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“But it could be.” My mom pulls my hand closer. “I know how you can be, Paisley. Give this man a chance—”
A sharp knock cuts off her plea.
“Was that on our door?” She’s as confused as I am.
“Couldn’t be.” I ease my hand out of hers. “I’m sure it was someone next door.” The only visitors we get are the nurses and aides who come to check on my mother throughout the week, and they all come during working hours, not in the middle of the night. “I’ll go see what’s going on.”
Our building is in one of the worst areas of the city, but it’s filled with old people who’ve lived here forever, so the place is usually pretty quiet at night.
One of the reasons I picked it when my mom and I had to move somewhere cheaper a few years ago.
The knock comes again as I creep through the small living room, and this time there’s no denying it’s coming from our door.
I keep my steps soft. The place might be quiet, but it’s also old as hell and not in great condition. The walls and doors are thin, making it easy to hear just about everything happening.
I lean to peek through the peephole, resting the tips of my fingers against the door for balance.
The sight of Andre’s face close on the other side sends me sucking in air as I jump back.
“I know you’re there, Paisley.” His voice is low and deep. “I heard you gasp.”
How in the hell did he get up here? I know I pulled the security door closed behind me.
“I’m not leaving, Duchess. You might as well let me in.”
I glance back at where my mother is tucked into bed.
There’s no way I’m letting him in here. If he knows about my mother he’ll use it against me, and history proves I will do anything to keep her safe and well.
Anything.
I yank open the door and jump out, pulling it closed behind me. “What are you doing?” I keep my voice low, which makes it come out as a hiss.
And maybe that’s okay. Andre needs to know he can’t come here.
This place is off limits.
“You didn’t kiss me goodbye.” He says it like it explains everything.
“So?”
Andre leans close, resting his hand against the doorframe and blocking me in. “You’re supposed to be acting like you like me. Anyone who saw the way you ran inside will assume I upset you.”
I can’t help but roll my eyes. “I don’t think the people you’re worried about watching us hang out in this neighborhood, Andre.”
I’m starting to put together the pieces of his plan and I’m pretty sure it centers around the guy who bid on me first at the auction. Andre seemed upset when I told him I’d seen the guy around Platinum, and considering he’d never hung around the club before, I have to think there’s a connection.
Especially now that I saw that same guy in Andre’s building, looking pretty pissed when I showed up and draped myself all over him.
Andre’s body comes closer, his lips almost against mine. “Everyone is watching us, Duchess. Always.”
The door behind my back suddenly gives way, but Andre catches me before I can tip over, pulling me behind him, one arm pinning me to his back as he faces down our interrupter.
“Let her go.” My mother holds a baseball bat in her boney grip and her eyes are narrowed. She looks ferocious. Ready to defend me with every bit of strength she has left.
Andre releases me and lifts both hands, palms facing toward my mother. “I was only trying to keep her from falling.” His black eyes move down my mother’s wasting frame. “I would never hurt her.”
“Good.” My mother continues to stare him down, looking completely unafraid. “Because if you do I will find you and I will end you.”
