Page 12 of Temptation
“I tend to have that effect on people,” he replies nonchalantly.Fabrizio gestures to the chairs across the kitchen island. “Sit down; we have a few rules to go over.”
“I prefer standing,” I say firmly, my heels digging into the tile floor to underline my words. To my surprise, he doesn’t comment on my tiny act of rebellion. Instead, he simply nods and moves back to the counter, where a sleek coffee maker sits. Wordlessly and practiced with ease, he brews a cup and places a steaming mug in front of me. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air, but my stomach is churning too much to appreciate it.
A moment of silence passes before he speaks again. “St. Anne’s administrative office confirmed your leave of absence last night.” His voice cuts through the silence, his words making my heart sink. My stomach churns at his words. I wonder what he told them. But then, I wonder if they even asked, blindly doing what one of their most generous donors wants.
Or maybe his name and reputation are enough for the school not to question the whereabouts of their employee. They probably don’t even expect me to return. Ever.
“They insisted on an unpaid leave, but of course, you will be compensated generously for your services.” I hold back a bitter chuckle. The audacity of this man is unbelievable. “You will be responsible for the twins’ well-being at all times, as well as their education. I want them to stay caught up on their schedule.”
I nod. After all, this is what I agreed to last night, isn’t it?
“I assume you know how to cook?” He raises an eyebrow, his gaze roaming over me as if he doubts my abilities.
“Yes,” I answer.
“The fridge and pantry will be restocked regularly, and I have a maid come in every other day to clean and wash. If you need anything, you can let any of my men know. As long as your requests are reasonable, they will be fulfilled. You are allowed to move freely around the house and use certain amenities you might enjoy; however, you are not allowed to leave the premises.” He delivers the rules with the air of a prison guard, his eyes hard and unyielding.
I feel a surge of anger at his words, at the thought of being trapped and confined, but I push it down.
“Although if you wish, I will allow you to be taken to your apartment to pick up some of your things today.”
At this, I can’t hold back a snarky remark. “Oh, how generous of you,Fabrizio.” I let his name roll off my tongue with as much sarcastic venom as possible. He shoots me a glare, though I think I can see some amusement in his eyes. Or maybe I’m imagining things.
“Otherwise, my men will take care of packing for you.”
I nod, my mind racing.
“The children will return home in the afternoon; as soon as that happens, I require you to stay in your room until told otherwise.”
“Do they not know that I am here?” I ask, curiosity getting the better of me. Do they know what’s going on?
“Not yet. I will tell them tonight. Afterward, you will join us for dinner.”
I frown, my brows furrowing in confusion. “Wait… what are you going to tell them?”
“The truth.” He leans back, a cold smile spreading across his face. “You accepted my proposal to be their nanny for the time they need to be homeschooled. That is, if you still accept the deal I am offering you,” he adds, his eyes glinting with challenge.
I swallow hard, my mouth going dry. “What happens if I don’t?” My voice is quiet as I ask the question, not sure I even want to know the answer.
Fabrizio leans forward, his elbows resting on the counter. He steeples his fingers together, his eyes fixed intently on mine. “Your stay here will be a lot more… pleasurable if you do. And that you will remain here for the time being is not up for debate.”
I nod, doing everything in my power to appear defiant. “Then you already have your answer.”
“Good.” He nods, a small smile playing on his lips. “I have some business to attend to; Vance will show you around and take you to your apartment should you decide to go.”
With that, he straightens and starts to walk away. But he doesn’t leave the room. Instead, he steps behind me, trapping me by placing his hands on the counter on either side of my body. I can feel his body heat against my back, his intoxicating scent wafting into my nose, making the hairs on my neck stand on end. When he brushes my hair out of the way, I can feel his hot breath against my ear. “One more thing,Sienna…” Fabrizio whispers into my ear, his voice seductive but laced with threat.“I expect you to act fully compliant. My children should not get any idea why you are really here. And I expect you to follow every one of my commands.” He pauses, his breath fanning against my skin. “If you continue disrespecting me, provoking me, throwing around profanities, I might have to be the one teaching you a lesson. In obedience.”
The mixture of his words of threat and his breath grazing the sensitive skin of my neck sends a tremor through my body. Without another word, he pushes away from me and walks out of the room, leaving me alone in the kitchen. I remain frozen, gripping my mug of coffee like a lifeline, when I hear a door opening and closing.
Almost immediately, a man dressed in dark attire appears in the doorway. I can only assume that this isVancesince he doesn’t possess the kindness to introduce himself to me, let alone acknowledge me in any way.
But I don’t care; it’s not like I’m here because I want to make friends. “So, I assume you are my watchdog?” I ask, my voice laced with false innocence and friendliness. He looks at me, not a muscle of his expressionless face moving. He’s a blank slate, a hulking mass of muscle and intimidation. “Well, whatever. I’d like you to take me to my apartment.Please.” I add the last word as an afterthought, my tone dripping with sarcasm. Vance acknowledges my request with a curt nod. Without a word, he turns and walks out of the kitchen, leaving me to follow in his wake.
As I step into my small apartment, the familiar scent of old books and stale air wraps around me like a worn-outblanket. The cramped living room, with its faded armchair and minimalist decor, stands in stark contrast to the opulent mansion I just left.
But this is my home, and I usually love it—except for today. Right now, the familiar walls seem to close in on me. The air feels thick and heavy, making it hard to draw a full breath. A wave of claustrophobia washes over me, and I question whether coming here was a mistake.
I force myself to exhale slowly, trying to calm the panic rising in my chest. The thought of Fabrizio’s goons pawing through my belongings and violating my personal space is even more nauseating than the realization that I’m being ripped away from my home, my life, my freedom—piece by agonizing piece.
