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Oh, my God. This woman’s mental status is about as predictable as a category five hurricane. “I’m sorry. It won’t happen again. I’ll inform you each time I leave. Is there anything I can do?”

“No. I gave her something to sleep. Just waiting for her to calm down. You might as well go. She’ll be out the rest of the day.”

Shoulders sagging, I can’t help the feeling that I’ve failed her again. As I leave the room, I glance back to where Laura has finally settled. Only her head rolls back and forth, as she stares up at the ceiling.

Chapter 14

Lucian

Sixteen years ago …

With one arm tucked under my head, I lie stretched out on my bed, tossing a tennis ball into the air and catching it one-handedly.

At a knock of my bedroom door, I don’t answer, but keep on with my solitary game.

Another knock.

Jaw grinding, I throw the ball harder than the last and catch it again.

The door clicks open, and Solange steps inside, closing it behind her. I can’t deny the sight of her hardens my muscles, but at a flash of my father fucking her with the baton, I curl my lips and look away.

Arms behind her back, she rests against the door. “I waited for you. At the cave.”

“I’m sure you did.”

“You never showed. Why?”

I shrug with disinterest. “I wasn’t interested in fucking you after my father’s dick was in you.”

Lowering her gaze, she purses her lips as if to hold back a laugh, only pissing me off more.

“Get out.”

“I saw you kiss her. At the piano.” Her huff of disappointment echoes through the room. “I was … out of my mind. Jealous. Angry. Hurt.”

Catching the ball one more time, I swing my feet over the edge of the bed and sit upright. “She kissed me. I had nothing to do with it.”

“But you didn’t push her away.”

“No. I guess I didn’t. Just like you didn’t push my father away.”

“I can’t stand your mother … constantly making me feel like I’m nothing but shit under her designer shoes. The baton? Yeah. It was bad. But I’m tired of feeling like some lowlife.” She tips her head, no doubt trying to get my attention, while I do my best to keep from looking at her. “As for your father? I don’t have a choice. He threatened to get rid of me if I don’t fuck him when he asks.”

Frowning, I finally meet her gaze. “Fire you?”

“You’re the only one, Lucian.” The lower hem of her dress draws my attention to her bare legs as she steps further into the room. “The only one who makes me feel good. Who makes me feel … worth something.”

“And you fucked that up. So, like I said, get out.” I toss the ball into the air again, but she catches it this time.

“You’re angry with me.”

“Is it obvious?”

Dropping the ball to the floor, she crawls onto my lap before I can stop her, and pushes me back onto the bed. Straddling my body, she reaches behind her back for something. “I want to show you another trick.”

Hands on her thighs, I go to push her off, but her muscles vise around me, holding me captive. “I’m done with your tricks.”

“This one you’ll find useful.” A blade gleams in the corner of my eye as she twists it, smiling. “When you’re angry. It’s as easy as one long slice to release all that tension inside of you.”