Page 23 of Defy

A yawn escaped a second after her question, and I shook my head.

“You are asleep on your feet. I need you wide awake for what I have in store for you.”

No matter how much I gorged on her, I wasn’t sure I’d ever get enough.

But I sure as fuck, planned to get those words she refused to give me. I wanted those words. I needed those words. They belonged to me.

“Oh, I remember. You plan to punish me. Whatever.” She followed her retort with a half-assed frown, which lessened the impact of her brattiness.

I stood and picked up a hairbrush. “Let’s finish up in here. You look like an exhausted kitten, needing me to tuck you in for the night.”

“I have a pussy. I’m willing to let you service it again.”

Instead of continuing a nonsensical conversation, I combed and dried her hair and slipped her into our bed.

Just as I was about to tell her not to argue and sleep, I realized her eyes were closed, and she had already passed out into a deep slumber. Tucking the covers around her, I turned down the lights and exited the bedroom.

I’d barely come down the hall when I heard the ringtone of my cell phone. I’d left it on the kitchen island intentionally, knowing someone or the other would call.

By now, the news of Sophia’s departure from the station was public information, and either the media or her family would expect updates.

Avoiding the media wasn’t the problem. Her family was where the issues came in, especially Lucian.

Fucker probably wanted to cut my balls off for keeping him in the dark about my plans.

When I reached the mobile, the call dropped, and the alert for my private elevator sounded.

Good thing I had it on lockdown.

No one besides me could override that system.

As I reviewed the display on my mobile, I released a deep breath and prepared for an inquisition.

As I’d expected. The devil was on a rampage and at my doorstep.

I had fifteen missed calls from Lucian and at least fifty messages, each text becoming more profanity-filled as they progressed.

So, deductive reasoning told me that my lobby guest was the one and only Lucian Morelli.

I glanced in the direction of the hallway leading to my bedroom. The distance and soundproofing of the penthouse would keep any noise brother dearest graced me with from disturbing Sophia’s rest.

The last thing I wanted was for anyone, including Lucian, to upset her. I wanted her as relaxed as possible to answer my questions in the morning.

I was a sick fuck, but my way came with pleasure mixed in with the torture I planned.

Deciding not to make the dickhead wait more, even if annoying him added some fun to a shitty day, I punched in the code to allow access to the lift.

Less than four minutes later, an irate Lucian stormed through the front entrance of the penthouse and into my living room.

“Where is she? I want to see her.” Lucian’s dark eyes blazed as if he was ready for war.

He stalked toward me, and if I were anyone else, the look on his face would have made me piss in my pants.

However, since I was among the few people the fucker couldn’t intimidate, I tucked a hand into my pocket and leaned an elbow against the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the city.

After letting him stew for a second, I responded, “You’ll have to wait until morning.”

“The hell, I’ll wait.” He prowled in my direction, clenching his fists. “Get her out here now.”

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