At least she had a roof over her head and plentiful food, even if she was essentially a prisoner.Even though Iseult kept threatening to harm Ricci, the truth was she had the luxury of time.Ricci wasn’t old enough, and even Iseult never stooped to assault minors.But when Ricci came of age, things would change.Betrys knew this as well as she knew her last name.Iseult didn’t pay her enough to buy her way out, not until this latest astonishing offer.
A cash bonus.
Her son versus Leo or one of his siblings or friends.
Goddess, she hated herself, yet she had to save her son, save herself.She couldn’t worry about the man.
She sighed hard.Hindsight was such a bloody thing.Maybe she should have stuffed her pride in the depths of her robe pockets and offered her body in exchange for money to live.At least it was an honest living.In her present position, she offered her soul and in the future, her son would become part of the deal.
A pained cry escaped.If she had her life over, she’d do things differently.
A grunt came from behind, and she whirled to see a black cat loping after her.It skidded to a halt and rubbed against her legs.The creature seemed to have taken a liking to her and followed her around all day.
If it weren’t for Iseult, she might have tried to purchase the feline because her son would adore having a pet.
“Where have you been, kitty-cat?”
The creature lifted its head and stared at her with bright-green eyes.Her heart skipped a beat.Leo had green eyes of almost the exact shade.
She put on a burst of speed as if trying to outrun her turmoil.She’d dreamed of Leo yet again.A whoosh of heat bloomed in her face.Goddess.Her dreams still held the power to embarrass her and shove warmth to her cheeks.
They taunted her since she’d never have Leo in that manner.
Leo belonged to Iseult.
She came to her favorite spot and settled on the grassy patch that overlooked the beach and the rush of the green waves during the solar day.While she had picked at her dinner, darkness had fallen and strategic colored lights lit her way.
The cat sprawled beside her, seemingly content to doze while she tried to hide from her conscience.
Leo.
She hadn’t seen him, although he had to be here somewhere.Tomorrow, she’d ask at reception, spin them a story about meeting him on Dalcon.Despite her abhorrence, the truth was she had no alternatives.Time to start her gruesome task.A sour taste in her mouth had her swallowing.Once.Twice.It did nothing to relieve the bitterness or halt the uneasy heaving in her belly.
Tomorrow, she’d attempt to sign up one of the Mitchell brothers.If they refused, she’d turn her attention to a male relative.
She stood abruptly and hurried to her bungalow, desperate to jump into the sanitizer to bathe the unclean sensation from her skin.
Then, once she was spotless, she’d take a potion so she could sleep throughout the night, undisturbed by the vivid dreams of Leo plunging into her receptive body.
Betrys flung open her door and let the big cat inside, since the creature seemed determined to enter.She slammed the door shut and unfastened the woven cream belt that secured her robe in place.Nimble fingers pulled the clips from her hair and let it topple down her back.She stepped out of her robe and left it in a heap on the tiled floor.
Purify.She needed to wash her skin to get rid of this itchiness.A pity she couldn’t scrub her mind too.
“Water medium-hot.”She stood in the sanitizer for ages, hot steam and a fine spray pounding her skin.Yet no matter how high she ordered the temperature, or how long she stood there, she couldn’t seem to get clean.
Finally, she switched the unit to dry.Naked, she wandered to her sleep-bed.The cat rested on the end and lifted its head on her entry to the bedroom.Its green gaze seemed to drill inside her—her imagination working overtime for sure, but she gave an uneasy laugh.
“I bet you lead an uncomplicated life.Sleeping, eating and playing on the beach.I wish I were a cat like you, then I wouldn’t be stuck in this impossible situation.”
The cat’s gaze followed her as she pulled a tonic from the storage drawer containing her few belongings.
After shaking the bottle, she opened it and drank the contents before pulling back the covers and crawling into the sleep-bed.
Blissful sleep, free of Leo dreams and thoughts of Iseult.Her wants were small.
Leo watched her toss and turn and gradually succumb to the liquid she’d drunk.An uncomplicated life.Huh, she’d tossed him into a hellish existence, one full of pain and nightmares.
He shifted and went to the door to retrieve the clothes and his com-circle he’d hidden before he’d gone to find her.His scar started to ache, and he massaged his stomach with his free hand.
