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At least Sarah was the only person to come in here. I don’t even want to think who else could walk in. On cue, the doorknob turns, and the door opens. Like a bunny caught in a trap, I wiggle against the restraints, the rope cutting into my skin painfully.
“I know you’re excited to see me, but that’s no reason to squirm,” Nic’s voice booms through the room, and to my annoyance, that calms me. Better him than some random guard, or even worse, his brother.
“I need to use the bathroom,” I blurt out.
“Good thing I’m here to untie you. Your punishment is over,” he announces and starts undoing the knots. He frees my ankles first. As soon as my legs are free, I squeeze my thighs together, making him chuckle.
“Too late to be shy now,” he murmurs while untying my wrists. “As much as I’d like to play with you a little more, I have things to do. Behave, or you’ll be right back here.”
“Great,” I say sarcastically. Rubbing the soreness from my wrists, I sit up and watch him leave the room like it’s just another day at the office.
Still angry as can be, I climb off the bed and head to the bathroom. Then I find something to wear and sit back down on the mattress. I lean back into the side of the bed, the ball of my hair pressing uncomfortably against my scalp. My gaze gravitates to the ceiling as I’m trying to come to terms with everything.
There is nothing I wouldn’t do for a Starbucks right now.
A snort slips out as I imagine the extra whipped topping on a mocha frappuccino. I don’t know why I’m even thinking about something so mundane, especially when there are more pressing matters, like how the hell I’m going to get myself out of this without being tagged and sold like a cow at an auction.
I push the thought of a Starbucks to the back of my mind; such luxuries are a thing of the past. My buyer will have certain expectations of me. He’ll realize quickly that I won’t sit quietly and let him do what he wants with me.
The thought of escape, of fighting back, pushes a little of the despair away, making the pressure on my chest bearable. I might not escape Nicolo, but that doesn’t mean I won’t escape whoever purchases me tomorrow night.
The door opens with a slight creak behind me, but I don’t bother looking. What more can he do to me now? The click of shoes across the hardwood is stiff, hesitant, not Nicolo’s you-should-be-bowing-to-me gait. I glance up over my shoulder to find the other man, his friend, Soo.
His brown eyes are electric as he surveys me from head to toe. “Are you all right?” He’s asking like he legitimately cares, which I can’t believe for a second.
I don’t bother hiding my snark. “Why do you care? Need to make sure the merchandise is intact before you can put me up to the bidders?”
He tracks his gaze up the bruises on my legs with a little frown. “Contrary to what you might think, I don’t enjoy this.”
“Well, Nicolo does. He seems perfectly content leaving me naked and tied to the bed all day, using me, and selling me. Matter of fact, he’s done all of this with a smile on his face. I’m pretty sure he’s enjoying this.”
“He needs his revenge. Unfortunately, you are collateral in his plan.”
“Whatever revenge he gets by selling me won’t help him and won’t make him feel better when he’s finished. I’ll just be another mark on his conscience, another scar he’ll never be able to erase.”
My voice is low and thready. I try to keep the tears at bay so he doesn’t truly see how scared I am. “He should have done his research. My father doesn’t give a shit about me except for what my marriage could bring him. He’s waited years for an alliance with one of the other families, but he’s resourceful. I’m sure he’s already bounced back and launched a new venture to bring him the connections he wants.”
“This isn’t about your father caring about you. This is about Nic taking something away from your father. You don’t think we know he doesn’t love you? It’s clear he doesn’t but knowing that Nic took something from him is what will destroy him. Knowing he used you for his benefit instead of your father’s, that’s the real revenge.”
My mouth falls open, probably making me look like I feel—a fish out of water. Of course, he knows. Yet, he doesn’t care that I’m innocent. I don’t know if that makes it better or worse.
Soo studies me, his long muscular legs showcased in tight black jeans. With his hair back, I can see the straight sweep of his cheekbones and the sharp cut of his jawline. He’s beautiful, but so is Nicolo, and I’m reminded then that even the devil can look like an angel.
