Page 31 of The Bargain

“Do you care?”

He shrugged. “I don’t. But you need to be healthy to take care of the child and right now, I’m not sure that this is the case.”

“Why would it matter? You want him anyway, don’t you?”

He sighed, looking around the newly decorated room. “You know we’ve got people to do that.” He gestured at the walls. “What took you days would have taken a team of experts only hours.”

Standing up, I winced at the shooting pain in my lower back. I had pushed it with that design on the wall, but I’d wanted to finish it today.

“This has nothing to do with that. They might have even done a better job than me. I'm not denying that but there’s a certain pride to doing it myself. In creating the right environment for Timmy. It’s bringing a little part of me to his space.” I shrugged. “I know it probably doesn't make much sense to you.”

He looked down at me strangely. It wasn't with hate for once. No...it seemed to be confusion. My heart accelerated in my chest. Dean was a beautiful man when his deep scowl of hate was missing.

“Did you need anything?” He hadn’t been in Timmy's room since that first day.

“What?” he asked, seemingly lost in his thoughts.

“You came here for something, no?”

“There's a dinner tomorrow night.” He replied sharply, his critical eyes now on the boat I'd painted on the wall.

“Ah.” I nodded. I knew about the dinner. Mrs. James had told me about it when I was in the kitchen with her and she had started working on a menu for the evening. A menu I hoped I could watch her cook.

“Don't worry. I'll stay here with Timmy. Nobody will know I am here.”

He sighed, shaking his head as if I was infuriating him...well, I was infuriating him.

“No, you will attend and you will behave properly. The guests' list is limited to a few close business partners and my sister.”

I frowned. “It sounds a lot like an order.”

“Because it is. “

I looked at him, mouth agape. What could I answer? He was such a horrible commanding man.

He looked a lot like Eddie, there was no denying these two were brothers but where despite the drugs Eddie was all heart and love this man in front of me was cold and unfeeling.

“Why do you want me to attend? You clearly don’t want me there.”

“Is the reason important?” He crossed his arms on his chest. “I said you’ll attend and that’s what you’ll do.”

“I’m not your possession, you can’t just order me.”

He let out a humorless laugh. “I believe the contract you signed says otherwise and as far as being a possession,” His eyes trailed down my body, and despite the sneer and dislike I felt for the man I couldn’t help but shiver with a hint of desire under the appraising eyes. “You’re the epitome of a possession don’t kid yourself.”

I shook my head. “I’m not that woman anymore.” I needed him to see me more like myself than Opal. I was not sure why. It shouldn’t matter, but I didn’t want this man to hate me.

“Youwillattend this dinner, Ms. Collins, and you’ll behave and dress appropriately.”

He pointed at my ripped jeans and my old tee shirt. “This won’t do.”

I didn't even try to tell him that I’d worn this because I was painting. I didn't want to argue with him. “Would you like to pick my outfit too? I mean, you’re already dictating all other aspects of my life…”

He gave me a withering look. “Don’t try to pull one of me, Ms. Collins. If you think I’m unpleasant now, you’ve seen nothing yet.”

I believed him. Despite how despicable he has been to me, I believed him. It was all there on this face the promise of endless pain and suffering.

“Is it a test?”

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