Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 79991 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79991 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
“You want me to do it right here in the bed?” I whisper, horrified. Is there any end to the humiliation he wants to inflict?
He rolls his eyes before leaning over me to reach the headboard. “No, I don’t expect you to do it right here. You think I feel like buying a new mattress?”
His touch on my wrists makes me flinch—but under that is something else. A shiver, and not a bad one, either. The sort of shiver that means anticipation.
He takes his time about it, though. His hands linger on me, his movements slow and deliberate. It makes me think back to something that flashed through my panicked, dismayed brain yesterday when he got me back in this room after catching me. He likes this. I’d swear on anything that this is getting him off for some reason. Is he that broken?
Then again, I’m the one shivering in anticipation of his touch. Maybe I don’t have any room to talk.
The blood starts flowing back to my hands as soon as the rope is gone, and I bite my lip against a pained groan. He’s not sympathetic, but that comes as no surprise.
“Let’s go. Do you think I have all day? You’re the one who said you need to—”
I move before he finishes the thought, wincing as I get up from the bed. He clicks his tongue in mock sympathy before taking me by the arm, pulling me out into the hall, and leading me down to the bathroom.
“Don’t make me fucking regret giving you privacy,” he warns, shoving me into the room. “Abuse the privilege, and you’ll have an audience from now on.”
I nod shyly, fear and dread tying my tongue. He scowls at me again before closing the door. I know better than to think he’ll move away from it.
But it’s okay. At least he left me alone. I take care of business quickly, then wash my hands and face. I might as well since I don’t know when I’ll have the next opportunity. While doing that, I bounce up and down on the balls of my feet, stretching my legs. I don’t know when I’ll get the next chance to do that, either.
It would be stupid to think I could get away with using a weapon on him when I know he’ll be watching everything I do. Besides, there isn’t anything in sight that can be used to protect me. My sights land on the drawer, but there isn’t enough time to search. The next time he allows me to use the bathroom, I’ll look around. Maybe I’ll be lucky enough to find something to hide somewhere for when the moment arises to try to get away again.
“Let’s go. You don’t need to run the water that long.” He’s right outside the door, his voice loud and clear enough that it’s like he’s pressed his mouth to the crack.
Shutting off the faucet, I dry my hands on the hand towel hanging next to the sink, then open the door to find him looking murderous.
“I’m sorry. I just wanted to freshen up a little.”
“Who are you trying to impress?” he growls, pulling me down the hall again. It’s been almost a full day, but he still hasn’t cooled off any.
“You know, this could all go away, this whole misunderstanding.” My insides clutch at the sight of the rope lying on the bed. I can’t stand the thought of being tied up again. He seems like a man who knows how to negotiate when he has to—no, he’s not working in a boardroom or anything like that, but I’m sure he’s made deals before. This isn’t some low-level flunky. Not in a house like this, dressed the way he is.
“Oh, could it?” Amusement flickers behind his otherwise empty eyes. Or maybe I only imagine them that way because he seems soulless?
“Sure. Let me go. Let me walk out of here. No harm done, I’m in one piece, I don’t have any reason to go to the cops or anything. Besides, how could I prove it? I’m not interested in any of that. All I want is to go home. Please, I’m begging you.” Because why not? What’s pride at a time like this?
“So you think it’s as easy as that?”
“Why does it have to be complicated?”
He stands in the doorway, his shoulders practically filling the frame. Not that I would be stupid enough to try to run past him at this point, not with him right here in my face, but it’s obvious he wants to make sure I know he’ll be on me again if I try anything.
“Don’t tell me you’re that naïve about how things go for people like us, Elena. I can only buy so much of the innocent act.”
I should have told him the truth from the beginning. Now, if I tell him I’m not part of this family he thinks I’m related to, he’ll take it as a lie. I can only imagine how much worse this would get if he thought I was lying to him all of a sudden. There’s no way I can explain myself in a way that he’ll understand—this is not an understanding person I’m dealing with.