Sorry, but you can't leave

My heart hammered like a war drum as I used the back of my hand to wipe my lips and stare at him, my eyes gleaming in disbelief. Like he had just won something no one had won, Del Morino's low mocking laugh reverberated through the hallway.

I blinked and kept asking myself how I got to be here. My life had just zigzagged

Despite my knees trembling, I stood taller and asked icily after touching my lips lightly.

“You kiss all your maids like that?”

As he leaned against the archway with his arms folded, his eyes danced and a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.

“Only the ones I buy, darling.” he said impassively. I felt like slapping him. Scream. Toss the vase closest to me straight at his head. But I already knew that he wanted me to react. Instead, I turned and made my way upstairs. He did not follow.

That shook me just a little but at least I get to have all the space to myself to think a little.

I pushed my back against the door of the guest bedroom and closed it as though that would keep him out. What had just happened? That kiss was neither sweet nor inquisitive. The kiss was claiming. As if he was urging me to run away but I didn't my knees only grew weaker

I was not going to play his game though. It would be early morning when I will escape. Or to put it mildly leave.I would always be taken in by Aunt Annie. Del Morinos altruism and his perverse ownership were unnecessary to me. I was unaffected by whatever deal he struck with Drake.

The door squeaked open and I exhaled.

“Don't you know how to knock. You should learn that, sir.”

He entered as if he owned the air I breathe. “I have you in my house. My guidelines, you follow and dwell in.”

I automatically retreated after trying to roll my eyes but he didn't come near. His eyes, sexy and all knowing sweeping me from head to toe as I simply leaned against the wall.

“Have you packed yet?”

I blinked. “Excuse me?”

“You mentioned that you were going.” He leaned against the wall. “I'm here to remind you that you're not.”

“You cant keep me here.” I said in a small voice, that one eye doing something to me that I didn't want or could resist. “I am not a piece of property that you purchased.”

“But I did.” He said in a hushed icy tone. “And Drake does not want refunds. He used the money to wed your cousin. I paid in advance.”

That hurt more than I thought it would. “You bought silence and stubbornness .” I said, he smirked then blinked lazily. “Uou are just another coward like him for buying me.”

This might make my plan work I thought.

Del's eyes grew intense and then he whispered

“ Cute theory. But no. Since you were going to be abandoned, I bought you. And you're completely unaware of it.”

I gasped. “What do you want to discuss with me?”

He remained silent and simply paused in the doorway before turning to go. “Dinner is at eight o'clock. If you like dress in the clothes I provided or rags. I don't care, just come.”

Before I could speak he was gone. After he left the door clicked shut and I was silent.

I remained on my bed until eight o'clock. My stomach twisted as I remained curled up on the bed with my arms around my knees. He was engaging in a sick game and I didn't want to be involved. However the hunger persisted and mu curiosity even got worse.

Did he just buy me for buying sake? So does that mean Drake never loved me?

I finally made my cautious barefooted descent downstairs at half past eight. The lighting in the dining room was dim. With just two seats the table was long. He was sitting at the head holding a glass of wine his gaze focused on the vacant chair next to him.

He grinned when he saw me.

“No rags,” He remarked pointing to my simple white t-shirt and jeans. “But also no silk or better dressing. What a shame.”

I sat and remained silent. Without asking he poured me some water.

“Do you still think you'd rather be a maid?” He asked smoothly.

I took a swallow. “ Bosses don't kiss their maids.”

He smiled. “Lies. I'm totally different.”

I gazed down at my plate. I

“What did you mean earlier? Paid in advance?” I asked. “I don't understand what you mean by that.”

Del swirled the wind in his glass. “You see Drake never loved you, he only got…should I say tangled with you because the council of your pack needed him to act responsibly.” He sipped his wine. “ Drake told me all that and selling you off because you are useless to him.”

I went cold.

“He owed a dangerous person,” Del continued. You served as leverage. “An advantage in negotiations. He would have given you up like a lamb to kill. He used part of the money I paid him to pay off his debt.”

I felt my heart race. “You're telling nothing but lies.”

“I'm not. I took over initially.” He bent in closer. “If you'd prefer though you can test that theory by going back to Drake. That's the door.”

I couldn't bring myself to say a single word.

“You may despise me now but you'll come to understand me eventually.” He said in a hushed tone. “I'm the lesser of two evils.”

I pushed myself away from the table and got up.

“You still treat me like a toy even if that's true.” I muttered, “I will also never be yours.”

His face grew gloomy. The atmosphere between us changed. Then he stood up as well. He smiled right when I thought he was going to lose it. “All right,” he said. “I enjoy a good fight.”

Later that night, I lay awake in bed gazing up at the ceiling. I kept thinking about what he had said. Apply leverage, selling me, lesser evil. I had the feeling that Del Morino was more than just a haughty grin and a conceited ego. Something told me I was in something deeper and only this man could save me.