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“Okay, where were we before Bonnie interrupted us?” Vaughn grabbed his computer again.
My cell rang, and I practically ripped it out of my back pocket. Static hummed in my brain while I stared at the screen, a growing sense of apprehension nagging at me.
“Shit.” I glanced at my best friend. “This can’t be good.”
20
Giselle
The early morning sun peeked over the horizon, painting the new day with brilliant shades of golds and reds as I leaned against the wall and looked out of my bedroom window. Dread twisted my stomach into knots, and I tried to shut out the black clouds that rolled into my mind.
“Giselle,” Donovan said from behind me.
I didn’t bother to turn around. I could hear him just fine with my back to him.
“Giselle,” he said again, his tone demanding my attention.
“What?” I rubbed my arms, my body aching from his discipline yesterday.
“After you fell asleep, I received a call. I’m headed out of town for the week on business. I reached out to Zayne last night, he’ll stay with you.”
A flicker of hope broke through the numbness, but I pushed it aside, hiding it from Donovan. “Whatever.” I turned slowly. “Have a nice trip.”
With quick, long strides, Donovan closed the gap between us and gripped my shoulders, shaking me. “Do not fucking push me, Giselle, or what I did to you yesterday will look like child’s play.”
I stared up at him, my pulse steady. That time, he hadn’t only raped me, he’d also stripped me of any feelings. I’d gone from fear to hate to … nothing.
“I’m not pushing you, Donovan. I genuinely hope you have a nice trip.” My arms went limp in his grasp.
He released me and straightened his tie, his eyes briefly narrowing. The doorbell broke through the tension, and he left me alone in my room. I crept near the hall, trying to listen to Donovan’s conversation.
Zayne’s deep voice pricked my ears. Donovan was giving him details of his trip in case he needed to be reached. He also said that he would check in daily, and I nearly barked out a sarcastic laugh. Donovan treated me like a child one moment, his sex slave the next, but I couldn’t bring myself to get angry anymore. It was easier to be numb.
“Giselle!”
I smoothed the front of my sleeveless white blouse and adjusted the belt on my jeans. “Coming.” I hurried down the stairs to the foyer, refusing to look at Zayne. Donovan was watching me like a fucking hawk, and even one suspicious sideways glance would have him canceling the trip.
Donovan reached for me, then pressed a forceful kiss to my lips. One of these days, I would spit in his mouth, but it was too risky at the moment.
I squeezed his shoulder, playing it up for his benefit. “Have a good flight,” I said.
“Zayne, take care of her while I’m gone. Don’t leave her side. I even want you in her room watching her sleep at night, but the door has to be left open.”
“Of course.” Zayne’s stoic expression was in place, revealing absolutely nothing of his thoughts or feelings.
Donovan grabbed his suitcase, then Marty escorted him outside to the car. Only when the door had closed did I look at Zayne. I nonchalantly placed a finger over my mouth, reminding him there were cameras in the house. The corner of his lip kicked up slightly, and I hoped he’d understood. My heart raced as my attention swept over him. How in the world someone could make a black polo shirt and black slacks look hot as hell was beyond me, but here he was.
Minutes later, Marty returned and secured the alarm system, then started to talk to Zayne in a hushed tone. I assumed that Donovan had given additional instructions.
I stared through the living room windows, watching Donovan’s Porsche pull away. It was interesting that he hadn’t used a driver. Sometimes he just wanted to get behind the wheel of his sports car, so maybe that was why. Suspicion peppered my skin, causing me to fear the worst. What if he’d lied and was pretending to go away on business when he was actually up to no good? I swatted the idea away, but I would talk to Zayne once we were out of the house.
Then it dawned on me. Since Donovan was driving, he wasn’t paying attention to the video feed, and I took advantage of the situation. Marty was still talking to Zayne, so I snuck away as quietly as I could and made a beeline for my bedroom. I needed to grab the clothes and candle for Zayne while no one was looking … I hoped.
I located the bags that I’d stashed in my closet. Once I’d removed the candle and slipped it in with the clothes, another idea occurred to me. Pretending to search on the top shelf, I cautiously eyed the ceiling and corners. Not finding any cameras, I closed the closet door, then selected some of my own shirts, shorts, and jeans I hadn’t worn yet. The tags were still in place, so it would be easy to cover my ass if I needed to. Plus, when I shopped, I took out extra cash and stashed it. I didn’t have much, but it made me feel better that I had successfully snuck around Donovan’s controlling, egotistical self.
If Donovan got a hair up his ass and checked my credit card statement, I would tell him that I had some extra cash left over from the birthday gifts from Mother and Father and bought the top, lingerie, and candle. Once I collected a pair of shoes and a few other items, I stuffed them into the same bag that Zayne had brought me yesterday. I was ready.
Reminding myself to take a deep breath, I collected my purse and emergency items, then hurried to the foyer again. I sighed with relief when I saw that Marty was still talking to Zayne.
