I spin, putting my back to the courtyard and those unwanted thoughts.
My attention snags on my reflection in the mirror in the corner of the room next to the wardrobe. It’s tucked away and barely visible, and as it is, my reflection looks more like a slight movement coming from the shadows. Like a ghost or a creature hidden in the dark. My feet are carrying me across the room before I even realize it.
The deep bruising circles under my eyes seem a bit lighter than they had been this morning, but there’s no denying how I still look tired. Look stressed out. I nearly laugh at the state of my sweater. Sure, the off-the-shoulder look is sexy, but this thing looks like I tried to rip it off by the neck. I let it fall to one side, exposing more of my skin than I would normally let show. A deviously shy smile crosses my face as I stare at my bare shoulder. I can’t say I hate feeling a little sexy.
But that isn’t why I came over here. I shake the thoughts away. There are more serious matters.
Like this,I think as I expose the flesh of my chest. It’s still there, the mark of thecurse. I’m still not used to the idea, which probably has a lot to do with the fact that this whole thing is happening to me. Well, meandDonovan.
Curses? I didn’t think that kind of magic was still practiced.
There’s no way my mom would have done this to me. I’m sure of it. I feel like there’s so much right under my nose that I’mmissing. I wish I had my memories. Maybe with some luck, my mind will be able to fix itself after being toyed with for so long.
I’m scared. I’m tired. I’m lost.
I have no clue about what is going on or the first idea how to fix it. I don’t know what I come from or where I fit now, especially here in the city.
Above all, I feel so alone.
Donovan doesn’twantme here. Heneedsme here, and I know there is a difference. I’m the thing standing between him and death, probably. Or at least a sickness that is crippling.
Torrin doesn’t know what to do with me. Not that it matters because he’ll do what his boss wants him to do. Yeah, I’ve figured out what’s going on here pretty quickly. I’ve stepped into a den of vipers, and there is one leader of them all. Donovan Falco is a deadly man. He carries himself like someone who isn’t afraid to kill you if you get on his wrong side.
And I think I’m teetering on the edge of the wrong side.
I don’t have any grand delusions that he won’t kill me if he thinks it’s what’s best for him.
Well, that certainly is a thought to go to sleep on, huh?
ELEVEN
Donovan
“She needs things,” Torrin tells me the moment he steps into my office.
The room sits in the middle of the top floor, and from my courtyard gallery doors, I can see everything. Her room to the right included. Hell, if I stand at the corner of my desk, I can see the door leading to her room. I can see if the light is on behind the curtains. I know this because I’m staring at it right now. And I saw her little face peek out just a moment ago, her curious eyes taking everything in beyond her room.
I retreat back two steps as I force my gaze to leave her room. When I turn, I’m met with Torrin’s smart-ass expression, and I can’t stop myself from rolling my eyes.
“Just making sure she’s not trying to climb down the iron pillars to escape,” I say lamely. She wouldn’t be able to escape this place without me knowing, and I think she’s smart enough to realize it would be pointless to try.
“I don’t think she has plans of going anywhere,” he says. A little frown wrinkle appears between his brows as if he doesn’t understand why she wouldn’t want to leave, and I find myself irritated at the look.
Once his words hit me, I feel a little stunned by them. Anyone else in her position would be clawing at the walls and lifting up windows looking for an escape. But he’s right, shedidn’t argue with me when I said she’s to stay here. Hell, I don’t even think she wanted to argue.
I have no idea how to read her or what to think about her. It’s driving me insane. She’s stolen all of my thoughts, and as a businessman running an underground empire, I don’t have time for that shit. I need this curse shit figured out and fixed so I can move on with my life.
“What things?” I finally ask.
“If I might make a suggestion,” he says, causally taking one of the seats in front of my desk. He’s crooked in the chair, grating on my nerves. His ankle goes to the opposite knee, and he slings an arm over the back of the chair.
“What?!” I growl. I move to take the seat behind the desk. I need space right now.
“Let her out tomorrow. Give her a day to explore and shop. She has nothing. So unless you want to go to her father’s to get her things—”
“Fine,” I give in with aggravation in my tone. I don’t have to look at him to know the victory smirk he’s wearing. “Tell Andre he’s on babysitting duty tomorrow.”
Now I’m the one flashing the smug victory grin. Torrin wants the job because he wants to dig deeper into Astra. He wants to meddle, and I just took it away from him.
