Page 107 of As the World Falls

“It doesn’t change anything. Only sick and cruel people do what you do.”

He smiles at me like he finds me fascinating, but not in a good way. His eyes study me like I am the abnormal one, and I hate the way it makes me feel.

“Your world is so black and white,” he murmurs. “How sad you refuse to see the color behind your judgment.”

His words feel like a slap in the face.

“I’d like to go to bed, if you don’t mind,” I rush out, gesturing him to the door.

He presses his lips together in a flat smile as he steps back toward the door. “Goodnight, Cecilia.”

I don’t respond. I stand still and watch him shut the door. I stand and feel my heart battle my ribcage to be free and follow him.

I woke up early the next day, hoping to get ready and leave for work without running into James again. He’d mentioned working from home for a while, but hopefully, that means he’ll be in his office, and I can slip out of the house without any awkward eye-gouging run-ins.

It was not good that I could joke about these instances. The only thing that scared me now was how much I wasn’t scared of James anymore.

As soon as I walked down the stairs, I realized I had already failed at my task when I saw him in the living room. He was on the phone, so I tried to breeze by him and make my way out without bothering him.

“Cecilia,” he calls out, and I freeze, slowly turning to face him.

“I have to get to work, so if I could just?—”

“This will only take a second,” he says, putting his phone back into his pocket. “I just wanted to update you on the security for tomorrow night.”

“Tomorrow night?”

“Yes. Your brother and I will be away in the city for an event, so you’ll have more than one guard with you. You will be dropped off and picked up from work. There will be no stops. You will come straight home.”

“Jeez, it is like a prison,” I mumble.

He tilts his head, his eyes slicing into me. “This isn’t funny, Cecilia. If anything is out of the ordinary, call your guard, and then call me.”

I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. He definitely knew how to make me anxious about stuff, that’s for sure. “My guard?”

“You remember Marco, right?” he asks as Marco walks in behind me, making me jump at his abrupt presence.

“Ah, yes, from the day you arrested me.”

“He’ll be with you at all times.”

“I hardly think I need a guard while I’m working.”

“This is non-negotiable, Cecilia. Can you, for once in your life, do as you’re told?”

I flinch, taken aback by his attitude. “You know, if you’re just trying to punish me for not wanting to be with you, come out and say it. This dickhead behavior isn’t going to get you anywhere, especially after last night.”

He scoffs, shaking his head. “Just like you to think I’m being a dick for wanting to keep you safe.” His eyes cut to me again, making me feel like a hand was gripping my heart and squeezing painfully. “I’m always the villain, aren’t I?”

“That’s not what?—”

“James, is this good enough, or shall I wear the red dress?” A woman’s voice chimes behind me. James’s eyes look past me, softening in a way that instantly makes me stand up straighter and look behind me.

A woman I don’t recognize strolls into the room with us, showing off her tall, curvy body clad in a tight black dress that gets wider at the bottom. Her breasts are pushed up and fully on display. I had no idea who she was, but she was gorgeous. Her skin is tan, and her voice has a silky Italian accent. Her hair is long and pin-straight down her back.

She bites her lip seductively as she awaits his answer, and although I don’t know her, I hate her.

“It’s lovely,” he tells her. “Wear the black.”

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