Chapter Six
Elsa
Little Mistress and I have been getting along well, but it’s time for school again. I stayed in and did my online class before receiving a message from Miles to remind me to walk Mistress.
Don’t you have people there that can let her out?
Yes, but she likes you.
Fine.
I drive over to Miles’s estate to walk Mistress, and Carl smirks and shakes his head. He’s probably thinking the same thing I am. Why am I here or why are they here? Then again, maybe they don’t like taking care of a pet on top of their regular duties.
“Apparently, you all are incapable of walking this little princess,” I muttered, sounding more annoyed than I really am. Other than having to see a man who drives my heart insane, I don’t mind playing with Mistress. She makes me happy.
“Yes, she’s a wild beast that you can only tame,” Carl teases. “Would you like lunch?”
“I’d love it.”
“Sit in the garden with the little Mistress and I’ll have it brought out.”
“Great, thank you,” I say, smiling as I pat my thigh to summon Mistress who is running around in circles.
I eat my wonderful chicken salad and drink my tea while Mistress lies at my feet. Once I’m done, I get another text from Miles.
Did you enjoy your meal?
Yes. Carl knows how to treat a lady.
Carl does what I tell him.
Whatever. I have to go home and do some homework.
See you tomorrow.
I can’t do it tomorrow. I have class until six and then I have a study session, so I’ll be busy.
Fine. See you Thursday for the custody exchange.
With pleasure.
****
Wednesday morning isn’t as difficult as Monday, but I’m still struggling with my professor’s accent. At the end of class, I inform the TA that I’ll be coming tonight to the skull session because I need it.
“That’s good. We should have a handful of students tonight.”
“Thanks.” I leave and walk around to get my coffee, but the line is too long so I forgo the extra jolt I need. “Good morning, bestie,” Angie says, walking up to me with her coffee in hand.
“Morning. What do you have to drink?” I question.
“My usual latte. Wanna sip?” she asks, holding it out for me.
“Sure,” I take it from her with my non-dominant hand, and then I slug her in the tit.
“Ow. What the fuck was that for?” she hisses, pressing her hand to her chest, rubbing the spot like I got her good.
“You told Johnny Santos I was available, and he is slimy.”
“Well, it’s not like it’s a lie. Jeez, you’re a dick. Give me back my coffee. You don’t deserve my caffeine goodness.” She snatches it back and huffs.
“It’s cool because I already had my coffee.” I stick out my tongue. I did, but I could use another three cups.
“Yeah, and you could have three more before the day’s out,” she adds. Damn, she knows me too well.
I laugh and nod. “You got me there.”
“Besides, why is it so bad? You can get gorgeous, wealthy men after you besides Miles, who is clearly a god that wants to make you his goddess.” She rolls her eyes dramatically.
She’s been saying that all summer, but I tell her she’s nuts every time.
“You’re crazy. He’s just my controlling godbrother who helps monitor me like the rest.” Up until recently I hadn’t seen Miles, so there is no doubt he doesn’t want me.
It’s only because of my father’s surgery that he’s taken a more active role in my protection. “Whatever.”
“I have to get back to my next class. I don’t want them to find out I ditched a class.”
“You’re nineteen, and you still have your parents hounding you?
” She doesn’t know what it’s like to be in my position because her parents aren’t insanely wealthy or powerful.
It comes with more threats than normal, which my parents know from firsthand experience.
Their worries are legitimate, so they’re extremely protective.
If they even thought for a second that I wasn’t where I was supposed to be, they’d think I was abducted.
“Can you go out this weekend?”
“Why not before then?”
“Because I have to work and besides, I want to go to a party this weekend.”
“Oh, well, I’ll have to see. My mom has her annual charity event, so I probably have to lend her a hand, so let me know when it is.”
“Oh, that’s right. Well, give your mom my love. She’s an angel.”
“That she is.” A damn crazy angel. Everyone thinks my dad is insane, but my mother is just as crazy, and they are perfect for each other.
I finish the rest of my classes, and it’s time to finally head home.
My phone vibrates, and then I remember I’m not leaving just yet. I have a study session. What did I get myself into? Maybe this will be a one-time thing.
I go to my car and drop off the rest of my things, taking only what I need. Heading to the library, I go in and see the small group with the TA at the head of the wooden rectangle table.
“Hey, Elsa, come have a seat.” Surprisingly there is an open seat next to him, even though there are five other students already there.
“We’re glad you could make it.” I recognize, like, two of the kids, but there are so many in the class that I can’t say they’re not all in the same session. It doesn’t matter because the study session goes on way too long, and I decide that I’m not going again.
My security lurks in the distance as I walk to my car. It’s late, so I’m grateful that they’re nearby. I call my mom and let her know I’m on my way home.
****
The charity event goes off without a hitch, as usual, and my mother hardly needs my help, but I’m there to be her moral support as she runs the food and clothing drive.
Once it’s over, I’m tired, so I go straight home to take a shower and find something to eat before bed. Everything can wait until tomorrow.
A text pops up on my dashboard screen as I drive home. Girl, heard your boyfriend went ape shit on Johnny. Beat his ass and told him to stay away from you.
I tap my steering wheel and voice reply back to Ange. No way. Where did you hear that?
Some of the girls at this party I’m at.
You’re at a party? You didn’t tell me you were going to a party.
You said you had something with your mom. Can you come out now?
I’m tired. Let me know anything else.
Okay lame. See you Monday at school.
As I pull into my spot in the driveway, I think about when Miles walked in with that splatter of blood on his collar.
It was probably Johnny’s. Would any guy get in trouble for talking to me, or was it Johnny’s disrespect?
The bastard has the nerve to interfere in my relationships when he wants nothing to do with me.
I plan to give him a piece of my mind, so I call his cell but get no answer.
I send a message to Miles. I don’t know why you beat up Johnny, but it’s not cool. Stay out of my personal life.
Not going to happen. It’s my job to protect you from scum, and Johnny knows his damn place. He was warned before that you were off-limits.
Off-limits? I’m only off-limits to who I want to be. I don’t need your dating assistance.
Actually, you do.
I call him, but he refuses to take my calls, so I call his office and his assistant answers. “I’m sorry, Mr. Ivanov is currently out of town and will not be back until tomorrow night.”
“Thank you.” I toss my phone onto the nightstand and then go to take a shower.
Where has he gone? It pisses me off that he can come and go as he pleases, but he controls my life. The bastard.
My drive to Miles’ estate is uneventful as expected, and I’m not even stopped at the gate like usual.
I suppose since he’s not here, there’s no worry that I’ll accidentally run into one of his women.
They open up for me, and I’m allowed in.
As I exit the vehicle, the doors open and the little Mistress jumps out the front door yapping and wagging her tail.
“Whoa, relax, baby girl. Give your mommy some breathing room,” Miles says. I gasp as I take him in. He’s standing there in just a pair of gym shorts, chest bare and sweat glistening over his perfectly sculpted muscles. Why does he have to be so amazing, and I’m just the girl he shunned?
“Maybe Daddy should take the same advice,” I reply with pursed lips. He isn’t supposed to be here until tomorrow night.
“Why do you hate me so much?”
“You weren’t supposed to be here,” I state.
He takes the few steps down his stone porch, closing the small distance between us and forcing me to take a step or two back, but then Mistress runs behind me.
I lose my footing, but Miles is quick, and he has me in his arms, holding me firmly to his chest.
“Are you okay?” he asks, his fingers brushing the loose strands of hair behind my ear.
“Yes, but is Mistress?”
“Look,” he chuckles and smirks. She is jumping after a butterfly.
“Good, I would have been devastated to have crushed her.”
“Then maybe you shouldn’t run away from me.” The deep rumble in his chest sends shockwaves of desire and confusion through me.
“Maybe you shouldn’t be chasing me?” What am I saying? I want this man chasing me, craving me like I crave him.
“That’s like telling Icarus to stop flying toward the sun. Not going to happen.”
“You’ve lost it. Did you work out too hard?”
“No—”
“Sir, you have a call. It’s Miss Steiner.” There is the reminder I need that I’m not the one for him, and he’s not the one for me.
“Thank you,” he grunts to Carl, clearly annoyed that he interrupted us. “I need to shower. Can you take care of the little girl here?”
“You have a staff, and you don’t need me here for that.” I want to tell him that Miss Steiner can care for his dog since he’s handing her his private number, but I control myself.
“I know, but I’d like you to help with her.”
“Fine,” I huff. He turns around without another word and goes inside, leaving me with the exuberant puppy. We run around outside for a little longer before she gets tired, and then we stroll inside.