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“Aren’t you? You’ve shown all the traits of a pet. Refused to eat because you were scared, but the moment you’re led to food, you eat. You hid from me until I said I would free you. Tell me again, little bird, that you aren’t a pet.”
“I want to go home.”
He sighs. “You are home. Eat.”
My stomach is protesting, but I finish the soup. Beast nods his head in what I assume is approval when I set down my spoon.
“I’d like to leave now. And I want to know where Chip and Belle are.”
“Your siblings are safe. That’s all that matters, yes? As for leaving, I think you and I should have a chat before you go.”
He stands, and so do the other men. Biting back a shitty comment, I follow them to a formal living room. There’s a roaring fire in the fireplace, but that’s the only warm thing in this room. The décor reminds me of what you’d expect at a palace—stuffy and uninviting. Definitely not somewhere I’d kick back and relax. And the thought of kids being in this room is laughable. I sit on a chair that is so uncomfortable that I almost consider sitting on the floor instead. The others do the same.
“You wanted to talk?”
“I do.” Beast rubs his hands together. “Forgive me. It’s been a while since I’ve had to have this speech with someone. I want to enjoy it.”
The devil sighs. “Get to the point, Beast.”
His voice does something to my memory, as if I’ve heard him speak before, which is crazy. Right?
“Brute, you are supposed to be silent,” Beast snaps.
Tension is so thick in the room that you could cut it with a knife. My gaze goes between the two men.
I say to the third man, “If you’re the Beast and he’s the Brute, then what does that make you?”
“I’m the Brain.”
“Interesting. Did the three of you name yourselves?”
They don’t answer, making me think that maybe they did.
“Listen, I know my father said that he sold me to the Di Bello Family, which I’m guessing means to the Beast, but there’s been a mistake.”
Beast snorts. “The only mistake is allowing you to stay with him as long as I did. I should have plucked you as soon as I first saw you, but I needed time…”
His voice trails off, and I don’t like it.
“Why did you need time? And how long have you been watching me?”
“Long enough.”
Is he the reason the hairs on the back of my neck have been standing whenever I’m out? That’s been going on formonths. My stomach heaves and I fear I’m going to be sick.
“Why me?”
“Ah, now that’s a good question.” He pauses. “You have a quality within that called to me the moment I laid eyes on you. You’re someone I’ve been looking for. For years.”
Brain echoes, “Years.”
I shake my head. “This is a mistake. I’ve done nothing tocallto you. I’m a nobody, and I certainly didn’t ask to be sold to you.”
Beast sighs. “I don’t expect you to understand. Not yet, at least. Now, let’s get back on topic, shall we? As the Brute said, I need to get to the point so that the fun can begin.”
“Why do I get the feeling I won’t think this is fun?”
He chuckles. “Very good, pet. You’re learning.”
