“With my good friend.”

“What the fuck are you all doing?” One other man seems behind the 2, and so they each spin to face him.

“Sorry, boss, we received distracted.”

The person watches me with an intrigued look on his face. “Take away this shit,” he tells them, pointing to the tray of powder. “And get me a drink.” He loosens his tie barely and takes a seat beside me. “Dante,” he says, holding out his hand.

“Tessa,” I reply, shaking it. My breath catches in my throat. He’s attractive, possibly probably the most good-looking man I’ve ever set eyes on.

“The place’s your boyfriend?”

I really feel myself blush. “I don’t have one.”

He smirks, leaning again and inserting an arm over the again of the sofa. I really feel the warmth from it like a red-hot hearth, searing my again. “Fortunate me.”

Current day . . .

I hear the lock click on and dread fills my abdomen. I attempt to regular my respiratory as I lay as nonetheless as doable on the ground. It’s my regular trick, considering possibly if he sees I’m sleeping, he’ll depart me alone, although it very not often works.

His footsteps transfer nearer and it’s virtually unimaginable to cease myself from tensing. I really feel him crouch behind me earlier than working a finger down my backbone. The sudden contact after three days of being in right here startles me and I flinch. “Good morning, Tessa. How are you feeling?”

I don’t know if it is a trick query. I don’t perceive what reply he needs, so I slowly flip onto my again, wincing from the ache that causes, and power a smile. “I’ve missed you, Dante,” I whisper. My voice is hoarse from the shortage of water.

He grins. “Good. We’ve got friends arriving in a single hour. I’ve promised them a standard roast beef dinner.” I push to take a seat and instantly really feel dizzy, so I squeeze my eyes closed. “What are you ready for?” he asks.

I look down at my bare physique. “Can I put on garments?” I whisper, virtually ashamed to ask.

He laughs. “Hurry, Tessa, I don’t need my friends ready for meals.” After which he leaves.

It takes me 5 minutes to face and be regular sufficient on my ft to get out the room. It’s on the highest flooring, and as I slowly take the three flights of stairs all the way down to the kitchen, I’ve to cling onto the wall and handrail for assist.

The components for dinner are laid out on the kitchen island. There’s no manner I could make a roast in a single hour, and if I’m a minute late, I’ll pay for it. So, I unwrap the meat, place it within the air fryer, and choose roast prepare dinner. I’ve spent years studying methods wherein to outsmart Dante. He units me as much as fail on a regular basis, so if I can cheat my manner out of it, I’ll do it. I prep the remainder of the meals and set all of it to prepare dinner.

Half an hour later, Dante enters the kitchen, wanting round with that smug glint in his eye. “All the pieces going to plan?” he asks.

I smile. “Sure, after all. Can I get you a drink?”

He holds up his glass of bourbon to point he’s already sorted it himself, and I curse myself for not ensuring that was the very first thing I did. “Sorry, I used to be distracted with dinner.”

“Do you’ve something to say to me, Tessa?” he asks, tipping his head to at least one facet and eyeing me.

I transfer nearer, my nerves on edge in case it’s the improper factor to do and I set him off. “Dante, I’m so sorry for upsetting you,” I start. He stays nonetheless, and I rigorously attain as much as his face and place my hand in opposition to his cheek. “I wasn’t considering, and I hate that I upset you. I deserved longer within the room, however I’m glad you let me out to prepare dinner for you. It’s the least I can do.”

He inhales sharply, an indication he wasn’t anticipating me to be so honest. “I’ve left your garments on our mattress,” he says firmly.

“Thanks.” I’m relieved to realize this small victory.

“Bathe and alter.”

I nod, inserting a mild kiss in opposition to his mouth earlier than dashing again upstairs to do as he’s requested. As soon as locked in our en-suite toilet, I clench my fists and silently scream. I hate him, I hate him, I hate him. I repeat the mantra whereas I bathe.

NERO

I tempo the room, my stress ranges off the chain at present. When my handler lastly walks in, I cease and provides her a steely glare. “No contact. That’s the fucking rule, proper?”

“They’re getting stressed, Nero. Inform me you’ve one thing.”

“What I’ve is a fucking goal on my head everytime you name me away like this. You understand how this works, rattling it. Don’t contact me once more. I’ll let you know when I’ve one thing.”

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