Dorin would usually be the one pulling me back.
But it wasn’t Dorin. It was still Cezar. He never let me go.
His concern was obvious. He knew at least some of the things I had done. Even after I let him see too much, even after a vulnerable side of me had shown through, he didn’t exploit it. He stayed close, as if expecting something else to go wrong.
What is this strange feeling?
My senses returned piece by piece, and when I finally glanced down, Cezar had a fucking machete in one hand, his other still gripping my waist. The blade was stained with blood, droplets dripping on the pristine floor.
A pathetic man sat on the ground nearby, tears streaking down his face, surrounded by a few startled onlookers.
“What the fuck did you do?” another man snapped as he rushed over, ripping his mask off. He must have known the guy. Otherwise, why the hell would anyone care in a place like this?
“He was going to touch her.” Cezar’s eyes landed on me, darkening with something disturbingly satisfied. He was enjoying this.
The now one-handed man barked, “I didn’t touch her, you fucker. You motherfucker. My hand. My fucking hand.”
“You didn’t,” Cezar replied, calm and cold, “but you were going to. You were going to slap her ass right in front of me. Ballsy move. You’re lucky I didn’t cut those off instead.” He let go of me and gave me a brief look that said he’d be right back. Then he walked toward the man, the machete resting on his shoulder, blood falling onto his suit.
Cezar said something to him. Whatever it was, it made him shut up. Then he was back at my side. I never needed anyone to take care of me. I didn’t even remember what it felt like to be taken care of.
I could become addicted to this.
Dorin watched everything unfold. We had signals for moments like this, and I was ready to use them, but I never needed to during this masquerade.
Why did Cezar bring me so much comfort and anxiety at the same time? This was all becoming very confusing.
Before I could fully understand what was happening, Cezar had my hand in his, pulling me away from the chaos and into the quieter corridors of the mansion. We walked in silence, his grip firm, like he was afraid I’d vanish if he didn’t hold tight enough.
Chapter 12
CEZAR
We stepped into a spacious room, and I finally let her go, putting a little distance between us. I didn’t know what was going through her head. I set the bloodied machete down and pulled off my mask. I wanted to seeher, the real her, which was why I dragged us somewhere secluded.
She stood there, staring at me.
“Peta—”
“My name is Lina. Call me that. Why the hell do you keep calling me Petal?” Arms crossed. Voice fierce.
Let’s burn this fucking place down, Petal.
“All right, Lina. Is that a nickname?” I moved closer. I itched to rip that mask off her face, tear that ridiculous wig off her head. Even buried beneath all that nonsense, she still looked perfect.
“Does it matter. Why are we here, Cezar? What are you doing?” Her voice was flat, emotionless, hiding whatever storm was underneath it.
Earlier, she looked like she was about to panic once she heard the screams…
I kept quiet. Words weren’t going to cut it. So, I moved.
I slammed her against the nearest wall. She was fast, already drawing a dagger. I was faster. Her left arm ended up pinned above her head, dagger trapped in her fist as I held her there.My other hand landed near her neck, caging her in, giving her nowhere to run.
She smells so fucking good.
“I must admit, a bit disappointing how easy that was.” I smirked, licking my lips as I tightened my hold on her. Instead of fighting me, she looked down. I was hard but not pressed against her. Maybe she wanted to see. Maybe she liked knowing what she did to me. Naturally, I looked down with her, only to find another dagger pointed right at my crotch.
A grin split across my face, all teeth, eyes wide with the thrill of it. “Are you trying to get me excited?” I didn’t wait for her answer; I pressed into it. My suit pants were thick, yet I still heard a faint rip as the blade caught the fabric when I stepped closer, closing the gap until the danger felt cold against me.
