AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Finally, Winnie speaks again. “Listen, I’m in town this week, and I’d love to get together. What do you say, brunch on Tuesday?”
June glances at me again and I nod.
“Yeah, that works.”
“Great, I’ll send you the details Monday.”
I drive the speed limit while I attempt to dissect any hidden meaning within the call.
“How are your men, darling?”
“Um, they’re good, I think. They’re pretty busy.”
“Mmhm. Yes, I can only imagine. Dominic has his hands full.” A muffled sound comes through like she’s switched the phone from one side to the other. “And Simon, how are things with him? I understand you two have been spending quite a bit of time together.”
June’s cheeks flush. “Per the guys’ request.”
I shove away the bitter rejection caused by her defensive tone.
“Yes, of course. Your safety is their highest priority. And Simon is fit for the job. He’s rather fond of you, June. But that’s not why I called. I’m sure you’ve got other things going on this Friday evening. I’ll let you go, but I’ll be in contact about Tuesday. Do let me know if something comes up and you cannot make it. I look forward to seeing you and getting a chance to catch up. We have much to discuss.”
“I look forward to it, too.”
They say their goodbyes and the call disconnects.
June steadies her gaze on me. “What the fuck was that about?”
I shrug and turn onto a side street. “I have no idea. But you’ll find out soon enough.”
9
JUNE
Ipush around the soggy cereal in my bowl and reminisce about last night.
Simon had surprised me, like really fucking surprised me. In a way that was totally unexpected and so fucking wonderful.
It’s been a while since I’ve felt the type of adrenaline I did from the second we pulled into that sketchy, dark alley. I had a hunch that he would take me somewhere fun, but I had no idea it would have turned intothat.
I witnessed someone nearly die, and that same man murder another.
The entire atmosphere of that building was buzzing with a darkness I haven’t felt in a long while. It was familiar and foreign all at the same time, and I was living for every second of it.
And then the cherry to top it all off—almost getting caught.
I hate lying to my men, but something about being that damn close to Dominic finding out was a thrill I hadn’t anticipated either.
It’s not like I’mlyinglying. I’m just not telling them the whole truth. And isn’t that exactly what they’re doing to me? Only, none of them have questioned where Simon and I went last night. Do they even care? Do they not wonder where some other man has taken their girlfriend? I ask questions and get vague answers—they don’t ask questions at all.
Simon and I didn’t do anything bad; we just did something they wouldn’t approve of. It’s not like I fucked Simon or went running through town naked. But they also don’t approve of me doing pretty much anything outside of existing within this house, so it’s difficult to tell what reallyshouldbe off-limits.
They can’t keep me locked away forever.
Not that I would allow myself to be caged anyway.
The confines they have on me are almost too much to handle, but if I were able to have more moments like last night, maybe I could balance the line of being their good girl while still dipping my toes into my bad side.
Something has been missing from my life, and for a blip of time tucked away in that room with Simon, I felt like I had finally found it.
