Page 16 of Immortal Throne

Becca answered on the third ring.

“Well?” She sounded excited. “How did it go today? Are you on your lunch break or something? Tell me everything.”

I drew in a long, harsh breath. “It…didn’t go so well.”

“Uh oh.” She went quiet.

Yeah,uh ohsounded about right.

“What did you do?”

My brows knitted together. “Why do you automatically assume it’s me? I’m not the problem this time.”

“Because normally you’re the one who gets in trouble,” Becca retorted smartly.

I gritted my teeth against a swell of anger as I remembered the way Dante had spoken to me. How he’d treated me.

And the way he’d used me for a fucking coffee table.

There were two categories at play in my life: things I’d do for money, and things that weretoodegrading. He’d crossed the line. And I’d let him. I’d stayed there on my hands and knees.

Shame burned inside me.

“Sloane? What happened?” Becca asked.

Did I tell Becca everything? I might as well.

“The man is insane. Utterly and totally insane. I’m not kidding you.”

I was still leaning against the door, and I slowly sunk down to the ground. My butt hit the welcome mat and I rested my head on the door. My heartbeat raced in my ears faster than an engine turning over.Thump, thump, thump.Any faster and it wouldn’t be my mystery illness that killed me. It would be a heart attack.

“You’re going to have to elaborate. And try to slow down because you’re starting to freak me out.”

She didn’t sound like it. If anything, she sounded like she was blowing sunshine up my ass and not really worried.

“You’refreaked out? Girl. Let me tell you this shit.”

I went through the entirety of my morning. From start to finish, and everything in between. Right up to the point where he’d touched my scar and made his claims. I made sure to omit the supernatural side of things, namely the morphing, matching scar thing. That was the type of thing you told someone in person. Or took to your grave.

Much to my surprise, Becca began to laugh. “Okay, now I know you’re making things up. I’m sure your sexy, hella rich boss did not make you crouch between his legs and shine his shoes.”

Although Chupey was the only one around to see my horrified expression, I made it anyway, watching as his head tilted to the side the longer he looked at me. “I’m not making anything up. The dude is seriously deranged. It’s good that you didn’t take that job because who knows what kind of fucked up crazy shit he might have tried with you. At least I can handle him.”

Except I hadn’t handled him, had I? Nope, I’d gotten down on the ground on my hands and knees and became a human end table.

“Honey, I know you’ve got a lot going on right now,” Becca said slowly.

“Yes, that is accurate.” I agreed with her.

“It’s bound to be wearing on you. I’m surprised you’re able to focus on work in the first place. Why don’t I come over tonight? I’ll bring some stuff and make dinner for us. It might be nice to just have some time alone, the two of us. Without an audience to witness if you need to have a breakdown. Hmm?”

My stomach rumbled in response to the dinner offer, and I shifted my hand to the growling beast below my ribs. I blew out a breath. “Sure. That sounds great. You can also tell me about this mystery guy you’re dating.”

Becca giggled. “I havea lotto tell you. I’ll be over at like six. Hold on until then, will you? I’m guessing you’re not going back to the job.”

I groaned. “You’ve got that right.”

“Okay, well, don’t get in any more trouble and I’ll see you tonight. Hang in there,” she said, disconnecting the call, leaving me with my own thoughts.

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