He laughs. The sound is both sensual and frightening, making my skin prickle with fear and… something that I refuse to acknowledge.
“Actually, I do own you, Dr. Andrews. You’remine. And no one else gets to hurt you. Only me.”
“You—”
“Say his name, and I’ll let it go.”
I snap my teeth together with a click. Ghost might be pushing me into uncomfortable territory, but he’s not asking me to admit that I manipulated Mason so he’d give in to his anger, allowing me to free mine.
When it comes to dealing with Ghost, I’m getting off easy.
“Mason.”
“That’s my good girl.”
Ghost smiles at me for the first time today, and I ignore the way my blood rushes through my body. “You’re not going to do anything, right?” I ask.
“What could I possibly do?” He jerks on his cuffs three times, and the sound of the chain links clicking together has me gritting my teeth. “I’m in here and he’s out there.”
I glare at Ghost. “Given our newest communication of the digital variety, I wouldn’t put anything past you.”
He nods. “Fair. I am quite resourceful. That’s something you’ll learn in due time.”
“Don’t hurt Mason.”
“Why not?” Ghost frowns. “Eye for an eye. Or cheek for a cheek, at least.”
I refrain from touching my face even though it flushes under Ghost’s perusal. This is the exact reason I didn’t want to visit Ghost. He doesn’t miss anything and I knew he’d force me to explain the bruise.
“Mason isn’t worth it,” I say.
“But you are. You’re worth everything, Geneva.”
His words coil around me like a serpent before slitheringinside, sinking deep into places I didn’t even know existed. The intensity in his voice, the way he says it like a promise, like an undeniable truth—it sends a current through me, igniting something I’ve tried so hard to keep dormant. Despite my restraint, I can’t stop the pull, the dark magnetism that he wields so effortlessly.
I hate that he can make me feel this way.
I shift in my seat, crossing my arms over my chest as if that small gesture could shield me from the impact of his words. But it doesn’t. It only makes me more aware of the fact that I’m struggling to keep my distance.
To stop my attraction.
This is wrong on so many levels. He’s a convicted murderer, a master manipulator, and completely insane. I shouldn’t be sitting here with my skin buzzing and my heart pounding in my chest.
His possessive statement from earlier, paired with his level of devotion, should terrify me. Instead, I’m terrified by how much I like it. How much it pleases me.
“Promise me you won’t hurt Mason,” I say.
“Why? It’s not like you care about him.”
I grimace at the truthful statement. “That doesn’t mean I want revenge.”
“Oh, I beg to differ.”
“What are you—”
He cuts me off with a laugh. “You’re still here, aren’t you? Sitting across from me, wanting information from me about your parents’ murderers?” He reclines in his chair, his eyes never leaving mine. “Let’s talk about why you came. But first, I have some requirements.”
“Requirements?”
