Chapter 22

screwed up tonight, and it’s all Winston’s fault. I’d been so mad at him for being a dick at the table, but I actually enjoyed dancing. Perry is nice and funny. He’s the exact opposite of Winston.

Not that I’d ever date someone like Perry. I prefer the fucked-up ones, it would seem. Because when Winston helped take my panties off, I wanted to beg him to touch me. I’d been so turned on that we were putting on a show that I nearly let him have his way with me.

A freebie.

Everything went to hell, though, the minute the hot Italian-looking guy started dancing with me. He gave off the same superior vibes as Winston. In a way, dancing with him felt like being with Winston. The alcohol had me flushing when I’d felt Leo’s dick hard and rubbing into me from behind. At first, when I saw Winston flying at us with murderous rage in his gaze, I thought it was intended for me. But the second he addressed Leo, I realized I was caught in the middle of a war I knew nothing about, only that I had unknowingly danced my way to the other side.

Money.

It’s the weapon Winston wields. Sharp and powerful.

I’d watched him sling it through the air, saving me from an unknown monster. The promise was in his hard stare. A shit ton of money was going to be tossed at Leo Morelli. Because of me. I’m smart enough to realize now that Leo sees me as something Winston cares about. Something Leo could use against him. And Winston was ready to negotiate a big-ass deal to protect me.

It’s so fucked up, but I’m grateful.

Winston may be a total dick most days, but he showed no weakness when it counted.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to come home with you?” I murmur, hating how needy I sound.

He pulls up in front of our brownstone and puts his vehicle in park before glancing my way. “Positive.” Ouch.

His words sting, but I can tell he’s stressed out. I feel guilty for bringing this new headache into his world.

“Okay,” I choke out. “I’ll see you in the morning. Shrimp has food and water in his cage. If you cover it with the blanket when you go to bed, he’ll be quiet.”

“Good night, Ash.”

Tears burn at my eyes, which pisses me off. I grab my phone out of the cupholder and fling open the door. I’ve barely managed to make it to the front door before my phone buzzes, money being sent.

Normally, seeing my account grow is gratifying. Tonight, it just makes me sick to my stomach.

I stare after his taillights, hurt and frustrated. I’m not equipped to handle a man like Winston Constantine. He’s too much . . . everything. I’m way out of my depth.

“Not a boyfriend, huh?”

Scout emerges from the shadows, an unreadable expression on his face. He’s dressed all in black. I don’t know what he’s been up to or what he plans on doing, I just know I don’t want any part of it. Twisting the

knob, I let out an exasperated huff that it’s locked. He shoves his hand into his pocket and prowls up the steps. I tense up when he crowds me from behind.

“You never dressed up like this for Tate,” he murmurs, his tone menacing. “And I’m supposed to believe the guy who dropped you off in a fucking Lamborghini isn’t tapping this.” He squeezes my ass.

I try to push him away, but he’s taller and stronger, easily pinning my front to the door. My heart races inside my chest as I worry what he’ll do, but then he unlocks the door. Slipping out of his hold, I rush toward the stairs. The stupid shoes slow me down. I make it up three steps before he’s on me. When I open my mouth to scream, he covers it with one hand and wraps an arm around me to pick me up. My shoes fall off as I kick out, not making purchase with anything as he easily carries me upstairs.

I manage to hit him in the head with my phone, causing him to grunt in pain and release me. My heart is in my throat as I run to my room. The door barely closes before he’s shoving his way inside. I throw my phone at him which he easily swats away.

“Stay away from me!” I shriek. “I’ll call for Dad.”

“He can’t hear you downstairs,” he sneers. “Looks like it’s just you and me, sis.”

I try to dart past him toward the bathroom, but he’s faster, shoving his way in with me. “Please don’t,” I beg, tears streaming down my cheeks. “Please, Scout. Please don’t hurt me.” “Take your dress off.”

“No!”

He reaches into his pocket, withdrawing a pocketknife. Flipping it open, he tests the blade on his thumb, drawing blood.

“All I want is for you to wash his scent off, Ash. Don’t make this harder than it has to be.” “He’s not my boyfriend,” I sob. “I swear.”

“Take your fucking dress off or I’ll cut it the fuck off.” I inch back, trembling. “O-Okay. I’m doing it.”

He reaches inside the shower and turns the water on, his sharp glare never leaving me. I shakily unzip

the dress. Before it falls away, I hold it to me, pleading with my eyes. All it takes is a gesture with his knife to have me dropping it to the floor. His jaw clenches when he finds me without panties.

“I fucking knew it. I told Sully and Sparrow, and they didn’t believe me.”

“I didn’t sleep with him,” I choke out. “The dress would show panty lines. Believe me, Scout. Please.” He studies me for a beat. “Take your bra off.”

Quickly, I yank it off, standing completely nude for him.

“Get in and wash that whore makeup off your face.” He points at the shower. “That’s what you are, Ash. Some rich man’s whore. They don’t fuck pretty girls for love. No, they do it because it’s fun and interesting. May as well face the fact that you can’t get anywhere in this world.”

I have no words. All I can do is hug my middle and cry. He makes another terrifying gesture with his knife, sending me scurrying under the spray. I hurry to wash my face and hair, hoping he’ll leave. His stare never leaves my body.

He opens the door and steps in fully-clothed. I whimper, trying to run from him, but his knife presses into my throat. I know Scout. He’ll use it in a heartbeat. He’s psychotic. I freeze, trembling when he cups my breast. His dick is hard, pressed against my backside.

“Please don’t,” I beg.

His hand drifts down to cup my pussy. “Tell me who you belong to, and I’ll think about it.”

“You,” I blurt out without hesitation. “I belong to you.”

“Wrong answer.”