&nbs
p; “Zip it, Dave,” Alex said.
“Hey, you two might not need the money, but I do.”
“For God’s sake,” I said. “Tell us what Colin has to do—”
Dominic looked at his phone. “Food’s here. Get it, will you, Dave?”
Dave feigned a bow and left the room.
My stomach gurgled as if on cue. How could I possibly be hungry with everything else going on? But I was.
Then it dawned on me. How long had I been gone? What time was it? Hell, what day was it?
“Are you going to let them eat at the table with us?” Alex asked.
“I don’t know. Can you behave yourselves?” Dominic eyed me.
“I won’t make any promises I can’t keep,” I said.
“I knew you were a spitfire when I first laid eyes on you,” Dominic said. “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t find you absolutely intoxicating.”
Alex rolled her eyes. “Can you think with your big head, Dom? God. Every time there’s a pretty girl involved…”
Alex’s words struck me. I’d been going about this all wrong. I’d been fighting back the way I fought with my brothers—showing my strength and equality. Dominic’s words creeped me out to the point I wanted to barf, but I needed to look at the bigger picture. He was attracted to me. I could take advantage of that.
Though God only knew what I looked like at the moment.
But I had to try.
My mind was still a little fuzzy. Had I told him about Bryce?
Shit. Yeah, I had.
I could still flirt. The only problem? I wasn’t a great actress, and right now I hated the son of a bitch. He hadn’t convinced me that any of this was for my mother’s or my own good. My brothers and Bryce would protect us both with their lives if they had to. And what about Colin? Why was he even here?
“We’ll behave,” I said sweetly. But not too sweetly. I didn’t want to arouse suspicion. “What day is it, anyway? I don’t know the last time I ate.”
“It’s still the same day,” Dominic said. “Nearing evening.”
Okay. I’d only missed lunch, then.
Colin finally spoke. “Why exactly am I here? I didn’t even know Marj’s dad.”
“Like I said,” Dominic said. “We just do as we’re told. I’m going to untie your hands, both of you, and your feet, Colin. We’ll eat at the table in the kitchen. Don’t try to run away. You won’t get far.”
Stop threatening us.
The words hovered on the end of my tongue. I kept them inside. They wouldn’t help my new plan of flirting with Dominic.
I wasn’t a flirt by nature. I was anything but a girly girl. But I had to try. Nothing else was working.
“What are we having to eat?” I asked.
“Pizza,” Alex said dryly.
“Pizza?” I said. “You’re a personal trainer, Dominic.”