Page 107 of Cruel Riches

I lifted a palm to stop her. “Actually, that’s sort of what I wanted to talk about. She’s going to come and stay here for a few days, but you don’t need to do anything for her.”

“Oh? Why?”

I lowered my voice even more. “Like I said, I’m worried she’s on the verge of some sort of breakdown, so I think she needs some time to rest and recover. The less people she sees during that time, the better.”

Colette’s brows wrinkled. “What do you mean?”

“I mean I’m going to let her stay in my room, and I’ll take care of everything. I’ll bring her food and clean things up for her. That way she only has to see me. I think it’ll be less stressful for her that way.”

“But I don’t mind helping out. It’s my job.”

“I know, and I appreciate that. I’m just really worried about her, that’s all. So would you mind staying away from that side of the house for a while and letting me take care of the situation?”

Colette nodded slowly. “Yes, of course, if that’s what you want,” she said. “It’s very sweet that you want to take care of Alexis. But if you need any help, you can always come to me. Okay?”

“Okay. Thanks, Col.” I headed back over to Alexis and took her hand. “I think we’ll go for a walk now. Alexis is keen to check out the woods on the back of the property.”

“That’s a nice idea. The fresh air will be good for you,” Colette replied with a smile, looking at Alexis. “Anyway, it was very nice to meet you.”

Alexis smiled back at her. “You too.”

Colette headed down the hall in the opposite direction, and when she was out of sight, I dragged Alexis to the landing and directed her down the stairs.

“You know I could hear you talking to her, right?” she said in a sullen tone as we reached the second floor.

“So?”

“Why did you tell her I’d be staying in your room? Did you change your mind?”

“No, you’re still going in the bunker,” I said. “I just told her that shit so she wouldn’t wonder where you are all the time even though you’re supposedly staying here.”

Her shoulders slumped, and she nodded, eyes brimming with tears. “Right,” she muttered.

“Stop looking so fucking sad,” I said, tightening my grip on her arm. “You should consider yourself lucky. The bunker is a massive upgrade on the Blackthorne tunnels.”

“Oh, yeah, I’m so lucky,” she said, looking down at the polished marble floor. “I’m a prisoner to a psychopath who wants to kill me and everyone I love, but hey, at least I get a dusty old bomb shelter instead of a freezing old prison cell to sleep in until my death-day finally comes.”

I let out a short snort of amusement. “You know, it’s amazing how you still manage to take an attitude with me after all the shit you’ve done,” I said, digging my fingers into her arm until she let out a yelp of pain. “Must be something to do with that narcissistic side most psychopaths have.”

I led her outside and over to the woods on the far western side of the estate. The air out here smelled of moss and earth, and with Alexis silent for once, all I could hear was the creak and groan of branches moving in the wind and the crackle of twigs and pine needles beneath our shoes.

When we were halfway to our destination, the sun came out from behind a cloud and filtered through the trees, dappling Alexis’s face and shadowing her eyes. With her messy long hair and pale skin, she looked like some sort of forest nymph. Untamed, ethereal, beautiful.

Stop it,I warned myself, tearing my gaze away. Last time I let myself fall for her wild beauty and hypnotic charms for even a second, I ended up in emergency surgery with a knife jammed inside me.

We stepped into a clearing and veered onto a well-trodden path toward a reinforced hatch made from corrugated metal.

“Here it is,” I said. I leaned down to lift the hatch up, revealing steep stone steps descending into the massive bunker. “Your new home.”

Alexis bit her bottom lip as she stared down into the darkness. I smirked and held out a hand. “After you.”

She briefly turned her head and looked at the surrounding woods. I could practically see her mind ticking over, calculating how far she could make it through the brambles and branches before I caught up with her.

“Remember, it’s not just your life at stake here,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest. “Do you really want me to go after Sascha? Or Laurel and Ruby?”

She let out a shaky sigh and started trudging down the steps. I followed her down and flicked a switch on the left wall, illuminating the dusty gray space.

“There’s electricity down here?” Alexis said, eyes widening.

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