“Clever girl. You think your father is going to help? He’s not a fool. He knows how it benefits him to give you to me. The Families will fall into line too.”
That catches my attention. “Some of them don’t agree with this, do they?”
His jaw works in frustration. “That doesn’t matter.”
Maybe not to him. But to me, it’s everything.
That means there are powerful people out there who might be willing to help me.
Hope blossoms in my chest.
“Let go of me, Mass.”
He doesn’t move. He stays there and I breathe hard, afraid he’ll push this. And what will happen if he does? Can I fight him when my body’s screaming for more?
Relief hits me when he pulls away. I can tell it’s not easy for him. I slump backward, catching my breath. My heart’s beating so hard I feel lightheaded. I want him to come back, bite my lip, pull my hair, and spank me the way he did that night.
Instead, I straighten myself and cross my arms over my chest.
He storms away, muttering to himself in Italian. I can’t hear the words, but they’re not happy. He pours another drink, throws it back, and gives me a hard stare.
“I’m going to bed. I expect you to join me soon.”
“Should I curtsey and call youmy lordtoo?”
“Such a fucking mouth on you. I can’t wait to make it all sloppy and spitty and punish you with my big cock.”
I gasp in shock as he strides off. He disappears around the corner and up the steps, leaving me alone and shell-shocked.
That was too damn close.
I nearly did something stupid.
I can’t cross that line. Even if I’m physically attracted to him, I have to keep some distance between us. Once things blur, I’m not sure what I’m going to do.
I need to control myself for my daughter’s sake.
The elevator suddenly dings. I yelp in surprise as adrenaline floods my system. The doors slide open to reveal a single cart with a dinner tray on top.
The meal I ordered.
I have to take a second to gather myself before I can wheel it inside. The smell is incredible. I was a lot hungrier than I expected. I transfer everything to the table and settle down to eat when I notice a strange piece of paper taped to the top of the half-dome used to keep my plate warm.
Frowning, I gently peel it away. The words are written in black pen. I don’t recognize the handwriting.
Meet me tomorrow in the solarium at noon if you want to get out of here alive.
I have to go over them a few times before they make sense.
Who sent me this note? And does Mass know about it? But no, of course he doesn’t. If he did, there’s no way it would’ve gotten to me.
I quickly crumple it up, soak it in water, and shove it down the garbage disposal. It grinds into a pulp and disappears.
The solarium at noon.
This could be a trap. Mass just got done telling me that he has serious enemies.
But he also told me I have allies.
