an eyebrow. “You’re foolish,” he said, so soft I wondered if he’d said it aloud or if I only thought he’d said it.

  “It’s the only way I’ll drop the charges. Take it or leave it.” I released his gaze and glanced out the window. “What’s it going to be, Adam?” I said his name with sarcasm.

  “Fine.” He rose quickly and opened the pocket doors. “I’ll be back tomorrow morning.”

  “See you then.” I felt a strange urge to giggle. It went against everything I’d ever known about myself so I resisted, leaning back, closing my eyes. The buzzing had subsided, but my pulse seemed to be going the same speed as that of a hummingbird. My palms were sweating too, which never happened. That was gross and so unbecoming of a Cavanaugh. My mom especially would be horrified. I wiped my palms on my jeans, curious about my bizarre reaction to Adam. He was arrogant. Completely rude. And I would crush him. I would make him pay. I would make him wish he’d never stepped foot inside my world.

  Isaac walked in. “I’ve shown Mr. Haddox to the door. Is there anything you need?”

  “Yes, there is.” I sat up straight. “The small room in the basement needs to be readied as well as the bathroom. Stock it with things a man might require, but don’t go overboard. Keep it simple. Adam will be staying with us for a while and those two rooms will be for his use.”

  Isaac crunched his unruly brows, perplexed. “If he is to be your guest, wouldn’t you rather he stay in the large room across the hall from your bedroom?”

  “He isn’t going to be my guest. He’s going to be my servant,” I said.

  “Yes, miss.” He pulled at the edges of his vest with both gloved hands, something he did when he was nervous or irritated. “Will there be anything else?”