He grips my wrist and slams it against the wall above my head, trapping me. His other hand trails down my side, lingering where it absolutely shouldn’t… again.
Every nerve in my body screamsno, but he ignores the signs, intent on taking what’s not his to take.
“Stop,” I gasp, slapping his hand away. “I don’t like that.”
He laughs cruelly. “You’ll learn, little bitch. You’ll learn to enjoy the punishments after a while.”
A door slams open, making us both jump.
Rico steps back instantly, like he wasn’t just pinning me against the wall seconds ago.
My knees wobble, but I stay upright through sheer stubbornness.
Moseley stands in the doorway, perfectly calm. Composed. Staring at us both like he didn’t just interrupt something monstrous.
“What’s all this noise?” he asks mildly.
Rico smooths the lapels of his jacket and sneers. “She was being difficult.”
Moseley’s eyes flick to me, appraising the bruises starting to form, not a bit bothered by them.
“Were you?” he asks.
I swallow, my throat burning where Rico’s hand had been. “I don’t appreciate being manhandled.”
Moseley grins. “I always knew there was something feisty underneath that fake smile of yours. Nobody’sthathappy all the time.” He then turns to Rico. “She’s going to fight us on this, as expected.”
Expected?
“However, it seems you’re getting a bit ahead of yourself, Mr. Nostra. As of right now, Ms. St. John is still leased to me. As per our negotiations, you don’t take control of her until after the New Year.”
“Excuse me?” I shout. “You’re talking about me like I’m some kind of animal!”
Rico pushes me towards the room, the door clicking behind me, locking me in. It’s a prison I’ll never stop fearing. “Let’s clear something up, Mindy,” he says, folding his hands behind his back. “You are operating your business in my city. In my building. That makes you mine to control.”
“I pay rent,” I shoot back, my voice steadier than I feel. “I signed a contract to lease your building for a year.
“For now,” he corrects me, his voice calm and smooth. “Your lease expires after the new year.”
My stomach drops. “You can’t do that!”
“Oh, but I can. And when it does,” he continues, “you’ll be reassigned to a new leasing agent.”
My mouth goes dry, tongue sticking to the top like it’s a sponge searching for water. “What are you talking about?”
Moseley gestures toward Rico without even looking at him. “From my care to his.”
My blood turns to ice.
“No,” I say immediately. “Absolutely not.”
Rico smirks.
“You’ll move into a new arrangement,” Moseley goes on, unbothered by my refusal. “Your bakery will remain open, and any debt you have with me will be forgiven. Mr. Nostra will see to that. Don’t worry, you’ll be… looked after properly.”
“I’m not a toy you can give away,” I snap.
Moseley’s evil gaze settles on me, sharpening as his eyes dilate with delight. “No, you’re a toy that’s proving to be more valuable than I ever could’ve imagined.” He taps his lips, thoughtfully looking towards Rico. “I’m sorry we have to stretch out our little arrangement, but I have something I need from her before you take over.”
