“The drink Matheo, I meant the drink.”
“Oh.”
“Shouldn’t you know that’s my favorite by now? When you’ve been around for so long?” I say as I roll my eyes, disappointment washing over me. How hard is it to remember a detail about someone?
“I can’t remember everything.” He shrugs, like he doesn’t care at all.
“Mhm.”
I stay quiet after that, shut him out just like I try to shut out my father and his words. I reach for the heart-shaped, golden locket around my neck, the cold metal landing against my fingers like it’s routine. I always do it when I’m nervous.
“I will be fine, won’t I?” I ask, hoping for reassuranceas I watch the sunset.
“I’m pretty sure you will.” he answers mechanically as his hand lands on my shoulder with a light pressure. “Let’s go back before your father starts worrying too much, shall we?”
I nod, though I want to do the opposite of his suggestion. To go back there might be the last thing on mylist right now. But do I even have a choice?
Chapter 1
Anastasia
That was the last straw. I can’t keep all this information to myself any longer. My father never lets me go outside anymore, not after his fuckup. I thought he would change his mind after a few weeks, but I was clearly in the wrong.
He owes money to his enemy and never paid it back, because that’s the man he is. Deceitful. Not that the people he owes are any better, but a debt is a debt.
Now, they want me instead.At least he’s honest,I say to myself,like it will make me feel any better. It doesn’t.
I throw myself on the bed, phone in hand, and search for the name that echoed from my father’s office once again when I was eavesdropping. The room I am not allowed to go nearunless called upon.
Brian Connor.Apparently he’s some kind of sick enemy to my father. I press search anyway, like I’ve done hundreds of times, but nothing shows up.Of course it doesn’t.
Everyone in the fucked up world I’m unwillingly living in are secretive. Everyone has secrets they hold, and my father never lets me know any of his, unless it’s by his own choice.
I let out a sound of irritation as I throwmy phone on the pillow before rolling over to lie on my back. I stare at the white ceilinglike it will find a way to give me answers, like it will speak to me in a way my father refuses to.
Time passes before I get too bored. I don’t know how much, but enough for the moon to light up my room.
Forcing myself to stand, I walk towards the huge window and look outside. The garden is starting to bloom and will soon be filled with beautiful colors.
Myheart stops as something moves behind one of the trees, a small rush of adrenaline finally moving through me. I focus my eyes on the spot, hoping for something to confirm that I amnotinsane. But no, not even the damn trees can give me a clue. I grit my teeth as I pull the pink curtain, closing out the moonlight.
I’m twenty-four, but my life mirrors something very different. I’m stuck in this damn mansion, like I’m Rapunzel herself.But instead of the evilold lady keepingme inside, it’s my own flesh and blood who does it. The person who is supposed to love me the most in this cruel world.
I know he’s scared of losing me, but it’s only because of him I’m in this situation to begin with. Do the math, pay the right amount of money, and I’ll stay outside of it. But he’s a man, so of course he disappoints, just like all the others I’ve met.
However, I refuse to let go of the thought that one day, I’ll meet the prince I’ve dreamed of since I was a little girl. He’ll take care of me with softness, and he’ll save me from this awful world I was born into.
My father has fucked people over multiple times, and at this point, he has gained more enemies than friends. I roll my eyes as a deep sigh leaves me. How can someone mess up thisbadly?
I pull my light-pink nightgown over my head, stripping my body naked before looking at myself in the full-sized, golden mirror. I admire myself, letting my hands run over the curves of my bare skin.
There’s nothing wrong with having confidence, especially not when it gets you what you want.
Looking to my side, I find my bodyguard standing silent like a statue, the one my dadinsists follow me anywhere.He is always like a shadow, and for most part I don’t even notice him. I’m so used to him following me around that I don’t really pay attention to him. But he’s there, he always is.
He’s handsome, extremely so. Blond hair and eyes like blue diamonds.
I know he’s fighting for his life to stay unbothered as I walk up to him, naked and unashamed as he struggles not to look at me. He blushes, his body tensing, the only signs of reaction he ever gives me.
