Page 149 of Merciless Desires

“Then I have to work harder to make you want to do what I want you to do.” He pinches the tips of my wet hair. “Come on, let’s eat.”

While the steaks smell heavenly all grilled up, I say, “I’m not hungry. Please, can I just go to my room?”

“You need to eat.”

Swallowing, I say, “Leave it on a plate. I’ll come down—”

“You don’t want to eat with me?”

“I don’t know what I want.”

“Why did you write to your sister?” He takes the letter out of his pocket.

“I wanted her to know I was okay. If I could have called her from Vegas, I would have.”

“Don’t you understand the burden you keep piling up on your poor sister? First the fake kidnapping. And now what’s happened to you? Do you think that’s fair to her? You’re not thinking straight. I am. I can’t let you send this.” After pulling the stamp off, he hands it to me. “Please eat.”

“You don’t want to read it?”

“I don’t have to.”

Breathing in, I can smell the steak. “Can I help with dinner?”

“Nope. All plated. Just waiting for you.”

After a nerve-wracking dinner with Darragh, who cooked two perfectly delicious steaks, ignoring the massive tension between us, I went to my bedroom and locked my door.

I shake off the anxiety from the confrontation with him, wandering around the beautiful and comfortable guestroom, getting my breathing under control.

I put the television on to have white noise in the background when a knock on my door stills me.

My choices right now are limited. I have a roof over my head that’s not made of cement blocks. I’m wearing nice, well-fitting clothes, and not a disgusting prison jumpsuit.

Taking a deep breath, I open the door. This is Darragh’s house. He can smash it down. He has that right. “Were you getting ready for bed?”

“Yes and no.”

“Can I come in?”

I step aside. “It is your house.”

“Sophie is asleep, by the way.”

Feeling guilty, I say, “I’m sorry I didn’t say goodnight to her.”

“She was in a chicken nugget coma.”

I laugh.

“Glad you find that funny. I called Eoghan.”

Fear rakes down my spine. “The lawyer, and not your psycho enforcer brother to come kill me?”

“That psycho is your brother-in-law now.” He lowers a bushy eyebrow at me.

“What are you talking about?”

“Lachlan and Katya are married.”

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