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PIPER
I endure an uncomfortably silent breakfast with Anton and Ella. He insists I eat, even when I tell him I’m not hungry, and he stares down at the newspaper the entire time, only glancing up to ensure I’m eating.
Then he insists on dropping me home on his way to the office, which only drags out the uncomfortable feeling I have in the pit of my stomach. I’m pretty sure he gave me sleeping pills or something last night, and his confusing statement about us dating only messed with my already foggy head. What would he possibly get out of it if I were to agree? It’s not like he can’t get any woman he wants.
I get tired of the silence, so I let out a loud sigh before glancing his way. He’s staring intently at his mobile phone. “What exactly would it entail?” I ask.
Anton looks up. “What?”
I glance at his driver, hoping to God he can’t hear me. “What you said this morning,” I hiss.
I feel like he enjoys my discomfort as he glances at the driver also before smirking. “It would entail us acting like a couple. Dating, spending time together . . . whatever couples do.”
I arch an eyebrow at him. “The couples that I know have sex.”
“You want to have sex with me?” he asks, now fully grinning.
I feel my cheeks redden. “No!” I screech. “This whole thing’s weird. I don’t know what you want from me.”
He exhales, tucking his mobile away. “Piper, it’s not that complicated.”
The car slows and I look out the window to see we’re not at the clubhouse. Instead, we’re at the gates of a house the size of a mansion. It looks like some kind of country club only . . . not in the country.
I sit up straighter. “Why are we here? I thought you were taking me home.”
“It’s just a quick pit-stop. There’s an issue I need to deal with.”
The driver steps out and opens my door. I look back to find Anton already out the car and rounding my side. “I’ll wait here,” I tell him.
“You’ll follow me.”
I roll my eyes and get out to follow. He’s so damn bossy, maybe that’s why he can’t find a real date. “What is this place?”
“It’s one of my private clubs. I co-own it, but my partner is on holiday at the moment.”
As soon as we step inside, it’s obvious this place is way out of my league. Everything inside the place looks expensive, from the white and grey marble floors to the crystal chandeliers. In front of us is a huge lobby with a female standing behind a welcome desk. She smiles brightly, showing us her white teeth. “Good morning, Mr. Martinez. Mr. Griar is waiting in your office.”
Anton nods in acknowledgment and then turns to look at me. “There’s a lounge area just through—” He’s cut off when shouting erupts from the elevator. A man steps out, looking pissed, and a female dressed in next to nothing follows him.
“That was not part of the plan and you know it,” the woman yells.
“I want to speak to—” the man begins but stops when he spots Anton. “Ah, Mr. Martinez, just the person.” He holds out his hand for Anton to shake, but Anton just stares down at it like it’s diseased. The man looks taken aback but seems to think better of calling Anton out and withdraws his hand. “This whore was—”
Anton moves fast, stepping closer to the man and taking him by surprise. He’s so close, it’s intimidating. “Stop talking.” His voice is dangerously low, and I feel my skin prickle as a large man appears behind Anton. He’s tall as well as wide, and I can only assume he’s some kind of security.
“Can I help, Mr. Martinez?” he asks.
“I have a problem I need to deal with in my office, Damon. Please take Mr. Cramner to one of the meeting rooms.” Anton then turns to the woman and takes her hand gently. “Are you okay, Maisy?” She nods. “Good. Can you take my guest to the lounge and then take the rest of the day off? Full pay, of course.”
She nods and kisses his cheek. “Thank you, Mr. Martinez. I appreciate that.”
“Full pay? Are you crazy? She’s a fucking . . .” the man begins. I don’t hear him finish the sentence because he is abruptly escorted from the reception area by Damon.
Maisy smiles. “This way,” she tells me, leading us to another room. “Take a seat. Help yourself to whatever you want,” she adds as I take in my lavish surroundings. “Please don’t leave this room without Mr. Martinez. He doesn’t like people wandering around here.”
“What kind of place is this?” I ask.
“If you don’t know, it’s because he doesn’t want you to.”
