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2
Pe
I hold his gaze as his brows pull deeper, the slight flare of his nostrils increasing my fear.
He’s angered at the sight of me. Furious.
I fight all the instincts screaming at me to run and begin to breathe again when he turns away, continuing around the corner, the door to outdoor entertaining area closing moments later.
“Oh, God.” I collapse against the wall, sucking in gulps of air.
Each blink brings back a memory of hard eyes and an even harder scowl. Like every other man to walk through the front doors, Cole’s companion didn’t have an ounce of pity for my situation.
There was no surprise. No concern.
But there wasn’t a taunting smirk either. His expression didn’t hold the co
The patter of small feet rushes down the hall, forcing me to put my game face on right before Tobias runs into the room and skitters to a stop before me. His eyes are big as saucers, his inhales rampant.
“He’s here… my brother.” He waves a hand for me to hurry. “You need to come meet him.”
“I’ll be there in a minute.”
“No.” He shakes his head as Abi, Nina, and Chloe come to stand in the doorway behind him. “Dad wants to see you now.”
“Toby, I said I’ll be there in a minute. I just need to do something first.” I have to claim a moment to gain my composure. I can’t face a pack of wolves unless I’m in control.
He frowns, his a
“I need to put on my shoes. Is that okay?”
His stern expression remains in place, yet those i
“Hurry.” He turns on his heel to walk between Abi and Nina. “Don’t take too long.”
“I won’t.”
My friends look at me, their expressions questioning.
“Play it safe,” I whisper. “Nod and agree with everything they say. Don’t retaliate to anything. Don’t smile. Don’t talk unless spoken to.”
Abi and Nina nod.
“Did you see him?” Chloe asks. “What does he look like?”
“It doesn’t matter. Be smart and you’ll be okay.”
“Hurry up,” Tobias calls from down the hall.
I sigh. “You heard the little Nazi. Go. Get the introduction over and done with. I’ll be out there soon.”
They follow my instruction, leaving me alone to suck in deep lungfuls of air, the oxygen taking long moments to settle me into some semblance of control.
I tiptoe into the hall, clinging to my shoes as I measure a calm stride past the rooms with an armed guard. I run once I’m out of sight until I reach the other side of the house, closing in on the window closest to the outdoor dining setting.
The male voices are almost decipherable from here, the chitchat easily heard over the soft whir of the mist fan.
I want to know what they’re here for. If their taste in perversion is more sinister than we’re used to I need to prepare myself and everyone else, too.
I inch aside the curtain, chancing another peek.
Luther, Cole, and the man with the harsh stare all sit on the expensive furniture. I can’t clearly see their faces, only the back of Luther’s head and two stony profiles. But the heir to this lawless empire is still unmistakable.
Cole sits with the same confidence as his father—his shoulders strong, the tilt of his chin arrogantly high. The other man is more laid-back, his demeanor now entirely casual as he talks to Luther about the necessity for regular servicing of sex slaves.
His words chill my veins.
I was right. This man is heartless. Soulless.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Chris growls.
I drop the curtain and swing around to face him entering the dining room. “I was checking to see how many guests we have.” I straighten to my full height and pretend I’m not one wrong answer away from punishment. “I assume Luther wants me to organize refreshments.”
He eyes me with predatory intent as his lips kick into a smirk. “You’re right. He does.” He strolls forward, skirting the dining table, not stopping until he’s a foot away. “But that doesn’t mean you weren’t snooping.” He reaches out, slowly gliding a hand around my waist, then farther to grab the flesh of my ass.
I tense, every muscle pulled taut through the degradation.
He won’t hurt me, though. He wouldn’t dare.
As far as he’s concerned, I’m off-limits. Nobody gets to defile Luther’s precious Pe
“What would Luther think if he found out you were spying?” he murmurs. “What do you think he would do to you?”
“I wasn’t spying. I only wanted to know how many guests there are.”
He inches closer, toe to toe, hip to hip, and grinds the hard length of his cock into me. “Are you sure?” He leans in, his mouth a breath away from my cheek. “I don’t think I believe you, and I wouldn’t be a valued employee if I didn’t tell Luther what I caught you doing.”
Anger heats my chest, his power sickening me. “Tell him whatever you like. Your threats mean nothing to me.”
“Sure they do,” he purrs. “Don’t pretend you’re not scared.”
His toxicity invades me, curdling my emotions. I want to lash out. To tell him he’s nothing but a leashed dog who jumps at his owner’s command. Instead, I pull back and look him in the eye. “I was determining how many guests we have. And now that I’m aware, it’s time for me to prepare refreshments.”
He chuckles, the tone sinister. “Come on, pretty Pe
“Luther would cut off your hands.”
“You’re right.” He drops his hold and steps back with a non-committal shrug. “I guess I’m left to take out my frustration on poor Lilly. You realize she’s still all alone in your room, right?”
Defeat hits me.
It’s a hard punch to the stomach I can’t take without lowering my head to hide my suffering.
I don’t see Chris grin in response. I don’t need to. I already know his mouth is spread wide, his eyes glistening with victory. His reaction is as predictable as the change in seasons.
I inch away, sliding between him and the dining table, then stalk from the room and into the kitchen. I ignore my turmoil as I put on my shoes, then pull a bottle of scotch from a cupboard. I suppress all the unwanted feelings threatening to overwhelm me while I grab liquor glasses and a serving tray.
What I can’t do is pretend Chris won’t make good on his promise.
He always does.
The only thing I can do is live with the guilt that I taunted him into taking his frustration out on my sister.
I grind my teeth and tighten my grip around the neck of the scotch bottle until my fingers ache in protest. I’m still there, strangling the liquor when the sound of the sliding door opens down the hall and the clap of numerous sets of heels approach.
Nina, Abi, and Chloe make their way into the kitchen, Tobias following them with tight-knit brows.
“Dad is looking for you,” he snips. “He’s gone to the bathroom, but he’s not happy you’ve made them wait.”
“I’m on my way.” I pour a finger of scotch into each glass. “Abi, can you check on Lilly for me?” I give the woman a pointed look, then do the same with Chloe and Nina. “Chris was headed to our room and I want to make sure the two of them don’t have another fight.”
Abi’s eyes narrow in understanding. “Sure.” She nods and stalks from the kitchen, Chloe and Nina following.