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“For one, we are much fairer than Erick’s family. We keep to our word and will give you back your freedom after you’ve paid your fair debt off. But he wouldn’t ever give you your life back even though you didn’t owe them anything.”
I walk her up the stairs to the highest room in the mansion. I open the door and lead her inside.
“And, two, we have a lot more money than them, which means you have much better accommodations while you stay here.”
I watch as her mouth drops at the gorgeous room I just brought her into. The room is circular with a large window circling the whole room, providing plenty of light. An oversize bed sits in the center of the room along with a curved couch on another wall, looking out over the gardens. A single other door leads from the room to her bathroom that is almost as large as this room, complete with a chandelier over the bathtub. I’m sure it is the best room she has ever stayed in.
“This room is mine?”
“Yes, it’s yours while you stay here. No one will touch you while you’re in this room. No one will come in here without your permission. It’s the only safe place you have. Remember that.”
She turns to me after studying the room. “Why would you give me a safe place to go? I could just stay in this room, and no one would ever touch me.”
“For one, you would starve if you stayed in here the whole time. No one will bring you food as long as you stay in here. And, two, even if you were to get someone to bring you food, you would go crazy, staying in here. Seven years is a long time not to speak to anyone. People go crazy in solitary confinement. Even confinement that is as beautiful as this.”
She frowns. “If this is my safe place, then why are you in here?”
“Because I was invited.”
“I didn’t invite you.”
I sigh. “Fine, I’ll leave. But, first, you need to know the rules since I’m sure you didn’t read the whole document you signed very carefully.”
She rolls her eyes. “No, I was more concerned with the fact that I’d willingly signed my life away.”
“Not your life. Only seven years.”
“Seven years is a long time.”
I nod. “But it’s not forever.”
Her eyes bore into mine, like she is trying to figure out if I’m telling the truth or not. “Why should I believe you? Why should I believe that I’m ever going to be free again?”
“Because this is how my family keeps our power. We are honest. We do what we say. Our word means everything. When I tell you something, believe me. When Arlo tells you something, believe him. My family tells the truth above all else.”
“Are you going to rape me?” she asks.
I can’t tell if she wants me to or not from the way she says it. She’s not afraid; I know that much.
I grin. “Not today.” I pull a bracelet out of my pocket. “Now, for the rules. Hold out your arm.”
She folds her arms across her chest.
I laugh, loving her fire. “Nina, will you please hold out your arm so that I can place this bracelet on your wrist, or would you rather I take you to the dungeons instead?”
She frowns but holds out her left wrist to me. I place this bracelet on her wrist.
“What is it?”
“It has a tracking device in it. That way, we can figure out where you are and allow you the freedom to move around in our home. Or you can stay in the dungeon. I heard you and Arlo fucked there, so maybe that’s really what you prefer.”
“The bracelet is fine,” she says, shooting fire with her eyes.
She studies the bracelet, already trying to figure out a way to take it off. She’s going to struggle to get it off herself. Once closed, it doesn’t open, except with wire cutters.
“Don’t even think about taking it off.”
She rubs her wrist. “Why?”
