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I figured that Daddy thing would work on him, that he’d let his guard down and finally give in to all the teasing and taunting. He was right on the damn edge, and then he yanked his arm away and stormed out of my room before he could take the bait.
Me.
So when Amelia showed up, it wasn’t like I could turn her down. And truthfully, it wasn’t only because I was still salty about his reaction. There’s no freaking lock on the door. How did he think I could keep anyone out?
And like she’d accept the excuse that I just wanted to hang out by myself in my room all night.
It’d be suspicious.
“You’ll love this mansion. It’s to die for. The whole island—well, I haven’t seen the whole island, but I can imagine the paradise that it is. The private beaches are gorgeous. There’s the one people party on, and the other people go to be alone, if you know what I mean.”
“I do.” I pause, biting down on my lower lip. “I should make this whole tour quick, though, because Jaxson’ll be back soon and he wants me waiting for him.”
She stops, spins around, and grabs my hand. “Whatever. Let him wait. He can’t have you all to himself.”
There’s something ominous in the way she says it, her tone sending my insides into a deep freeze.
“I don’t want to be shared.”
“You never know until you try it.” She stops, takes in my expression, and shakes her head. I don’t catch what she mutters to herself. But then she smiles. “I’m just joking. Besides, a man with his power gets what he wants. They all do.”
“I should?—”
When we reach the ground floor, she shows me a giant room at the back. The lights are low. The staff are setting up a bar and dusting chairs and plumping cushions on ornate velvet sofas. “This is the ballroom. They use it for… mingling.”
I look past her to the French doors as I kick off my excruciatingly painful shoes. “What’s out there?”
“A garden and an old pool the owner’s turning into a pond. There’s a new one on the other side?—”
I don’t wait for her to finish. Swinging my shoes in one hand, I hurry across to look out at the darkened space. Maybe there’s an escape route out there.
The courtyard is small and not manicured in any obvious way, which could be good for us since shrubs and plants are overgrown and can provide cover. There might be staff quarters out there. And if people live here, they’d need boats, right? A way off the island?
I’d welcome the chance to explore just so I don’t have to be surrounded by creeps.
Movement catches my eye, but before I can focus, Amelia’s next to me, her hand clamped on my arm, dragging me back in. I wince at her grip.
She’s stronger than she looks.
“Let go,” I hiss.
She doesn’t until we’re inside. Then she hugs me. “It’s the nature of this place, this group. You might belong to one of them, but they don’t belong to you.”
“I don’t understand.” I frown before it dawns on me what she’s hinting at. “Jaxson?”
“He’s with some young thing, younger than you, and they’re…” She bites her lip. “Are you holding out on him?”
All my senses rage with flame, and my chest constricts. It takes me a moment to get myself under control, to calm my head enough to think about it.
He’s not the kind of man to tell me to wait around for him. Not with all the chances he’s had to sleep with me. And if he wanted someone else, he’d take her.
If he was just some random guy I’d met, I’d probably believe her because he’s the hottest man I’ve seen and I don’t know why the heck he wants me. The only reason he’s fighting the urge is Smith. And if Jaxson’s here to get me away from whatever depraved things these people do, then he’s not going to take a break from his rescue mission to partake.
Is he?
No. Smith might be cold, but I’m still his daughter. That means he’d hire the best to get me out of this. He’s not going to risk himself for me, but others? You betcha. No price would be too high.
When she tugs at me again, I pull my arm away. “I think I’ll go back to my room.”
