Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 104127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 521(@200wpm)___ 417(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
“The kind of host I’d prefer,” I say, glaring up at him.
He takes a step back, staring at me a little too intently. “We can do this the easy way, or the hard way, Sasha. Your choice,” he says, inspecting his hand. “But I’ll warn you, I’m not someone you want to make an enemy of. Especially considering I’m only trying to help you. To keep you safe.”
I blow out a harsh breath, realizing by the second that all my plans of escape are even less likely. Worse than that, do I really want to make more enemies?
At least he’s one you know and can avoid. Maybe.
“Fine. I’ll eat, but then you need to show me around. The place is a maze.”
He pulls his bottom lip into his mouth, looking way too amused. “And we wouldn’t want you getting lost.”
That’s exactly what I plan on doing. Except I won’t be lost. I’ll be hiding.
10
GIDEON
From across the table, I watch as she takes a bite out of the croissant. I didn’t know what she’d like to eat, so I had my chef create a buffet for her. Turns out it was all a waste since all she’s eaten is one croissant. My men will be happy. Her eating habits will allow them to feast.
When her plate is clean, she looks up, and our gazes lock. We sit in silence for several tense seconds, neither saying a word. I wait. She’ll eventually give in.
This is all a game. One I intend to win.
“I’m ready for my tour now,” she says, dropping her eyes to her lap.
“You sure you don’t want to eat more?” I gesture to the long table packed with food behind her.
“I’m not very hungry.”
“In that case…” I push off my chair to stand. The legs scraping against the hardwood floor is jarring amongst the silence.
My house is large, and the space echoes. Sasha’s head jerks up, clearly startled. I’m sure this place and the quiet are all new to her. “After you.”
Sasha still looks rattled. The sounds of the city have been her background noise all these years. She’s probably not used to the silence. My home is tucked away on several acres, far outside the city limits.
For privacy. For safety.
Although I employ a lot of men, most are stationed downstairs in the security room, and the rest are neither seen nor heard as they make their rounds. I also informed them to keep out of sight on purpose. I want her to have a false sense of freedom. I want her to try to escape so I can put my plan into action.
When she doesn’t move to stand right away, I cock my head to the side. “Well…I don’t have all day. Let’s do this.” She jumps to her feet and moves around the table, closer to me but still keeping her distance. I have the desire to move closer to her. To position myself until she’s right beside me.
There’s something about Sasha that I can’t shake.
Maybe it’s the haunting look in her eyes. Maybe it’s the connection to her brother. But I want her close.
Without another thought, I step into her space, not allowing her to move away. When I place my hand on the small of her back, I feel her body quiver beneath my touch.
It’s not out of fear. Her eyes are closed, and her bottom lip is between her teeth.
I affect her.
Good.
I lead her out of the dining room and into the hallway. She doesn’t step away. She allows me to direct her.
Interesting.
My little firefly is playing my game. She’s walking right into my hands. Gliding straight into the gilded cage that I’ve left wide open.
I can’t wait until I catch her.
“This way is the library,” I say, smothering my smile so that she doesn’t see I’m on to her.
She peeks her head in, and I take a step away from her. I want to watch her reaction. Will she head straight to the books? That’s what most people would do.
Not her, though.
She does move in the direction of the shelf, but her gaze isn’t on the books.
Nope.
It’s on the window. The vast backyard is visible from this room. She’s forming her plans as we speak, and the devil within is waking up at the idea of what that’ll mean for me.
“Like what you see?” I stride over to her.
She shrugs. “It’s beautiful. All the trees and flowers. It’s well kept.”
She has no fucking clue.
She isn’t seeing the rolling hills or the well-trimmed bushes.
She sees an escape route.
I won’t tell her the whole property is walled off.
Nor will I tell her beyond the hills is a small pond, then marshes. Marshes that are too thick to cut through.
It’s why I bought the land.
No one can get in…
Or out.
“Can we go out there?” she asks.
I hold back my chuckle. “You aren’t a prisoner here. I told you, you have free rein.”