Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93203 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93203 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 311(@300wpm)
“Yes.”
“Once again, you are not where I left you. This seems to be a habit of yours.”
I met his gaze in the reflection. He was perched on the edge of his desk, the glass I had seen now in his hand. I turned and met his eyes. He had a slight smirk on his face.
“I woke up and came to see if I could go home yet.”
Instantly, his face changed. His expression became dark. “That isn’t happening for a long time, Effie. Get used to the idea, and stop asking me.”
“Why?”
He tossed back the alcohol in his glass and slammed it on the top of the desk. “Because of your goddamn sister.”
“Did you”—I swallowed—“did you have a relationship with her? Is that why you’re so mad?”
He scrubbed his face. “Absolutely not.”
“Oh.”
“Why would you think that?”
I shrugged. “She’s so pretty and—”
He interrupted me. “Pretty is not the word I would use to describe your sister. Hard. Cold. She didn’t appeal to me at all. In fact, I imagine having sex with her is akin to throwing a hot dog down a hallway. Useless.”
I felt my eyes widen. “Wow.”
He shrugged. “Just being honest. You want pretty, Effie? Go look in the mirror and see past the bruises. You are incredibly lovely.”
I blinked, unsure how to respond. I swallowed, my throat dry. “So how did you get, ah, involved?”
“I was not involved,” he stressed. “She gambled in my casino and lost a huge amount of money. Somehow slipped away from the manager without paying her debt. We found her, and I gave her a chance to pay it or suffer the consequences. She chose to go to the most despicable men out there and trade you for the money she owed.”
“So what those men said was true—she sold me.”
“Yes.”
I felt my knees start to tremble. “And they were going to…?” I trailed off.
He met my eyes. “Sell you off to the highest bidder as a sex slave, no doubt.”
My legs buckled, but Roman was right there, catching me. He sat me in his chair, holding my face. “Deep breaths, Effie. Take some deep breaths.”
I realized the noise I heard was me. I clutched at his wrists. “But—but, how—you?” I stuttered out.
“I figured it out. The money she paid me back with was marked. She had mentioned going to you for the money. I found you.”
“Where—where is she?”
“I don’t know. But I will find her.”
“What will you do to her?”
He shook his head, refusing to answer. I gripped his wrists tighter, everything he said overwhelming and scary.
“You have to stay here for now, Effie. There is no choice. I can’t let you go. The men I stole you from might come looking.”
A long shiver went through me. A hysterical laugh burst from my lips. “So the man who rescued me from my kidnappers is my new kidnapper?”
“For now.”
“Why?” I asked quietly, tamping down my panic.
He regarded me in silence. “I don’t know,” he admitted.
I stared down at the food on my plate, my appetite nonexistent.
“Eat,” Roman said, his tone brooking no argument.
After my question, he had moved away, informing me dinner was coming. I sat on the sofa as he worked at his desk for a while, my mind racing. I always knew Marianne was selfish and cold. I knew she didn’t care much for me. But for her to do that. To be willing to sell me just to pay a debt, I realized she must hate me. I couldn’t get the thought out of my head. My whole life, I had tried to get her to love me. I adored her when I was little, and although she barely tolerated me, I always hoped that would change as we grew up and became adults.
Apparently not.
I picked up my fork, slicing off a bite of chicken. It was tender and, I was certain, delicious, but it tasted like ash in my mouth.
“Would you prefer soup?” he questioned. “Is your throat still too sore?”
“No, this is fine.”
He made a noise of distaste. “Yes. So fine, you’ve eaten three bites. Your body needs the nourishment to heal. There must be something you’d like.”
“No, I’ll eat this.”
He sat back, picking up his wine, swirling it in the glass as he studied me. I felt his stare everywhere.
“My diner?” I asked, trying to distract my thoughts.
“I went there this morning. Spoke with Margi. I explained you’d been in a car accident. She assured me that she and Anne could keep the place running. I offered one of my chefs, but she said she could handle it. She did say there was payroll and supplies to be ordered.” He took a sip of wine. “I told her to give it all to me and I would make sure it was looked after.” He indicated a bag by his desk. “It is all in there. You can look at it tomorrow. I did leave two men to watch over and help out. Just in case.”