Chapter 29
Chapter 29
Inara
Alexander is poison, an asshole and a pervert all in one. After leaving him in his office, I headed for the exit under the intense stares of Hakim and my father.
All the guests watched me with zero discretion.
I’m going to have to give Khalid some kind of explanation about my public confrontation with Alexander. For now, I just want to slam my head against a wall.
And fucking hell, how am I going to get my weapons back?
I start my car in a hurry to escape the atmosphere of that villa and all those idiots.
A few minutes later
MAIN VILLA
1:37 AM
I get out of the bath, put on my underwear, and a khaki satin robe that barely covers my skin. I tie my hair up in a bun.
This moment of relaxation hasn’t managed to calm the hatred I feel for that idiot Alexander.
I don’t like the atmosphere in this villa, but it’s beautiful. Also, it’s far enough from the city center. There’s no constant car noise, and the air doesn’t feel polluted.
My room is huge: a big bed in the center, a large window behind it with a view of the tree just outside my window, a big couch, and a vanity with a massive mirror.
It connects directly to a bathroom through a door. The bathroom is quite spacious, and the bathtub takes up most of the space. The shower is huge, and a mirror covers the entire wall.
I open the bathroom door and head to the tub to drain the water.
When I return to my room, I notice the window is more open than it was a few minutes ago. I raise my eyebrows as I feel the fresh breeze.
I barely have time to take a step when I’m slammed against the wall, and a hand covers my mouth to keep me from screaming.
“What the… What is this…”
I stop talking instantly when I meet the eyes of Alexander Graves. I bite his hand so he’ll take it off my mouth. He pulls it away, looking at me with boredom.
“I knew you were a doll, but I didn’t think you had a dollhouse room to match.”
He looks around like I’ve suddenly become invisible.
“What are you doing in my room? At this hour?”
Alexander shrugs.
“I didn’t come to kill you, if that’s what you’re wondering.”
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“Get out, right now! You’re lucky I’m not screaming!”
“Scream if it makes you feel better. I hope you realize I wouldn’t hesitate to make the men here believe you invited me for a
little…”
I don’t let him finish. I punch him in the chest, which doesn’t even seem to tickle him.
“You want to mix sex with violence? Why not?”
He winks while I sigh.
“Stop talking shit. Tell me why you’re here.”
He steps back. I take the opportunity to close the window completely. I look at the height he climbed to reach my room. He must’ve grabbed onto the tree.
I turn toward him with a murderous look.
“I’ve had enough of Alexander Graves for one night.”
“You can never get enough of Alexander Graves.”
He’s still in his evening outfit. He doesn’t stop smiling and continues:
“I came to pay you a little visit. I see you got ready for me.”
I look at him, confused. When I follow his gaze down my body, I realize I’m almost not dressed.
I quickly turned around and closed my robe, which had been revealing the lace of my nightgown.
“I wasn’t expecting visitors, least of all you.”
“Hope the surprise pleased you.”
What a joke. I roll my eyes.
“How did you know where I live?”
“I always find out what I want.”
“What did you do to the guards watching the villa? I hope you didn’t kill them. And how did you even get here?”
“Your guard dogs? Not that efficient, but no, I didn’t kill them. Your little security wasn’t going to stop me.”
Arrogant bastard.
“As for how I got up here: I just took a bit of a run and grabbed onto the tree right by your window. Unless… you left it open on purpose?”
“Stop saying nonsense unless you want me to scream and have them all come in here.”
“I already told you: you’ll be the one explaining to your father what I’m doing here. Not me.”
“What do you want? The faster you tell me, the faster you can leave.”
He steps closer until he’s just inches from me. I can smell his intoxicating scent, and it makes my heart race.
“You still want your weapons?”
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I shot him a suspicious look.
Earlier, he refused to give them back no matter what I said, and now he’s offering them to me.
“I’ll give them back if you do something for me.”
Of course, there’s a catch.
“You realize you’re asking something in exchange for what you stole from me?”
“I’m making you a fair offer: either you accept it, or you don’t. Your choice.”
“If this is one of your pervy deals, like sleeping with you for my weapons, go jump out the window and hope you die.”
He puts his hand on his chest and opens his mouth like he’s wounded and shocked. I can’t help but smile a little.
“I’m offended you’d think that of me… Just so you know, I’d never force a woman to do anything with me she didn’t want to do herself.”
He glances at my robe and smiles.
“I prefer it when they’re willing. It’s more passionate, you know, doll?”
I roll my eyes and raise my eyebrows.
“Keep your nicknames for your little flings. My name is Inara, not ‘doll.””
“Soon, it’ll be your turn. And with how much you’re making me wait, believe me, you’ll be screaming all night long.”
I bite my lip to stop myself from cursing him.
“Your proposal?”
He gets serious again.
“I’m offering to team up with you for a job.”
Me? Partnered with Alexander?
“What do you mean?”
“In two days, I have to pick something up in a bar two hours from here, and I want you to come with me.”
“You want to have a drink with me? I don’t touch alcohol.”
“Funny, you had a glass in your hand earlier.”
“Apple juice.”
“Very sexy. Even with apple juice.”
“I’m not asking for your commentary.”
“I didn’t mean for us to drink. I want you to create a diversion.”
“I thought women were a burden.”
He gets serious again.
375
“A woman draws more attention from men than another man. I need the exchange to go unnoticed. I just want you to keep the customers occupied while I get what I need.”
“Why me?”
“It’s a bar known for harboring criminals and dangerous fugitives. You can handle yourself. I don’t want to play the hero.”
“I thought you loved fighting. What, don’t want to get your hands dirty anymore?”
“If you’re suggesting I’m afraid of those guys, know that I fear no one. I just don’t have time to waste.”
“That’s it? And you’ll give me back my weapons in exchange?”
“Yeah.”
“What guarantees you won’t double-cross me?”
“I give you my word. And when I give it, I keep it.”
“What do you have to retrieve at this bar?”
“I suggest you don’t stick your nose in things that don’t concern you.”
I step closer, staring him down. He remains impassive.
I must’ve hit a nerve.
“You think I’m just going to listen to you?”
“You’d better if you value your life.”
“You seem to forget you’re in my house.”
“Your father’s house.”
“No need to play with words.”
“You know what? You’re going to do what I asked and shut your pretty little mouth so your weapons don’t end up in my villa’s pool.”
My survival matters more than my curiosity.
“You want to keep your little secret? Fine. But don’t forget: a deal is a deal.”
He holds out his hand. I look at it, hesitating, but end up shaking it. The contact lingers, so I pull away.
He slowly leans toward my lips, staring at them.
“Don’t you want to seal our agreement in that beautiful bed that’s just waiting for us?”
I shoot him a deadly glare.
“Go fuck yourself, Alexander.”
He was about to throw one of his sharp remarks when I heard the handle of my door turning.
“Open this door, Inara! I know you’re not asleep!”
Thankfully, the door is locked from the inside.
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Chapter 29
“Who is it?”
“Hakim! I need to talk to you, it’s urgent!”
Fuck. If Hakim sees Alexander in my room, he’ll rush to tell my father.
“I’m coming! I’m putting on a robe!”
Alexander looks at me, smiling, amused by the situation.
I grab him firmly by the arm to pull him toward the bathroom.
Strangely, he follows without a word. I whisper to him:
“He can’t know you’re here. Don’t make a sound.”
“I have nothing to hide.”
He’s so twisted he might make noise on purpose, like dropping something.
“Alexander, don’t get me in trouble. I swear I’ll make it up to you.”
I hear Hakim knocking harder and harder, trying to break down the door, my heart racing faster.
“Open this door, Inara!”
Alexander still plays along, whispering too:
“I’m not at risk, especially not from that asshole.”
“I’m asking you as a favor.”
He gives me a big smile and nods. I gently close the bathroom door.
AD
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