Children of Vice (Children of Vice 1)

I glanced down at the bowl of fruits, crackers, water, and orange juice she prepared for me.

“If you don’t like it I can have the kitchen prepare something else.”

My mind was a little stunned. This was how they started the day? Breakfast in bed? It was so vastly different from my own life that I was too stunned to do or say anything.

“Ma’am?”

“It’s fine…ugh…thanks,” I muttered, reaching for the water instead of the juice.

She nodded her head, walking to the front of the bed where she lifted two outfits. The first was a gray cap-sleeved dress with a sweetheart neckline and a wool burgundy coat. The second was a burgundy laced dress with long elbow-length sleeves and wool gray coat. Both of them screamed elegance. However, I preferred being a little more covered up…maybe that would keep me from dry humping anything within sight seeing as how I couldn’t keep my mind out of the damn gutter.

“The red one,” I said, stuffing a few crackers into my mouth.

“And your shoes?” She lifted up three different pairs already at the front of the bed. For a second I wondered what the hell I had taken that she was able to prepare all of this while I slept less than a few inches away. I was a light sleeper…or at least I thought I was.

“You can pick whatever,” I muttered, still eating. I was sure they would all match perfectly and hurt like hell when the day was over anyway.

“I’ll start your shower,” she said, moving to the bathroom.

When she disappeared inside I fell back down onto the bed to freak out as I should have when I woke up. Oh my fucking God! I was dreaming about him. Ethan. I barely knew him and yet I wanted to screw him so damn bad.

It’s not your fault, Ivy! I tried to comfort myself. It wasn’t my fault. I wasn’t one of those sappy girls. I wasn’t Klarissa Moretti, who was ready to do a goddamn back flip just to get Ethan’s attention. It was just biology. I hadn’t been with anyone in so long my body was just reacting to attention…just biology. It had nothing to do with Ethan.

Ethan? Why did I keep thinking his name? “Ugh.” I groaned, placing the pillow over my head. And I wanted to cry at how soft it was. Like someone had picked wings of an angel and put them on the bed…I slept on this?

“Ma’am, it’s ready.” She stepped out, and I immediately sat back up, putting the pillow down beside me. However, she didn’t look at me any differently, just waited.

Lifting the tray and moving it to the side, I walked into the white marble bathroom. Everything from top to bottom.

“Would you like me to wash your hair?” she asked, following me inside.

“I’m good from here really. Thank you,” I said, quickly realizing then I didn’t ask her for her name. But if she was anything like the hotel people I doubted she would be very conversational. I didn’t want to become…to become like them. All high and mighty as if they were better than everyone else. “What is your name?”

“Danielle, ma’am—”

“Please stop calling me ma’am. It feels weird.” I laughed, brushing my hair behind my ears.

Her eyes widened. “I’m sorry. No one told me you preferred Mrs. Callahan.”

What?

“No. I meant…” Fucking fuck man. She looked scared.

“Either is fine, don’t worry,” I said quickly, and she nodded, leaving the bathroom. Stripping, I turned to look at my reflection, but the glass was already foggy due to the steam. On the counter I saw the robe…the one with my new initials on it. IC, even though I wasn’t even married yet. Taking off the ring, I placed it on top of it before stepping under the shower…

Mrs. Callahan.

I was going to be Mrs. Callahan.

I knew that but hearing it said was…

“Dad, what am I doing?” I sighed, placing my head on the marble. Upon asking that question my heart ached…he was gone. I was doing this because he was gone. Because this was my only option.

“And what can you do from a prison cell eight hundred miles away?” Cillian’s voice snaked into my mind.

Slamming my hand on the wall in anger, I stood back up straighter.

That’s why I’m doing this.