Page 179 of Plaything

Dominic crossed his arms. “Since everyone’s up, I believe we still owe Odette a proper date. Get cleaned up, and we can have that four in the morning breakfast that she likes,” he suggested, giving me butterflies.

I was flattered that he remembered that I like going for early breakfasts before the rest of the world wakes up. I gave him a sad smile. “As much as I’d love to, I don’t think that’s a good idea... what if someone sees us? One picture, and we’re all screwed,” I pointed out.

Dominic smiled. “We’re going. It’s early, Darling; no one will pay us any mind. What’s life without a little risk?” He added. “Now get up, get ready,” he ordered.

Dominic was right, as usual. No one else was at the diner we went to; Aiden chose it. None of the dishes matched, and I had two excellent cups of coffee and avocado toast. It was delicious, and I enjoyed spending time with my professors outside the house. Everyone was happy, smiling, and cracking jokes, and I was beyond upbeat going into the day.

Everything with them felt so easy. I felt silly about my breakdown a few weeks ago. It wasn’t just sex. I wasn’t just another woman. I knew that now; I was stupid to think otherwise.

As reassuring as that thought was, it was also terrifying. I’d been avoiding the thought—pushing it from my mind. I still had a restraining order to sign.

Graduation was less than two weeks away. I felt like I had so much longer with them. Time was unforgiving, moving too fast.

It was noon. I was in the empty auditorium, getting time away from my overbearing peers and studying for more of my finals. I had an iced coffee, a stack of study materials, and my wandering thoughts.

I needed to tell them. I couldn’t get out of Charles’ blackmail. He had them under his knife. Their house was under his name. Their careers and reputations were on the line. How could I admit that truth to them? I kept it a secret for too long, and they would be furious when I told them about it. I’d been selfish, wanting to soak them up and pretend reality wasn’t real. Our bubble was popped, and they didn’t even know it.

The courage I needed was lacking. I should have told them the night my father threatened me—threatened us.

The thought of never seeing them again...

Tears fell onto my work, and I quickly wiped them away. I couldn’t live without them. I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t sign that restraining order.

If I didn’t sign, I got to keep them in my life. But everything they worked so hard for would be tarnished. I couldn’t do that... I wouldn’t. They wouldn’t want to be with me after that, anyway.

I didn’t know how to say goodbye to them. I knew they were stubborn; they’d try to fight Charles themselves—and lose. If I told them about the restraining order and the threats that came with it, they’d make it worse. Charles was evil, and I didn’t want them to face his wrath directly. It was terrible now, but I knew it could be worse.

More tears fell.

Every fucking scenario I thought of, all of us lost. I just needed to choose the route that would be the least painful and do the least amount of damage for them. They’d get over me; I was sure of it. It would hurt, but at least I wouldn’t be responsible for ruining their lives.

Before I could think twice, my phone was against my ear, ringing.

“Odette, what do you want?” Charles answered, sounding concerned as he coughed on the other end.

“I—” Why did I call? “I can’t sign the papers...” I admitted. I looked up at the ceiling, trying to collect myself. “Please,” my voice cracked, and I swallowed the lump in my throat. “Don’t make me do this,” I hated myself for pleading with the man, but I didn’t have another option.

It was quiet for a moment before he sighed. “I’ve given you my terms; I will not change my mind. One day, you’ll understand that this is the best decision you’ll ever make. Those men are manipulating you. They’re professors at the university you attend. Whatever feelings you think they have for you... it’s not real,” he assured.

“That’s not true. You don’t know them—”

“Aiden Anderson. Niko Moreno. Wyatt Wright. Dominic Owens,” he named. “I did my research, Odette. I know everything about them,” he said. “I’ve allowed you to have your fun, playing the part of their whore. You can come sign the papers whenever you’d like. You have 12 days until I ruin them,” he threatened.

I bit back a sob, shaking my head. “There’s nothing that’ll make you change your mind?”

“No. Jesus, Odette. You’re spineless. If you cared for them in the slightest, signing the restraining order would be easy. At least have the courage to leave them, leave them in peace before you fuck up their life,” he spat. “You call me crying about how much you love these men but won’t make a simple sacrifice for their and your own good,” he chuckled. “12 days,” he reminded firmly before the call ended.

I was sobbing into my hands. Charles would never understand; even if he took the time to hear me out, he was basking in my downfall.

They were going to hate me. If I was honest and told them everything, they’d try to fight it, be pissed that I kept it from them, and in the end, I’d still sign, and we’d all be heartbroken. If I took the coward’s way out and left without telling them, they’d hate me and be saddened. The upside to the coward’s way out was that they’d never know about Charles, the house, or their reputations at stake. Either way, I had to save them from myself.

“How was your day, Cariño?” Niko smiled as I entered the house. He immediately wrapped his arms around me and kissed my forehead.

I smiled, taking comfort in his arms. “It was good,” it wasn’t exactly a lie because, besides my breakdown in the auditorium, it was generally a good day. “I spent most of the day studying for finals,” I added.

“You’ll do wonderfully, as always,” he assured, winking as he let go.

I followed him into the kitchen, where he cooked a feast. “Are we expecting company?” I asked.

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