He led her away from the front door, of course, and down a long hallway. After what seemed like a ten-mile hike, they entered a glass-enclosed room. Mia had to catch her breath, surprised by the loveliness of the lush greenery. The sun seemed to stream brightly into the room, though it was an overcast day. She didn’t know if it was a treatment of the glass or discreet lighting.
The room was also warm, and with all the plants, it reminded her of the garden on the roof of her father’s building. Stefania had tended it lovingly until Vadim destroyed it in a fit of rage for perceived disrespect. Her stepmother had never tried to replant, and the woman had started to gradually fade at that point.
Shane sat at a wrought iron table but got to his feet as she approached. He nodded to Wallace, who disappeared without a word, as he came toward her. “Good morning, Mia.”
She glared at him. Did he really think she was going to sit around making pleasant conversation with the man who had kidnapped and debased her?
Her angry gaze raked his face, and she swallowed slightly when she saw the bruise on his cheekbone. His nose also looked a bit swollen. She had left her mark on him, and she didn’t know if she was sickened or delighted by that. He had conquered her, but it hadn’t been an easy victory. Neither would his next attempt, or any thereafter.
“You look pissed off.”
She blinked, surprised by his words almost as much as the charming smile accompanying them. Her stomach did a slow flip, and she cursed that she could find anything attractive about the mafia man in front of her. “You look a bit rough.” She grinned sweetly at him as she deliberately touched her right cheek before flicking her finger in his direction.
“Aw, how sweet of you to notice.” He cupped her sore cheek, rubbing lightly across the swollen space. “What happened here?”
Mia hissed slightly when he pressed against it hard enough to make her feel a little pain. Gritting her teeth, she continued to glare at him, refusing to ask him to stop or show any signs of discomfort. She shrugged. “I think it’s from when you threw me against the shower.”
“I didn’t intend to toss you around, and if I caused this, I’m sorry.” Regret flickered in his gaze, and he dropped his hand from her face. In the same motion, he lifted one of hers and tugged her reluctant body toward the table. “Eat. You must be starving.”
Mia wanted to deny her hunger. After the things she had been through, she should be too depressed to eat. The eggs Benedict and fresh fruit were too tempting though, and she knew she enjoyed food too much to even attempt a hunger strike. What purpose would it serve anyway? He wouldn’t capitulate, and it would just leave her too weak to escape when the opportunity presented itself. And there would be an opportunity. She just had to remain alert.
Seated across from him as they ate was disconcertingly normal. As she chewed, she watched his every move, waiting for him to strike out or grab her.
He sighed halfway through and placed his fork on the plate. Shane’s sea foam eyes captured her blue gaze as he looked at her intently. “I’m not going to fuck you on the solarium table. Relax and eat.”
“You wouldn’t fuck me anywhere. Fucking implies a level of consent missing from our encounter.” She swallowed the bite of watermelon—though it seemed the size of a boulder—determined not to reveal the fear behind her angry reminder.
He scowled. “I don’t want to hurt you, Mia, but I will have what I want.”
She curled her lip, touching her cheek. “Never mind what it costs, huh?”
Shane mirrored her motion, touching his own bruise. “You didn’t play nicely either, baby.”
Mia rolled her eyes. “Why would I? I don’t want to be here. I don’t want you.”
He lifted a shoulder. “You’ll change your mind.”
Stunned, she blinked, literally speechless for a moment. “And you’re out of yours. I don’t want to be your sex slave. I want to go home. My cat needs me, and his needs are far more important than yours.”
Shane didn’t bother to reply as he drained his orange juice. Instead, he glanced at his watch. “I have to go into the city for a while.”
Her eyes sparkled. “May I go, too?”
He laughed heartily, clearly amused at her expense. “Now who’s out of their mind? It will be a long time—if ever—that I trust you enough to let you leave the grounds.”
She resisted the urge to sulk. “What am I allowed to do then, oh great master?”
“That’s a start.” He laughed again at the glare she gave him. “You can do anything you want in the house. The stables are also open to you. Keep in mind that the house is monitored electronically, as are the grounds. Someone is always watching you.”
She shivered at that thought. “Is my room on the system, too?”
He nodded. “I’ve asked the security guys to shut off that feed. Unless you prove yourself completely untrustworthy, you’re entitled to a little privacy.”
“So generous,” she sneered. “Well, don’t let me keep you. You must have people to murder and guns to distribute.”
He put aside his napkin and got to his feet. “Don’t forget I need to feed the last sex slave to the pigs.” His grin indicated he was joking, but his eyes were dark with a trace of warning.
Mia stilled as he walked to her side and bent down to brush his lips across her unmarked cheek. “Be a good girl, Mia,” he whispered into her ear. “This doesn’t have to be unpleasant business for either of us.”
