Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 63444 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63444 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 254(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
My blood boils. “I can’t understand what she sees in that guy.”
Dev gives me a funny look, as if he’s trying to unravel my thoughts. “You don’t have a thing for her, do you?”
“What? Quit being stupid. No, I don’t have a thing for her.” Lies. “I just sat in a room with her, babysitting.” I’m getting annoyed by the smile that crosses Dev’s features.
“Be careful.”
“Thanks,” I say with a gruff attitude. I know to be careful. I know Posey’s engaged to Bane. I’m not a fucking moron.
There’s just something about her I can’t stay away from.
Chapter 4
Posey
Golden rays of sunlight flood through the curtains of my room the next day. I shy away from the brightness, growling under my breath.
Go away morning.
I’m sequestered here in my prison, trying my best to find the positive things in life. Bane likes having the debt he collected close, under his watchful eye.
Last night, I found myself tossing and turning incessantly, the image of Ledger's dark, captivating eyes haunting my thoughts like a persistent whisper in the night. The way he studied me. The way his strong, tattooed hands ran across his bearded jaw. I wonder how they would feel on the soft skin of my thighs.
A low hum travels through my bones, heating my core. I run my fingers over my chest and slip beneath the covers. I can’t get Ledger’s eyes out of my mind. My heart flutters in my chest.
But there’s a loud knock at my door before I can imagine any further.
I hate the mornings here at Bane’s mansion. Heck, I hate every moment I’m here in this house that is way too big. Way too cold. It’s more of a complex in the hills of Saint Pierce. Where the infamous Bane Delgado resides, awaiting trial, a GPS device wrapped securely around his ankle.
Most days he pays me no attention, and I’m able to roam freely. Bane knows I won’t run away. He knows he owns me.
“Bane wants you to join him for breakfast,” Lazarus calls out, his resounding voice echoing from the hallway into the confines of my chamber.
“On my way.” I swing my legs to where I’m sitting on the bed and rise to my feet. I hate the days when I need to join Bane for breakfast.
He terrifies me.
Most days, he forgets I exist since he’s always busy with meetings and running his empire which means I get to escape to the library and spend my time daydreaming about a different life. A more exciting life. A life where I get to choose who I marry.
Don’t get me wrong. I want to marry Bane. I have to. A daughter always wants to help out her father. Right?
I quickly toss on a flowered sundress and scrub my face. With a deft hand, I comb through my cascading chestnut locks, ensuring they fall just right. As soon as I deem myself presentable, I rush downstairs, not wanting to be late. Bane hates tardiness.
Chills skate across my spine when I spot him at the dining room table. There’s nobody around, and he sits there, his eyes fixed on me.
“Good morning, my precious flower,” he says, his voice smooth and calculated, every inflection meticulously controlled.
Bile churns in my empty stomach, and I try my hardest to smile back at him. It’s strained. Forced. Altogether ghastly I’m sure. However, Bane barely registers me once I step closer.
“Morning,” I say, pretending that everything is okay. I sit down, and there’s already a plate with eggs Benedict waiting for me.
I slice into my food and bring a bite to my lips, the silence stretching between us is deafening to my own ears.
“Ledger Thorne watched you last night while you were at the club,” Bane says.
It’s not a question. It isn’t anything more than a statement, but it causes me to choke down my food and grab my water to wash it down.
Once I’ve lowered my glass, I smile. “He did,” I say, not wanting to give too much away. I wonder if Bane can tell I’m attracted to Ledger just by the look on my face.
Stoic. I need to remain stoic.
“I trust him,” he says as he bites into his piece of toast.
I nod, not agreeing or disagreeing, because I don’t know how he’ll react. I could say I trust Ledger too, and he could accuse me of wanting to fuck him. Which I do, but still. So, once again, I remain stoic.
Bane studies me from across the table, and I force myself to eat. He taps at his phone, and Lazarus enters the room. “How are things going?” he asks Lazarus.
Lazarus takes one look at me and then focuses back on Bane. “We’ve had a few issues with the…” his words fall away as he stares at me once more.
“She’s fine. She wouldn’t dare tell anyone anything she overhears here at my home, right?” Bane raises a brow as his eyes bore into mine.