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I hear a loud bang as I race down the hallway. No doubt Teddy is throwing a temper tantrum and throwing something at the wall. It serves him right. Now he can wallow and feel how I felt after what he did to me.
I should hold my head high and be happy I put him in his place, even for just a second, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want more. His hands caressed me in ways I’ve never been touched. They burned with lust against my skin—the same hands that have taken the lives of countless others—yet they excited and exhilarated me.
Surrendering to my cozy corner, I push through the door and let it fall closed behind me. I don’t even stop. I go to the bathroom and strip my shirt off, letting it fall to the floor with my pants. I stand there a second, clearing the thoughts in my head, then reach for the knobs to the shower. As I adjust the water and wait, I begin to grasp the context of what just happened. As much as I enjoyed it, I try to reason with myself. I am only here to find my dad’s killer. I’m not here to fall in love and get tangled in the sheets with the leader of the Mafia. Or am I?
The steam begins to infiltrate the room. I step into the shower and let my mind fade into a welcomed dullness as the hot water pounds down onto me. I am not sure if it’s the steam or the droplets against my skin, but being under its spell calms me. Every muscle in my body relaxes as I lean against the wall and let the water hit my face. I’m in my own mind, and for once I don’t hate it.
But it doesn’t take long before he invades my thoughts. The look on Teddy’s face when I used his own words on him was amazing. It started as admiration, then quickly turned to confusion, until finally, there was nothing but anger.
I laugh out loud to the memory that will forever be burned in my mind, then move my hands down my body, wetting every inch.
“What’s so funny, Monkshood?” His voice is breathy and deep.
I jump, startled, trying to cover myself with my hands, but it’s no use. He’s already seen me naked. He’s already touched me. I drop my hands and turn off the water and reach out for a towel.
Plucking it from the golden hook on the wall, I wrap it around me. “Your face. It doesn’t feel too good to be used, now does it?”
He steps closer to me, his chest grazing the front of the towel. “I was simply showing you that I’m in charge. I wasn’t using you.”
I push past him and walk to my closest. “Well, who’s in charge now?” I mumble under my breath.
“Make it something nice,” he says, appearing in the doorway, pointing to all of the dresses on the hangers.
I roll my eyes, thankful he didn’t hear me, but annoyed he’s still bossing me around. I pull a champagne-colored dress off the hanger and slip it over my head, not letting the towel fall until it’s in place.
“These.” He reaches down and grabs a pair of Valentinos.
Once they’re in my hands, I run my fingers over the gold studs. Two straps wrap around the tops of my toes, while another curves and snakes around my ankle in the opposite direction, as I put them on.
Once they’re buckled, I stand and walk past Teddy and back into the bathroom. I pile my damp hair into a messy bun before pulling the elastic from my wrist and wrapping it around.
Teddy looks at me through the mirror as I finish. “Take it down.”
When I don’t reply and try to walk out, he wraps his hand around the nape of my neck gently, but I know at any moment he can have me on the verge of death. He pulls my back to his front and leans in close to my ear.
“Down,” he says as he tugs at the elastic, letting my hair fall.
He straightens himself and adjusts the front of his pants, trying to conceal what I’ve already felt. “We have to go.”
“Where?” I ask, turning to face him head-on.
He looks my body up and down but doesn’t answer my question. Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out a leather strap with two buckles. Without permission, like it’s even needed, he hikes my dress up around my hips and fastens the thinner strap around my waist, then moves to my thigh. He fastens another buckle on the outside of my leg before adjusting the holster on the inside, letting his knuckles brush my bare pussy the slightest bit. He pulls my dress back down and takes a step back. Each strap is so thin it can’t be seen.
He examines where the holster sits, seeming satisfied. He places his hand behind him, raising his shirt in the process, then extends it to me with my gun. “Put it on and see how it feels.”
I grab my Glock and reach between my legs, moving it until it’s rested in the holster.
He observes my body again. “Can’t even see it.” He smiles.
I shake my head as he walks out of the room, and I follow. We walk down the hallway and stop by the door. After a few seconds, Lucas and Julius emerge.
“Are we ready?” Teddy asks. His voice is sharp this time, and his tone is serious.
Both twins push their suit jackets to the side, showing guns resting on their ribs. “All ready,” Lucas says as Julius types on his phone. He turns the screen toward Teddy as I look over his shoulder. A thumbs-up emoji is all that’s on the screen.
Heading down the front steps, we make our way toward Carl. He is in his usual resting place, hands crossed, well dressed, warm smile, waiting with the car. In this ever-changing atmosphere, he is a nice source of constant. Almost like a breath of fresh air.
I tilt my head and turn to Lucas. “When did he get a phone?”
“He’s had it,” Lucas remarks.
“How come I’ve never seen it?”
“He only uses it to talk when he feels like it. I guess he just doesn’t have anything to say to you.” He shrugs. From the corner of my eye, I catch that all-too-familiar smirk.
He opens the door, and as every time before, we all pile in.
As Carl starts the car, and we head toward the gate. It’s like I am only half-aware of the world outside the comfort of the car. My mind starts to race as I struggle to quiet my thoughts. I try to focus on anything other than our destination to avoid the unknown and the nerves that may be associated with it. I let myself get lost in the soundless changing of the gears and the pattern of the traffic lights.
