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The difference between Arabella and me is that I’m a killer.
She is not.
Yet.
“What do you want?” she grits out. I like the fight that dances in her gaze. She doesn’t know how to deal with me. No one ever does. But she’s trying to figure it out.
“You know I kill. However, your calculations are off,” I advise. “The number you’ve estimated is far less.”
Her gaze narrows on me and she looks genuinely pissed I’ve invalidated her intel and gatherings. I chuckle. I’m enjoying this far too much.
“You see, where you lack in experience playing stalker and spy, I can buy all the intel I need. Which led me straight here to you after the little stunt you pulled last night. So, you have a choice. Die in this room with your little photo collection or be my little dog.”
“Excuse me?” Her tone is cutting. A little more pressure is applied to the tip of the blade against my chest but I’m certain she won’t do anything. She doesn’t know how.
“Well, last night you showed you’re shit at being anyone’s whore. Quite frankly, you’re not my type.”
“You don’t have a type,” she snaps. And I can’t help but smile at how easy it is to antagonize her. Not at all the kind of person I thought she might be. Perhaps I’m not the only one who pretends to be what the public wants—which makes it all the more fascinating to play with her for a while.
I’m not entirely sure what part Arabella’s playing in this scheme is but I will unravel her and bring her father to his knees through her.
I just won’t kill them until I have the evidence I need.
I’m in a bad mood, but lucky for her, I’ve decided to stay around.
I lean into her, a whisper and powerful declaration all in one. “As of tonight, I own you Arabella Barone.” Her body stiffens. “Your secret is safe with me. For now.”
6
ARA
Lily: I can’t believe you couldn’t make it this morning. The girls were really looking forward to seeing you.
When I don’t reply to Lily’s text, I receive another message twenty minutes later.
Lily: Is everything okay?
Lily’s text message stirs little guilt in me. I sure as fuck have bigger issues to deal with right now.
I look over my shoulder and out at the bustling city. My office is as big as a one-bedroom apartment, and yet it still doesn’t feel like it has enough airflow in here. I sit behind my large marble desk. The gold sculpture of a jaguar stares back at me from across the room. I’ve always hated the thing but left the office much as it had always been before I took over the position.
I can’t shake Luca’s words from last night. I’ve been staring at an email, my mind infuriatingly drawing back to Luca. I can’t believe he had the balls to break into my home, act like he owns it, and declare he now owns me before waltzing out and closing the door behind him. My blood is still boiling.
I grab my phone and let Lily know everything’s okay but I had a work fire to put out. I know I should be grateful I escaped with my life last night, but I can’t seem to find any elation from it. Where did I go wrong? Did I act too soon by stepping into his brother’s club? Then again, Luca had been on a flight earlier that night, so what brought him back?
A soft knock on my door rattles me. I look up and see Liam, my assistant, bringing in a few files and letters. I’m almost grateful for his intrusion when I realize it’s already past five in the evening. Most of our staff would start packing up to leave soon. I should probably do the same.
“Do you need anything else before I leave?” he asks politely.
I like Liam. He’s twenty-five with ample potential. However, I still don’t entirely trust him—or anyone else who works for this company, for that matter. One way or another, any slip up I make will be reported back to my father. I already fired two of the employees I found out reported back to him. Despite my freedom to run this company, he certainly still keeps an eye on me, and I know he’s waiting for my downfall. He want’s my time to come soon so I have to fulfill the promise I made him.
“No, you’ve done well today, Liam. Thank you.”
His chest swells slightly by the compliment. “Thank you, Miss Barone. Will you be doing anything tonight?” he asks.
“Tonight?” I query as I flick through the papers. At the bottom is a gold envelope from my stepmother. I grimace as I tear it open. An invitation to my brother’s tenth birthday. Well, at least they sent an invite this time. One I’ll decline like all the others, although I’ve only been invited to a few.
“Friday night?” he asks.
