I closed the distance between us and lowered my voice. “Marcello, I know you’re not like them.”
He considered my words for a second, then laughed. “You know nothing about me or my family.”
“I’m good at reading people. You don’t want to be here any more than I do.”
“When my father makes a deal, it’s unbreakable by the other party.” His jaw hardened as our eyes met. “Defy him and he will make you regret it. No matter how smart you think you are, he’s smarter. He’s stronger and faster and has more money and connections.”
“So this is it? I’m stuck here.”
Marcello shrugged. “Might as well settle in and take advantage of the perks.”
I chuckled at the ridiculous concept. “Yeah, right? Like what?”
“You can have anything you want. You only have to ask. Money is not an object.”
I had a trust fund from my grandfather that I refused to spend. So I worked tirelessly, dividing my time between my job at the coffee shop and my art. I hoped to one day sell enough paintings to be free.
“So I could ask for a car and your dad would buy me one?”
Marcello shook his head. “You don’t have that kind of freedom. We have drivers who will take you wherever you want.” He dipped his head down to match my height, his deep blue eyes meeting mine. “We arm our drivers. You can try to run, but you won’t get very far.”
“I’m failing to see the perks, Marcello.”
“If you could have anything, what would you wish for?”
“Freedom,” I said without hesitation because it was something I never had.
“Sorry, we can’t offer you that.” He lifted his shoulders an inch, the same expressionless mask on his face. “You should unpack and get some sleep.”
Marcello left my bedroom without another word. I looked out the open French doors, surprised the windows didn’t have bars.
Someone cleared their throat.
My skin pricked with electricity. I knew before I glanced at the doorway I would find Bastian’s hauntingly beautiful gray eyes peering back at me and Damian’s cold green ones.
Bastian gripped the door frame, and his muscles bulged beneath the suit jacket. He rolled his tongue across his bottom lip as he studied me. With one look, the air drained from my lungs.
A dimple in his right cheek popped against his gorgeous olive skin when he smirked at me. Then my focus shifted to the devil’s spawn beside him. Despite Damian’s pretty boy looks, he intimidated the hell out of me whenever he stared directly at me.
When his eyes met mine, he lookedthroughme. I had always wanted to know what had made him so cruel.
“Get in bed,” Damian ordered.
Standing in the middle of the room with my hands on my hips, I glared at him. “No.”
“It’s your bedtime, Pet.” He inched into the room, keeping his distance from me. “You need plenty of rest.”
Bastian moved toward the patio doors and stood between them. His back and shoulders looked strong and powerful in the tailored suit that molded to his body.
Damian sat on the mattress and patted the space beside him. I shook my head to get under his skin.
The hell with him.
“If I have to come get you, Pet, you won’t like what happens next.”
“Are you going to spank me again?” I sauntered over to him, maintaining my distance. “Huh? Maybe Bash can tie my hands behind my back while you smack my ass for being a bad girl.”
His eyes sparkled as if he liked the idea. “Get over here.”