AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Along with everything else.
D.O.D glared at me but refused to acknowledge my insubordination. At least, not at that second.
Ryder reappeared again, filling drinks this time, and dropped another note into my lap. I waited until he exited back into the kitchen before opening it.
Have to go.Something came up. I’ll miss you, Kitten.
I triedto smother my disappointment. I enjoyed Ryder’s company, more than I cared to admit. He, Tam, and I were currently on level twenty-seven of some new video game. I had never played it before, but apparently, I was a natural. I enjoyed the nights Tam and Ryder would sneak through my window to play games with me.
Frowning into my soup, I tried to focus yet again on the conversation. D.O.D was bitching about his employees, and Mr. Julius was nodding his head enthusiastically as if my dad actually gave a damn about his opinion. Mother had her shirt unbuttoned, revealing a hint of lacy bra and cleavage, and I noticed Enzo’s eyes glued to that exposed swatch of skin.
Same old. Same old.
After dinner, we convened inside the family room.
I always hated that crude term. There was nothing “family” about the room at all. With the black, leather sofas, and stark white walls, the place was devoid of any trinkets or photographs. It was the type of room that you would see in a home interior magazine: pretty, but cold.
Shuffling to my usual seat - a leather recliner opposite of the couch - I frowned when I noticed Enzo walking in the same direction. There was a reason I picked this chair. It was away from everyone, away from any wandering hands or thighs pressed too close to mine. It was my sanctuary. I couldn’t help but snort at the thought that something as mundane as a chair could provide me relief, yet it was the truth.
There was no escape in my house. I just had to learn to hide in plain sight.
So why the hell was Enzo sitting down beside me?
The seat was not necessarily small, but it definitely wasn’t large enough to fit two people comfortably. His big ass thigh was half on top of mine, weight crushing. He casually threw his arm around my shoulders as if we were a couple instead of virtual strangers.
I shuddered instinctively. There was something off-putting about Enzo, something menacing. I had the irresistible urge to burrow myself into the ground and never return.
Who the fuck did he think he was?
For the first time in a while, I felt alone and utterly spent. The boys had left earlier, after dinner had finished. I had gotten used to the consistent laughter and jabs of the guys that this tensed, charged silence made goosebumps breakout on my flesh. I didn’t want to be here, and I didn’t want to act like I was okay with the physical contact Enzo was making with me.
What could I do? Did I dare push him away? Move to a different seat?
This was just another example of how trapped I actually was. The chains were invisible, but they were so impossibly heavy.
Conversation steered in the direction of “worthless employees” and “new locations”. I could barely concentrate on anything that was being said. No, all I could focus on was the pungent smell of sweat assaulting my senses and Enzo’s fingers playing with the tips of my hair idly.
“Addie, dear, why don’t you give Enzo a tour of the house?” my father asked suddenly. Tears sprang into my eyes.
I knew exactly why D.O.D wanted me to give a tour. I knew exactly what he expected of me.
Why was I so weak? Why couldn’t I just say no? Why couldn’t I leave?
Because of Nik, I thought. If I had to choose between me or him, I would choose him.
Every. Single. Time.
So I managed a forced smile and gestured towards the hallway.
If Enzo wanted a tour, a tour he shall get.
The man’s face was bright with expectation as I lead him down the small hallway, pointing out various rooms as we walked.
“This is a bedroom, but not just any bedroom. No, in 1965, a family was murdered in there. Blood splattered walls, missing heads, the whole shebang. And here we have bathroom number 2. A man hung his wife in that shower. He then drowned his baby.”
How to kill the mood? Talk about death.
Ryder had drilled this lesson into my mind.
