Page 155 of High Roller

“Victor was close by, and he came to help. I’m fine, sweetheart. I promise.”

She nods. “I’m glad.”

“It’s late, but dinner will be here any minute. I’m going to go touch base with Owen once more, and then we’ll eat together.”

I kiss Grace and then lean across her to kiss Lili before I take the tablet and head back downstairs to call Owen and wait for the food to arrive. Technically, I live too far out for delivery, but I talked Tyson into sending us a care package.

Today I almost lost a woman I just met but care for deeply, and I don’t like how much it’s affecting me.

Do I need to put an end to this before it gets too far out of control?

I don’t know what the right answer is, but I have to figure it out soon before someone else gets hurt.

Grace

I’vebeenfilledwithstress, fear, anxiety, and about twelve other negative emotions all day. I’ve grown so close to Lili in the past couple of weeks, and when I heard a sniper tried to take her out I completely fell apart and tried to leave the house and go after them. The guards kept me from it, and I’m glad they did. I would not have been safe on the road.

I’m waiting for Victor to hear about it and lose his shit, but so far that hasn’t happened.

Lili is dozing beside me on the bed again, and Victor is checking on dinner.

The door opens, and Victor steps in, setting bags of food on the dresser.

“Have you eaten today, Mariposa?”

“Yes, Sir. I promise.”

“Good. Dinner can wait a few minutes. Let Lili sleep and come with me, please.”

I assume he’s been told about my attempted escape and I’m about to find out how pissed he is.

I crawl off the bed and follow him out into the hallway.

He slips his hand in mine, and we walk toward his office hand in hand. I’m not sure if I’m supposed to be scared or comforted by the tender gesture.

Inside, he shuts the door and flips the lock. Yep. I’m in trouble. He sits on the edge of the desk and pulls me so I’m standing between his legs.

He cradles my face in his hands and seems to be searching my eyes for something.

“Today’s been pretty rough, hasn’t it?”

I nod. “Yes, Sir. I definitely don’t want to repeat it.”

“How are you emotionally?”

I shake my head. “I’m shaken up still, but I’m getting there.”

“Good. I had a talk with Todd, one of the guards. He told me you got a little spooked and tried to leave.”

I try to drop my gaze, but he holds my face firm. “Yes, Sir,” I whisper. “I’m sorry. There was just so much panic. I had to do something.”

He drags a thumb across my bottom lip. “I get it.”

“Did you bring me in here to punish me?”

He kisses the tip of my nose. The tender gestures and lack of stern demeanor are freaking me out. It’s possible he’s doing it on purpose. Victor is the king of the mind fuck when he wants to be.

“Do you think you deserve it?”

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