AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Damien’s eyes flash as a sinister smile graces my lips. He is my right hand for a reason because he knows instinctively that I would want to be there.
“And my companion?”
“Iris Mahoney.”
Damien raises his eyes. “Marsha has several codes listed under his and they are obviously his preferences, so I’m guessing that if you work your way through that list of escorts, you will find the knowledge you seek.”
“Then inform the flight crew. We leave for London on Friday.”
I swill the glass of bourbon around in my hand and say icily, “Tomorrow we pay a visit to Mickey Gruber. Lilli will accompany us.”
“And London?” He raises his eyes.
“She will accompany me there, too. Lilli Atherton is going nowhere without me, and I want to make that clear. She is still my prisoner and I want eyes on her all the time I’m not with her. She is going nowhere.”
“Of course.” He says nothing, but the amused glint in his eye tells me that even Damien knows these are changing times. I’m still not sure what that means for me, but I’m so not done with her yet.
CHAPTER 24
LILLI
He left and I’m not sure how I feel about that. Ever since he brought me here, I’ve craved time alone. This is the first time outside of that first shower it’s happened, and I eye the trolley of fast food and my craving pushes the pain away. I will eat myself happy. That’s what I’ll do.
I take a carton from the trolley and sprawl on his black couch. It’s the softest thing I’ve ever sat on, and it swallows me almost whole. I kick off the stilettos that bitch Katerina insisted I wear, and curl my legs under me as I attempt to keep any crumbs from dropping on the silk dress that apparently Mikhail expects his dates to wear.
Am I his date? I’m more like his prisoner, but there is something so compelling about the man I am trying to hate. He is ruthless and cruel, but so kind when it counts. I don’t doubt he will protect me, but who will protect me from him?
I know I’m already drowning in circumstances out of my control and yet there is a yearning to be present when he faces Mickey and mom, with me hiding behind his back. The bully is about to be bullied and I can’t wait for that because I know who my money’s on, and Mickey is definitely no match for my ruthless Russian.
I flick on the set and take a deep breath of relief. I tune into a comedy, a chick flick if you like. It’s exactly what I need right now, something to lighten the atmosphere and as I sprawl on the couch with the burger in one hand and the fries in the other, it’s as if I have died and gone to heaven.
I appear to have overeaten and as my body switches to digestion mode, my eyes are heavy with the effort of keeping them open. I tune in and out of the movie, my mind drifting into unconsciousness as sleep claims me, angry that I’ve resisted it for so long.
A gentle kiss makes my eyes flutter and my heartbeat faster and as I open my eyes, I see Lucifer himself staring intently into mine. My heart lifts because I’ve never met such a handsome man in my life. He is crafted from every wish list I ever had, and my body comes alive with the merest touch.
“Hey, beautiful.” He smiles softly and gently strokes my face and I lean into his hand, craving the soft touch of my captor.
“You are confusing me, Mikhail.” I whisper, and he grins. “Good.”
He carries on stroking my face and I could purr like a cat, but I just smile and whisper, “Did you sort out your business?”
“My business?”
He arches his brow and I nod. “Isn’t it always business with you? I’m surprised you spend so much time hanging with me. Don’t you have an empire to run?”
“I do.” He whispers softly, and then he pulls me against his chest and wraps his arm around me.
“I hate your past, baby girl, but I don’t hate you.”
“You don’t?”
My heart flutters and he says huskily, “You survived. That’s all that matters. Mickey, well, he won’t be so lucky.”
“What will you do?” I’m curious but not bothered what happens to him. If anything, I hope it’s painful and long drawn out.
“Kill him.” Mikhail says it with no emotion, as if he’s stating fact and my sharp intake of breath causes him to grip me a little tighter.
“You have your past and so do I. You don’t win the award for the darkest one.”
