Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34680 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 173(@200wpm)___ 139(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34680 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 173(@200wpm)___ 139(@250wpm)___ 116(@300wpm)
She finally relents, backing away and returning to the oven. “You have time. The cakes come together quick. But I’m going to need you to give her a moment to breathe. Don’t scare her off.”
I want to tell her it’s quite the opposite. That Vivian is just as ravenous for me. Fuck, the way she rides my cock, the way she licks my cum and swallows when I release in her sweet mouth. But none of that is for Mrs. Putnam’s ears. In fact, that’s for no one’s ears. Vivian is mine, and mine alone.
“Do some work.” She waves me away and disappears into the pantry. “Let her rest.”
I’d argue and inform her I’ve already made that decision all on my own, but with Mrs. Putnam, there’s no point. I don’t know how her late husband died, but he may have just keeled over from frustration at that woman.
My office is just how I left it, though I already know my email inbox is piled up, as are my messages. I sit with a sigh and begin to sift through them. Only one catches my interest. Linn has sent an email detailing all of Charles’s meetings with the Santivascis over the past week. He’s definitely in bed with them.
I click on the attachments to find some texts between Charles and Gino, the eldest Santivasci son. The more I read, the more my gut tenses.
Charles: You can marry my sister to seal the deal. As long as you treat her right. I don’t want anyone hurting her.
Gino: I’m not in the market for a wife, but I’ve seen photos of your sister. I can make an exception, and of course I’d treat her well. Better than that asshole Griffin Friarlane. You need to get him out of the business before we can make any moves.
Charles: I’m working on it. Until then, how about we meet up with Vivian. All three of us.
Gino: Yes. Make it soon.
Before I can stop myself, I smash my fist into the screen, erasing the words that make my blood boil. No one will fucking touch Vivian.
At that moment I hear a blood-curdling scream. I’m on my feet, running with full force to my bedroom.
To Vivian.
18
VIVIAN
Uncontrollable fear grips me. All I can do is scream as my mind tries to find reason. Where am I? How did I get here? Has someone forgotten me again? Why the hell am I naked?
A loud crash sounds to my right as light suddenly fills the room. I’m blinded by it momentarily as a door fully swings open. A large figure fills the space before more light flows into the room. I try to blink my eyes, but they aren’t adjusting.
“No!” I scream when someone grabs me. Something immediately grips my face. I fight as hard as I can to get away, swinging my hands.
“Griff!” The name comes out of nowhere right past my own lips as the figure gets hold of me, pinning me to the bed. “Griff, help!”
“It’s me, love. Open your eyes.”
I shake my head, keeping them closed tight. My mind is still racing.
“I love you, Vivian. Now let me see those eyes. I need to know you’re okay.”
My eyes fly open, obeying him. “Griff?” Relief instantly fills me.
“I’m right here.”
I try to wrap my arms around him as reality settles back in, but they're pinned to the bed. Griff looks almost pale. He’s still as handsome as ever, but his eyes are wide and filled with something I’ve never seen in them before. Not from him at least. Fear.
“Is she okay?” Mrs. Putnam asks.
“I’ve got her,” Griff responds as tears start to spill down my cheeks. I’m safe. No one forgot about me. I’m not trapped. The next thing I know he’s sitting up with me in his lap, cradling me to his chest. I wrap my arms around him as I let the tears run their course.
“Please stop crying, love. I can’t bear it.” His words are laced with concern, making me cry harder. Never in my life have I had someone care for me the way that he does. “When you’re ready, I need you to tell me what that was all about.”
I take a deep breath, trying to get myself together. I’ve never told anyone the extent of what happened to me at boarding school. How they used to lock us away when they deemed our behavior unacceptable. I told Mrs. Putnam a little bit about the time they forgot about me and left me there for days. To be honest, I’ve always been so afraid that no one would believe me. But I know without a doubt that Griff will.
I lift my head to meet his gaze. “I’m scared of the dark,” I admit. It sounds silly when I say it out loud, but there’s nothing funny about the fear it causes me.