Page 24 of Entangled
Kade and I had only crossed paths a couple times in the last several days, whether I was coming and he was going, or viceversa. Neither of us said much, his cold exterior shield back up. But it’s not like I could blame him. I never liked letting people in either.
Even though he had put all his walls back up, I always came across a mug of coffee and a bagel in the morning when I went to the library. Anyone who knew me understood my love of coffee, bagels and books so I took this small gesture to heart. I had begun to expect it every morning, just as I expected a new book to be seated in my spot that I knew he wanted me to read.
What sucked about getting a routine in this house was that it made me not want to leave. I didn’t want to go home to Jude when this was all said and done. I know that at the end of the day, a deal has to be made and I’ll have to go home. But if it was up to me to choose between one prison and another, I’d choose this one.
Nobody bothered me. I got to read all day. The food was delicious, and I had a big comfy bed all to myself.
So many different options went through my mind. I could run away and never come back, but with what money? My inheritance went into my shared bank account with Lilah, so it’s not like I could make any sudden moves without her being able to track my transactions.
I could go back to my life with Jude, and simply survive for the rest of my life. Or maybe I could sweet talk Kade into letting me stay here.
What was he losing by letting me stay?
But each time I saw him, and the ice and coldness in his eyes, I knew there was no way that was an option.
He may have a kind side to him, but no man in this life had a heart of gold and didn’t carry a darkness inside of them.
Although there was a man behind the monster, he was still heartless.
10
SOREN
“We’re goingto my father’s house for dinner tonight. Make sure you wear something nice.”
Kade’s demand had been playing in my head since this morning, so much so that I couldn’t focus on the book that was currently in my lap.
Not only was I annoyed about his demand, but I was a nervous wreck about being in the presence of his family again. It was only my second time, and before I wasn’t worried about what they thought about me. I had no idea why I was so concerned now. Not to mention the fact that there would likely be more of them in attendance this time.
Why did it matter so much what these people thought of me? They didn’t matter to me. Maybe it’s because I had a feeling they were going to be scrutinizing me more closely. Their eyes would be on the dress I chose to wear down to the way I ate my food. Before I was just something for them to ignore, just Jude’s arm candy.
But maybe it wouldn’t be so bad, right? I had to try to at least have a little bit of hope. No matter how small and flickery theflame was, I had to keep stoking it to keep it alive. Because what would I be without hope? A shell of the human I currently was.
No matter how optimistic I tried to be, my stomach still turned every which way. I had hopped into a book hoping to escape, but it was doing nothing for me. I swear I’d read the same line fifty-two times and not comprehended it in the slightest.
“Mrs. Peirano?” A gentle voice came from behind me. Besides Vanessa’s surprise visit, I’d only been used to men around here, so the feminine voice that came out of the small woman that met my eyes when I turned around surprised me.
“Yes?” I asked skeptically, wondering who she was and what she could need from me.
“My name is Astrid, and I am Kade’s housekeeper,” she said. “He’s asked me to help you get ready for this evening.”
Now my stomach was knotting even harder, entangled in an endless snare of anxiety, because I had no idea that tonight was such a big deal I needed someone to help me get ready.
“Thank you for the offer, but that won’t be necessary,” I said kindly, not wanting to kill the messenger.
“Mr. Luchetti insists,” Astrid said as a nervous blush crept on her cheeks.
I sighed the biggest sigh I could muster before closing my book and gesturing for Astrid to lead the way to my bedroom. I knew I had no dresses good enough to wear tonight, so imagine my surprise when she opened the walk-in closet and abountyof dresses laid before my eyes.
“Please take a look at the selection from Mr. Luchetti and choose your favorite,” Astrid said kindly, before closing the doors to the closet and giving me some much-needed privacy.
I haveno idea how on God’s green Earth I selected something to wear, but somehow I had made a decision. And a good one at that.
The silky material of the lilac spaghetti strap dress combined with the slit up the side felt delightful on my skin. My silver strappy heels I’d picked were necessary because apparently I had decided to be scandalous tonight.
I made my makeup light, and after a lot of fuss, Astrid braided the front of my hair to keep it out of my face, giving me a crown made out of hair. I hadn’t loved what I’d seen in the mirror in a long time, but standing before it now, I was absolutely feeling like hot shit. It gave me a boost of confidence I hadn’t had in a while. It could easily be due to the fact that I knew Jude would never have the pleasure of seeing it.
Who knew my time away from him would make my spite so much stronger?
