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“She looks better than gorgeous,” Tarek adds. My cheeks heat as he looks me up and down before leaning against the wall across the room. I can’t think straight with his eyes on me the way they are. I find it hard to keep my composure.
“That’s better,” Helga says as she moves around the room, searching for shoes.
After trying on dresses, shoes, and every accessory Helga could possibly think of, we have a whole wedding ensemble. She bagged up the other dresses, and Tarek had one of the other men help Helga carry them out of the room. Then he followed me to the kitchen, where I ate lunch, and back to my room, where I sat on the bed with a book. He had to talk to my father about something, and I was left to my own devices. I haven’t thought about running since I know that would only cause problems for Tarek in the long run. He has a plan. He said as much.
The door opens, and I expect to see Tarek walk in, but my smile is quickly ripped from my face when I see Issac step inside.
“I hear you found everything to your liking with Helga,” he remarks as he pulls his suit jacket down his arms. No. He can’t do this. Not right now. My stomach twists into knots as he unbuttons and rolls up the sleeves of his dress shirt.
“I did.”
“That’s all you have to say? I did. No, thank you for doing all that?” He always wants praise for something I didn’t want to begin with, but if that will keep him away from me, I’ll do it. I can’t stand the thought of him touching me while Tarek is here. Bile burns the back of my throat even thinking about it.
“Thank you, Issac. She was very helpful.”
“Don’t sound too grateful,” he sneers at me as he walks closer to the bed. My stomach trembles; nothing good is going to come of this. I scoot back against my headboard and see the predatory look in his eyes.
“I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry? Since when do you say sorry, Pierson? You’ve always been a little brat. I love slapping the brat out of you,” he says as he reaches for the buttons on his shirt. I know what this is. He’s going to try to fuck me again, and I can’t do it. I can’t let him.
I watch as he slides his shirt down his arms, and I swallow hard. What am I going to do? I can’t let this happen. Not again.
“Since I know this is what you both want. Maybe you’re right. Maybe you do want more than just a pawn.” I’ll play his game. I’ll use his words against him. I’ll do anything to stop this.
“What do you mean?”
“Maybe I’m coming around to the idea of marrying you.” He stops walking, and something in his eyes changes. There’s a flash of something I don’t recognize before a smile tugs across his face. It almost seems genuine too. Hell, maybe it is.
“Are you? I’m telling you it won’t be as bad as you make it out to be, Pierson. You’ll have a good life,” he promises as he steps closer to the bed.
“Will you … still hit me?” I ask, trying to keep him at a distance. Maybe if I keep talking, he won’t come closer.
“I only hit you when you need a reminder of where your place is, Pierson.”
“That doesn’t answer the question.”
“Yes, I will if I need to. Otherwise, no. If you follow my rules and do as you’re told, things will go much smoother.” My stomach cramps as he pulls his shirt off and tosses it on the end of the bed. Just as he’s about to reach for me, the door opens, and I hear Tarek clear his throat.
“You’re free to go,” Issac says.
“Catoli says otherwise,” he argues, keeping his tone calm.
“She doesn’t need you right now,” Issac snaps.
“I’m doin’ my job. Catoli said to come and sit with the damn girl, and here I am.”
“Why is that?”
“He said somethin’ about a few things he didn’t like on the phone.” Issac pulls away from me and slips his shirt back on. I let out a breath of relief that doesn’t go unnoticed by anyone in the room. Issac looks strangely at me before turning and stalking out of the room. My eyes move to meet Tarek’s and hold there. When Issac is gone, Tarek shakes his head.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“I shouldn’t have left you alone, but your dad wanted me. He didn’t touch you, did he?” I can see the fire in his eyes from across the room, and I love it. I love every second of it.
“No. He was getting there.”
“He won’t touch you again as long as I’m alive,” he vows, a slight growl leaving his throat. I close my book and sit back, taking in the man who has become to mean so much to me in such a short amount of time. The man who brought me back from death. The man who has given me a reason to want to live.
