“What do you want?” My biting tone doesn’t bother him, though. He likes the back and forth, the fight, the tension. He feeds off it and makes it a game.
He settles on my bed, leaning back against the headboard on the same side he slept last night. “I think you need to be nicer to me,” he says. “Especially while we’re back in the town you lost yourself and where you ended up lying to save yourself.”
“What?” My mouth gapes at his accusation, but I can’t allow him to know it’s true. I did lie. But Paulo had no idea, I didn’t tell him what I did. He must’ve been doing some digging when he went into town because I never once mentioned Cassian or what happened that night to anyone. And I know Dad wouldn’t go back to bad memories, no matter how much he hates the Thornes.
Paulo sighs, but there’s a knowing grin on his face. “Sweet little innocent, please don’t play me for a fool,” he says as he pushes to his feet. “Your little boyfriend is in town, and you didn’t think to tell me?”
“What boyfriend? I never once had a boyfriend in school, and when I left here, I walked away from all my friends. Nobody here can tell you about my past.” My tone is filled with confidence I don’t feel, especially when Paulo arches a brow at me.
He pushes to his feet, his hand reaching out to grip my throat in his large hand. His fingers wrap around my neck, and he tugs me closer, causing me to swallow against the tight hold of his palm.
“Don’t fuck with me, druggie whore,” he hisses in my face. “Because I will fuck with you, harder, deeper, and much more violent.” There’s no doubt I would know if he were to fuck me, because the man is not only rough, but there’s violence in his demeanor that scares me.
When we have been together, that handful of times, he’s been calm, but there’s always an underlying threat of what could happen if he were to lose control.
“I haven’t,” I manage to spurt out when he loosens his hold on my neck. The glint in his eye is more than a warning; it’s a threat of what’s to come if he finds out about Cassian. At least I know Cass won’t want me after what I did to him, so there’s nothing to worry about.
But even as I think it, I have a feeling this evening is about to explode in a flurry of secrets and truths I’m not prepared for. And some of those will most probably get me killed.
And for a moment, I wonder if it would be so bad.
Not being here.
Paulo leaves me to get ready, and I breathe a sigh of relief.
Time to get into character, and once that’s done, it’s time to face my past.
The Thorne mansion hasn’t changed. Not that I thought it would in the past five years, but seeing it up close, all lit up with decorations, makes it seem almost normal.
We’re welcomed as if we were royalty. Champagne is offered, and I quickly take a flute and gulp down a mouthful. The bubbles fizz over my tongue as Paulo presses his fingers against the base of my spine in warning. He watches me all the time. Whenever we’re out, the heat of his stare will keep me in line as if I were a puppet on a string, and Paulo grips them oh so tightly.
We move through the crowd, and as I search the sea of people for a familiar face, I realize my heart is thudding against my ribs. He’s close; he must be. With every step out into the garden, nervous energy takes hold and doesn’t let go. It would’ve been better if I were here alone, so I could talk to Cassian without Paulo’s watchful gaze. But that would never have happened.
“Hello.” Mr. Thorne saunters up to us, his hand outstretched to shake Paulo’s before he brings mine to his lips. “Welcome to the party. I trust you’ll enjoy the evening. We’ll have a few games, dancing, and drinks throughout the night.”
“Thank you,” Paulo responds because I can’t find the words. The man who stood in my living room when I was seventeen is before me. Cassian’s father. He doesn’t recognize me, and if he does, he doesn’t say anything.
Once we’re alone again, I turn to take in the house from this side of the garden. It’s exquisite. Fairy lights trail along the balconies of the bedrooms on the first floor. Lanterns of dancing flames frame the garden, along with a dance floor that has been set up on the grass. But the moment I step on it, I find it’s stable enough to feel like an actual concrete floor.