Chapter 88
VILLA GRAVES – 4:34 p.m.
ཐཱུ ཟྭ 59%
I’ve been in front of Alexander’s villa for several minutes, hesitating to go in. I finally get out of the car and walk toward the front door with a heavy step.
As I’m about to enter, I run into Mathieu. He storms toward me, eyebrows furrowed.
20
“Where the hell have you been? I’ve been trying to reach you for days! You can’t even bother to answer or call back! I know you’re busy trying to save your ass and run from your father, but you know I worry easily and you disappear without a trace! I thought you were dead–I thought they tore your head and teeth out so you couldn’t be identified! I thought you were-”
I don’t let him finish his hysterical rant and hug him tightly.
He seems surprised–it takes him a few seconds to return the hug. I rest my head against his chest, inhaling the scent of his cologne.
“You talk too much, Mathieu.”
“What’s going on with you? You don’t seem like yourself. You look shaken.”
“I don’t want to talk about it, please. I just want you to hold me.”
I hold back the tears threatening to fall.
“You’re scaring me–you sound like you’re saying goodbye.”
“Everything’s fine, Mathieu.”
“You look like you’re about to break.”
I’ve been broken for a long time, Mathieu.
This man is the light in the darkness–he’s so special to me.
His eyes fall on my neck. They widen in shock.
“What the hell happened to you?”
“Can you explain why there’s a hickey on your neck?”
Shit! I thought the marks from that steamy moment with Alexander in the elevator had faded completely.
“I can’t talk about it here–someone might hear us.”
He gives me a mischievous smile.
“If you don’t want people to hear, it’s because Alexander himself gave you that monster of a hickey! You let Alexander fuck you and didn’t even tell me, you traitor! Sex! Alexander and Inara had sex! And judging by how visible that hickey is, it must’ve been rough!”
“Stop yelling! I promise I’ll tell you everything in detail. Just pretend you don’t know anything!”
“Even the size of Alexander’s dick?”
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15:21 Sun, 24 Aug
Chapter 88
He bursts out laughing as I glare at him.
“Mathieu!”
“Okay, fine, go join your lover! Just don’t forget to use protection. Alexander would totally knock you up in one go!”
Thanks to him, I enter the villa a little less sad. The front door is slightly ajar. I scan the spacious living room.
I hear noises from upstairs. I head toward the stairs and climb them.
༤.59% ●
+20)
I walk to the gym. I see Alexander hitting a punching bag. He’s shirtless, wearing only shorts. His wavy hair is messy, and his body is drenched in sweat.
He looks pissed, judging by the rage in his punches. When our eyes meet, he looks surprised but doesn’t stop.
I decide to stand in front of the punching bag. He stops immediately. He glares at me.
“Move if you don’t want to get hit.”
I don’t move.
He sighs, watching me closely.
“You don’t look like you’ve been through hell.”
If only he knew.
“I’m tough.”
“What the fuck are you doing here?”
I don’t know why, but his question stings..
“I think Hakim’s been trying to break me this whole time. He’s behind what happened with Paco and all the other shit. I also think he’s the one who sent us Jared’s head, even if I still don’t know why.”
He stays expressionless, as if my presence bores him.
“Hakim’s too dumb to pull off such meticulous plans. Don’t be stupid.”
1 raise an eyebrow.
“Got any other theories to share?”
“No”
I hate this feeling, I really feel like I’m forcing the conversation.
“You came all this way to tell me this bullshit? Why would I give a fuck if Hakim’s your torturer or not?”
I also came to see if you were okay–because you’re one of the only people on this earth who even bothers to care about me.
I stop myself from insulting him or punching him in the face.
Don’t act on impulse, Inara.
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15:21 Sun, 24 Aug
Chapter 88
“How did you leave your father’s place without a scratch?”
“That’s my business.”
“Now that you’re here, tell me.”
“Why did you kiss me?”
He doesn’t answer. I sigh.
He grabs my wrist firmly as I head for the door and blocks me.
“I asked you a question.”
“And I answered it. Now let me go.”
“Are you hiding something? What did your father ask you to do in exchange for Maria’s life?”
I look away.
“Let me go.”
I don’t want to humiliate myself by admitting my choice.
“Tell me.”
He looks angrier, keeping his grip on my wrist. His brows are furrowed, jaw clenched. He’s not letting go.
My throat tightens as I think of what I’m about to sacrifice to save Maria.
“Let me go, please.”
My voice is weak and pleading. He seems surprised but doesn’t budge.
“Answer my question!”
“Alexander, please.”
“Answer right now or I swear this is going to turn into a fucking disaster!”
I swallow all the tears threatening to fall. I struggle to swallow my saliva.
“I agreed to sleep with one of his associates in exchange for Maria’s life.”
No need to mention I’m sacrificing my virginity too.
He’s shocked. He releases my wrist, staring at me, shaken.
“Are you happy now?”
“Tell me you’re kidding! You’re going to sleep with one of your father’s guys without even knowing who he is?”
His voice is filled with contempt and hostility.
“I don’t need your judgment. I do what I want with my body.”
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15:21 Sun, 24 Aug 17
Chapter SS
He glares at me and clenches his fists.
“Get out of my house before I throw you out! Get the fuck out!”
59%
thead for the door, but Alexander grabs my wrist again. I look at him in confusion. His brows are still furrowed, his whole body
tense
“What the hell do you want now?”
“Don’t do it.”
Traise an eyebrow.
“What are you talking about?”
“I don’t want you to sleep with another man, Inara…
田
