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So my reply was half-truthful. I was upset, desperate to get rid of both Harlow and Pia, but at the same time ecstatic that Thorn had taken me. In my mind, I knew he took me because he wanted to own me eventually. And even though he hadn’t so much as laid a finger on me, I knew he would eventually, and we would fall in love. Just like in the fairytales. Just like it was meant to be.
“I’m happy to hear you’re adjusting,” Pia said with a kind smile, opening the doors leading on to the balcony. “Care to join me for some fresh air?”
Her eyes told me there would be more than fresh air for me to enjoy out there. So I nodded and got up, joining her on the balcony overlooking the beautiful estate. It was on the other side of the mansion, not the one that overlooked the beach, but the back, where the land stretched out into infinity with beautiful gardens and orchards. I couldn’t imagine the number of people it took to keep the Mansion running, but I was looking forward to finding out once Thorn finally claimed me as his.
“No cameras here,” Pia told me with a smile, and I stared up into her beautiful face.
She was exquisite, exotically beautiful – not the kind of woman you’d see in your everyday life. Her beauty separated her from the rest of us, but I saw right through it to her bitter center. She was a jealous woman, jealous and enraged by the fact that Harlow, a younger woman, had taken the place she thought she deserved.
“Good,” I replied with a smile of my own. “Is there a special reason why you wanted to talk off camera?”
I was slowly leading her to her demise. Pia might not have known it, but the whole time I was working with her against Harlow, I was also planning to get rid of her and claim Thorn for myself. I hoped for her sake she knew that, otherwise I was a large step ahead of her. I smiled at the thought.
“I want to get rid of her,” Pia told me plainly, her eyes burning with emotion. “I want her gone. I assume we want the same thing?”
I nodded, saying, “I think we can get rid of her together.”
“Yes,” Pia said with a smile so sweet and innocent it made me wonder how much of the attitude she showed me was a lie. “I have an idea.”
I wondered whether poor Harlow knew her supposed friends were conspiring against her. Whether Thorn was aware of our intentions and just kept us around because it amused him to see us fighting over him. I didn’t really care either way. As long as I was the one that ended up with him.
While Pia relayed her idea, I smiled sweetly and nodded at all the right moments. It was a good plan. One that would take careful planning but at the end of it, would leave only the two of us competing for the man we both wanted. Harlow would be gone, my wish fulfilled, and a new battle would begin.
“Are you in?” Pia asked, and I gave her a bright smile as I nodded. “Good.”
She was pleased with me, and I knew I’d killed two birds with one stone. As long as Pia thought I was on her side, she would attempt to make things easier for me, and I loved that. As we stopped talking, she reached into her pocket and brought out a small photo, the kind that is usually used in passports. She slipped it to me, and I looked down curiously as I realized it was a portrait photo of Thorn. He looked just as tall, dark and handsome as he did in real life.
I raised my eyes to Pia’s and stared at her questioningly.
“I know what you want,” she told me. “I know we’re going to end up fighting over him. But for now… let’s call a truce.”
“Let’s,” I lied smoothly, and have her a prim and proper little hug.
I wondered if she knew how much I hated her when she pulled back, and I wondered just how much she really hated me, too.
Five
Thorn
My study felt nice in the mornings. Refreshing and cool, it was the perfect place to relax after the long week I’d had. I’d left my Rose sound asleep in her bed, but I’d slept with her again – a habit I was finding hard to resist. I never slept with women overnight, but she made me reconsider it. I wanted to feel her lithe body against mine. Craved the feeling of her silky skin against mine. I couldn’t get enough of her.
I knew I was falling deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole. I was becoming increasingly clear just how true my words rang in the rose garden. I loved her.
