Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 69945 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69945 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
“You do not, under any circumstances, leave this house.” That was a rule I’d expected. “You don’t go in any room except the living room, the sunroom, the kitchen, and your bedroom. I like my privacy, and I won’t have you disturb it more than you already have.”
There was no reason for him to be so angry with me. “I’m not the enemy. I’m actually the victim here—the one who’s trying to be a good citizen, the one who walked into something I never wanted to see or be a part of.”
Mr. Marchesi looked shocked that I’d spoken. Honestly, I’d surprised myself with my outburst, but that didn’t stop me from continuing.
“I didn’t want to have my life uprooted. I’ve lost my job and—at least temporarily—my apartment. I don’t want to die. I’m not going to leave unless you tell me to.” I didn’t say anything about staying out of forbidden rooms. I couldn’t promise how tempted I might get. I was going to be bored out of my mind here.
“This isn’t your fault,” Mr. Marchesi said. The words were cold and sharp, not matching the sentiment. “I live alone for a reason.”
“Why did you agree to help me?”
“There are things I know about this case that others don’t.”
What the fuck did that mean? “Like what?”
He shook his head. “That’s not something I intend to discuss. Meals will be provided for you. You’re welcome to anything in the kitchen if you want to eat at other times. If there’s anything you need, let my housekeeper know, and she will get it for you.”
“Will you keep me updated on what’s going on with the investigation?”
“No.” It wasn’t just that he didn’t talk a lot, silence seemed to surround him like a cloak. The words he said were quiet and didn’t project more than a few feet.
“I deserve to know what’s happening and how long I’m going to be here. That’s a reasonable request.”
“I’m not interested in what’s reasonable. The only thing you need to know is that you will be protected.”
“I’m expected to testify, but I don’t really know what’s going on.”
Mr. Marchesi waved away my concern. “Someone else will coach you on what to say before you appear in court.”
What did that mean? Were they going to tell me what to say and expect me to stick to a script? Was that a threat? “What am I supposed to do until then? Just sit and stare at the walls?”
“I assume you have a phone and a laptop?”
“I do, but I don’t have your internet password.”
“I have made you a guest network. The password is the last four digits of your social security number.”
“How the hell did you—never mind.” I might as well assume he knew everything about me. X certainly seemed to.
“You have a television in your room. It should get anything you want to watch.” He drew in a deep breath and blew it out. “You can also use the gym. It’s across the hall from here.” It seemed to pain him to give me this freedom. “Do not come into this office unless you are invited.”
I held up my hands in surrender. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“I’m in charge here. I will protect you, but I cannot do that if I can’t trust you to do exactly what I say.”
Damn, why did he look so hot saying that? I would gladly do what he said in bed. But otherwise? That remained to be seen. “I’m not a prisoner.”
“No, you’re not. You’re welcome to leave and go get shot.”
He spoke as if he didn’t care which I chose. Could I really trust him to protect me if he didn’t actually care if I left. “What would X say about that?”
“I don’t give a fuck. I agreed to help you, but I didn’t agree to force you to stay.”
He really was something else. “So I have to let you order me around?”
He didn’t return my smile. “Yes.”
“Is it always so dark and quiet here? I mean, if you stay home a lot, haven’t you wanted to make it more cheerful?”
His glare made me shiver. “I don’t like bright light or noise.”
Of course, he didn’t. “Okay. Well, I’ll just use my headphones.”
He nodded. “Good choice. Please tell me you’ve listened, and you don’t have more questions.”
Wow, he really didn’t like me. I did have another question, but I didn’t know how to ask it without pissing him off. He’d assured me he could protect me, and X had agreed. So had the ridiculously named Six and Muffin, but I’d seen how much pain Dominic was in. He tried to hide it, but the sharp intakes of breath and the tension in his jaw were obvious. He was clearly stubborn as hell and forced himself to move through it, but could he protect me without hurting himself?