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I pull on some shorts and make my way out into the kitchen. I need to eat something before the pills kick in and I lose my fucking appetite. I take two high calorie protein shakes out of the fridge, screw off the lid of the first one, and down it in one sip. Opening the second one, I drink on it slower.
I try to concentrate on my plans for the day. I need to go to the gym, work out a little, then Ivan wants me to come by the compound again.
I almost growl at the thought. I hope the fucker doesn’t expect me to wear a suit today…or any other day. It’s not happening. I run through my schedule in my head once more, but images of the sweet angel in my guest room sneak into my thoughts.
I wonder what her story is. Who gave her the bruises on her back?
I down the rest of the shake and toss it into the trash. I can already feel the Adderall kicking in, my aggression fading into a fuzzy feeling that leaves me somewhat content. Guilt tickles my senses. I shouldn’t be taking the fucking pills, but they give me the edge I need to keep winning fights and that’s the only thing that truly matters to me.
Grabbing another shake from the fridge, I head back toward the guest room and open the door without bothering to knock. She overstepped my boundaries by sneaking into my bedroom and sleeping in my bed without my knowledge, so it’s only fair I overstep hers.
My steps falter just inside the door when I find her sitting on the bed, her eyes locked on mine. The fear I saw in them earlier has vanished. She looks content, maybe even at peace. The dark circles under her eyes have faded, making her face seem brighter. I step right up to the side of the bed and hold the bottle out to her.
“Drink this,” I order. “If you’re still hungry after that, you can go to the kitchen and get yourself whatever you want. Room service ends today.”
“Uh, okay…” She seems taken back by my tone. “Thank you.” She takes the bottle from my hand, our fingers touching briefly. As soon as her skin touches mine, an electric current runs through me and into her, connecting us in some way.
I pull my hand away quickly, not wanting her to notice, but when I look at her, it’s clear she felt the same thing. My eyes roam over her body. She’s still wearing my shirt, and though I don’t mind, I don’t think that’s what she’ll want to wear forever. I imagine eventually she’ll want to go out places and do things, and she can’t do either wearing my shirt as a dress.
“I’m going to get ahold of Ivan and have his girlfriend take you shopping.”
“I don’t have any money.” She looks away nervously.
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll pay for it.” I grab for my wallet without thought, pull out the first credit card I find, and toss it onto the mattress. I watch as her gaze moves down to the piece of plastic. If she doesn’t take it, I’m going to pick it up and put it in her fucking hand. One way or another, she’s using the card and buying herself something.
“I can’t take that…”
“You can, and you will. Violet’s going to be here soon to get you. You’re going to get some clothes and whatever else the fuck you want, got it?” I give her a look that dares her to defy me on this. It’ll be a battle she’ll never win. Her mouth opens as if she wants to say no, but I hold up a finger to my lips, shaking my head.
“Just take the damn card and buy yourself some fucking clothes,” I grit out.
She nods a second later, finally coming to her senses. “Okay. Thank you. I’ll find a way to pay you back, I promise.” I nod, feeling the air grow thick between us. I need to get out of this room and away from her.
I don’t know what the fuck it is about this girl, but she’s got my insides twisting into knots. I want to make her feel better, secure, happy, and at the same time, I want to push her away. I don’t have any female friends. The only time I’m around them is if they’re under me and I’m inside them, so interacting with Sophie without sex being involved puts me on edge.
She’s the absolute exception to all my rules because my brother has made her my responsibility, but that doesn’t mean I need to be nice to her, right? It doesn’t mean I need to care about her beyond the means of her eating and having a place to lay her pretty little head.
