Page 45 of Unbroken Promises

“We got it, boss. No one goes near your woman.”

This gives me pause.My woman.Damn straight, she is. Now if only she would just realize it. “I told you not to call me boss.” I scowl at Jayce, and he just grins his stupid fucking cocky-ass smile right back at me.

“You got it,boss.” This time the smart-ass response comes from Darrion. Bunch of assholes. Ugh. It’s a wonder how I can put up with them most days. But they are good men, the best, and they have become close friends over the years.

Choosing to ignore the response, I turn as the elevator doors slide open and step into the garage. Without a backward glance, I head for my truck once more, instead, raising a hand over my shoulder and flipping them the bird as I go. Their chuckles echo behind me as I hear the elevator doors close oncemore.

Chapter Forty-Seven

Danica

My head is groggy, and I vaguely register the sound of soft voices speaking in the distance, before a weightlessness overcomes me. Suddenly, I am floating, lost in the clouds and the smell of a delicious spicy aroma that wafts around me. “Mmm. Theo. . .” My moan is soft and I am pretty sure I am dreaming. It has been hours since he left without a word, hours of trying and failing to get my new babysitters, Muscles and Dimples, to give me any information; or hell, to even just talk to me like normal people.

I gave up all hope of getting past their brooding, silent walls after the third hour. Left to my own devices, I took my time exploring this ridiculous mansion pretending to be an apartment. My God, it is fancier than Caleb’s place; let alone Jonathan’s or Finnley’s, and all three of them have more money than they know what to do with. I honestly don’t know how Theo stands it, living here. At least with the other house in the country, it made sense. Sure, it was bougie as fuck, but it also felt homey somehow, welcoming.

In contrast, this place is a cold museum meant to shine a light on the wealthy, serving only to make them look even more wealthy and powerful than they already are. It’s the kind of place my parents would love, actually. All pretense, with no heart. Shamelessly going through each of the rooms, I couldn’t help but cringe at the over-the-top gaudiness. It’s so out of character for the Theo I knew that it is almost laughable to think this is where he lives and spends most of his time. I would laugh, if it didn’talso make me so sad.

Needing a distraction, I eventually found myself in the media room. This place has a freaking media room, like seriously? And that was aside from the gym, library, office, game room and living room. Not to mention the three over-the-top guest suites and jaw-dropping master suite that could easily replace my entire apartment with their individual spaces.

So yes, a distraction from my new gilded cage was very much needed, which was how I found myself melting into this butter-soft leather couch and flipping on the television. The last thing I recall was falling asleep to the news talking about some disaster with a private jet that went missing somewhere over the Pacific, and how its crew and passengers -some singer with a funky name- are all now missing and presumed dead.

I could swear I was floating, flying on the wind, but that can’t be possible because now I am lying on clouds, so soft and fluffy, that I can’t help but snuggle further into their comforting embrace. As my mind slips back into the oblivion of a peaceful sleep, I almost thought I caught a whiff once more of that spicy aroma and felt something soft brush my hair. But it is probably all just a part of these sweet dreams.

Buzz.

I moan, swatting blindly at whatever annoying bug must be flying around my face.

Buzz.

“Mmm. Go away!”

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz. “Just let me sleep dammit. I have had the week from hell and this girl needs her beauty sleep.” The words come out muffled against the pillow I have smashed my face into as I try to drown out the annoying sound, but the buzzing doesn’t stop.

Opening my eyes, I squint blearily into the bright room, and realize belatedly that the annoying sound was coming from my phone which is sitting on the glass top of a nightstand. Huh. It takes me a few tries as I smack my hand around but eventually, I am successful in grabbing it and bringing the damn thing to my ear.

And then I am rewarded with an ear-splitting shriek.

“Eeeek!”

Jesus! I drop the phone and it smacks me in the face. With a groan, I glare at damn thing through my squinty eyes before bringing the demon phone to my ear once more.

“What?” My word comes out in a hoarse croak.

“Bitch!”

Ah, it’s Sierra.

“Do you want to tell me why I had to hear frommy sisterthat you saw Theo again?” Her screech is loud, and I wince, pulling the phone away from my ear slightly as I force myself to sit up, resting my back against the heavenly pillows that had carried me through such pleasant dreams the night before.

“Hi Sierra.” I scrub my face with one hand, trying to force my weary body into a higher state of wakefulness. God knows I’m going to need it for this conversation. I knew this call was coming. It’s been a few days since I have had the chance to check in with my best friend. With everything that has happened, and the fact that her schedule is so busy, I haven’t had the chance to call and update her. Apparently, Quincy beat me to it. “It’s good to hear from you to-”

“Skip the pleasantries and get to the good stuff please. How the hell did you see Theo again? And why DIDN’T YOU CALLME?” Her voice is so loud that it’s a wonder no one else can hear.

In a pathetic attempt to protect my poor ears, I put the phone on speaker before tossing it carelessly onto the cushy duvet. This is probably going to be alongconversation, and I know how animated my dear friend can get when she is digging her claws into such juicy gossip.

“Well. . . so here’s the thing. . .”

“Oh. My. God. Danica Lynae Ellis, did you sleep with him?” She gasps with exaggerated shock.

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