Page 234 of Tempted By her Daddies

She pushed herself up slightly so she could see Roman and Salem. Salem had closed himself off, while Roman just looked sad as he stared around the apartment.

Great.

Now she felt ashamed of where she lived on top of everything else.

“I know it’s not much, but it’s all I could afford,” she said quietly.

Roman met her gaze with his. “I know. It’s just . . . we should have paid you more. I’m so sorry.”

“You paid me plenty. It’s not your fault.”

“It is,” Salem said firmly. “Living here is unacceptable. Leaving like you did is unacceptable.”

“Your mum told me to leave!” she cried. “What was I meant to do?”

“Tell her no,” Alexei said. “Sit down and not move. Call us. One of those options.”

“But wouldn’t that have been rude?” she asked quietly.

“Baby, no,” Salem said. “I’m sorry that I didn’t make this clear. You’re to tell anyone and everyone that you belong to us. Or to one of us if that makes you more comfortable. You are ours.”

She took in a long breath and let it out slowly.

“And you are never to run off like that again.”

Whoa.

That came from Roman.

“Especially not without your phone or coat,” Salem added. “We didn’t even have your apartment number.” He looked around. “Baby, this is completely unacceptable. You are never coming back here again.”

“This whole place should be condemned,” Alexei said with a snarl. “It is filth.”

It wasn’t that bad!

“Hey, I clean!” Sort of.

Roman wandered around and she winced. What must he think considering where he lived?

“It has good bones; it just needs updating. And security is completely lacking. Someone charges for this place?”

“Uh, yeah.” She was starting to get a crick in her neck. “Alexei, put me down.”

Slap!

That was his only reply. A slap on her butt cheek. She looked pleadingly at Salem, but he just shrugged.

Rude!

“Who?” Roman asked.

“Um. I can’t remember.” Better than saying she didn’t know.

“I will look them up. It’s not right for people to live like this. There’s mold on the ceiling. So dangerous.” He muttered to himself as he typed on his phone.

“We should go,” Salem said.

Alexei grunted and started toward the door. Why had he gone all silent?

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