When we got out of the house, Liam had already turned the car around. I opened the door and helped her inside. After making sure she was okay, I went to the other side, opened the door, and got in.
She sat stiffly, like soone in pain. I wondered how badly I had hurt her last night for her to barely walk or even sit properly. I scanned her body—parts of her face were swollen, and I was sure other parts of her body were swollen too.
I made a ntal note to check her myself when we got ho.
"Where are we going?" Lena asked.
"To my house," I replied.
"I don’t want to go to your house. I don’t even know you. Can you drop at a hotel, please?"
"Did you not hear a word I said?" I snapped. "You’re mine now. Why would I let you stay in a hotel when I have a beautiful house? You’re not allowed to stay anywhere unless I’m there with you."
"Stop talking nonsense. How can I be yours? This is kidnapping, and if you don’t stop this imdiately, I’ll call the police."
I burst out laughing. She really didn’t know who I was. I found her reaction amusing.
"You look adorable when you’re angry."
She glared at . "I’ll call the police."
"You won’t," I said calmly. "I own this city. You can call them if you like—it’ll be futile. I ant it when I said you’re mine."
I leaned closer, staring deeply into her eyes. They were the most beautiful shade of green I had ever seen.
"You gave your first ti, and I promised to take responsibility for you. I don’t go back on my word."
She looked away, anger bubbling inside her, ready to explode. I couldn’t help the laughter that tore out of my throat.
"Why are you laughing?" she asked sharply.
"Because you’re such a cute kitten."
"I’m not a kitten," she muttered. "Stop calling that."
"I’ll stop calling you a kitten when you stop behaving like one, baby."
She fell silent, clearly at a loss for words.
Liam had been staring at the entire ti. I knew why, but I pretended not to notice.
"Sir, we’re here," Liam finally said.
I stepped out of the car and walked around to her side, but before I could reach her, Lena was already out. She folded her arms over her chest, sulking. I smiled.
"Is this your house?" she asked.
"Yes," I replied. "This is where we’ll stay for now until we find a better place."
"Sir," Liam interrupted before I could continue.
"The Pride team has completed their assignnt. They’re asking if they should leave the Smiths’ house or if you need anything else done."
"They’re free to leave," I said. "And one more thing—I want to see the man who was paid to sleep with my kitten tomorrow."
"Yes, sir," Liam replied before walking away.
I turned back to Lena and saw her limping toward the house.
Why is she so stubborn?
I walked up to her, lifted her into my arms, and ignored her protests as I carried her inside. At the door, I punched in the code and stepped in. I placed her gently on the bed, then went to prepare a bath.
When it was ready, I returned and carried her into the bathroom. Her eyes widened in shock.
"If you can’t bathe yourself, I can help," I said.
"I can help myself," she snapped. "I didn’t ask you to do any of this."
"It’s my pleasure," I replied. "Anyti."
She rolled her eyes dramatically.
"Bathe, kitten. You’re filthy."
"When you’re done, co downstairs. We have a lot to talk about."
I ruffled her hair and left to give her privacy.
I went to the guest room to bathe myself. Between going to her house and bringing her back, I ended up in the bathroom for nearly an hour.
Afterward, I went to the dining room. I had already told Bertha, the housekeeper, to prepare lunch. She looked surprised—she knew I barely ate at ho—but I smiled and told her I had a guest who would be staying with us.
She smiled and went back to the kitchen without asking questions.
I checked my personal phone and saw multiple missed calls and ssages from my grandfather. I sighed and called him back.
"Hello, Grandpa."
"Oh, so you rember this old man now?" he said. "Ray, when are you coming ho? You’ve been in York City for years. You promised to co back by the end of the month."
"I’ll be back soon," I replied, already feeling a headache forming.
"It’s ti you got married. I want to see my great-grandchildren before I die."
I was about to respond when I heard footsteps on the stairs. I knew imdiately who it was.
"Grandpa, I have to go. I’ll call you later."
I ended the call quickly.
When I looked up, my heart skipped.
Lena stood there, breathtaking. She was wearing one of my shirts, the fabric barely covering her thighs. Her long legs, pale skin, and perfect curves caught my attention instantly. Her hair was tied into a ssy ponytail, giving her a youthful, innocent look.
I smiled. "Co sit."
She joined at the table.
"I called a doctor friend," I said. "He’ll be here later today to check on you."
She nodded.
The nickna suited her perfectly—obedient one mont, stubborn the next.
When the silence grew, I focused on my phone.
"Why did you bring here?" she suddenly asked.
"After taking money from my fiancé to sleep with —was it guilt? Or do you want to finish what you started?"
I looked up, shocked.
"Use your brain, kitten," I said coldly. "Do I look like soone who lacks money? Even after I had everyone who hurt you punished, you still don’t understand?"
Her eyes widened.
"No, I’m not remorseful," I continued. "I enjoyed it—and I’d do it again."
Her face flushed red.
"And no, I wasn’t paid by your ex-fiancé. The people hired to take you to his room made a mistake and brought you to mine."
I leaned closer. "And don’t ever call that man your fiancé again. Do you understand?"
She nodded.
"Good girl."
Before I could continue, Bertha ca in with the food. The table was filled with dishes—far more than I expected.
A loud growl followed by a gulp pulled my attention away. Lena stared at the food like a child seeing candy.
"You can eat," I said. "It’s all for you."
She didn’t hesitate.
Watching her, I realized sothing new.
She really loved food.
"And lastly," he added, packing his equipnt, "take it easy next ti, and please refrain from doing anything strenuous for the next week."
He said all of that in one breath and stood up, ready to leave.
Raymond humd, listening attentively.
"Raymond, co see your good friend off."
He humd again and glanced at briefly before walking out with the doctor.
I decided to take the opportunity to look around his house. It was a two-bedroom apartnt, and everything—white, black, or grey—mirrored him perfectly.
I made my way upstairs and noticed several other rooms I would have loved to explore. But exhaustion and pain overtook my curiosity. I hadn’t rested since the previous night, so I went straight to the bedroom and fell asleep almost imdiately.
When I opened my eyes, everything was dark. I got up and walked downstairs. A light was on in a room opposite the one I had co from.
Curious, I walked toward it and opened the door quietly.
I was surprised to see Mr. Black sitting behind a large desk with a laptop in front of him. The room looked like an office, filled with books.
When I looked at him again, he was already staring at calmly.
I got lost in his eyes.
He was wearing casual clothes—so different from his usual corporate attire. His physique was clearly visible, and I couldn’t help but bite my lip. He looked hard as steel.
"Kitten," he said calmly, "you can take a picture. It’ll last longer than staring."
"Umm... I—I wasn’t staring," I stamred. "I need my phone. I want to call my secretary, Sylvia."
She was supposed to et at my house that morning. I wanted to let her know I was safe and that I’d see her at the office tomorrow.
"I already spoke with her," Mr. Black said. "She knows you’re safe."
"Oh... okay. But I still need my phone," I said.
"Co sit," he said, standing up and moving to the sofa.
I quietly walked over and sat down. He took my hands and dropped my phone into them.
"My n picked it up when we left your house this morning," he explained. "They brought it back while you were sleeping."
"Thank you," I said sincerely.
"You’re welco," he replied with a small smile.
He picked up his phone and called Mrs. Bertha to bring in the porridge she had prepared. Then he turned to .
"When I returned with your dication, you were fast asleep. I didn’t want to wake you."
I was stunned. No one had ever been this attentive to —not even when I was dating Evans. I was always the one trying to make him happy.
I didn’t realize when tears began to fall.
"Why are you crying, kitten?" he asked, cupping my face.
Between sobs, I told him the truth—that no one had ever been this kind or caring toward .
"Co here," he said softly. "There’s no need to cry. I’ll always take care of you."
He pulled into his arms and rubbed my back gently until I cald down.
I was still in his embrace when Mrs. Bertha walked in with the food. I tried to pull away, but he held tighter.
User Comments
0 comments from readers