Naughty or Nice

I do wear baggy clothes most of the time because I never knew where my brother might send me. Sometimes it’s to get his lunch, but occasionally I get orders to visit some not-so-great places. He tells me not to worry because I’m under his protection and no one would ever hurt me.

I glance at Mark, who is looking anywhere but at me. Everyone knows who Slate is, and each year his power and money grow. I avoid him not only because he terrifies me but because my brother told me to. I took the warning and made sure I was invisible if he was close.

“You met with Brian Carter a few days ago.”

I look at Slate and know Mark isn’t coming to my rescue. How did I know that Brian was going to flip my world upside down when I saw him? I nod because I have no idea what he expects me to say. Anything could be used against me right now and it’s best to keep quiet.

“That was something I specifically told Mark to handle,” Slate snaps, and I fight not to flinch at the tone of his voice.

My chest tightens and I wonder where this is going. Maybe I shouldn’t have been so rude when I met Brian or avoided his messages and calls. I’m about to pay the price for that. He must have snitched on me to Aaron Slate. For some reason it really hurts that he would betray me, even though I’m nothing to him.

I don’t understand the big deal—he was only picking up building plans. Out of all the places my brother sends me, that was nothing. It must have been too easy because this is about to get dirty. Why else would Slate be standing in my home? He might have grown up around here, but he doesn’t come to this part of town anymore.

“I—” my brother starts to say but stops abruptly when Slate lifts his hand to silence him. If only I had that skill.

“The Carter family is a big acquisition for my company. It will take me to another level and I won’t lose this.” Slate’s eyes sharpen on me, and I know he doesn’t care what he has to do to make sure whoever these people are keep on working with him. “Do you understand me, Claudia?”

I nod again. “I’m sorry if I upset or offended Mr. Carter. I got the plans and handed them right over to Mark, but I can apologize if I did something wrong,” I offer as I glance over at my brother, who doesn’t meet my eyes. Coward.

“Upset isn’t the word I’d use.” Slate straightens his tie. “He insists on meeting you again and wants to only work with you.”

“Okay,” I agree because what other choice do I have? “I can do that.”

I don’t know why Slate is so upset. I’ll be nice to the guy. If I can deal with my brother, I think I can handle Brian Carter.

“She’s naïve, isn’t she?” Slate says to Mark. He’s talking about me as if I’m not here, but maybe I’m not understanding.

“It’s time she grew up,” Mark says and shrugs. He’s acting as though he doesn’t care, and maybe I would believe him if it wasn’t for the fact that he won’t meet my eyes. Though that might just be his pride.

“And she has grown up.” Slate gives me another creepy smile and a chill runs down my spine. Everything about him is cold, and I swear if I touched him he’d probably feel like ice. “You’ll be agreeable to everything he asks and you’ll make Mr. Carter a very happy man. Do you understand what I’m saying to you, Claudia?”

I clench my fists at my sides and nod again. The idea of sleeping with Brian doesn’t disgust me and I hate myself for it. I already begin to wonder what it would be like for him to have his way with me. Would he be rough with me if I put up a fight, or would he be tender if I gave in easily? I don’t know what kind of man he is, yet my body craves his touch.

If I learned anything from Mark, it’s that men like him and Slate don’t take just a little. This is only the beginning of what he’s asking me to do. I know that each time he’s going to take a little more until there’s nothing left. I need to get out of here before that happens. It’s time for a new start anyway. This could be the push I need, because there won’t be any coming back if I agree to give my body to Brian Carter. What won’t they use me for if they’ll throw me to him?

“Let’s go.” Slate gives me one last warning before he goes to the door. He opens it and stops to looks back. “And Claudia…” The cold winter air blows in and I shiver. “Don’t get any ideas about running out on us. You wouldn’t want something to happen to that shelter you love so much.” I suck in a breath and he smiles. “You’ve made your bed. Now you’ll lie in it.”