“Would you feel better if I took you outside of the castle? We can share dinner outside on one of the patios. I’ll even shut up and let you eat in peace.”
“Sure.” I nod, my head spinning at what this means. I can’t believe he’s suggesting this. I suppose there are so many soldiers in this castle that he’s confident I can’t get away or cause too much trouble. But I’ll be able to learn the layout of this place some more… make plans for future attempts. I tack on this last part so he doesn’t suspect where my thoughts are actually going.“I’ve barely been able to eat anything with how closed-in I’ve been feeling. This will help a lot.”
“Fine. I’ll be back here in the evening, and I’ll have my men check on you frequently until then to make sure you don’t do anything stupid.” He heads towards the bedroom door, then turns around with a scrutinizing gaze. “And if you think you’ve weaseled your way into finding an opportunity to run away. You’re wrong. You will wear high heels to this dinner.”
He smirks at me, and I feel my face flush as he leaves me in the bedroom. Why… does him bossing me around like that make me feel a rush in my core?
Chapter 12
Alessandro
Sofialooksabsolutelystunningas she sits across from me at the table. Her tanned skin is glowing in the moonlight, her hair curled, and her face made up—quite a difference from the state she was in earlier today. The dress she’s wearing almost made me send her back up to the room. She seems to have an obsession with skimpy outfits, so of course she’d put on a short, form-fitting dress. It looks amazing on her, but I caught people ogling as we walked down to the patio that overlooks the city.
Or maybe they were wondering why I even let her outside in the first place. There’s plenty of room on my balcony to share a meal. But what could possibly happen? She’s wearing six-inch heels as I instructed; she’s not going to start running down the rock-littered trail to try to run away. And I’m not stupid. I am awarethat she may have orchestrated this whole affair. But so what if she did? All she’ll learn is that there are dozens of guards and staff she would need to walk past to get out of the castle, and if she got out here, there are more waiting.
And if she wasn’t faking her depression? Then I know all too well what that level of isolation she is experiencing is like, and I view this dinner as a precautionary measure to make sure her days will not be spent trying to find ways to harm herself.
She flicks around the vegetables on her plate, and she’s only taken a bite or two from her fish.
“Is it not to your liking?” I ask, breaking the silence for the first time tonight. I was true to my word—I held my tongue and refrained from making any rude comments so she could eat in peace. But she’s not eating.
“No, it’s fine. I don’t have much of an appetite, though.”
I clench my fists underneath the table. “You said coming out here would help with that. Did you lie to me?”
“Well, clearly I was mistaken.” She rolls her eyes. “Believe it or not, I have trouble eating when I’m extremely stressed. And I know you’re not a people-person, so maybe you haven’t picked up that I’m extremely stressed.”
“And what are you stressed about?”
Well, there goes my attempt at not being an asshole.
She drops her fork on the plate, her face flushing with anger. I don’t know why I love pissing her off so much, but seeing that fiery look in her eye is always the highlight of my day. I stuff down the thought that maybe I wanted to take her out here to see that look again rather than her lying depressed in bed.
“What am I stressed about? You ruined my wedding, kidnapped me to hold me in your tiny, boring apartment. You tried to kill members of my family. And in general? You’re awful to be around. So, yeah. I’m stressed out, asshole.”
I rub my hand against my chin to conceal my smile. “Well, why don’t you try calming down? Look over your shoulder, there’s a picturesque nighttime view, we’re sharing a multi-course dinner from our in-house Michelin Star chef, I don’t know women’s fashion but I’m sure that little dress you’re wearing is more expensive than the average citizen’s monthly take-home pay. I have been nothing but a gentleman to you—”
“A gentleman!?”
“Yes. A gentleman.” I lean back in my chair, curious what she’s going to say next.
Her chair scrapes against the stone of the patio as she stands up. “This was a mistake.” She rests her hands on her hips. “I want to go back up.”
I notice the various guards eyeing the situation brewing. It can’t look like she’s running the show. I stand up, meeting her at eye-level. I typically tower over her, but in the shoes she’s wearing, we’re practically the same height.
“Sit down and finish your meal. I don’t know if you’re attempting a hunger-strike but I will not tolerate it.”
She says nothing and narrows her eyes at me.
“Or I’ll bend you over my lap right here in front of everyone.”
Sofia takes two steps back, laughing in disbelief. “I cannot believe you just said that to me.”
“I told you, I’m a gentleman.” I take a few steps so that I’m standing directly in front of her. “I’d prefer not to cause you serious harm, so my options are limited when you don’t behave.”
She bites her lip; her eyes look glassy. I notice her chest heaving in and out from her anger. I feel my cock twitch, and I wonder if maybe I’m having too much fun with all of this.
“I bet you’d get off on that, wouldn’t you? Spanking me in front of all of your henchmen?”
