Looking out into the hallway the pull for Dacre only gets stronger and stronger and I don’t want him to think I don’t want him near me. For goodness sake, my blackmailer sure knows I do! I need to tell Dacre all about it.
But he can’t know about the journal.
For one, who knows what he’ll do to sever the threat and second, those thoughts are private. The intimate musings of a girl who’s never been touched before. A chill sneaks down my spine. Orloved. Not to say my mother doesn’t love me....she does in her own way. And I think my father loved me even though he died from heartbreak when I was five as a result of my mother’s repetitive cheating.
Either way, I have a feeling that if Dacre found out about the journal he wouldn’t be worried about not being allowed near me. He’d be worried about how to get away from me. Wringing my hands, I walk up to his office and take a deep breath.
Hesitating, I finally decide to knock and Dacre calls for me to enter. Opening the door, I shudder at the sight of him. Of course he’s a mobster. What else. Everything about him screams manipulation and intelligence and brutality.
Sitting in his leather chair behind the desk, he puts his fingertips together, patiently waiting for me to step inside but he doesn’t say anything when I do. My cheeks heat because I’ve never felt more like a little sister before, feeling like I’m disturbing him.
I smile when Baldur rises from his position in front of the desk and nibbles my fingers. It tickles and I let out a snigger. Dacre shifts in his seat, his deep set eyes like two laser beams that pierce right through me and he frowns.
“Not scared of him anymore?”
“We’re friends now,” I murmur and Dacre leans forward.
“I’m jealous.”
My skin pebbles when Dacre’s intensity robs the air. It makes me flustered and at the same time it gives me this urgency to drop my clothes, sneak under the table, put my head in Dacre’s lap and show how much I appreciate him.
“Are you busy?” I whisper and his head moves in a slow shake.
“When have I ever not had time for you?”
Never. And the realization makes warmth spread in my body. And now I regret being so scared of him all the time. He has never hurt me and never will. He may be a criminal but he would never turn on me.
Giving him a sheepish smile, I blurt, “I need a favor.”
Dacre raises his brows. “Go on. I’ll give you whatever you want.”
Generous. “I need 200.000 dollars,” I divulge. “Cash.” If Dacre’s surprised by my outburst, he doesn’t show it. Instead he listens seriously, giving me his full attention.
“What for?” he asks and I curse myself for not coming up with a good excuse.
“Personal reasons,” I whisper and Dacre gives me a long look. He doesn’t like the secrecy but to my surprise he doesn’t insist on knowing the truth. Instead he just rises and opens up a safe inside the bookshelf behind his desk.
Grabbing the stacks of cash that I need, he sits down again and waves with the money in the air.
Relief floods me, my body bursting with gratitude and I practically fly over the floor when he stops me, yanking the money back.
“Ah-ah,” he rasps in a tone that gives me shivers and he raises his chin, causing his sharp cheekbones to protrude. “What do I get in return?”
Feeling like I just swallowed a lemon, I stare at him in shock. “W...what?”
He cocks a brow. “You didn’t just think I’d give this to you without getting something back, did you?” He slowly shakes his head. “That’s not how the real world works.”
I swallow. “I’ll pay you back...with interest.”
Dacre doesn’t seem pleased. “Not good enough.” He spreads his legs and puts one hand on his thigh. “I want something now.”
“But I don’t have anything to offer you,” I rasp and Dacre leans his head back.
“Think again, princess,” he urges. “And think real hard.”
It can’t be a kiss. He’s already kissed me and my kisses aren’t worth that much money anyway. What else can I give him....?
The only other thing is my body. The notion gets me all flustered and I must look like a deer in the headlights to Dacre. If we cross that line...then how can we go back to the way we were? And if we do cross it then we’ll have to explain ourselves to high society and our parents.