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)
I grab my phone and call Trent, needing to get this over with. The phone only rings once before he answers. “Gideon. Where have you been?”
Typical Trent. I don’t speak to him for one week, and he acts like I disappeared. “Busy.”
“That’s a short answer, even for you. Something tells me there’s a story…”
If he only knew how right he is, but I’m not ready to dive into that.
“Not important.” Leaning forward, I rest my elbows on the desk in front of me. “I have money and need a place to clean it.”
“Are you wanting the typical ventures, or would you be interested in hearing some outside-the-box options?”
“I don’t give a fuck. I got one hundred I need to invest. Do what you do and keep me out of the details.”
He whistles. “Something has you extra pissy. Care to share?”
You have no idea.
“No,” I snap, earning a chuckle from the bastard.
“I’ll come up with a plan.” He pauses for a minute, and I wonder if the call dropped, but then he coughs before speaking. “Actually, how do you feel about investing in property?”
“Like I said, do what you do. I don’t give a fuck as long as it keeps me off any radars.”
“Okay. Then I do have something for you. Ever heard of The Elysian?”
“Can’t say that I have.” Moving back into an upright position, I place my hands on my keyboard on my desktop and start to type.
He’s piqued my interest. This isn’t his typical suggestion, and I have to wonder who’s behind it.
“The Elysian is a very cool, exclusive compound of sorts in Upstate New York. They’re about to expand and need capital. It might be right up your alley.”
“Go on…I’m interested.”
“I’ll send the prospective to your email and set up a meeting between you and the lead architect in charge, Cain Archer.”
“Who’s Cain Archer?” I’ve never heard of him, not that it matters. There’s always someone new coming into the mix. It’s the way business works. Someone shows potential, and they’re immediately brought into the network.
“He’s…an interesting guy.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Trent chuckles. “You’ll see.”
And now I’m intrigued even more.
20
SASHA
Another day has passed. Nighttime always comes too quickly.
Here I am, back in my old room, where I’ve sequestered myself all day. After lunch, he gave me at least that amount of freedom. I’ve spent the day moaning and groaning. Sleeping on the floor last night did nothing but hurt my already sore back.
I look up at the smoke detector and snarl at it. “Everything hurts,” I tell it as if it will answer. “But I bet you’d have no idea about pain. I do…”
Bending over the cello for hours hasn’t been easy on my body, and the floor, as soft as the carpet in the closet is, didn’t help.
The memory of him carrying me through the house and demanding I sleep in his room has me livid once more. Well…that and other things.
I have no desire to see this man.
After my dream last night, and the way things played out this morning, the idea of looking at him is overwhelming.
It’s mostly the dream that has me on edge.
It’s played on a loop all day in my head, and I can’t get it to stop.
Even now, thinking about it makes my cheeks burn.
It’s ridiculous. He might suspect that he was the star of my dirty dream, but he never said anything to confirm it. Regardless of that fact, I can’t be near him.
This is going to be a problem.
When he left me to roam earlier, his parting words were a direct command to be back in his room by nine. It’s one minute past nine, and I have no doubt that pisses him off.
Knowing my time is running out before he comes to find me, I decide to head to his room.
Better to face the storm head-on.
As soon as I push open his bedroom door and walk inside, I regret it.
I’m never prepared for him.
Certainly not ready for the way he looks at me, and worse, the way I feel when he does.
His gaze flitters over me, lingering in places it shouldn’t.
But this time, he’s not looking at me with desire. It’s something else.
Gideon strides toward me, and I back away from him as he advances; his eyes seem cold and hard. “Hiding from me.” It’s a statement, not a question.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but no. Hiding from you would imply—”
He takes another step closer, and this time when I move, my back hits the door.
“That you’re scared of me.” Another statement.
Another step.
“I’m not.” My head shakes back and forth. “I just don’t want to sleep in here.”
“Well, unfortunately for you, I don’t particularly care.” His arms land on the door, on either side of my head, caging me in.
He’s too close. Way too close.
I push on his chest, and he staggers backward. I don’t pay him attention as I make my way into the center of the large room, heading straight for the closet.