As the last remnants of pleasure ripple through me, I glance back up to find Aurora staring at me. Her arms are now by her side, her legs closed and stretched out in front of her.
“Well, that was…something,” I say, struggling to find the right word. “Don’t move.”
I give her a warning glance before I step into the attached bathroom to wash my hands quickly. I stay on high alert, keeping the door wide open and my ears peeled for any sound of her movement. I’m not putting it past her to attempt an attackor try to leave. Though she certainly wouldn’t get far in either scenario.
After drying my hands, I return to the bedroom and find she hasn’t moved. Smart girl.
“Would you like to use the bathroom before bed?”
She nods before scurrying off the bed and past me. Disappearing into the bathroom, she closes the door behind her. I’m not worried about her in there since I made sure anything that could be used as a weapon was removed. Still, I get impatient when she stays inside for a few long minutes.
I’m about to check on her when the door creaks open, and she slips back into the room. I walk with her to the bed, where I pull back the blanket, revealing a pair of shackles fastened with a short chain screwed to the footboard.
“Are you serious?” She shrieks when she sees them.
“I don’t trust you enough to let you sleep next to me unrestrained, and I figured this would be more comfortable than sleeping with your wrists bound.”
“My hero,” she murmurs sarcastically as she climbs back on the bed to resume her position. Only now she is visibly angry. Her hands are balled into white-knuckled fists, and a deep frown line appears on her forehead. She glares at me as I fasten the shackles around her ankles.
“You’re kinda cute when you’re mad.” My words only anger her more. I can practically hear her molars grind together.
She turns her head away from me, as if she can’t stand to look at me anymore. Something about that rubs me the wrong way, but I chose to ignore the feeling. Grabbing the comforter, I pull it over her body and up to her chest.
“Do you need anything? Some water, maybe?” She ignores my question completely, not giving me as much as a head shake.
Silent treatment, it is.
I walk around the bed and get in on the other side. Pulling the blanket over me, I settle into the mattress before reaching over to turn off the light. The room descends into darkness.
Closing my eyes, I let all I accomplished today settle in.I did it.I avenged my family. Finally, everything I ever wanted is within my grasp.
Tomorrow, my new life begins.
5
AURORA
When the first rays of sunshine dance through the room, I’m wide awake once more. I barely slept all night, only dosing off here and there when my racing mind allowed me to.
Not only am I physically and mentally uncomfortable being shackled to the bed while lying next to a man I know nothing about besides the fact that he is very dangerous. I also can’t stop thinking about my uncertain future.
I know the kind of man Liam is. One who takes what he wants, no matter the cost. He is going to use me to get to his end goal, whether I want to or not. The real question is, what will he do with me when he is done?
So far, he hasn’t hurt me yet. He didn’t force me to have sex with him, though he easily could have. Maybe he has some kind of moral compass after all, or he likes to play mind games, which is probably more likely. Either way, I have to tread very lightly.
I come to the conclusion that the best plan is to cooperate with Liam, keep him happy, and get close to him. He seems to know a lot about me, but I know nothing about him. Thatalone puts me at a disadvantage. I need to observe him and my surroundings before I can even think about getting away.
My never-ending thoughts are interrupted by Liam stirring next to me. With a soft groan, he stretches his arms out above him.
“Good morning. I hope you slept well, wifey,” he muses with a smug smile plastered on his face.
“Just dandy,” I murmur.
“I myself slept great,” he announces, before kicking the blanket off and getting out of bed.
I watch his large naked body move through the room with a purpose, like he is so sure of everything he does. His muscles flex with each step he takes, reminding me of how much physically stronger he is compared to me. Another advantage for him.
Liam grabs something from the top of the dresser before coming to stand on my side of the bed. I catch sight of something small and shiny in his hands, realizing it’s the key to unlock my restraints.
