Page 140 of The Protégé

“Yes. I received a letter from someone named The Raven. He said he was Pablo’s friend.”

I had to thank Reid for alerting my mother. I remembered she’d been sad months ago, saying a good friend had passed.After asking her a few more questions, I realized she didn’t know what Pablo did for a living.

She didn’t need to know any of that. After an hour of chatting, Mom suggested we continue when she returned. She had more things to share about my father. I felt blessed to have two fathers who loved me.

Feeling hopeful, I worked on Musepaper. When I finished what I had to do, I focused on making Orion happy today. I wanted to make him dinner while wearing something provocative. Because of the urgent trip, I grabbed some baby pink lingerie that wasn’t as provocative as the black set. If I had known I’d be in the mood to seduce him, I would’ve brought more options.

I put on the baby pink bra and panties. Then I found one of Orion’s T-shirts and threw it over me, making me look like I was wearing an oversized nightshirt.

Orion told me he’d be home for dinner, but he wasn’t sure what time. I grabbed the apron from the hook, turned on the music on my phone, and went to look in his fancy refrigerator to see what was available. He still had containers of those lavish foods from yesterday, but I didn’t want any of it.

I wanted to make him something simple that reflected my kind of lifestyle. Our lives were blending. I was getting used to his, and I wanted him to get used to mine. A salad with some sautéed chicken strips that were already marinated in a sealed bag. Something simple and healthy.

When I finished making the chicken, I took out the container of salad mix. As I filled two bowls with the mix, I danced to a Taylor Swift song, shifting my hips back and forth.

“Well, hello there,” said a male voice, startling me.

I whirred to a face I never thought I’d see again. Terror trickled down my spine like a block of ice. Over the years, whenever that horrific memory surfaced, my body would tremble. He was the reason I feared heights. But something had changed in me today. Though the fear was there, my body didn’t tremble.

JR2 turned off the music on my phone, which was on the marble counter.

“Where’s Orion?” he asked, studying me.

Nerves had me ready to vomit, but I didn’t want to show it. JR2 didn’t appear to recognize me.

“He’s at a meeting,” I said calmly. “He’ll be back soon.”

“I’ll wait for him then. Get me a glass of wine.” He jerked his chin to the wine cabinet.

How could I forget the privileged attitude that had protected him and his fucking club? A club that had tormented people who didn’t measure up to their wealth or bowed to their demands. I was so sick of people like him. He must be friends with Chantel.

I stared at JR2, not making a move.

“Did you hear what I said?” he barked. “Why are you still standing there? Get me my wine.” His creepy eyes raked down my body. “I didn’t know Orion had such a hot maid working for him.” He crossed his arms, analyzing me like he was about tobuy me. “How much does he pay you? I’ll pay you double if you work for me.”

JR2 stepped closer, and I stepped back.

Nausea still bubbled in me. I didn’t want to be close to this asshole, but I wasn’t a frightened thirteen-year-old girl any longer. I’d had plenty of experiences with people like them. My armor had strengthened over the years.

Right now, I wished I’d signed up for Vivian’s martial arts class.

“Not interested.” I moved the bowls of salad aside, trying to look busy. “I think you should leave. I’ll inform Orion you stopped by.”

“You’re kicking me out? How dare you tell me to leave.” Annoyance splashed over his face as he walked closer. “Do we know each other? You look very familiar.”

No.

He studied me as I wiped the counter with a towel.

“No fucking way!” he said. “You’re that bitch from summer camp!” Laughter erupted from him. “I still have that video of you. Wanna see? Wanna see how pathetic you were? Wetting yourself on that bridge?”

In that moment I wanted tokillhim.

JR2 rushed toward me, but I dodged him, rushed to the other side of the counter to grab my phone. But he reached me, wrapping his thick arm around my waist. I fought him, and my phone dropped to the floor, cracking.

I kicked, screamed, and did everything I could to get away.

“You bitch!”He slapped me, pinning me to the floor.

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