Page 56 of Mastered By Lust

I hug her for a long moment, patting her back. “You’re not going to die. You’re going to follow your treatment plan. When you get out, I’d like to take you out to dinner with Leah. I think you two would get along.”

“I’d love that.” She finally pulls away and her eyes glisten with tears.

“Then it’s a plan.”

When I move to walk away, she grabs my hand.

“Gage. I know my perception of things is…maybe not quite right. Maybe the doctors will tell me I’m paranoid. But last night, I’m sure I saw someone in my window.”

I give her hand a squeeze. I don’t know whether she saw something real, or if she was hallucinating. “Do you have any cameras on that window?”

“No…but you believe me, right?”

“I believe you.” At least, I believe she saw someone. Whether they were actually there will remain a mystery. “The good news is, you’ll be safe here.”

Her eyes shine with sincerity. “I’m more worried about you. Please be careful.”

“You wantmeto be careful?”

She takes a deep breath. “I think someone’s trying to kill us.”

15

Dmitri

Look who just showed up.

Patrick’s text is accompanied by a grainy photo of Leah. She’s wearing the same dress she wore out to dinner that night with Gage.

Fuck. Him.

He told me about this party yesterday. I’d normally be working, but because I worked last Saturday for the auction, I have this one off.

You can still come, he adds.Party’s just getting started.

He’s using Leah to get to me. Fucking asshole.

I’m not going to fall for it. Let him celebrate the whole shitty thing without me. He doesn’t get my support.

I should’ve invited her out for dinner tonight, instead of breakfast tomorrow. I was trying not to interfere with any plans she might have with Gage. That was stupid. Gage isn’t in the photo Patrick sent. He’s probably working. I should’ve asked her to dinner, and if she said no, she said no. I could’ve handled the rejection like a big boy.

I throw myself onto the couch and turn on my gaming system. I’m pissed, but I can take my frustrations out on the dragons in Knights of Incor.

When my phone buzzes with another text, I ignore it. I’m too busy enriching my singing sword with the Waters of Jenero.

A call comes in soon after. I throw down my controller. If it’s goddamn Patrick, I swear to god I’m going to fucking kill him.

But it’s Danica. I’d never ignore her.

I pick up. “Hey.”

“Why aren’t you at your own party?” she asks.

“It’s not my party. I told Patrick I’m out.”

She pauses, and the loud music in the background fades somewhat. She must have walked somewhere quieter. “See, that’s what I don’t get. I thought this was your dream. What happened—did you and Patrick fight about something?”

“It’s fine, Danica.” I don’t want to tell her who our grandfather really is. “It isn’t what I want anymore.”

---