My entire body shakes as I stare at him. “I’m an insignificant little…” I pause, feeling completely belittled.
“Say it,” he grunts.
“Bitch.”
Self-preservation is all I can think about right now, and if saying his stupid mantra helps him feel strong, then so be it.
Why can’t I stand up for myself?
This shit is degrading.
His thin lips twist into an evil grin, and his bottomless black eyes twinkle. I’d never have guessed that the devil had leathery, old skin and tuna breath.
I wonder where he hides his horns.
“Good girl. See, we’re getting along much better now that we understand each other,” he says, winking at me.
Fucking hell! That shit is nasty.
Niall steps away from me and walks out of the kitchen, leaving me rattled and shaken.
Maybe I should have stayed out longer at lunch?
Maybe I shouldn’t have gone out for lunch at all?
I don’t fucking know.
Either way, Niall’s upping his game.
And I need to either prepare to fight, or roll over like the ‘bitch’ he thinks I am.
By the end of the workday, I’m physically and emotionally drained. To say I could sleep for a week is an understatement.
“Ready?” Aiden asks, pulling me from my thoughts.
I nod, and he takes my hand.
“See ya, Bree,” Aiden calls out.
“I’ll see you tonight. Mom invited me, Logan, Killian, and Daniel over. Apparently, she has something to tell us?” Bree calls back.
I look up at Aiden in curiosity, wondering what she has to tell us.
He raises an eyebrow, and a frown appears on his face. “We’ll see you there.”
Bree nods, turning off her computer, and walks with us to the elevator. We seem to have a habit of leaving without Niall these days, much to my delight. Personally, I’d be happy if I never saw the old asshole again.
After Mike pulls out of the parking garage, Aiden wraps his arm around me and nuzzles his face into my hair. “Jeni?” Aiden asks quietly then hesitates for a moment. “You okay?”
I glance at him, squeezing my brows together. “Yeah, fine. Why?” I ask, trying to sound upbeat, rather than as deflated and tired as I feel.
“Jeni, look at me?” he asks, his tone is soft and soothing.
Damn! I know he suspects something’ is wrong, and it scares me to think that he might figure it all out. Aiden pulls my face up to look at him. My eyes dart around looking everywhere but into his. “Jeni, what the hell’s going on with your eyes?” he asks, obviously noticing they’re tired and bloodshot.
Oh crap! I better think of something quick.
“My allergies are acting up today.”