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If he wanted me to wear something else, he’d have given it to me. His comment about me snooping also comes to mind and a freezing cold grips my shoulders. I glance at the note again and then the bedroom door. I debate on lying down again, on simply sleeping—as if I could without remembering what happened before last night—until he’s back. I nearly do it, too, but a spike of pain rips through my head.
Caffeine withdrawal and starvation are a bitch.
Unable to fight those off any longer and the continued quiet leading me to have thoughts I would rather not deal with, I decide the kitchen is where I should go. Declan might even be there waiting for me.
Maybe that’s why he wrote it in the note.
An eerie feeling clings to me as I open the door and look out into the hall again. “Declan?” No one answers me. It’s so quiet I can hear my heart racing.
The kitchen led to a large foyer, and that foyer opened onto Declan’s wing … I’m almost certain. My heart beats harder, but I’m almost positive it was that easy. If it wasn’t, surely he wouldn’t have allowed it.
I shut the door behind me, the note he left still in my hand and I cross my arms over my chest as I wander down the hall.
The dark navy blue color palette is a constant down the long winding hallway. The doors are carved dark mahogany, and every one of them is shut. There are three doors in total that I pass. Two on the left and only one on the right before coming to the double doors that exit to the foyer.
I debate on knocking on them, on testing to see if Declan is there but then I read the note again.
My palm is damp as I hold the parchment tighter.
Whatever I do today, I can’t disappoint him. Not again. Fear still lingers and there’s a dread that doesn’t let go of me.
I’m not given much time to think on it as I step out into the massive foyer. The black and white marble tiles feel cool against the soles of my feet. Heavy walnut double doors with carved crystal doorknobs lead to what I know to be the other wings of the estate. I know there are five in total, one for each of the Cross brothers, and the last …
My gut roils at the thought of where that fifth door leads and I hurriedly avert my gaze. Swallowing thickly, I continue straight ahead, my bare feet padding silently on the marble flooring.
This home isunlike anything I’ve ever seen. It’s more of a mansion than a house. I’ve heard rumors and stories about this place, but nothing could have done it justice.
Light pours in from the massive windows in the sleek, modern kitchen. Just beyond the back wall that’s lined with black glass from floor to ceiling, I think I can see a garden outside. It’s so much brighter here compared to the hall where there wasn’t a single window, or to his room where all the curtains were pulled tight.
The entire kitchen is spotless as if it’s just been cleaned and smells of a hint of lemon. The dark walnut floors are polished to such a high shine, I can see my reflection in them.
I only get two steps into the kitchen, without an idea of where the coffee machine would even be, when I hear the distinct sound of masculine voices behind me. Their heavy footsteps are sudden and their tones casual.
With my heart racing, I spin on my heel with fear striking through me at the sight of the Cross brothers.
Silence slips between us as the three of them walk in, then immediately halt when they see me.
All three are dressed for the day. Jase and Daniel wear slacks with a button-down and polo, respectively. Carter is in a slim-fitted, dark gray suit with no tie. They could tell me the cuff links Carter wears cost more than my mother’s house and I would believe them. From the way they’ve all styled their hair, to the clean shave of their sharp jawlines, wealth drips from them. So does their savagery.
And then there’s me, surprised and underdressed, alone and in the middle of their kitchen where I know I don’t belong.
In only the Henley that Declan left for me, I cross my arms over my chest in an attempt to hide myself. The motion breaks up the three of them staring. Jase and Daniel avert their gazes to exchange glances.
Carter doesn’t look away, though.
“I was just—” I start to explain as my pulse pounds in my ears, fear churning in my gut, but the pain hits me unexpectedly and my hand comes up to my throat.
“You all right?” Daniel questions and I remember last night when he brought me a blanket, before Declan told me all of this was over, sealing that deal with a rough fuck and I was able to get a few hours of sleep. Without my consent, my gaze moves to the table and I wish the blanket was still there so I could cover myself with it.
“Do you need help?” Jase asks when I don’t respond.
“Just …” I try to answer, but with the three of them there, assuming or thinking things that aren’t true, and Declan nowhere to be found … a dread cold creeps inside of me and all I can think of was what happened the last time the three of us were here.
“It’s okay, just … what is it that you need?” Jase presses, snapping me out of it as he approaches me, brow raised along with his hands. He looks me in the eye. “Did Declan give you any … instructions?”
I don’t know why the truth keeps me silent like it does. I’ve always known they kill people. Even if I hadn’t seen it, I’ve known since I was a little girl that these men are bad. Being alone with them after what happened yesterday is more than a little overwhelming and my words fail me. A wave of light-headedness comes over me and I nearly feel faint until the sound of a chair dragging across the floor grips my attention.
“Sit down,” Carter commands from across the kitchen, his hand still gripping the back of the chair.
