Page 114 of Ashes of Sin and Stardust

But he’s right. It doesn’t say twenty-four consecutive hours. It says twenty-four hours.

“You still want to play the loophole game, miss Benson?”

Fine. You want to play my favorite game with me? You’re going to lose, old man.

I straightened and took a deep breath, handing it back to him. “Okay, Mister Weston. But just know,you’rethe one opening the door this time. When I’m free, you aren’t going to like it.”

“I have no doubt I’ll thoroughly enjoy both your freedom, and your captivity. Whether you do or not is still up for debate.” He set my harness aside and rose to his feet, wiping his hands free of the polish. “Come. Dinner’s almost ready.” He left the room without a backwards glance.

I did the mental math quickly. If I spent four or five hours here a night, twenty-four hours was going to put me... oh my God. A week.

Son of a bitch.

My mind refocused immediately.Okay.I can be good. For now. I’ll be nice, I’ll be respectful. I won’t be annoying and I won’t get into trouble. But that’s it!I resolved that by the time my twenty-four hours were up, I was going to have a whole list of ways to get into trouble.

He made mushrooms again. Stuffed portobellos with green peppers, beef, cheese, and some weird gravy sauce on top that was way too good. It was almost like a joke at this point. I had to eat them because I had to behave. And because I had to eat them, he made them extra delicious so that I would be forced to enjoy them. The ultimate brat move, and I couldn’t do anything about it.

He served a buttery chardonnay with dinner, and we made our way to the living room afterwards. Over dinner he asked me if I’d gotten in contact with anyone from his list.

“I heard back from Gabby and Sanaii. I haven’t heard from Megan yet... I didn’t text Becca. And I’m not ready to text Simon yet.”

“Any particular reason why?”

He settled on the couch in his usual spot, but I felt my eyes move to the armchair he’d sat in last night. I much preferred sitting in the nest between his legs, and I wondered if he’d let me. He seemed to notice my preference, but he didn’t give me what I wanted. And I was far too proud to ask.

“Simon could have rescued me,” I shrugged. “He saw me safeword at The Underground with Woodrow. He knew something was wrong. I saw his face, Reuben. He knew.”

He knew I was being hurt, being abused, and he did nothing.

“Alice... you should talk to him.”

“Why, what good will that do?” I felt my mood growing sour as I collapsed on the couch beside him. Instead of sitting on the other side, I sat right beside him, tucking my feet up behind me. “He abandoned me.”Just like everyone else.

Reuben set his wine glass down and looked at me. “When I spoke to him, he said he told Anthony something was wrong. Anthony revoked Pete’s membership, and that’s why he visited The Lounge. The reason you escaped that night was because Simon saw you at The Lounge, and my friend Lindsay caught onto his panic. Lindsay slugged him in the face and began beating the shit out of him... that’s why he dropped your lead. That’s how you escaped.”

Oh shit. I did it again.I felt my eyes water in shame and embarrassment. Simon had legitimately become a good friend of mine, and a great playmate. And I’d cut him out of my heart at the drop of a hat because I got my information wrong.

“Why didn’t he call me or text me,” I whispered.

“I don’t know, Alice. But he was the first person who I spoke to about you, and he has nothing but concern for your wellbeing. Maybe you should call him.”

I took out my phone and tried to pull up a message to Simon, but I kept getting an error;number blocked. Going to my blocked numbers, I found his on the list.

As soon as I unblocked it, a slew of messages came through.

Simon: Hey Sprite. I heard you had a bad scene today. You alright?

Simon: Alice, let me know you’re okay. Haven’t heard from you.

Simon: We good? You aren’t answering me. I just want you safe. I get it if you don’t want to play anymore.

Simon: Alice, let me know you’re alright. I talked to Anthony, Pete isn’t allowed at the club anymore. You need anything?

Simon: Hey Alice, it’s been a few days and I haven’t heard from you. Clearly you don’t want to talk. I don’t know what I did, but I get it. Just let me know if you need anything, okay? I’ll always go to bat for you. I’m in your corner. I promise. Please play safe and be happy.

Simon: Alice I’m worried about you. I know I said I wouldn’t text anymore but I saw you today at The Lounge and you didn’t look so good. If you need anything, please call me or text me. You can crash at the cabin for a while if you need some space. I’ll leave you alone or I’ll hang out with you. Please just let me know you’re alright.

Simon: Good luck, Sprite. Rooting for you. Won’t text again. Take care and call if you ever need anything. Even if it’s just ink. <3

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