Page 47 of Release Me

“Is the furniture included?” I hope it is because putting together furniture with no one but Desiree for help sounds like a nightmare.

Nikki’s brown eyes flit from me to Sebastian. It’s a quick glance, but I clock it just like I clocked the others. Every time I’ve asked her a question about this place specifically, she’s looked to him before answering. I guess it makes sense because The Ivy—a stately twenty-four story skyscraper in the middle of New Haven—is yet another one of Sebastian’s properties, but it’s still a little annoying.

“Yes,” she says, her focus back on me. “The owner actually just purchased everything, so it’s all brand new. They’ve also just had a security system installed for an added layer of protection along with a doorbell camera that you’ll be given access to once you sign your leasing agreement.”

I was already thinking that the owner and I might be the same person because every piece in this place, from the canopy bed in the master to the large, plush sectional in the middle of the open concept living area is something I would have picked out myself. But now that Nikki has told me about the security, I’m certain this mystery person and I are one in the same.

“Perfect. That’s perfect.”

“So you’ll take it, right?” Sebastian asks. His voice is all gravel and temptation in my ear.

“I don’t even know how much the rent is yet.”

Nikki opens her mouth to answer that question, but Sebastian cuts her off. “Whatever it is, you can afford it.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Yes, I do.”

Arguing with this man is impossible, especially when he’s right. I roll my eyes. “Okay, fine, but I’d still like to know the exact number, so I can budget accordingly.”

Nikki flips through the clipboard in her hand, presumably searching for the listing where all the finer details about the space are written down. “You’d be looking at four thousand a month with utilities included.”

“Four thousand? With utilities?” I split a disbelieving look between her, Sebastian and the three thousand square foot space with floor to ceiling windows and panoramic views of the city. “That can’t be right. They could get three times that amount for the space alone, and that’s before you throw in the utilities and furniture.”

Again, Nikki looks at Sebastian before addressing me. “Well, the owner is very motivated to fill the space, so they’re doing what’s necessary to make the unit more attractive.”

“I guess I get that, but there’s a difference between motivation and bad decision making. They might as well be paying me to live here.”

She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear and nods. “It’s a great offer.”

“Which is why you should take it,” Sebastian adds. “You won’t find a better deal.”

As usual, he’s right. We looked at three different places before we came here, and all of them were asking twice the rent for half the space. I would be a fool to pass this up.

I chew on the inside of my cheek, and both Sebastian and Nikki watch me, waiting for an answer I can’t give yet. I turn to Sebastian.

“Do you know the owners?”

“I’m familiar with them.”

“Familiar enough to tell me that this deal is legit? Because it’s all sounding a little too good to be true, and I don’t want any weirdos knocking on my door saying I need to pay the rest of my rent on my back.”

Sebastian’s eyes darken with murderous intent that should scare me but just makes me feel safe. “That won’t ever happen. You’ll be safe here. No one will bother you.”

He says those words, and it feels like more than standard reassurance. It feels like a vow, like a sworn oath to make my safety his priority. I drop his gaze, forcing my brain to let go of the images of Sebastian standing guard outside my door, acting as a shield against dangers he doesn’t even know about.

“Okay, I’ll take it.”

Relief washes over Nikki’s features as she strides over to the island. “Great, let’s get the lease signed, so you can get your keys.”

My brows pull together in confusion, but when Sebastian nudges me forward, I follow her to the kitchen. By the time I reach her, she’s already got a pen and a small stack of papers on the counter waiting for me.

“Lease? Isn’t there an application process or something? Don’t you need to run a credit check? Verify my employment?”

I’m not sure why I’m pressing for additional eyes on my fake identity, especially when it could jeopardize my employment and, thus, everything I’ve built here in New Haven, but it just feels strange to get a place without going through those steps.

Suddenly, Sebastian is at my side, placing a reassuring hand over mine. I meet his eyes, borrowing the calm he’s trying to lend me. “All of that has already been taken care of, Nadia. When I called Nikki yesterday afternoon, I gathered all of the information she needed from your employee file and sent it over, so she’d only take us to places you were pre-approved for.”

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