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“Because you owe me. And I know your little secret.”
“What secret is that?”
“You just told me to trust the rumors. And the rumors are Arlo fell in love with the last slave the family brought home. He’s run off with her.” He cuts his eyes to me. “I have a feeling this new slave has a lot to do with fixing your little problem. But she doesn’t appear too broken to me. Let me have my fun, I might be able to help you, and I’ll promise to keep your secret.”
Matteo growls and grabs Armas by the collar of his shirt. “Don’t threaten me. You know what I’m capable of.”
“Not threatening, simply offering my assistance.”
Paul, one of Matteo’s men, enters the room.
“Sorry to interrupt. There has been another attack,” Paul says.
“I’ll be right there,” Matteo says, dismissing Paul.
He waits until Paul has disappeared before he gets up from the table and jerks Armas back in the chair.
“Babysit her for me, I have to go,” Matteo says, walking away.
I watch him walk away from me, and I’m not sure whether to be happy or terrified. With each step he takes, I think he’s going to stop, turn around, and tell Armas to go to hell. I think he’s going to say I’m his slave and no one else has permission to touch me. Matteo isn’t the kind of man who can share easily. He likes being in control.
But he doesn’t stop. He doesn’t turn around. He doesn’t say another word. He leaves me alone with a man who claims to be his friend, but from the short exchange I witnessed, I know he is anything but his friend.
Matteo’s gone, and I’m left with a man who is a stranger. I don’t know what he wants from me. I don’t know what drives him. I don’t know what his weaknesses are. I don’t know anything about him. I need to tread carefully.
“How long have you known Matteo?” I ask, trying to make light conversation. It might give me some clue to who he is and how to survive until Matteo gets back or better yet, escape.
He smirks. “Since the day I was born. Our families are both rich, old, and know each other well.”
“So you sell weapons too?”
He chuckles. “No, we only meddle with legal things. Our family sells wine.”
“So you aren’t as rich since you don’t do illegal things?”
His eyes narrow. “I guess not.”
“Are you and Matteo truly friends? Because it seems there is more to your friendship than either of you are saying.”
“Does it matter if we are friends or not?”
I shrug. “No reason. I might be able to help you if you are more enemies than friends.”
He leans across the table with a smirk on his face. “Oh, yea? And how could you help me?”
“I’ve been here a month or two now, and I’ve overheard plenty of secrets I’m sure could help you take Matteo down.”
He laughs. “No secrets I don’t already know.”
“I know his weaknesses. It’s how I’ve ensured he hasn’t touched me or hurt me.”
He leans back in his chair again and folds his arms across his chest while he raises an eyebrow. “Really? He has a slave he never uses?”
I nod. “He is using me to get his brother back. Help me escape, and you’ll cause him more pain than you can imagine.”
He stands up and walks around the table to my side and leans against the edge of the table.
“I have a better idea.”
