He turns to her, waiting.
“I could do it in my sleep. Why?” she asks, confused. Then he glances between me and her like he’s sharing some code.
“Oh… that’s why,” she says, and everything in her face shifts.
That’s why—what?
“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. Let her go. She has nowhere to run here, too.”
She says it quickly, and finally—finally—he lets go of my hand. The sudden chill of the AC stings the spot where his warmth lingered, like I just took off a piece of clothing.
He really thinks I’m a threat?
“I don’t know if I should be offended or flattered that you think I’ll make trouble,” I dare to say.
Kayla snorts in front of me.
“Let’s go.” Chris grabs my arm instead, tugging me toward the staircase.
“I don’tthinkyou’ll make trouble,” Maleciandro calls from behind us. “Iknowyouaretrouble.”
But instead of following, he turns and walks the other way—toward a locked door at the far end of the first floor.
My gaze lingers on him as Chris leads me toward the stairway, Kayla walking silently on my other side.
Even without looking directly at them, I canfeeltheir eyes on me—curious, observant—digging into my skin.
Somehow, it’s more uncomfortable than the tight corset wrapped around my ribs.
“You don’t need to worry. We won’t eat you,” Chris smirks.
She’s not gripping me hard. She’s not threatening me. She’s just holding my arm like we’ve known each other for years—like we’re two best friends off to do something fun.
I don’t know if I should be more alert… or surrender to this strange, unfamiliar comfort.
“I’m not worried,” I lie, turning slightly toward Kayla.
I think I’m lying.
I’m worried. A lot. Aren’t I?
So why doesn’t my body feel tense around them—like itshould?
Even back home, when one of the other maids sat too close or walked into my room, I felt the need to protect my space.
But not here.
Not with his aunt.
Not with his sister.
Not withhim.
“So… who exactly are you to my brother?” Kayla finally asks as we climb the stairs to the second floor.
At least—I think it’s the second floor. I was too busy staring into her strange, beautiful eyes to count.
Either they’re too young to be involved in whatever shady things Maleciandro’s doing… or maybe they just don’t let the women in on it.
