Mistress to a Monster

Chapter Eight

Milah stared out her bedroom window for the hundredth time or what felt like that long. Glory had gone to ask Damon if it would be possible for her to go enjoy the last of the snow.

In the past few days, she’d rarely seen Damon. He only called for her at night, and because of this, she’d been confined to her room. Even her meals were delivered to her bedroom. There was a guard on the door, stopping her from leaving.

She didn’t have the means to escape Damon’s property, she knew that. It would be next to impossible.

When a situation like this arose, she remembered her mother’s guard telling her to play it safe. To never draw suspicion but to always be ready to make a move. This place was highly guarded. Damon had spared no expense when it came to protection.

This was a De Luca home.

He lived here where his father had lived before, and his father before that. There was a great deal of history, and she hoped within time, he’d let her explore. There were so many rumors and lies when it came to their combined families. Her mother didn’t always know the truth and would often refuse to spread nasty gossip as she didn’t believe it. Her mother, at times, was too good for the Russo. Milah had often thought it.

The marriage had been a sham. A farce. She couldn’t believe her maternal grandparents had even allowed it to happen. Their thirst for power must have driven them to it. Although the couple she had met as her grandparents hadn’t struck her as the kind who cared for more money. They were already extremely wealthy people.

Milah was pulled out of her thoughts by her door opening. Glory walked inside.

“Is that good news?”

“Yes. Damon said you can walk the grounds, but you must have a guard with you at all times.”

“Oh.” It wasn’t exactly the freedom she was hoping for.

She looked past Glory’s shoulder to see James, the man she had shot. Guilt consumed her as he held up a pair of walking boots and a jacket.

“Mr. De Luca doesn’t want you to freeze. Those were his exact words.”

Milah chuckled and went toward him. She stopped when she got close enough. “I’m sorry.” The words just blurted out before she could stop them. She winced. “I … I didn’t hurt you too badly, did I? I didn’t want to kill you or anything.”

James held his hand up, stopping her. “All is forgiven.”

She forced a smile and then, she did the unthinkable, she hugged him.

James tensed, and she heard Glory gasp.

“You can’t do that,” James said, pushing her away.

“I know. I know I’m a prisoner here, and I … I’ve been worried that you were hurt or sick. I’m sorry.”

She picked up the boots and jacket and quickly pulled them on.

“Show no weakness. They will only use it exploit you. These animals are good at doing things like that. Never let your guard down.”

It was hard to see these people as animals. They were human.

This feud with the De Lucas was tiring. She didn’t know if she was going to be able to keep it up.

After wrapping the jacket around her arms, she tightened it up, and then looked at Glory and James.

“Please, tell me you’re coming with me,” she said, looking at Glory.

She knew without a doubt Glory worked for De Luca. Glory would have to report everything to him. Not a moment of her life was safe, but she liked to pretend just for a short time she had someone on her side.

“Glory will be joining us,” James said. “Damon has already given me permission to escort you two ladies outside.”

Milah smiled and glanced at Glory.

Every now and then, she saw the guilt flash in her gaze. The other woman wasn’t always comfortable being her friend.

What Milah didn’t know was if it was the guilt of pretending to be her friend that upset her or the fact she had to actually spend time with her, which made her feel like a traitor to the De Lucas.

Either way, Milah was happy to have some form of a friend, even if it was fake.

She had no secrets to spill, so talking to Glory was never an issue. Being a woman, she wasn’t allowed to know any secrets of the Russo empire. That was all to her father.

Stepping out of her bedroom, Milah followed Glory down toward her own quarters, which was far across to the other side of the house. Her room was small, and Milah glanced inside to see not too many belongings.

This was the life of a … what? She didn’t exactly know what Glory was.

“She’s a slave,” James said.

Milah turned toward the guard. “What?”