Aurora
It’s already three in the morning, and that bastard—my fucking fiancé—still isn’t back.
I’m tossing and turning in bed—I’ve called and texted him a hundred times, but his phone is off.
I growl and grip my left hand until it hurts, where the black diamond ring feels heavier by the minute.
Is this what married life is going to be like?
Nights spent waiting for him to come back from killing someone?
Or maybe he’s not killing anyone right now—maybe he’s fucking some other woman? !
Clenching my teeth, I jump out of bed. I pull on Desire’s oversized black T-shirt and sweatpants, snap the gold choker around my neck, and stomp into the living room.
I stop in the middle of the room, hands on my hips, and glare at Isaac and the two other guys from his crew, who are playing poker at the table.
“I want to watch a movie,” I announce, looking at Isaac.
He shrugs, not even looking up from his cards. “So watch.”
“Then turn it on. A horror movie.” I narrow my eyes. Desire clearly said they’d obey me in everything. I’m their fucking princess, so go ahead—serve me.
Isaac sighs heavily, scratches the back of his head, and tells one of his men: “Don, put on a horror movie.”
He’s about to go back to the game with the other guy, but I add, “Who’s going to make the popcorn?”
Isaac slams his cards down on the table. “Jake, check the kitchen.”
The guy gets up, and I settle onto the leather couch with an air of independence, cross my legs, and call after him. “Don’t forget the soda.”
While Don clicks the remote, pulling up some horror movie on Netflix, a low, rumbling growl comes from the enclosures outside. I shift my expectant gaze to Isaac. “The lions need to be fed.”
Isaac frowns. “Desire said they were fed strictly on a schedule. Special staff comes for that.”
“A little extra won’t hurt. There’s probably meat in the fridge. Take care of it.”
I stare him down. Isaac holds my gaze for a minute, then sighs heavily, gives in, and heads to the kitchen.
“The table looks dusty,” I say, nodding at the glass coffee table. “It should be wiped down.”
“We’re supposed to be guarding you, not cleaning.” He frowns.
“So guard. From the dust.” I cross my arms over my chest. “Or should I tell Desire that you’re refusing to obey me?”
Don mutters a curse under his breath and exchanges a glance with Jake, who has just returned with the popcorn and soda.
“I think I’ll wait in the car,” Don mutters.
“I’m with you.” Jake catches on quickly, setting the food down on the table. “Let’s just grab Isaac from the kitchen.”
A minute later, the three men retreat to their SUV parked outside. Left alone, I smirk and grab my phone.
That was almost too easy. I got rid of my escort with just a couple of bratty remarks. I could call an Uber, slip past their car in the dark unnoticed, take a taxi back to my old apartment, and …
I sigh and toss my phone onto the couch.
Who the fuck am I kidding? I’m not going anywhere.
My legs won’t carry me toward the door. Yes, I want Desire to chase me, catch me, dominate me, but not when his phone is off and he’s not here.
I was just trying to play the bitch, to engage in our game, to distract myself from the thoughts driving me insane.
Where is my Prince Harming? Who is he killing at this very moment?
Is he okay? Is he wounded, bleeding out while I sit here?
Playing this game without Desire is impossible.
I just sit on the couch, hugging my knees, staring at nothing until the sky outside begins to lighten. The hours drag on like thick syrup, gray morning slowly creeping into the living room.
Suddenly, the silence is torn apart by the sharp screech of tires braking in front of the house.
My heart skips a painful beat. It freezes for a split second, then breaks into a wild, deafening gallop, pounding against my ribs so fiercely, like it’s trying to crack through my chest.
He’s back.