Indebted - Piper Stone Page 0,94

if only for a short period of time.”

I knew what he meant, the follow through on every detail of my father’s contract in hopes that perhaps he’d get back a part of his life. The realization made me sad, even as he rubbed my fingers against his cheek, his eyes closed as he enjoyed the moment. I was a little girl lost, adoring a man who could never love me the way he wanted.

A single tear slipped past my lashes as he placed the ring on my finger. There were so many words I hoped he would say, thoughts about our passion and sharing a life together, but he was incapable.

He eased a strand of hair from my eyes before wiping away the salty bead, rubbing his finger across his succulent lips. “You should get some rest. Tomorrow will be interesting.”

Tomorrow could be damning.

Tomorrow could be telling.

Tomorrow could be the end.

“I will.”

Before moving off the couch, he leaned forward, pressing his lips against mine. As always, the scent of his cologne was intoxicating, creating another round of fantasies that would never come true.

“Expect a visit tonight, my lovely fiancée. I want to ravage every inch of you.”

While I didn’t hear his footsteps as he walked out of the room, I knew the moment he was gone, the subtle vibrations I always experienced in his presence falling silent.

And I’d never felt so lonely in my life.

* * *

White roses.

Dozens of them had been positioned in gorgeous vases in my room, every delicate flower the color of white.

Innocence.

Purity.

Salvation.

The scent was almost overpowering, the meaning crushing down on my mind.

The room was filled with beautiful possessions; the draperies sent all the way from Italy, the bookshelves hand carved by artisans and filled with my favorite books, and the insanely gorgeous rug one I’d seen on the pages of a magazine. He’d spared no expense to make me happy, pretending that our relationship was anything but unholy.

I’d been a part of his world, discovering the beauty of his estate, indulging in fine wines and expensive foods. Yet this wasn’t home.

This was just make believe, a decision forced on me by my father.

Then why did I enjoy every moment of being near him?

I moved slowly to the rear of the chair, dropping ever so silently to the floor. As I reached under, I closed my eyes, holding my breath as I’d done so many times before. The slender handle was comforting, the only reason I’d been able to tolerate the last few days. Swallowing, I pulled the knife into the light, studying the serrated edge, the sharp point. Everything in the house was kept just so; cutlery perfectly polished, knives sharpened after each use.

As I stood, my legs began to shake, my mind reeling from what I was about to do.

Killing a man in cold blood was something I’d never done before.

The memory had come to me in the middle of the night, an unfolding of the tightly woven veil that had been placed around me since even before the night in the club. Why I’d been given the gift of seeing the asshole’s face who’d been arguing with Bobby I wouldn’t know. Maybe it was really a curse, another moment of destruction for a man who couldn’t take much more.

Another betrayal and I knew I’d lose him entirely.

However, this was my crusade, my ability to alter his future instead of both of us lurking in the past.

If only I could find the courage.

After slipping the blade under my dress and into the folded napkins I’d fashioned into a holder, I bit back a whimper. Then I smoothed my hands down the beautiful frock the color of the Aegean Sea, a hand-beaded creation from the finest designer in Paris. I’d been allowed to pick it out, an unconventional choice for what most people considered a festive event. To me, this was nothing more than additional chains.

Perhaps I should have chosen the color red.

The color of hearts.

And roses.

And blood.

I should feel like a princess, cherished by an adoring man.

Instead, I felt like a mannequin with strings attached, a puppet waiting for her master.

I was waiting for his summons.

He’d lured me with an offer he knew I wouldn’t refuse.

He’d provided me a chance for atonement.

He wasn’t supposed to be my hero.

But he’d become that and so much more.

He’d become my obsession.

The man I’d fallen in love with.

The dark abyss was the ultimate cage, but I wasn’t his salvation.

He was mine.

The knock on the door was earlier than