Page 147 of Shifting Hearts 1
That is something that I would never be able to say out loud. It would mean certain death if the words got to the wrong ears.
“I am so sorry you are stuck in this situation. It must be agony not to be able to choose your own destiny. My biggest secret was that I was a virgin. In my circle, you could have gotten a pretty penny for me. So, I guess in some way you have saved me from a worse fate.”
Raking my hands through my hair, I start pacing.
Does she even realize the damage we can do together, especially with the connection between us?
If I knew it would be like this, I would have fucked a dozen virgin Basilisks.
“Let’s go take a shower. Somehow, I don’t feel as dirty as I should.”
She jumps off the counter and saunters over to my bedroom door, before she halts and waits for me to snap out of it.
Leaning against the door frame, she says, “I am sure I can find my way, but now that I learned how to ride the bicycle, I might like to go for another ride. Or is this a one-and-done type of thing?”
Her sass gets my feet to move, and I stop right in front of her. Slowly, she stands and pokes her finger into my chest as she states, “Don’t even try and hide something from me. As you can see, I will know. So, let this be the start of a beautiful new relationship. One where you win your war and I find Alexi. Deal?” She extends her hand to me and I have no other choice but to shake on it.
Because isn’t that precisely what I wanted and promised her?
NINE
Maddy
Ifall into bed after the shower and drift off to have the best night’s sleep I have ever had.
There was no danger of being snatched in the middle of the night. Or someone forcing himself on me by pushing my head into the pillow. And by some miracle, even though I was literally in the snake’s lair, my mind knew it could relax and just be.
Which allowed me to contemplate this new situation.
Could there be some truth to the story Alejandro told me? I do feel stronger, but could I truly be something more than the world expects of me. And if this was the case and my mother knew this, why did she give me away without even leaving a hint behind? Or did she and Mrs. Gruber kept it from me? More important than my heritage is what this will mean for my future? And does it mean that I would have a future with Alejandro, or will he stay true to his word?
That was until I felt the familiar chill of someone watching me. Lying on my stomach with a streak of drool in the corner ofmy mouth, I slowly opened my eyes to find Alejandro lying on his side, head propped on his arm, staring at me.
“I don’t know what your mother taught you, but this is certainly not the way to wake up a woman in your bed. Might I suggest breakfast?”
I rise carefully to keep my naked body hidden under the satin sheet as I lean back against the headboard.
“I wouldn’t know. This is the first time anyone has ever slept over.”
His words are matter-of-factly, but they still stir something inside me. It almost feels like delight. But that can’t be. We are just two people helping each other out, nothing more.
“Why did you let me sleep here then?” I rub sleep from my eyes.
“Why did you give me your virginity?”
He has me there. But there is nothing I won’t do to get Alexi back. And I can admit this to myself, but I want him more than anything else in my life.
“You know why. You made some promises, and I expect you to deliver. So, where do we start?”
He eyes me from the side, and clear as day, I hear his voice inside my head.
What we need is to develop your skills and then decide the best course of action to get what we both want. I think we can definitely help each other out.
“I like the sound of that. First, I need you to locate the site where the Alvarez cartel keeps its prisoners. I am sure Alexi should be there, but I assume not for long. What do you need me to do?”
He turns to the bedside table, picks up his phone and sends a quick text.
Done.
