I move through to the sunlit dining room, the scent of fresh garlic and butter filling the air. The table is set for dinner, adorned with vases of fresh red roses, their velvety petals adding a touch of elegance to the room, even if something about the sight of them makes me shiver.
A spacious deck overlooks a sparkling azure pool, with wicker chairs and sun loungers laid out ready for someone to enjoy the sunshine. If I weren’t being held here, it would be a perfect island getaway. The gentle sounds of the water and the warm sun on my skin would be enough to melt away the stress of the last month.
When I found out Romeo wanted to take over my club, I thought that was the worst possible thing that could happen to me. Life has taken a very drastic turn since then. That thought only makes me think of the boys again. They must be frantic by now, Onyx especially. And the girls at the club, they must all be wondering where the hell I am. My brothers as well. When Jagger finds out Orlando has me, he’s as good as dead.
With a shaky hand, I open the door off to the side of the dining room, curious about what’s behind it, only to find a simple powder room. Nothing exciting. Walking around the back of the room where the lovely woman who served us earlier came from, I can hear the clattering of pots and pans, mixed with the cheerful chatter of the workers. That must be the kitchen. I decide to leave that door closed and instead move down the hall where it’s quieter.
There are three doors down here. With a nervous glance over my shoulder, I check the empty hallway one last time before attempting to open any of the doors, but I’m still completely alone. The first handle is locked. The second opens easily, to a fully equipped home gym. I close it then head for the next door. It opens to what I can only assume is the main bedroom. It’s stunning, with views of the ocean framed by soft, flowing curtains. A king-sized bed sits against the far wall, its tan leather upholstered headboard dominating the space. I can’t help but walk in a little further. This has to be Orlando’s room. The faint scent of his aftershave lingers in the air, and I inhale deeply. Something about his scent is strangely soothing, maybe because he wears the same as Romeo and it reminds me of him.
In the walk-in closet, I find rows of suits and shirts, organized with military precision. I wonder if Orlando is a neat freak or if his house cleaner is the one keeping all of his belongings in check. At the back of the walk-in is a table with cufflinks and other items, and in the center is a small sapphire-blue box. It calls my name, and I move toward it. I pop it open, curiosity getting the better of me. My heart nearly stops when I see it’s very obviously an engagement ring. Shit, and not the cheap type either, this rock is massive. There is an inscription written inside the band, and I bring it closer up to my eyes so I can read what it says.Treasure. Oh, fuck, that’s what he’s been calling me. Why would he have an engagement ring inscribed to treasure in here?
A low growl, guttural and menacing, comes from behind me, sending a shiver down my spine. The ring slips from my grasp, clattering onto the wood countertop, and I slowly turn to find Orlando framed in his doorway, his face obscured by shadow. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” he snarls, his eyes locking with mine as he edges closer to me.
A cold sweat slicks my skin, chilling me to the bone. Fuck, he looks scary right now. “I got lost looking for you,” I lie, hoping it doesn’t come across as simple as it makes me sound. But what the fuck else am I supposed to say right now? It’s pretty damn obvious I was snooping through his stuff.
He slams the walk-in’s door shut, the sound echoing through the deadly quiet room as he locks us both inside. He closes the space between us, his face a mask of cold fury. “We both know that’s not what’s going on here. Did you not listen to my rules this morning? Do you need a reminder?”
I stumble backward, the impact of hitting the hard wood shelf behind me knocking the wind from my lungs. I have nowhere to hide from him and only myself to blame. “No, I heard them,” I hiss through the pain now searing through my back.
His frame fills the space of the walk-in, his broad shoulders seeming even broader, his imposing height more ominous than before. The air itself feels even heavier between us.
I swallow the lump in my throat, feeling like I’m about to pass out all over again. “Orlando,” I murmur his name in warning, feeling behind me for something, anything I can use against him. But the soft cashmere sweater I find would be useless.
He cracks his neck, his eyes locking into mine. “Girls who don’t follow my rules get punished.”
My chest heaves. “Haven’t you already punished me enough? Locking me up, isolating me, taking away my pills,” I whimper, wishing I could be strong, but right now I have nothing. He makes me feel so small and useless.
A bitter laugh escapes him. “Saving you and bringing you to my beautiful island away from any more threats… isn’t punishment. Welcoming you into my home where you will be treated like a princess… isn’t punishment. You lost your pills because you pulled a knife on me, you only have yourself to blame for that.”
I glare back at him, my eyes narrowed, face burning with anger. “Fuck you. You pushed me, scared me, made me pull that knife on you in self-defense, and you know it.” My whole body trembles as I say the words, anger getting the better of me.
With a disappointed frown, he shakes his head slowly, his shoulders slumping. “We were having a discussion, treasure. I asked for your trust, and you turned hostile. After I had some time to think on it, I decided to give you a second chance, and I left your door open to test you. See, I wanted to know how much I can trust you, and you have proven to me in less than an hour, I can’t trust you at all. From now on, I’m your motherfucking shadow. You’re so fascinated with my space, you can join me here to sleep. It won’t just be three meals a day we share; everywhere I go, you will come with me,” he seethes bitterly, but I see the enjoyment he’s getting out of punishing me. This is what he wanted all along.
A fresh wave of panic takes off throughout my body. “I… I…” I stutter, trying to find words to fight him on this. I can’t be stuck with him twenty-four hours a day, I’ll go insane. Even more than I already feel.
His hand moves to the shelf behind me, caging me in. His face is so close I can feel his warm breath on me. I turn my head to the side, trying to get some distance from him, but he lowers his lips to my earlobe. “You what, treasure, you’re sorry? Is that what you’re trying to say?” His breath ghosts over me, sending a strange flutter along with it.
A fresh wave of anger courses through me at his arrogance. “I’m not fucking sorry,” I spit back, trying to regain some control.
I expect him to fire back at me, but instead, he nestles into my hair and inhales deeply, as if he’s breathing me in. The gesture sends goosebumps over my skin. His face shifts so his eyes are boring into mine. “You’re in no position to be cursing at me. Keep pushing me and see what else I’m willing to take from you.”
I’m so fucked, I know I am. He has all the damn control, and there is nothing I can do about it. I shove him hard, my hands pushing against his chest, desperate for some space.
With a sudden movement, he seizes my wrists, pressing them firmly above my head, his grip like a vise. The undeniable strength of his hands is jarring. He stares into my eyes with a dominance that has my heart constricting. “The most important rule is number ten. Let me remind you.If you want to survive with me, learn to be a good girl and play nice.”
I swallow my pride, the bitter taste of defeat heavy in my mouth, knowing I’m doomed if I can’t comply with his nonsensical rules. A wild, manic gleam in his eyes dares me to push him further. He’s thoroughly enjoying provoking me, a mischievous smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as he pushes my buttons. But this has already gone way too far. “I’m sorry for snooping in your room.” The words slip out but leave a bitter taste in my mouth. I don’t want to apologize to him for anything. But right now, I will do what I have to so I can survive and get home.
The faintest hint of amusement plays on his lips. “See, now that wasn’t so hard, treasure, was it?”
He has no fucking idea. The more he takes from me, the more I hate him. He can keep messing with me all he wants, but one day soon, I will get the upper hand, and when I do, he’s going to regret everything he put me through.
Chapter 5
Thedoorslidesclosedon my room, with Orlando on the other side. “You have fifteen minutes to be dressed and ready for dinner.” His eyes lock with mine, an intensity to them that saysdon’t fuck with meas he says the words.
I glare back at him, my heart thumping in my chest after our latest altercation and him escorting me back up here.
His lips twist up into a menacing grin that makes my palms go sweaty. “It’s now ten minutes. I have laid out clothes for you. Don’t make me come in there and dress you myself, treasure. We both know that would be more fun for me than it would be for you.”
