I'm sore as hell, but every moment was worth it. I love being with Marcus. I love what he does to me. I love how he sees me, how he cares and?—
It hits me just as I'm stepping out into the hallway—choosing the powder room down the hall because I don't want to wake him—that I am very much falling in love with Marcus.
Well, holy shit.
With a smile on my face, I round the corner and immediately notice that my father's light is on.
Part of me realizes that this is a bad idea, but I can't stop myself from walking up to the door and trying to listen. If he's saying something incriminating, I want to catch it.
I want to be able to go to the FBI on my own. IfReginaldwon't be a good person, it's up to me. And I am fine with that responsibility.
When I sneak up to the door, I see my father, and my stomach drops.
He's talking with Cilento.
I can't believe my eyes or ears as I hear them discuss all the gruesome details of what my father did, how heknewthat his drug was hurting people, and didn't care.
Tears stream down my face, that last semblance of hope for him dying inside me, and a tiny sob breaks free.
Shit.
Backing up, I keep my eye on the door. They didn't notice. I'm okay. I just need to get back to?—
Something dark comes down over my eyes, and I can't see as a hand clamps over my mouth. I'm being pushed forward, toward the room, and no matter how I scream and thrash, the person holding me doesn't let go.
"You have a little spy, boss."
That's Dominick's voice.
"Goddamn it." My father's voice that time, and I still can't see. "Look, Cilento. You got your wish. Just take her and leave my fucking house. I don't want to hear from you again."
What?
My stomach drops, fear and panic choking me.
"As you wish, Reggie." That's Cilento, and a shadow falls over the already dark space in front of me. "I think she'll make a good wife."
Before I can do more, even as I still scream and try to yank myself away, I'm being dragged backward. And this time, there's no one coming to save me.
8
Marcus
Something jolts me awake. My nerves tingle, every instinct screaming that something's wrong.
I sit up and scan the room.
Lila's gone.
My stomach drops. I tear the covers apart like she's hiding underneath. When I don't find her, I jump out of bed and yank on my boxers and pants.
Where the fuck is she?
I don't bother with a shirt. I rush into the hallway, looking left and right for any sign of her. She wouldn't run off without a reason.
That's when I see the light under her father's office door. The sun's barely coming up, but the glow is too bright. The light's been on for a while.
The bulbs in there take time to warm up. I learned that the first day I walked the property.
