Her head whipped in my direction. "I didn't. I assumed you did."
“No,” I replied. “I was looking forward to having you on your own. I wouldn’t have said anything.” We stared at each other in confusion for a moment, and then I simply threw caution to the wind. I turned around and walked back through my room and into the closet. Alegna was collecting dirty clothes and folding up the day prior’s clean clothes. “Alegna.”
Alegna turned and looked up at me. “Yes, sir?”
“How did you find out about the two things that took place here yesterday? Who told you?” Alegna glanced past me, probably at Philippa for some sign of if she had anything to do with the question, but I stepped to the side, blocking her gaze. “Alegna?”
With the tension in my voice, Alegna bowed her head. “Your father informed me, sir.”
I looked back over my shoulder and saw Philippa frozen at the phrase. Immediately, my eyes started to scan the room.
There was a camera somewhere.
I turned around and started to tear the room apart. Both Philippa and Alegna ran from their respective places to watch in horror as I started to flip the bed, turn over the dresser, and run my hands along the walls. Finally, I reached up to the baseboard above the door, and my hand ran over a small bump jutting out. Clasping my fingers around it, I yanked, snapping it free of the door, and pulled down a micro camera that had been situated there. My nostrils flared as it washed over me that not for a moment had I been totally alone in my own bedroom.
How long had he been keeping surveillance on me?
I crunched the camera in my hand, knowing I’d probably be punished for it later, but not caring. That was why my father suddenly assigned Philippa to my room. He saw the number of times we believed we were bonding and thought there was more to it. It was also why he suddenly stormed in when we were hugging. Was it just meant to be a way to smooth me over?
Was he planning to watch?
I felt sick to my stomach and was glad I hadn’t indulged in Philippa yet. I wouldn’t give that monster an ounce more of her.
“Alegna,” I growled. “Please go and get my father. Tell him I need to speak with him.”
It set Alegna to physically shaking. “But sir… ”
“He won’t hurt you,” I said. “Trust me.”
“O-okay…” Alegna slipped past me and out of the door, and I turned and looked at Philippa.
“A camera?” she asked. “He knows that I know everything.”
I thanked any god that was listening that I hadn’t told her his master plan. He’d have her killed for sure. Closing in on her, I pulled her into a hug. “Don’t worry. I won’t let him hurt you.” It didn’t seem to comfort her as she shuddered under my hold, so I pulled back and looked down into her eyes. “Philippa.”
Though there was a fear somewhere in the back of my mind that maybe there was an additional camera in the room, one kiss couldn’t hurt when Angelo was clearly expecting it. I tipped my head in towards hers and my heart did a flutter when she eagerly craned up to me. Our lips met and my entire body was consumed with heat. My hands, which were in the middle of her back, immediately started to go lower, but I stopped myself short of her butt.
“Why?” she whimpered and it actually made me laugh.
“There could be more bugs here. Don’t worry. None of that is going to be an issue anymore.” I kissed her again before leaning back and rubbing my hand across her cheek. “Is this okay?”
She nodded. “Yeah.”
“Then come back tonight.” A dark blush rose to Philippa’s face as she nodded. As difficult as it was, I dragged myself away from her and led her towards the door. “Go. My father will be here soon.”
There was a wobble to the way Philippa stepped over the mess I’d made and left the room. She gave me a quick glance and a sweet smile, then ducked her head and fled from the room. Though I had no plans to clean the room up fully, I did stand the dressers back up and straighten the mattress. I sat on the edge waiting, and a few minutes later, my father walked into the room. Alegna was behind him and bowed her head once before skittering off.
Angelo’s eyes scanned the room before landing on me. “Seems you threw a temper tantrum.”
“How long have you been keeping an eye on me?” I asked, opening my hand and showing him the smashed camera.
He shrugged. “I’ve lost count of the days.”
“Why? I’ve been nothing but loyal.”
“You’re not special,” Angelo replied. “You’re an asset, the same as all your brothers. What kind of leader would I be if I didn’t have eyes everywhere?”
“That’s done. Effective immediately,” I said.
