His Secret Sin
“No, you know this. She is deadly with lamps. You might want to put away anything that is in her path. Stuff like that. She’s usually fine, but this is a new place.”
“No freaking out the girlfriend. Got it. Actually, she’s your mistress, isn’t she? Does she know she’s the other woman?”
“Fuck off, Richard. You know she doesn’t know the truth.” He headed off to get some weapons. “And another thing, you can’t scare her.”
“She’s blind?”
“She’s got a hell of a perception. Her other senses are crazy good.”
“Then she must be a bullshit reader because I would have a hell of a lot of questions for a guy who owns a club who was able to come and rescue me.”
He was done with this conversation.
Chapter Eight
The moment Belle woke up, the entire events of the day before flooded back to her. The conversation with Melanie, being taken, the taunts. They had been so cruel to her. She knew they were only going to have their fun before they either put her to work, or used her for their own pleasure. They had gotten off on degrading her instead.
The sex would have happened soon.
But Diego had been there to stop them.
They hadn’t raped her.
Sitting up, she reached for him, but wasn’t surprised to find his side of the bed cold and empty. Gritting her teeth, she slid her feet out of the bed, pushing off the cover as she did so. Getting to her feet, she knew she wasn’t in her apartment or Diego’s. This was someplace new.
It smelled brand new, in a weird kind of way. She took a deep breath of the air, and tentatively took a step forward. She didn’t encounter anything. Reaching her hands out, she tried to make sense of where she was.
Another step, and nothing.
Another, and she suddenly hit something hard. Crying out, she fell down, making so much noise as something fell on her. She gripped her leg, gasping at the pain.
The door opened.
“Shit! Diego said you had a thing for lamps.”
For some crazy and bizarre reason, she found that utterly funny.
“You’re okay, right?”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. I’m a little embarrassed.”
She sensed the guy, Diego’s friend, move closer. He knelt in front of her, and she heard his clothing as he did this. He took the lamp from her leg.
“I didn’t break it, did I?”
“No, this one is metal and is attached.” He touched her thigh, and she tensed up. “But it looks like you’re all fine. Just a little bruise. Nothing to worry about.”
She rubbed her leg. “Where’s Diego?”
“He had to go and take care of something. It’s just you and me, kid. You want some help?”
“I need to use the bathroom.”
“I’ll help you inside, and give you some privacy, and then I’ll lead you out to the sitting room and feed you.”
“Thank you.”
“No problem, kid.”
“It’s Belle. My name is Belle.”
“It’s a pretty name,” he said.
“Erm, what’s yours? Or would you like me to call you Diego’s friend?”
“Oh, I see. I thought Diego told you.”
“He might have done, but with everything, I’ve forgotten.”
“No problem. It’s Richard.”
Silence fell between them.
“I’m holding my hand out for you to take.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” She tried to find his hand, and her face was getting hotter by the second. “I’m not usually like this.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m going to put my hand on your hip and hold your hand to guide you. Is this okay?”
“Yes, yes, of course.”
She still flinched as he touched her, but he made no comment on the action. He helped her into the bathroom, which she was thankful for. She really needed to go. He left her alone to pee, and when she finished, he returned. He didn’t hold her hand but guided her to the sink so she could wash her hands and dry them.
When he was done there, they left the en-suite bathroom and went straight to the living room. At least that was what he said.
“You like Chinese food?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll be back. Don’t move.”
She wasn’t going to risk any more lamps or potentially more damaging things. Keeping her hands to herself, she stayed perfectly seated.
“I’ve got a tray here for you. What do you like?”
“Anything. Lo mein, rice, I’m just hungry.”
He chuckled. “You sound like my kind of girl.”
She smiled as he put the carton in her hand and the fork.
“Do you need me to feed you?”
“No, I can manage on my own.” She dipped the fork into the carton and brought the food to her lips. There wasn’t much warmth left to it, but she didn’t mind. Food was food, and she wasn’t going to complain. At least she was getting fed.
“Have you known Diego long?”
“Not really. A couple of years if that? It may not be that long.”
“Oh. Do you own a club as well?”
“No. I’m a security expert. It’s what I do. I fixed Diego’s club up real good. It’s how he saw you. Shit.”