Page 66 of Savage Don

Empires be damned.

I’ve got a cherry to break.

14

Francesca

For a few hours, it almost feels like nothing in my life has really changed.

Rummaging through my textbooks with a highlighter; making notes on my computer; taking a minute every hour or so to question why I put myself through this stress.

Everything that I’ve gone through in the past two days fades into the background as I hunker down and study.

After Ray left me in the kitchen this morning, there wasn’t much else to do. So, I ate up the breakfast I had made and then did my best to keep busy.

That meant being a good little slave.

It hardly took half an hour to clean all of the dishes, and then put them away again. Really, I should have waited until everything was completely dry before I shoved them back into their cupboards , but I was engulfed by a quiet panic.

What Ray had just done to me… it changed everything. I couldn’t quite put a finger on it, but I didn’t exactly want to either.

So, instead of getting lost in that quagmire, I kept myself busy in the kitchen, then I immediately went about keeping myself busy upstairs.

But even that was hard to do without glancing over at the massive impression that Ray had left on his side of the bed. His earthy scent didn’t seem to want to leave me alone either, and eventually, I stopped fighting against it.

I just left.

Exploring the sleek, modern mansion, I searched for a spot that might afford me some peace of mind. Surprisingly, there were plenty to choose from, including this nook beneath the main floor staircase that I’ve taken refuge under.

It’s where I’ve set up shop, and it’s where I’ve been since lunchtime, just after I wandered back into that kitchen to make myself another sandwich.

According to the clock on my laptop, it’s almost nine o’clock now.

Really, I should pack up and find something more interesting to do. Yet, I can’t seem to pick myself up. Something other than the steaming hot memories of Ray’s tongue keeps me glued in place.

Janice.

I’ve been trying to distract myself from thoughts of her as well.

My only friend is probably worried sick, not to mention racked with guilt. She’s the one who convinced me to go to that frat house. Whatever Ray did with Jonathan’s body, word of his murder must have gotten out by now.

There’s little doubt in my mind that Janice knows someone was killed at that party. And to her, it must look like I’ve disappeared.

I know it’s the weekend, and we’ve never met outside of school hours, but we almost always share a stream of texts on Saturday and Sunday.

Ever since I woke up here, though, my phone has been on airplane mode—probably something I did when I was drunk. If Janice has been trying to reach me, then it might seem like I’ve dropped off the face of the earth.

… Just like Jonathan.

Slowly, my gaze drifts from my laptop, before falling onto my dead phone. Obviously, it hasn’t rung once since I woke up here. No texts. Nothing. But I haven’t bothered to check my email either.

It’s not just because I’m scared of what I might find. It’s because I’m not sure if I’m allowed to.

Fuck. This is quickly becoming like home all over again. But at least at home, I know what the rules are. Ray hasn’t exactly spelled shit out for me yet.

Grabbing my phone, I go to the settings menu and hover my thumb over the airplane mode button. A rebellious angst burns behind my chest.

For all of the mystery surrounding my current situation, Ray has at least made it clear that I can leave anytime I want. But he’s also made sure to let me know that if anyone finds out about our agreement, I’ll be the first one to pay.