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In the shower that night, I braced my shoulders against the stone and fucked my fist while I fantasized about her. Her pouty lips on my cock. Her eyes filled with lust as she smiled shyly from her knees. Her sweet smell carried by the steam. With my eyes shut and the water beating on me, I pumped fast and rough until I was spent.
Just thinking about that night makes me hard.
When it was time to bring her back to Porto, I had Victor stock the bathroom with toiletries I remembered from her room. Brands she couldn’t afford while she lived in the US. I’m not sure if I did it for her, or for me.
“Your hair is damp.” I rub the curl between my fingers, dispersing a faint citrus scent into the air.
“I didn’t want to keep you waiting any longer than necessary.”
“You mean you didn’t want to punish the staff any more than necessary. You don’t give a damn about making me wait.” My words are sharp, but my tone is light.
Her cheeks pinken. “That’s not true.”
“You’re not the innocent girl I met with in your father’s office—you’re a beautiful woman.”Who’s going to be the death of me.“While you’ve proven to be quite wily, you’re still a terrible liar.” I pause. “Don’t ever forget what I said about lying to me.”
I tug on her hair gently, but it’s enough to make my point.
She pulls her lips into a tight, disapproving line, but she doesn’t say anything.
“Would you like a drink?”
“No, thank you. I haven’t eaten much today. It’s probably better if I wait. I’ll have wine with dinner.”
One choppy sentence after another tumbles out in a breathless voice. She’s nervous.As she should be. Isn’t that what you want?
Daniela watches as I pour myself another whiskey. She’s quiet, but I suspect the noise inside her head is loud and frenzied.
“I apologize for the way I came to dinner earlier. I wasn’t sure—please don’t punish the staff, especially Victor. He’s not a young man, and he’s up early. I’d be more than happy to serve dinner and to clean up when we’re done—or at least clear the dishes. I’m used to it. We don’t have help at home.”
This is your home. And you’re not a goddamn servant. Stop acting like one.
“What about Isabel? Isn’t she a maid?” It comes out gruffer than I intend.
Daniela narrows her eyes, shooting daggers at me. “Why did you kill her husband?”
She awaits my response with her chin up and shoulders squared. As nervous as she is, she has a streak of courage inside her that won’t be kept down. Even though it makes my life more difficult, it’s hard not to admire her mettle.
“Why?” she demands in a whisper.
I didn’t, but I would have.The sonofabitch contacted us and offered to share Daniela’s location for the right price. He also wanted a lot of money in exchange for secrets he claimed to know. He deserved to die, but someone else got to him before we did.
“I’ve already told you once—I didn’t kill Jorge. But don’t spend a second mourning him. He was only too happy to sell you out, and not just you, but his wife and daughter. He was the worst kind of scum.”
The color drains from her face. “Is—is that how you found out where we were living?”
“We’ve known where you were the entire time.”And although it took awhile, someone else found you too.
Daniela blinks several times before the wheels begin turning. No doubt she has more questions, but I’m not ready to give her more answers.
“If Isabel isn’t your maid, what role does she play in your life?” I know all about Isabel. More than I care to know. But aside from redirecting the conversation, I’d like to hear about the relationship from her mouth. It might provide some insight into how to deal with Isabel, who is still too damn anxious for her own good. Plus, it might give me some ammunition to keep Daniela in line, if we need it.
She steps closer to the fire and holds her hands inside the decorative grate, warming them.
“She’s had many roles. Isabel came to live with us when she was fifteen,” Daniela says in a hollow voice. “My mother intervened to protect her from being trafficked. I’m surprised you don’t know the story.”
Oh, I know the story. Not just hers but dozens like hers.
“Since my mother died, she’s been more of an assistant than a maid. She’s always been like a member of the family.” Her voice catches as she says the wordfamily.
