“She’s scared,” I finally say. “She’s not mine willingly.”
Katie’s mouth falls open. “You kidnapped her? How could you do that? I thought the Irish protected women.”
Fuck. Now Katie is going to hate me.
“I didn’t kidnap her.” How do I explain this? “I mean, I kind of did. Listen, I’m not hurting her or anything like that. I took her from a bad situation. She was being abused.”
Scarlet’s eyes become watery, and I’m almost to the point of calling their men in because it’s about to become a cryfest in here. All because of me.
“She doesn’t talk much, and she’s still afraid of me. I’ve left her at my place each day so she can relax and start to trust me.”
“Is it working?” Paisley asks.
I shrug. “I don’t know.”
As much as I’d like to say yes, I’m just not sure. She’s said some words to me here and there, and she meets me in the kitchen at six every night to eat dinner. She’s even taken a bite of food from my fork once when I offered it to her.
Then, when I think it’s getting better, she’ll do something to make me think otherwise, whether it’s trembling if I get too close or quickly moving her gaze to the ground so she’s not giving me eye contact.
It’s confusing. I shouldn’t have feelings for her, but I do. It doesn’t matter that I don’t know her. I care about her. I love itwhen she gives me a brief smile or when her face lights up whenever I suggest she go relax in the bathtub. I might be her captor, but she’s capturing me at the same time.
“We’ll be gentle with her. Besides, she might feel better about you after talking to us.” Cali motions toward all of them. “We’ll say nice things about you.”
Jesus, fuck. When did I become a softie? I’m melting for these brats. I also really want to bring Ana to meet them.
“I’ll see how this weekend goes. Maybe I’ll bring her over with me on Monday, but I’m not promising anything.” I point at them and shoot them a stern expression.
Ignoring me completely, they all start jumping up and down with excitement. I already know if Ana isn’t with me on Monday morning, I’ll probably get a face full of Silly String by the end of the day.
Laughter.
It’s coming from inside my penthouse. And it’s not just from Helen.
I stand outside the door for several seconds, just listening. I can’t make out the words being said, but I do know that one of those voices belongs to Ana.
Finally, when I start to feel like a creeper, I let myself in. As soon as the door closes behind me, both women turn to look at me. Helen shoots a smirk my way while Ana freezes completely.
The cords in my neck tense. I fucking hate that she’s so afraid. All because ofhim.
“What are you two up to?” I ask as nonchalantly as I can.
Helen stands and sways. She’s drunk. What the fuck? I glance at Ana and narrow my gaze. Her eyes are glazed over. Is she drunk, too? Shit.
“We’re gossiping, and you’re interrupting,” Helen says as she shrugs and looks around the room as if searching for something. “Where the hell is my purse?”
I keep my focus on Ana, who won’t make eye contact with me. She’s leaning heavily against the back of the couch. Yeah. They’re both plowed.
“You got her drunk?” I gesture toward my girl. Because that’s exactly what she is.Mine.
“Yes. We had a lovely time. Although you really should have told her that you’re in the mafia when you kidnapped her. All this time, she thought you were a kindergarten teacher.” Helen bursts out laughing at that, flapping her hands like she just said the funniest thing ever.
I glare at my housekeeper. A look that makes most people tremble. Not her, though. She just smiles.
“I should fire you,” I murmur.
She throws her head back and cackles. “But you won’t. Because you love me. Now, I need someone to drive me home.”
Letting out a sigh, I pull out my phone and send a quick text to Charlie, asking him to turn around and come back to the building to get my drunk housekeeper.
