Page 14 of The Devil's Pawn

My hand wraps around his powerful wrist, drawing it away. My cheek tingles where his touch was, the feeling so foreign it almost feels surreal.

“Whatever you say, beautiful. I’m here to make you happy. You’ll be my wife, after all.”

“In name only.” I quirk a brow, still feeling the effect he has on me.

“Right. Of course.” He grins. “Oh, and before I forget, I’ll need your phone. You won’t be able to have it in the time you’re here, or your family will be able to track you.”

“Right. Okay. But I have to text my cousin Chiara. She has to know I’m okay, or she’ll turn the world upside down to find me.”

“That’s fine, but don’t tell her anything other than you’re safe. Don’t say a word about me or our location.”

“Of course. I understand. Oh, I also need to message my boss and let her know I’ll need a month off for a family emergency, or they’ll come looking too.”

He nods in understanding as I remove my cell from my handbag and go to my messages, typing one out to Chiara, then my job. My boss and I have a pretty good relationship, and though I know I should call her, I don’t think I could lie as well over the phone.

Raquel to Chiara: Hey. Just wanted you to know I’ll be gone for a while. No, I won’t off myself. Don’t worry. But I did find a way out. He’s rich, hot, and promises to get me out of the country soon. And if he kills me, then he kills me. Just kidding. I hope. Love you.

Raquel to Job Kerry: Hey, Kerry. I’m sorry to do this at the last minute, but I wouldn’t if I didn’t have to. My family is going through an emergency right now, and I had to go out of state with my parents for a month. I understand if my position won’t be there when I return, though I would very much like it to be. I don’t have great reception here, so I’m sorry if I don’t get back to you. -Raquel

“Here.” I hand him the phone, and he takes it, turning it off before stuffing it in his pants pocket.

“All right, let me show you to your room so you can maybe take a nap.” He sets his mug down and rises to his feet while I do the same.

“That sounds nice, though I can’t say I’m tired.”

“Weirdly, I’m not either,” he remarks as we walk side by side out of the room and toward the large foyer.

I follow him up the spiral staircase, gripping the bronzed banister as I take slow steps, noticing every detail of his home, one I imagine is the type a celebrity would live in.

“I have a lot of men around the place, as you might have noticed,” he says over his shoulder. “Don’t let that concern you. I like to protect what’s mine. Can’t be too careful these days.”

“I understand.” I climb the final step, crossing into a wide hallway and seeing room after room until we stop at one.

“Here we are.” He parts the door, his smile as welcoming as the bedroom.

“This is nice.” My feet fall over the dark hardwood as I stride further inside the massive bedroom.

I silently take in everything: the misty gray upholstered bed with a dark gray abstract rug beneath, the two white armchairs perched by the floor-to-ceiling windows, and a square glass table sandwiched between them.

“Where is your room?” I ask with my back to him.

“You’re in it,” comes a husky answer.

His breath glides up my neck, making goose bumps scatter across my arms.

Wait. What did he just say?

I whip around to find amusement flanking his features.

“You mean we have to share a room?” My eyes go round.

“We do.” His body moves dangerously close to mine. “Did I forget to mention that?”

A tiny, crooked smile snakes over his mouth, and I know right away that he purposely left that part out.

“We should have separate rooms.” Agitation rolls into my voice. “I don’t think this is a good idea.”

“Why not?” He draws nearer, his body only a finger’s length away from mine.

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