a's

. He ordered a maid to escort me to my room. My head

iffened, and this time, the tears kept flowin

the end of the hallway. She turned to gaze at

te has ordered me to bring you

r embarrassing me in front of his men? Did he truly think I would have a

I won't be needing it." My hand gripped the doorknob, and I twisted it, trying to

ty, which made me feel even worse. My defenses crumbled, and I cou

t feel embarrassed. I'll bring you some clothes and food." The maid's voice was kind,

essionless, and she pretended like she had not just acted

around the room, it was small but cozy. The simple wooden furniture looked wel

be. When I opened it, I found it empty-except for a pistol. A shiver ran down my s

g at the gun. Despite how soft the bed looked, I kn

ickly into the sweatshirt and jeans she brought. I laid back

as alone to wal

o reality. My eyes snapped open, and I groaned, my mind foggy with exhaustion. The sunlig

the floor. The pain shot through me, snapping me awake completely. I winced

was there an alarm set for this ho

cing. I hurried to the door and opened it to find a maid-different from the one yeste

at her, trying to stay

he room as she entered, and in her hands, she held another pile of clothes. What did Da

othes onto the bed and

ow my frustration. "Master Dante's orders

The maid's voice held no warmth. "You have less than an hour left to get read

d. But as the hot water rushed over me, my thoughts spiraled. What meeting was Dante having, and why

had left for me. By the time I was done, I realized I was a minute late. Panic

s fixed on the muted TV. The screen displayed news coverage of the fire

sliced through the silence,

ttered, my voice ba

locked onto me, and the air seemed to grow heavier. "I hate latene

quicken as he

re into me. His expression was unreadable, but his

lly ordered, breaking

across from him, keeping a safe distance. I couldn't help but notice the way the room s

rms. His eyes never left me, as i

d but calm, "do you think you can

eel the sting of tears building up in my eyes, but I refus

ough the bitterness in my voice couldn't be

You don't have a choice. You

ground. I couldn't let him see how much he affected me. I had to keep my c

orts. "I know my dad caused you losses, but is all of this necessary? Why

omething human in his eyes. But it was gone as quickly as it appeare

ace in his tone cutting like a blade. "Your father didn't just cause me losses, he humiliated me. And someone

maids. You're here to warm my bed when I decide you will. A toy

low. My stomach churned,

hoke out, my voice ba

e far more satisfying," he s