“I can’t argue with that seeing as you have me restrained in Matteo’s room.” A room that should have been private for him and I only.
“I’m not a monster,” she said, her voice cold. “But I do get what I want.” She giggled, inspecting her ring. “I remember when he proposed. Did he tell you the story?” She sighed. “God, it was so romantic.”
This woman was nuts. Matteo, oh please, my love. Hurry home.
“He brought me up to his cabin, cooked me his favorite Italian meal and we made love under the stars.”
I scoffed. “Please. You’re insane. Matteo doesn’t own a cabin. His favorite meal is Mexican and the only person he’s making love to under the stars is me.” Before I could process what was happening, a sharp slap landed against my cheek. I licked along my lip, a metallic taste coating my tongue. “What? Can’t handle the truth?” I sneered.
“Don’t ever speak like that to me again.” Morgan cupped my jaw, digging her nails into my cheeks.
“Or else what?” I winced when her nails dug further into my skin.
“I don’t want to fight.” Morgan placed a soft peck on my lips. “Can’t we be friends?”
I stared at her. This woman was crazy. And I had no idea how to get out of her clutches. “What do you want with me? I’ve never done anything to you.”
“You see,” she patted my cheek. “You have something of mine. And I want it back.”
“What the hell are you talking about? I don’t have anything of yours.”
“Yes.” She nodded, her smile growing wide. “You do.”
“What do I have?”
“You’ll see.” She walked away, whistling to herself.
“Where’s Nika?” I asked, praying with everything in me that she was okay.
“She’s fine.” Morgan waved it off. “I slapped her around a bit.” She turned back to me, looking over her shoulder. “I did like you, Mae. But when I saw you with Matteo, I knew something had to be done.”
“Leave him alone. Please. Haven’t you done enough to him already?”
She tsked. “Is my boyfriend telling lies again?” She laughed, shaking her head. “I’m not a monster, no matter what he says.”
“He is not your boyfriend!” I screamed, the shackles on my restraints clinking with my struggles. “You are delusional. He doesn’t want you. He’s never wanted you. You broke him. You destroyed him. You are nothing to him. Do you hear me? Nothing!”
Morgan stared at me for a moment. “You got it all wrong. He does want me. He proposed to me. You were there remember?”
“What the hell are you talking about? I was not there.”
“Yes you were. At the club. He proposed to me that night. We watched the whipping scene together. Don’t you remember?” Her chin quivered, her eyes welling.
My mouth opened and closed. She honestly believed that Matteo proposed to her. That he belonged to her. That they were happy. A part of me felt sorry for her. She was clearly sick and I only wished I could get her the help she needed. If I couldn’t, I knew Matteo could. “Morgan, I don’t—”
“Morgan?” she tilted her head. “Who’s Morgan?”
“What?” I asked, gaping at her. “You’re Morgan.”
“No, I’m not silly. I’m Emily. Emily Griffin. We work together. And now you’re going to be in my wedding.” Emily or Morgan, whatever her name was, moved around the room, opening and closing the drawers with the smaller toys in them.
“You’re not Morgan?” I asked again.
“No.” She smiled at me. “You must have hit your head a little too hard when I brought you in here. I’m sorry about that. But nope, I’m Emily.”
Confusion coursed through me. I swore she was Morgan. She even matched the description Matteo gave me. Blood red lips. Ruby nails. Pale skin. Tall and beautiful but deadly. Maybe she had completely lost it.
“How long have you and Matteo been dating?” I asked her, playing along with her game. If you could even call it that.
“For a couple of years. I met him at his office when I got lost. He was so helpful.” Emily picked up a black leather flogger, giving her palm a light tap with the small toy.
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. She honestly thought that she was with him. That they loved each other and were going to live long and happy together. “You’re crazy,” I blurted.
“Excuse me?” Emily snapped, her head whipping around.
Before I knew it, she was on me. The chair toppled backwards and I landed hard on my