Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 19979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 100(@200wpm)___ 80(@250wpm)___ 67(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 19979 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 100(@200wpm)___ 80(@250wpm)___ 67(@300wpm)
“I’m gonna go,” I say simply, turning my back on her as I head to my room. I wanted to put my hands on her—see if she’d fight me again. But all I can do for now is retreat, respect my father’s wishes for this new alliance.
Why would he warn me away from her? It’s not like I’d ever get involved with a Noir woman, no matter how nice her body is.
I’m not some horny teenage boy whose hormones dictate his behavior.
And if Sable thinks she can goad me into trouble, she’s got another think coming.
I’m the heir to the Vale crime family, and this is my home.
And I don’t lose control.
That’s what I tell myself.
3
SABLE
I wake in a foreign bed. My eyes open to a foreign ceiling. The air is foreign in my nose.
The silk sheets fall from my body as I rise and catalog the exits: one door, three windows that open onto the side yard, and another window in the bathroom.
Ryker wants me to feel out of place here. Wants me to feel afraid.
Too bad.
My cheeks still sting from the slaps he gave me last night, and I have to smile as I raise my hand and feel the tender skin.
Honestly, I didn’t expect that from him. Most bosses don’t get their hands dirty; they just have someone else do it for them.
But now it’s clear that Ryker is not a man to be trifled with. He’s dangerous, unpredictable. But most of all, he can be provoked.
Smiling, I get up and walk to the bathroom. I quickly shower, wrap my hair in a towel, throw on a robe, and continue my exploration of the house.
Most doors are locked, and tons of men in suits stand guard, watching my every move. “At ease, fellas,” I tell them as I pass.
No reaction. They’re well trained.
Their eyes say that they want me back in my room, tucked away in my little corner of the manor. But that’s not happening.
My mom is married to Dominic Vale now, and that makes this place mine.
I try another door, and it opens, leading me into a large living space with charcoal colored walls, modern furniture, and an enormous plate-glass window that looks out into the gardens.
Instantly, the hairs on my neck start to stand up, and I glance to my left to see Ryker sitting in a chair like a king. He has his feet up on a stool and a cigar in his hand.
His eyes are on me, and for a split second I almost feel vulnerable. After all, I’m only wearing a robe and a towel. Meanwhile, he’s wearing dress pants and a loose mauve shirt with the top buttons undone.
“Well, you certainly look the part,” I tell him, leaning against a thigh-high desk. “Big, tough, mafioso man.”
His lips twist like he wants to smile but won’t let himself. His eyes flash as he lifts his chin at me.
“I see your cheeks are still red from last night,” he remarks, taking a slow drag from his cigar.
Despite my lack of a sexy outfit, Ryker still can’t hide the fact that he’s checking me out. I watch his gaze roam up my legs, halt on my hips, then continue up to my breasts.
Men always think they’re being so subtle when they check us out, but we always know.
“And I thank you for that,” I counter. “It will save me having to put on blush later.”
This time, Ryker actually smiles. I have to admit, it’s actually a sexy smile. And from a guy who knows how to handle himself too.
“You’re quite a little firecracker, aren’t you?”
Placing a hand on my hip, I look back defiantly at him. “You know, I would have thought Dominic Vale’s son would have been a whiny, spoiled brat who let his men do all his dirty work for him.”
“Is that right?”
“Guess I was wrong.”
He smirks and pours himself some kind of alcohol from an expensive bottle.
“You may live here now,” he says. “But this is our home and our rules. Don’t forget that.”
“Uh-huh.” I nod, pulling the towel from my hair and shaking it loose. “And I suppose that means doing whatever you want me to do?”
Ryker’s eyes narrow back at me. Slowly, he shakes his head, like he’s appalled by my behavior.
“You have quite a high opinion of yourself.”
I shrug, tossing my hair. “I managed to handle you quite easily.”
“Oh, you think so?” He laughs, rising to his feet. God, he’s tall—well over six feet with broad shoulders that seem to form a wall in front of me. “You know I went easy on you, right?”
“Oh, right. Cause I’m a girl?” I see where he’s going with this. But if he thinks he’s gonna get to me…
“Hey, I only put like fifty percent effort in. If I put in all one hundred—”