Page 14 of Ruthless Lord
Last night was fun but I can’t ever see you again?
It’s just not a conversation we need to have.
“Thanks for letting me be someone else,” I whisper at the shadow of him before slipping to the bedroom door.
I pad lightly down the steps and put on the rest of my clothes in the kitchen. This whole walk of shame thing is a totally new experience for me.
I don’t love it.
But I don’t regret what we did at all.
So much of my life is buttoned-up and perfect. I’d never,everlet someone talk to me the way Stefano spoke to me last night. His hands were rough and firm, and he took exactly what he wanted.
No hesitation. No worrying.
That was intoxicating.
I wish I could be more like that.
But in the cold morning light, I’m still just myself.
Charlie Westbrook.
I slip out the front door, already starting to order an Uber, when I stop short.
There’s a black town car parked at the curb.
I recognize it instantly and a chill runs down into my toes.
The driver’s door opens and Albert steps out.
He smiles sadly at me. He’s always seemed like a kindly uncle. Even though I know he’s my father’s vicious underground fixer and the manager of all the pit fights. He looks like he belongs at a family barbecue making ribs and cracking jokes.
“Morning,” Albert says.
“How’d you find me?”
“One of my men followed you from the warehouse.”
I stiffen my spine. “They couldn’t have helped me when I needed them?”
He spreads his hands in apology. “Looks like someone stepped in before they could.”
My jaw works. This is very bad. It’s one thing for Albert to see me hanging around the warehouse—my grandfather is aware of how I spend my time—but it’s another catching me like this.
The ramifications play through my head, and I know I’m fucked.
“How mad is he?”
“You’ll find out.” Albert nods at the car. “Come on, Charlie. You should get this over with. He wants to see you as soon as you’re home.”
My eyes narrow. “Grandfather’s never awake before seven.”
“We’re not going to see your grandfather.” He sighs as he climbs back into the car.
Oh, fuck.
I can’t move. I can’t breathe.
