Page 16 of The Mafia's Desire

“You will. Talk to the girls. They’ll tell you how they’re treated.”

“I already heard they were practically prisoners here.”

One of Ethan’s brows spiked. “They said that?”

“Not like that. They told me they couldn’t go anywhere without a group of guys with them. They have no freedom, and if they wanted to do something like ride horses, they aren’t allowed.”

“Everything these guys do is for their protection.”

“At the cost of their freedom.”

She could tell he was getting frustrated, but she wanted him to see it from her standpoint.

“Just talk to them. I think if you asked them if they would like to live like this or be out on their own in an apartment and work long hours, they’d choose this. They’re pampered beyond belief, and you will be, too.”

She’d never been treated nicely, so she had no idea what it was like.

“I don’t belong here.”

“Why?” he asked.

“I’m a waitress from the wrong side of town with no family or friends.”

“Beth worked at a tire shop before meeting Alastair. The sisters were prisoners in their home their whole lives. They weren’t allowed out of their rooms until their father left. He was a monster. Lastly, I recently discovered that my mother was a psychopath and killed several people. If you had met her, you would have said she was incredibly sweet and couldn’t hurt a fly. So, you see, we all have issues.”

She could see his pain and wanted to comfort him, but she had yet to decide if she would stay.

“I’m sorry about your mother.” She didn’t know what else to say.

Chapter Eight

He nodded. “We were all shocked.” He almost grinned. Shocked was a timid word for the way he felt at the time.

“How old are you?” he asked.

“Twenty,” Sara said. “How about you?”

“I’m thirty-nine.” She seemed so much older than twenty, but it didn’t matter. As long as she was of legal age, he was fine with how young she was.

“The swelling is about gone,” he said.

Sara nodded. “The girls have helped me a lot.”

“I want to see the rest of your injuries.”

She shook her head. “No.”

He grinned. “I’m going to look at them one way or another. Remember, I’ve already seen you. I undressed you in the hotel room and put on the clothes one of the guys bought you.”

“I was asleep at the time. I’m not now.”

He shoved down the blanket, and she cursed as she tried to grab for it.

“Stop it,” she hissed.

He grasped her hips and slid her down until she was lying flat and then started working the nightgown up.

She continued to slap at his hands.

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