“Where’s Luca?” I whisper. “What happens if he’s not here?”
“He’s here,” Luther snarls. “Now quiet.”
I snap my mouth shut as Cole enters the house, locking the door behind him and pulling across the sheer curtain. “The boy’s no longer glued to your side?” he asks, his attention raking over the boy, then me, to rest on his father.
“We heard you’re leaving.” Luther shrugs. “I guess he wants to make the most of the moments you have together.”
Leaving?
I scramble to understand what must have happened yesterday to cause their sudden departure. They were meant to be talking business. Discussing a partnership.
My outburst couldn’t have caused the dissolution of their plans, could it? Surely my mindless rebellion didn’t instigate an avalanche. If so, this stab-and-sedate attack won’t absolve the mess I’ve made.
This punishment isn’t enough.
Luther will want more from me. He’ll want everything.
I clutch my hands in my lap, digging my nails into my palms in an attempt to lessen the instinct screaming at me to fight to the death.
It isn’t until my target walks from the hall to take a few steps into the room, his chin high, his intense eyes finding mine, that the noise in my head lessens.
For the briefest second, hope flickers to life.
Painful, delusional hope.
I clench my teeth against the traitorous response as Luca glances away, disregarding me in an instant.
From bliss to devastation in seconds.
Stupidity to reality.
“What’s going on?” He flicks his attention to Cole. There’s no panic or apprehension. He’s entirely mellow. At least on the surface.
“I’m not sure yet. But apparently, my father comes in peace,” Cole drawls. “Is my little fox still sleeping?”
“She’s back to the same tricks as she was on her first night here.”
I sit straighter, trying to hear what isn’t being said.
They’re talking about a woman. Their own captive.
I hold in a snarl, my previous optimism entirely snuffed by disgust.
I knew I was right not to believe a word Luca said to me yesterday. I knew and yet the smallest part of me is still surprised to learn of his depravity.
They continue talking about her while anger coils itself around me, empowering me, making me greedy for my opportunity to strike. This man, with his laid-back air and unconcerned tone, couldn’t give a shit about a woman held against her will.
He’s just another monster, hiding his true colors behind a handsome face.
“Go check on her,” Luther encourages Cole from my side. “By Amar’s account, she took quite a beating yesterday. She probably shouldn’t be left alone.”
They beat her?
My fury increases, my train of thought pinpointing on my upcoming task. I read my opponent as they continue to talk. Luca stands tall, his attention sweeping the room, settling on Cole, Luther, Tobias, and finally me.
Those penetrating eyes narrow. His shoulders tense.
I mimic his posture, sitting a little straighter on the armrest. But I don’t narrow my stare. Instead, I soften it.
I preempt Luther’s promise to give me an opportunity to get within reach of this slimy devil. I act as if I’m not driven by retaliation. That I’ve learned my lesson from yesterday’s outburst and I’m now a docile puppet who lives to please.
“I’m handing Penny over as a symbol of my apology.” Luther’s words break my focus. “Why don’t you take her to one of the bedrooms and get her accustomed to a new way of life under my son’s reign?”
Adrenaline kicks in as Luca glances at his boss with a raised brow. That disgusting tweak to his expression is a clear inquiry for permission. A filthy request to defile me.
“Go.” Cole waves him away. “Enjoy yourself.”
Luca doesn’t move. He remains immobile, his expression still questioning.
“Go,” Cole barks. “Teach her what she needs to know.”
The taste of approaching revenge makes my heart happy despite its panicked beats. I’m going to make this asshole pay for his sins. I’ll inject him with this sedative and hand him over to the devil to play with.
Then he can see what it’s like to be a victim.
“Remember what will happen if you don’t behave.” Luther slaps me on the ass and I jolt from the impact. “Now make me proud.”
“Of course.” I let the words roll off my tongue as I maneuver around the coffee table and into open space to wait for Luca to join me.
He’s the one who looks at me with skepticism this time, his hazel eyes wary for brief moments before he leads me into the hall.
The first step away from prying eyes isn’t a relief. The solitude with this bulky predator is daunting but I’m determined. Focused. I’ll earn my way back into Luther’s good graces.
I won’t fail.
“Take the last door on the right.” He slows his approach, making me take the lead.
There’s no excitement in his tone. I’m surprised he’s not salivating at the opportunity to violate me. Usually, men get a sly swing in their step when they know their perverted fantasies are about to be fulfilled. They act differently. There’s an edge to them.
But not this man. He isn’t showing an ounce of enthusiasm.
His bliss is tightly bottled.
As we pass exquisite artwork hung along the walls and the long line of lights in the ceiling, he remains closed off. It isn’t until I reach the door and push it wide that he dares to touch me, his arm brushing my shoulder as he reaches inside to flick on the light.
It takes all my restraint not to bristle. Externally, anyway. On the inside I’m coiled tight, my mind primed and ready for me to strike.
“I still don’t want to touch you,” he snarls. “Just thought you’d prefer to see.”
I try to siphon as much information as possible from his actions. I attempt to hear the deceit in his tone, and still I get nothing.
I can’t grasp his intent.
I know he has a motive. It’s now common knowledge at least one other slave is here. But I continue to struggle with his faux kindness.
“Thank you,” I whisper. “The light is appreciated.”
I step inside, my spine tingling as I enter a room consumed with his scent. It reminds me of yesterday. Of his kind, lying eyes. Of his conniving deception.
When the door clicks shut behind me there’s no stopping my heart climbing into my throat. I can’t help thinking about the consequences of possible failure, not only from Luther, but this brutal man.
His hidden motives taunt me. The walls he’s built to hide his true self leave me with no insight of what’s to come if I don’t succeed.
“What did he do to you?” Luca walks around me, coming to stand like a bulky statue in front of me.
“Excuse me?”
“After we left you behind like fucking cowards,” he growls. “What did Luther do to you?”
I bristle, hating his renewed stance on this friendly facade. The building kindness is unsettling. “My punishment is being handed over to Luther’s son. And to you.”
His eyes narrow, then lower. His attention treks down my body, scouring every inch of me. And still I don’t witness his sexual interest. This man has an uncanny way of hiding his desire.