pretend I’m not one wrong answer away from punishment. “I assume Luther wants me to organize refreshments.”
He eyes me with predatory intent as his lips kick into a smirk. “You’re right. He does.” He strolls forward, skirting the dining table, not stopping until he’s a foot away. “But that doesn’t mean you weren’t snooping.” He reaches out, slowly gliding a hand around my waist, then farther to grab the flesh of my ass.
I tense, every muscle pulled taut through the degradation.
He won’t hurt me, though. He wouldn’t dare.
As far as he’s concerned, I’m off-limits. Nobody gets to defile Luther’s precious Penny. But that doesn’t mean he can’t play games and get me in trouble.
“What would Luther think if he found out you were spying?” he murmurs. “What do you think he would do to you?”
“I wasn’t spying. I only wanted to know how many guests there are.”
He inches closer, toe to toe, hip to hip, and grinds the hard length of his cock into me. “Are you sure?” He leans in, his mouth a breath away from my cheek. “I don’t think I believe you, and I wouldn’t be a valued employee if I didn’t tell Luther what I caught you doing.”
Anger heats my chest, his power sickening me. “Tell him whatever you like. Your threats mean nothing to me.”
“Sure they do,” he purrs. “Don’t pretend you’re not scared.”
His toxicity invades me, curdling my emotions. I want to lash out. To tell him he’s nothing but a leashed dog who jumps at his owner’s command. Instead, I pull back and look him in the eye. “I was determining how many guests we have. And now that I’m aware, it’s time for me to prepare refreshments.”
He chuckles, the tone sinister. “Come on, pretty Penny. Admit your little heart is pounding at the thought of me fucking you.”
“Luther would cut off your hands.”
“You’re right.” He drops his hold and steps back with a non-committal shrug. “I guess I’m left to take out my frustration on poor Lilly. You realize she’s still all alone in your room, right?”
Defeat hits me.
It’s a hard punch to the stomach I can’t take without lowering my head to hide my suffering.
I don’t see Chris grin in response. I don’t need to. I already know his mouth is spread wide, his eyes glistening with victory. His reaction is as predictable as the change in seasons.
I inch away, sliding between him and the dining table, then stalk from the room and into the kitchen. I ignore my turmoil as I put on my shoes, then pull a bottle of scotch from a cupboard. I suppress all the unwanted feelings threatening to overwhelm me while I grab liquor glasses and a serving tray.
What I can’t do is pretend Chris won’t make good on his promise.
He always does.
The only thing I can do is live with the guilt that I taunted him into taking his frustration out on my sister.
I grind my teeth and tighten my grip around the neck of the scotch bottle until my fingers ache in protest. I’m still there, strangling the liquor when the sound of the sliding door opens down the hall and the clap of numerous sets of heels approach.
Nina, Abi, and Chloe make their way into the kitchen, Tobias following them with tight-knit brows.
“Dad is looking for you,” he snips. “He’s gone to the bathroom, but he’s not happy you’ve made them wait.”
“I’m on my way.” I pour a finger of scotch into each glass. “Abi, can you check on Lilly for me?” I give the woman a pointed look, then do the same with Chloe and Nina. “Chris was headed to our room and I want to make sure the two of them don’t have another fight.”
Abi’s eyes narrow in understanding. “Sure.” She nods and stalks from the kitchen, Chloe and Nina following.
I ignore Tobias as he continues to scowl in my periphery and grab the tray, my heart pounding beneath tightening ribs as I stalk for the hall leading to the sliding door. The glass is open an inch, letting me hear the soft murmur of Cole and his accomplice.
I can’t make out the conversation, only the hushed tone.
There’s nothing sinister in the voices. If anything, it’s more tinged with conspiracy. Secretive and low.
I suck in a deep breath and square my shoulders as I use the toe of my shoe to slide the door wide. The tap of my heels is almost deafening against the tile. The beat of my heart