"We will be nice and good, and hopefully, Enzo will be here before we know it."
"How?"
I don't know. "Listen. You've always been adamant that Enzo is a force of his own. And if anyone can find us, he can."
She half-smiles, but it trembles and fades as the door opens and in walks Dom.
And he beams at me like he's my lover who has just come home.
Like we're in love.
It turns my stomach and makes my skin crawl.
I don't dare look at Lyndall.
I keep my voice calm and level. "Mr. Rebecci, why are we here? What is it you want from me that you couldn't ask over the phone?"
He throws back his head and laughs. "You are funny." He steps up to me, slides a hand down my face, my throat, and then between my breasts. "Isn't it obvious? I want what I was promised. You."
I gulp down the rush of burning bile in my throat. And my stomach turns. "What about Lyndall?"
"What about the annoying brat?"
I grit my teeth. "If it is me you want, I'm here. You can let her go. She's just a hindrance."
Lyndall makes a noise behind me, but I ignore her.
And Dom just shakes his head. "Let her go? I'd love to, but that's foolish. She's the perfect bargaining chip in case Enzo does something stupid. And he's stupid. Very stupid. So, you know, it's very likely."
"Please—"
My words die as my head rings, and my cheek bursts into flames.
It takes me a few moments to realize what happened.
The bastard just backhanded me.
Behind me, Lyndall is screaming, and I somehow manage to move between them.
I force myself to drop my eyes. "I'm sorry."
"So you should be. I don't tolerate back talk." Then he is suddenly all charm. "Get some rest, girls. Gretchen will bring you more food later. And some pills to help you sleep. We've got a few big days ahead of us."
I wait until he's at the door. "What's happening in the next few days? What are you planning?"
For a moment, I think he's going to return and beat me, but he just smiles again.
"Don't you worry that pretty head. You'll find out soon enough."
And he's gone.
Lyndall is shaking. "What are we going to do? Oh God. This is my fault."
"No. It's his. We didn't do anything, and even if we'd been with guards, this still would have happened."
But she curls up next to me. "I'm scared."
I brush my fingers lightly through her hair. "I know. Me too. But your brother is going to come."
