Throwing my head back against the seat, I pinch the bridge of my nose to settle the urge to throttle something, as Isa climbs back over to her seat.
Like I have time for this shit.
Not going to Vermont means that Friedrich starts nosing around in my affairs again, though.
“Fine. I’ll fly out first thing tomorrow. Get it over with early in the week.”
“Very good. I’ll let him know. Again, my apologies for interrupting you, Sir. He seemed quite adamant that you make this trip.”
“I’m sure. Thanks.” I click out of the call and toss the phone onto the console, my mood officially soured. “Should’ve ignored it.”
“I’m sorry. I just thought--”
“It’s not your fault.” I lean to the side and seize her lips for another kiss, wanting nothing more than to pick up where we left off, but the frustration of having to play along with Friedrich to keep those bastards out of my hair is the equivalent of grinding my dick against a cheese grater.
Just not in the mood, all of a sudden.
Leaning back into my seat, I start up the engine and throw the car in drive.
The sooner I get home, the sooner I can take an ice cold shower.
Chapter 49
Isadora
Mondays have always been the dreaded first day of the week, but today is significantly less dreadful, in spite of the noises that kept me up again last night. At first, I thought it was Lucian, sneaking into my room, but when I flicked on the light, there was nothing there.
There’s something inside these walls, though. I can’t say what it is, as I’m always half asleep when I wake from it, but I feel it watching me.
I’ve never believed in ghosts, or the many myths that plague this island, but I’m beginning to wonder if I should.
I take the elevator up to Laura’s room, spinning the gorgeous bracelet over my wrist. No one has ever given me something so beautiful in my life, and I want to tuck it away so it doesn’t get lost, or broken, but I made a promise to Lucian that I wouldn’t take it off.
If Laura asks, I’ll just have to work up an excuse, like I found it in a McDonald's bathroom, and when I tried to return it, the owner told me to keep it. I chuckle to myself at the ridiculous story that, even in her mental state, she wouldn’t buy.
After Lucian and I returned from running errands yesterday, he decided he needed to get some work accomplished, and I haven’t seen him since.
He claims this is nothing but sex between us, and I’m okay with that, since he made it clear from the start. Except, all weekend long, he referred to me as his.
You belong to me. You’re mine. Mine.
I’ve been with guys only looking for sex, and not a single one told me I belonged to them after. In fact, they were quite content to keep their distance, and so was I, if I’m being honest. It’s not that I set out to fulfill my mother’s destiny for me through meaningless sex, it’s just that boys tend to be nicer when they think they’re getting laid.
I guess I just liked believing in their bullshit sometimes.
Lucian is an enigma to me, though. A big black question mark at the end of a long sentence. Could’ve been a heat of the moment thing with him. Guys sometimes say weird things during sex, but then I’m still left wondering why he bothered to run errands with me. Why spend the day with someone you’ve no intentions of pursuing?
A part of me wants to ask Giulia if he’s ever claimed she belonged to him when they fucked. Maybe that’s his kink: collecting girls like his mother collects dolls.
Another part tells me to leave it alone.
When I reach Laura’s sitting room, Nell already has the older woman dressed for the day and in her wheelchair, ready to go. Odd, considering it’s still about five minutes before Laura usually wakes on her own.
I cross the room toward them, where Nell huffs, seeming to struggle with pinning a broach to Laura’s blouse. “Here. Let me.” When she steps aside, I take the broach in hand and offer Laura a smile, as I slide the pin through the silky fabric. “What’s going on?”
“Rand asked that we come down to the office. He wants to speak with