Beige windows and doors are set into a brick-colored building with a balcony above the front door. Trimmed trees and potted plants surround the building, with a garage and stable to the left. The place is freaking huge. Bigger than anything I’ve ever seen outside of the internet and TV.
Theo stops the car outside the garage and gets out, still silent. I unbuckle my seatbelt and follow after him. He rounds the car as I’m getting out, pushing me with his chest so I have nowhere else to go but back against the car, my feet stumbling along the way.
He leans in so close I can smell the coffee he had before we left along with the sharp scent of his cologne. “You do not speak. You do not move. You sit quietly and look like”—he wiggles a finger around my face—“this.” His voice is low, dark, and with a hint of something I can’t name.
My breathing picks up, my mouth dry as I look into eyes that threaten to destroy me.
“You watch. You observe. You do not get a say in anything, am I understood?”
Jesus.
I nod, unable to form words. I hate myself a little bit more when my clit throbs and my panties grow damp. Soft, sweet Theo is one thing, but dominant Theo? Fuck, he’s on a whole other level, and I’m not sure which one I prefer.
Neither Blake. We don’t like this man.
“Good.” He stays still for a beat, and my eyes dart between his, but all I see staring back at me is hatred.
He walks off, anger in every step, and I trail behind him, wondering what delights I’m in store for now.
“Senator, so good to see you,” Theo says, extending his hand.
Senator Thomas takes Theo’s hand, and they go for one of those quick, firm shakes. Theo doesn’t introduce me again, instead acting as if I don’t exist. I roll my eyes internally and step forward, offering my hand to the senator.
“Please, have a seat,” the senator says, gesturing to the sofa behind him.
The inside matches the outside of the home, and it’s like someone threw up beige and cream with no color in mind. I’d hate my house to look like this. I mean, I love having everything in its place, but I couldn’t live without any color—I’d go mad.
Sitting down on the sofa that’s hard as nails under my ass, I cross my ankles and wait.
“How is she?” Theo asks.
The senator’s brow pulls down. “My daughter still won’t talk, still won’t leave her room, and I’m at a loss as to what to do.” He sighs, raking a hand down his aging face. “I don’t know if I can force her to leave and go somewhere that isn’t home.”
Theo shifts in his seat, elbows resting on his knees. “I appreciate that, but this is the best thing for Harper. I know it’s difficult, but we’ll get to the bottom of this, and she’ll be able to start healing.”
“Will she, though, Mr. Moore? Or have I lost my daughter for good?” The senator’s eyes become glossy, and I try not to let my own fill. The pain he feels for her is clear when he speaks, and it makes me all the more determined to find the guy who did this.
Theo stays quiet, but I can see from the way he moves his jaw that he’s thinking about what he wants to say.
“Sir, you haven’t lost your daughter. Yes, Harper’s going to be different when all of this is over, but she’s still in there somewhere. She’s been through a horrific experience I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy”—he pauses, clearing his throat—“but shewillget through this. Sometimes we have to be broken down to the barest of shells to be rebuilt into the person we were meant to be.”
“And what if she comes out worse?”
“She won’t. I have faith that Harper has a fantastic support system around her which will keep her from falling.” Theo’s voice catches, and I glance at him. This seems personal to him, but why? “We’re going to have to leave soon. Say your goodbyes, and we’ll be on the road.”
The senator nods glumly, clearly not liking this, and to be honest, neither do I. Theo’s still keeping me in the dark about his plans. I’m just hoping they’ll come to light soon.
Senator Thomas walks off, and I’m left with a brooding Viking.
“You still haven’t told me what’s going on,” I mumble.
He stands up and walks to the bookcases lining the living room walls. “That’s because you don’t need to know.”
“Like hell I don’t,” I whisper-yell, standing up and storming toward him. “I’m your partner in this. What you know,Ineed to know.”
Theo’s head whips around so fast I wouldn’t be surprised if he gave himself whiplash. “You never have and never will be my partner, Blake. I despise you. Hate everything about you. I willnevergive you what you need.”
“You hate me?” I sneer at him and get in his face, which is kinda hard to do when he towers over my 5’8” frame. “Youhateme?”
