Chapter 14
Chapter
Fourteen
Friday
My alarm buzzed, and I stared at it like I could shut the noise off with my mind. Val bangs on my wall, but I just couldn’t find the strength to get out of bed yet.
I hadn’t slept a wink.
I was too hypervigilant. Every light, noise, or breeze had my eyes flying open, looking for intruders that weren’t there.
I searched every corner, shadow, closet until I was sure we were alone.
I held on to the gun Marco left for so long that I could still feel the weight of it in my palms, although it was sitting next to the clock, still buzzing.
“DAMMIT, GEN! SHUT THAT OFF!” I let out a heaving sigh and wince as I peel myself off the mattress I used to think was comfortable.
I hit the button and go to the bathroom to relieve myself. My bladder has been screaming at me for hours to go, and I’ll probably get a UTI for not listening.
I wanted to make sure that no one got in last night, and now I was going to suffer the consequences for being such a stubborn ass. I should have just gone home.
Friday mornings are quiet here and not the chaotic mess I’m used to. Everyone is still asleep from being out late after the last classes of the week. It’s rather odd.
At home, the mansion would be a buzz with carters, decorators, and more staff than I could count. My stylist would have been here an hour before sunrise to wax, wash, dry, and style me to within an inch of my life.
This place should be buzzing with activity because they’re hosting a party soon, not sleeping like the dead.
I exit the bathroom to find Val sitting on my bed, drinking coffee with one eye open. She passes me a cup and we sit and sip in quiet for a few minutes before she reaches across and strokes the bottom of my left eye.
“You didn’t sleep, did you?” I shake my head, not ready to talk.
“No wonder you had time to go get these.” She takes another sip and moans.
I freeze while my mouth goes dry.
“What?” I fumble the cup, spilling the hot liquid over my hand as I hastily slam it down on the bedside table.
“What the hell is wrong with you!” Val hisses as a few drops of coffee scold her leg.
“I haven’t left this bed for hours.” I swallow hard as I stand and grab the gun again.
“Oh my god.” Val takes my cup and hers into the bathroom, tilting them over into the sink before returning to me.
“I feel fine,” She says, running her hand over her body slowly.
“Me too.” I nod, taking a deep breath.
The coffee didn’t taste off. Actually, it was perfect. Exactly how I like it. The more I think about it, the more I realize it’s from the shop near a home that I love and went to often on Sunday mornings. The hairs on the back of my neck rise as I storm out of the bedroom and into our kitchen.
I swing open the door and curse.
“SON OF A BITCH!” I take out the containers and flip open the lids.
“Are those…” I hold up a hand when I see the fucking note attached to the bag.
“Yes, my favorite pumpkin pancakes with pecans.” My jaw starts to ache from the way I’m grinding my molars.
I flip the note open and laugh.
“Enjoy your last day. Tomorrow you’re mine.” I read out loud before slamming it on the counter.
“Doesn’t sound like he’s trying to kill you today.” She opens the plastic silverware and goes to cut the pancakes.
“Are you crazy!” I take the food and toss it in the trash bin.
“Fuck, what a waste,” Val says, pouting.
“Bitch I need you to focus. He got in, AGAIN , and I was wide awake all night. I didn’t hear a fucking thing.” I start to pace in my agitation.
“How? And why! Why is he doing this? Who the fuck his he?” My voice grows as I talk until I’m yelling so loud someone comes and bangs on our door telling me to shut the fuck up.
“I can’t be here,” I march my ass into my room and start pulling clothes out of the closet.
“Gen, listen to me. You can not live your life in constant fear. That is not living. Don’t run home because of this asshole.” I stop short and glare at her.
“You think I’m worried about me? Val, he could have hurt you! This place is going to be crawling with people this weekend. I can’t chance it.” I leave out an outfit to wear and zip up my bag.
“Fine. Go home and talk to Uncle Alfie. Let him ease your mind and give you new guards. Then come back for the party.” She passes me my phone, and I call Alfie’s driver.
After several rings and no one answers, I hang up and try Alfie, but I get the same result.
“No one is answering. And no, I am not calling Marco again.” She rolls her eyes and pulls up a rideshare app on her phone.
“I’ll get you a ride. But I expect you back after dinner.” I chew on my thumbnail as she schedules the ride.
“Are you sure these are safe?” I ask as we head downstairs.
“You really are sheltered. Yes, they are. You’ve got your gun, right?” A couple of other girls are finally up and cleaning for the party, when they all heard Val ask me that question.
“Seriously?” I hiss at her but nod so only she can see.
“You’ll be fine. I have the driver’s info, and I can track you. If anything goes wrong, I’ll know. Oh, look, there he is.” She points to a black luxury car.
The driver gets out, and from what I can see of him, he’s cute.
The chauffeur hat and dark sunglasses lend a mystery to him that I can help but compare to my mystery biker. Fuck, do I have a type?
“Ms. Torelli,” He says in greeting before opening my door.
“Thank you.” I hand him my bag and get into the back seat.
“Love ya,” I whisper to Val before my door closes.
The car is comfortable, clean, and smells of men’s cologne. I take a few deep breaths to calm myself. The trunk closes softly, and then the driver is behind the wheel and maneuvering the vehicle with precision.
He gives off an air of confidence, and I relax.
We hit traffic almost immediately, and I groan, knowing this trip is going to be extra long.
“Would you like to listen to music, Ma’am?” So polite and considerate.
“No, thank you. Would you?” He lets out a masculine chuckle that curls my toes.
“No, I work for you for the next three hours at least.” I smile and look out the window.
“Whatever it is, you’re going to be okay.” His words straddle me.
“I beg your pardon?” I couldn’t have heard him right.
He knows nothing about me.
“No, it is I who should beg yours. It wasn’t my place to comment. But you look lost and anxious, like you’re going to go face a problem you’re not sure you can tackle. I wanted you to know it was okay.” How fucking sweet of him.
He doesn’t have a clue, but I take it in the spirit to which it was given.
“Thank you.”
We fall back into silence, and I catch myself staring at him through his rearview mirror.
His lips look so soft and inviting. His hair is just long enough to grab onto. The goatee seems like it would be the perfect roughness on the inside of my thighs.
WOW, ok, get a hold of yourself.
I clear my throat, and his face lifts up to look at me for once. I avert my eyes but can’t hide the blush on my cheeks.
“Would you like the air conditioner?” I shake my head and adjust my legs, rubbing them slightly to try to alleviate the ache I caused with my own damn inappropriate thoughts.
“How about some water? There’s a cooler in the center console. Help yourself. You looked flushed. If you need me to pull over, just let me know.” I smile and reach for the water, suddenly feeling really dry.
That’s cause all the liquid in your body is pooling in your panties, you nasty girl.
I sip the water and keep my eyes to myself.
He occasionally tries to start polite conversations, but I’m too distracted to answer more than a few words. By the time we get to the mansion, I’m ready to run out of this car like a bat outta hell.
I’ve never been alone with a stranger that long.
Definitely not a man, and was not prepared for my body’s reaction. I feel like I’m in heat. Nothing more than a panting bitch waiting to be fucked. Which, of course, is no longer possible for me.
The thought is depressing as hell.
Then, when I step out of the car, I come face-to-face with Marco as soon as I walk in the house. It’s like an ice bath that I desperately needed. All thoughts of sex, gone!
Let the lecture begin.