Claimed by the Crown Heir novel Chapter 17

The bitter autumn wind swept up the fallen leaves, cutting right through to the bone.

Vanessa pulled her coat tighter around herself, staring up at the pitch-black sky, her eyes rimmed with red.

Just as she stepped to the curb to hail a cab, a rough hand suddenly clamped over her mouth and nose. The cloying, chemical stench of chloroform flooded her senses, bringing an overwhelming wave of dizzying suffocation. Her strength drained instantly, and the streetlights blurred into hazy streaks of color.

Within seconds, her world faded to black.

When she regained consciousness, she found herself in an unfamiliar bedroom.

She was completely paralyzed, completely devoid of energy.

Footsteps echoed outside the room, and a second later, the door swung open.

Three shirtless men swaggered in, their eyes raking over her body with undisguised, predatory lust.

The ringleader crouched down, his calloused fingers reaching out to tug at her collar, his tone sleazy and mocking.

"Look at her. No wonder she's Mr. Lowery's woman. Stunning."

One of the other men let out a crude laugh, his gaze sickeningly slimy.

"We hit the jackpot tonight, boys. Taking a ride with a girl like this is a once-in-a-lifetime deal."

"I hear she's never even been touched. That makes it even better."

"Nobody gets in my way. I am going first!"

"Why the hell do you get to go first? You always snag the best cut."

"How about we all go at once?"

The three men exchanged filthy, knowing grins, pinning her down with their repulsive stares.

Vanessa's pupils shrank to pinpricks, absolute terror gripping her chest in a suffocating hold. Panic poured from her eyes.

Amidst that crushing terror, Lucas had been her savior, shattering the darkness like a beacon of light.

But this time, Lucas wasn't coming.

She squeezed her eyes shut in absolute misery, waiting for the devastating nightmare to unfold.

Crash!

The flimsy wooden door was violently kicked open, slamming against the wall with a deafening bang.

Instantly, the brutal thuds of fists connecting with bone filled the room, accompanied by agonizing shrieks that quickly faded into groans within seconds.

Vanessa's eyelashes fluttered. Her trembling fingers clutched at her shirt as she slowly forced her heavy eyelids open.

Silhouetted against the light, a tall, imposing figure strode rapidly toward her. His terrifying, lethal aura was still radiating off him, yet the moment his eyes landed on her, it softened drastically.