“And I’d love to kiss you,” he murmurs, his lips brushing over my neck. “I can barely think about anything else since I’ve met you, but Logan wouldn’t be too happy about it. You should also think about what I’ve told you first. Decide if you’re okay with it, and tomorrow, we’ll talk about it together with Logan. Sounds good, baby?”
Sure, because I was already so calm and collected talking about the topic with Max.
“Yeah,” I reply quietly, trying hard to ignore the heat building in my stomach.
9
LILY
Excessive yawning turned out to be my body’s way of coping with the news of them wanting to share me—and eating too much pasta. Not ideal, but still much better than my usual stress-related stomach ache.
After an hour or two of mostly one-sided conversation, Max brought me to my room, wished me a good night, and kissed me softly on my cheek before he left. Without locking the door this time.
Despite my body feeling like a ton of bricks, I’m unable to fall asleep, and when the first rays of sunshine peek through the barred window of my room, I give up trying altogether. By now, I’ve cursed myself for not asking about details at least a thousand times, as if knowing the exact logistics would improve the situation.
It doesn’t, a conclusion I reach after mulling over the possible scenarios for hours until a sound at the door makes me jump up from the bed.
Appalled about my eager puppy behavior, I try to act unfazed as Max and Logan enter the room.
“Missed you, baby,” Max whispers in my ear while huggingme, and it’s only when Logan dismissively clicks his tongue that he lets go of me.
“Didn’t come here to watch you two cuddle.”
Logan walks over to a chair that’s sitting in front of a desk loaded with dusty files. The way he’s sitting down, leaning back and thighs spread obscenely wide as if this isn’t some cheap chair but a throne, makes me swallow hard.
“You’re done staring?”
Great, this is going even worse than I thought it would.
“Max already explained it to you last night, but I want things to be crystal clear. No need for another unnecessary conversation,” he says, glaring at Max.
“You want to stay here. You want us to keep you safe. Right?”
I nod, and he continues.
“Well, I’m not running a charity, so you’ll understand I want something in return.”
When I turn to look at Max, to avoid having a nervous breakdown, Logan clicks his tongue.
“Eyes on me. I’m not a lovesick puppy like Max. The rules are simple, and I expect you to follow them: As long as you’re here, your body is ours to use. Whenever and however we please. So, are you in or not?”
Straightforward,just like Max promised.
“I’m in,” I say before I can change my mind, and Logan raises his eyebrows.
For a while, I contemplated saying no to their offer. To keep my integrity and stick to my morals, to do what Brady didn’t. But why should I be loyal to a man who wasn’t there for me when I needed him the most, who wanted to trade me in to pay his debt, to a man who is thereasonI am in this situation in the first place? A mixture of fear and spite influenced my decision, and it’s not like I will stay with them forever.Max probably has already filed the necessary paperwork for the witness protection program.
“Are you really sure about that?”
“Logan, she already said yes; stop trying to change her mind,” Max says with a groan.
“Fine, let’s not waste any more time then.” He shrugs, and then his focus is back on me. “Strip,” he demands, causing me to freeze. “Want to take a proper look at my new pet.”
Pet.
It’s filthy. Degrading, something that shouldn’t turn me on like it does. Another thing for thenu-uhdrawer.
“I’m not wearing anything underneath,” I say, crossing my arms in front of my chest.
