Page 18 of Bought and Broken

I don’t care that he doesn’t want to have sex with me. At least, I shouldn’t. But I guess I do… a little.

Why doesn’t he want to have sex with me?

I almost ask, but I don’t want him to know I care.

But I’m offended! He picks up a new girl each week, but I’m where he draws the line? God, I hate him!

“I said I—”

“I heard you!” I snap.

He purses his lips and turns away, looking out the window. I do the same.

I’m itching to call Summer and spill my guts, but I can’t do that in front of him.

When we pull into the city, I try not to show my excitement. It’s been years since I’ve been here, and one of my favorite things, as silly as it may be, is riding the water taxi. Too bad I won’t get to experience it this time.

Chicago isn’t much different from the other major cities I’ve been to. But there is something that I love about the water through Chicago, the same way I love the water around Boston and New York.

Maybe I won’t move to another country after all. Maybe I’ll stay in the US and move somewhere with a lot of water. Hawaii is too expensive. California is too. Besides, those would be the first two places my brother would check. Oregon, maybe? Oh, Seattle is gorgeous. I could go there. Or maybe I’ll settle in Boston. The east coast is beautiful. I could hide away in New Hampshire and venture to Boston when I need some city life. It’s the perfect cover. Dane would never guess I’d move to New Hampshire.

The options are endless, and it’s going to take a lot to decide where I want to go. Though, the sooner I leave, the better. Especially now that Tatum could throw a wrench in my plan at any second and rat me out. Because I’m still not convinced he won’t.

When we drive deeper into the city, I grow confused. There aren’t houses in this part of Chicago. I look at him, wanting to ask where we’re going, but choose not to. He’d probably give some smart ass remark, and the last thing I want to do is fight with him.

The adrenaline from the day has worn off and left me exhausted. Wherever we go, I better have my own bed. If he plans to make me sleep on the floor—or worse, tries to make me sleep with him—I’ll have to kill him.

The streets aren’t as busy as I’ve seen them before, but that’s likely because it’s two in the morning. There are still plenty of people out and about. Bars have just closed, and people are making their way home or to other places to party.

We pull into an underground parking lot, which confuses me even more.

“Where are we?” I ask, unable to stop myself this time.

“I was waiting for that question. Actually, I expected you to ask where we were going hours ago.”

“Just answer the question, Tatum,” I say, pinching the bridge of my nose. I’m getting a headache.

“We’re at my penthouse,” he says easily.

His penthouse? Penthouse? I guess I missed the first part of that word when I was eavesdropping. And that’s what I get for doing it.

The limo pulls up in front of the elevators and Tatum opens the door without waiting for the driver. He stands by it, holding his hand out for me. With my purse in hand, I get out, ignoring his outstretched hand. He can go fuck himself if he thinks I’m touching him for anything.

I hear his sigh, then the door close. He moves past me to the elevator doors and swipes a key card that has them sliding open within seconds. I don’t move.

“You can get in or you can stay out here all night,” he tells me, holding his arm in front of the doors so they don’t close.

I glance the way we came. Do I want to take my chances in Chicago in the middle of the night, dressed like this? Not a damn chance. Though I was able to get my dress on before we left, it isn’t safe for a woman in a snow suit to walk around Chicago alone this time of night, never mind anything less.

I storm into the elevator, my heels clacking on the steel plate over the threshold before muffling on the carpeted elevator floor. Tatum steps in and he swipes his card again. The doors close, and up we go.

Chapter Ten

Tatum

When we reach the top floor, Devon storms off the elevator like her ass is on fire.

“If you try to leave—”

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