“As much as I’d love to parade you around the party like this, I don’t think Mother would approve. I’m taking you to my room here on the compound, and you’ll wait for me where we’ll continue our negotiations soon.”
“I need my bag.” I wriggle and try to point toward the sitting chair. “There.”
He smacks my ass again, because he’s a damn sadist and likes to hear me howl, and saunters over to it. After snagging it up, he totes me out of Tinsley’s room and down the hallway. We eventually wind up in a room that is decidedly Winston’s.
Dark navy walls.
Rich, modern wood flooring.
Sleek furniture and minimal décor.
It’s cold and masculine, but somehow warms me straight to my core because his room here smells like him. He tosses me on the bed and sets my bag on the floor.
“I’ll be back,” he growls, his gaze sweeping over my breasts that have nearly fallen out of the top of the cups of my bra after our little jaunt. “Be ready for me.”
He turns on his heel and starts for the door. Before he leaves, I call out, stopping him.
“Happy birthday, boyfriend.”
His laugh barks out of him, warming me to my core. He flips me the bird and leaves without another word.
I grin like a damn idiot.
I’m in too deep with this man.
My lashes flutter as fingertips dance over my ribs. I open my eyes to discover a shirtless Winston stretched out beside me on the bed, his head propped up on his arm as he bores his stare into me. He’s unusually quiet and seems to be studying me, so I take the moment to openly look at him. His dark, golden blond hair is no longer styled to perfection but damp from a recent shower. I fixate on his full lips that are usually spouting off cruel things but feel so good when they’re on my flesh. Reaching up, I brush my fingertips over his mouth. He abandons my ribs to clutch onto my wrist, holding me in place.
“Are you okay?” I ask, frowning at him.
He parts his lips, sucking three of my fingers into his mouth. When he bites down rather painfully, I knee him in the thigh. His teeth release me, and he flashes his devilishly handsome but still super evil grin that promises torment.
“I’m fine now.” He grips my thigh, hauling me closer. Then, his thumb traces over the Sharpie words that still remain on my stomach. I shiver at his touch. “Tell me everything.”
My blood runs cold at his words. I’m disgusted and horrified at the way my stepbrothers treated me when they destroyed my dress, robbed me, and threatened me. Then, seeing Leo Morelli was the icing on the cake.
“Manda saw this,” I say, gesturing to where he’s back to stroking my stomach. “Flipped out. Claimed I was going to destroy the family.” I give a one-shouldered shrug. “I disgust her.”
The way his heated gaze bores into me, I know for a fact Winston feels the exact opposite.
“Then, she left me with them.” I swallow down my emotions, willing myself not to cry. “They mentioned Harvard.”
Winston’s eyes narrow. “I warned them. I don’t make threats I don’t carry out.”
“Well, they blame me. Said I made you do it.”
He’s tense, but his touch is soft as he strokes my stomach. “Then what?”
“They stole all my cash. Forced me to unlock my phone and hand over my laptop password.” Tears threaten, and I blink them away. “Took all the money in my account.”
Winston is deadly still, the only signs of his emotions are the continuous ticking muscle on his jaw and the pulsating vein on his brow. He’s great at seeming cool and collected when inside he’s raging. The way his blue eyes burn into me, I’m practically scalded by his fury.
“Go on,” he clips out. “Tell me what else.”
“Held me down, cut my dress off, and threw me in the shower.” A tear leaks out, running down my cheek and clinging to my jaw.
He reaches up and swipes at the tear, collecting it on his thumb before bringing it to his full lips. I track his movement as he sucks away the salty wetness. “Then what?”
I want to tell him about Leo Morelli, but Leo is different than my bully stepbrothers. Leo is dangerous. He’s a Morelli, and from what I’ve gathered, they’re like the mafia or something. The last thing I need is Leo finding out I told Winston when he expressly demanded I don’t.
“There’s nothing left to say.” I slide my thigh over his hip, pushing him onto his back as I straddle him. “Now it’s time for your birthday present.”
His intelligent eyes inspect every part of me, searching for what I’ve left unsaid. The man’s not the king of this city for no reason. He’s on top because he’s smart and nothing passes him by. I just need for him to not press. I’ll figure something out. And who knows? Maybe Leo was all talk and no game. What I need to find out first is how he’s connected to the Terror Triplets.