Page 44 of The Devil's Deal

I continue eating my breakfast in silence while he sits in that armchair I found him on when I first woke up here.

Picking up the coffee, I proceed to drink it all in a few sips, then set the cup back down. I go to work on the second crepe, devouring it in a few bites, finally feeling full.

Brian rises to his feet, taking the tray from me.

“Come on, stand up. The shower is right through the door.” He points to the one in front of me. “Don’t think about escaping through the window, though. I have men outside, and they can be a little trigger-happy.”

I look at the door, then at him. “Are you going to kill me? Just tell me so I can be prepared. It’s the least you can do.”

“Whether you die depends on you. But I have no intentions of killing you. Let’s keep it that way.”

Great. So I’m pretty much dead, no matter what.

If I do something he doesn’t like, he’ll kill me. If I help him take down my father, dear old Daddy will kill me. Seems like a great situation to be stuck in.

I still have to figure out a plan to get out of here. Then I’ll worry about finding a place to hide. I have some money stashed away, just enough for a plane ticket somewhere close, which wouldn’t do me any good.

I don’t get a salary from work. My father refuses to pay me. He knows all of my expenses and provides me a weekly stipend, with which I can pay bills and buy groceries. I only have a few dollars left over after that. If I want to buy myself anything, he’ll give me the money as long as he approves of the purchase and sees the receipt.

I don’t have a mortgage. My house has been completely paid for…by him. He’s in charge of everything. I’m not living my own life. I’m only visiting.

“Go inside and shower.” Brian disrupts my thoughts. “I’ll be out here waiting.” He takes a seat on the bed. “Don’t take too long. I have to be at work. But I’ll be back to check on you during my lunch break and bring you more food.”

“Wow. I’m so lucky.”

“Come on, Chiara. I don’t have time for your bullshit. Go inside and start stripping, or I’ll do it for you.”

My body heats up from the images of him forcefully yanking my clothes off.

Would he touch me?

“Will I still be tied up the entire time you’re gone?” I purposely make my voice sound small and needy, hoping for his pity.

He considers my question, his brows furrowing. I can see the battle raging in his wavering gaze. His tongue darts out, taking a quick swipe of his full lower lip as he peers from my face down to my wrists, etched with rope marks.

“Please, Brian.” I hate begging anyone for anything, but I’ll say whatever he wants to hear not to be bound. “My wrists really hurt.”

I can tell that somewhere deep inside, he has a savior complex. Considering what he did to me, it makes no sense, but it’s there. I know it. If I can pick at it a little, make it bleed, maybe he’ll budge.

“I promise I won’t do anything stupid,” I continue. “I do believe you won’t hurt me. I’ll just sit here and watch something on that giant TV.” I scoot back against the cream-tufted headboard. “I can’t remember the last time I had a day where I had to do nothing at all.”

Shit. The club.

I haven’t even thought about what will happen tonight. My dad will be more pissed about that than my well-being.

“Fine,” he agrees sternly.

I internally do a happy dance.

“But if you try anything you’re not supposed to, I’ll know about it.” His body gets too close to mine. “And the next time, I won’t care how hurt your wrists are. You’ll stay tied up.”

His hand inches toward me, a finger smoothly landing under my chin. “Do we understand each other?”

He lifts my face up to meet his, his voice lacking the malice I’d expect.

I nod, somehow lost in his gaze.

Tell me why I’m here. I search his eyes for answers that he may never give me.

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