But not anymore.
Chapter 16
My arms feel like at any minute they’re going to detach from my body. It’s been hours since Thane left me shackled to his bed, and my shoulders haven’t stopped aching for at least the past two. On top of that, my stomach is now begging for food. It’s been over eighteen hours since I’ve eaten, and the last thing I put in my stomach was champagne, which I threw up. If I had known I’d be chained to a bed all day, I would’ve stuffed my face with the hors d’oeuvres instead.
More than anything, though, I’m mad at myself for not seeing this coming. Of course Thane wasn’t going to let me get away with sneaking into his study. Kieran explicitly told me the east wing was off limits. I knew the risk, and now I have to deal with the consequences.
The bedroom doors swing open to reveal Kole grinning like the fucking Joker.
“Who knew you were so kinky, Grey?”
I throw my head back into the pillow and release a loud groan. The last thing I need right now is Kole’s commentary,and after seeing the enjoyment he got when Thane threw me off the roof, I don’t want to be anywhere near him.
“What are you doing here?” My tone seeps with annoyance as I keep my eyes trained on the ceiling I’ve been staring at for most of the morning.
“Thought you might be hungry, but if you’d rather me go…”
“Wait,” I call out, lifting my head to look at him.
Kole turns on his heel and shoots to the side of the bed, wearing a smug expression I wish I could wipe off.
“I knew you’d be happy to see me!” He plops down on the bed, and I immediately scoot over as far as the chains will allow.
“The only thing I’m happy about is getting to eat. I’m starving.”
“Well, you’re in luck cause I have just the thing for you.” He pulls out a can of tuna and cracks it open. A wave of the stench assaults my nose, and I nearly gag.
“Ew! Get that away from me.” I turn my head away, pressing my nose into my shoulder.
“It’s either this or dog food,” he warns, pushing the can of tuna toward my face.
I glare at Kole, waiting for him to tell me he’s joking, but he simply cocks his brow as if to tell me, “Last chance.”
“Fine,” I huff. “Just get me out of these shackles.”
“I don’t believe I said anything about releasing you.” He pulls out a spoon and scoops up a bite of tuna, holding it out to me. “Open wide.”
“If you think I’m going to let you feed me, you’ve lost your fucking mind.”
“Did you forget how your last food strike went?” he challenges. “You might as well save yourself the torture.”
I hate that he’s right. Refusing to eat won’t do me any good. In fact, that’s probably what Thane is hoping for.
“I swear to God, if you make airplane noises, I’m going to bite your fingers off.”
A smile pulls at the corner of his mouth. “I didn’t take you for a biter.”
“And I didn’t take you for a servant, but here we are.”
“Oh, honey, you’ve got it all wrong.” He brushes his knuckles down my face, and I pull away. “I volunteered for this job.”
“And what job would that be exactly?”
“Enforcer,” he hisses, leaning so far into me that I have nowhere else to go. His eyes bounce back and forth between mine like he’s searching for something. Eventually, he leans back and holds out a spoonful of tuna. “Thane told me you broke into his study last night.”
“What else did he tell you?” I press, before reluctantly parting my lips. The fishy taste instantly fills my mouth, but I manage to choke it down.
“Just that no one was to go into the study.” My brows pinch for a split second before I attempt to mask the surprise, but Kole seems to pick up on it. “Now, why would he make that order?”
