Page 98 of A Dark Duet

“Fuck you.”

“Trust me. I plan on it.”

I snort. “Touch me and I will scratch your fucking eyes out. Who knows where your dick has been or rather what loose hole it crawled out of, fucking gross.”

He smirks. “Are you jealous?”

“Why would I be jealous of a cage fighter that prefers to fuck random chicks after a win? Especially random girls that only know he exists because he is good-looking, fights, and is rich. I have enough personal problems and the last thing I need is to catch a disease. I prefer to take my chances with the likes of Ethan Carter. At least he has been tested for every single venereal disease and I’m not obligated to sit on his cock.

“It’s probably too small anyway. That is probably why he made you sign an agreement.”

I snicker. “Are you jealous? What if his dick is too big to fit inside my pussy and not small at all?”

Jaden turns his face and glares at me before turning back to face the road. “If you don’t want me to remind you about whose dick is bigger and can make you come four times in one night then I suggest you keep comments about Ethan’s cock to yourself. A billionaire that pays for pussy has a small dick in my book.”

“Ha! You are definitely jealous of Ethan.”

After the twenty-five-minute drive, we pull up to a very modern gate surrounded by lush landscaping. “Where are we?” I ask. He presses a button on the visor of the car and a large black iron gate opens slowly.

He drives the car forward on a lighted path that opens to a secluded, sprawling modern mansion. The house looks like a resort rather than a home with all the white walls and glass. It reminds me of the house in the movieSleeping with the Enemystarring Julia Roberts. The mansion looks more like a glass house that looks open and exposed but at the same time secluded and hidden.

He presses another button, and to the right, there are seven garage doors, the first one opens so he can park the Range Rover.

When I glance at him, he cuts the engine. He turns to me and says, “My home, beautiful. This is my home and I want you to stay with me.”

Butterflies swarm in my stomach. The meaning behind him bringing me here is profound. Only Nate has been inside his home. He is a very private person that must keep his demons chained so no one can see. No one knows how he lives or where he sleeps. When we were together three years ago, he would sleep over in the apartment most nights. Other times he would leave after I fell asleep, and I would wake up to an empty bed.

Biting my lower lip, I swallow nervously. “You didn’t have to bring me here.”

He frowns when I avert my gaze and make no move to get out of the car. He should bring the person he wants to spend the rest of his life with here. Not a damaged woman he doesn’t see a future with that has an ugly past and a lot of baggage.

From the corner of my eye, he jumps out of the car, silently opening the back to get my things. He disappears through a door that leads inside his house, his sanctuary, and a place I know I don’t belong because that would mean he would see me. I’m not ready for him to see me or the demons that come for me at night. No one deserves to see my damage. It is ugly and would only warrant more pity. It wouldn’t attract anything other than a sense of shame and that is the last thing I want. It is bad enough I’m ashamed of where I came from, what was done to me, how people view me, and what I’ve had to do just to pay for food and a roof over my head.

Holding my purse, my phone vibrates from an incoming text.

Unlocking my phone, I see it is from Ethan. Great. What does he want? Jaden told me our agreement is null and void. It has been almost a month and it is about to be over anyway. The only part missing is the remainder of my tuition and fees for the last semester.

Ethan: Miss you.

Briana: No, you don’t. You miss your wife. I am not your wife.

Ethan: I’m aware of that. You must think I’m crazy, but I do miss you, Briana. Very much. I hope you are doing ok and if you need me, I’m here.

Briana: No emotion. Remember? Please don’t pity me. I need to give you back your car.

What is his problem? I figure he would want the car back. Maybe that’s it.

Ethan: It was a gift. I want you to have it.

Briana: I don’t want it. It wasn’t part of the agreement, and I don’t want to feel that I owe you for something I cannot afford and cannot pay you back.

Jaden appears in the doorway, eyeing me curiously and I exit the car.

“Everything okay?” he asks.

Giving him a nervous grin, I brush it off. “Yeah, everything is fine. I have to get to school in the morning.”

“You can take one of the cars. The keys are in that box.” He points to a metal box with keys to different luxury vehicles hanging behind a glass window.

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