Until Casso Campbell swept me off my feet one evening when I rode the ferry on the Puget Sound, from downtown Seattle to Bainbridge Island. The breathtaking ride was my entertainment when I felt lonely. It killed several hours of my pathetically boring life…
“May I?” a strong, confident voice asked.
I lifted my head, nearly choking on my spit. Towering over me was a handsome man who could’ve been on the cover of GQ Magazine. Clean cut, golden tan, eyes so piercing I couldn’t tell if they were navy, a deep brown, or black in the evening light. I trailed my gaze down his length, admiring his black suit and spotless Hugo Boss Derby shoes.
He cleared his throat, jerking my attention back to his godlike face.
With a curious arch of his brow, he flicked his cunning eyes to the spot on the bench beside me. “May I?”
“Oh, um, yes.” I flashed a smile as my face warmed. “Yes, of course, you can,” I stammered like an idiot.
“Thank you. I’ve been admiring you for the last half an hour. You’re stunning.”
For sure, my face turned candy-apple red. Who talked that way within ten seconds of meeting someone?
I crossed my leg over my knee and clasped my hands together. Nobody appeared to be paying attention to this odd encounter. “That’s a bit forward, sir.”
Sir? Where did that come from? It must’ve been his four-thousand-dollar suit making me stupid. Fashion was my passion. I knew all the high-end brands. This man was dressed like a million bucks, which meant he probably had billions burning a hole in his bank account.
He laughed heartily. “Sir? Please, call me Casso.”
I bit the inside of my cheek. His name was as regal as his attire. “Okay, Casso. I’m Aspen.” I extended my hand formally.
He took it and kissed the top, melting me on the spot. “It’s a pleasure, Aspen.”
After we’d debarked the ferry that day, Casso and I strolled together through Pike Place Market. He bought me dinner, kissed me sweetly under the Space Needle. For the next year, I was exceedingly happy.
But Casso drastically changed when a crucial deal fell through. The fury he unleashed in his study that night terrified me. I’d heard him tell Tony he wanted his mother’s family murdered. “Kill every last one of those motherfuckers!” he had yelled in a fit of rage. The sinister way he spoke turned my blood cold. Alarms went off, warning me to flee his penthouse.
How could I have been so stupid to tell him I needed space? I should’ve taken off before he could imprison me.
“Asp?” Jill’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts. “Come in, babe.” She reached for my hand. “How was your shower?”
“Good, thanks.” My face burned as I came out of the doorway. Several unfamiliar people stared at me. I felt exposed and vulnerable, but I straightened my spine and smiled just the same. Hiding my weaknesses and fears were imperative with Casso. Since I didn’t know anyone here, I put on the same kind of show.
“Everyone, this is Aspen, my bestie. Asp, meet the girls.” Jill pointed to a pretty blonde. “That’s Sugar. Beside her is Tina.”
The two women waved, eyeing me intently.
“And at the island are Amber and Misty.”
“Hi,” they said in unison.
“Hello.” I nodded, making eye contact with each woman.
“Let’s get you settled at a table.” Jill ushered me along.
My heart raced as unease swept through me. I wasn’t sure what that was about, but I sat in the chair Jill pulled out at one of two large round tables that sat eight. The island had six barstools, two occupied by Amber and Misty. They’d swiveled around to face me.
Did everyone have to stare like I was a freakshow?
Had Jill told them I’d been handcuffed to the bed? Sexually assaulted by a vile, dangerous man who was on the hunt for me? I tugged the sleeve of the sweatshirt I wore to cover the tops of my hands so no one saw the scars on my wrists.
I took in the vast kitchen with industrial-sized appliances. How many people ate here regularly? I’d never seen anything like this before. I was curious what all went on in this clubhouse. Earlier, I’d discovered seven additional rooms downstairs and a communal bathroom with several stalls and three showers. Clearly, a lot of people lived here.
“Can I get you something to drink, hon? We have everything. You name it.” the woman named Tina said. She had kind, understanding eyes and looked older than Jill and me.
I smiled. “Coffee would be wonderful with a little cream, please.” I placed my hand on my stomach, fighting the sting of tears behind my eyes. I hadn’t had a sip of coffee since I got the positive pregnancy test. Casso wouldn’t allow it. Not even decaf.