Chapter 22

**Hannah**

We took the elevator down to a different parking garage level, where he led me to a sleek white Mercedes.

"This is yours," he said, handing me the keys. "Do you like it?"

I stared at the car in disbelief. "Are you serious? It's gorgeous!"

"I'm always serious about my gifts." He unlocked the car with a press of a button. "You can keep it here or drive it back to your apartment."

I ran my hand over the smooth hood, still trying to process that this luxury car was mine. "I'll leave it here. It would look pretty out of place in my neighborhood."

"Clothes will be delivered here by this evening," Leonardo continued. "Keep what you like, return what you don't. I've instructed the stylist to include a range of options."

"Okay, Daddy," I said, still slightly dazed by all of this.

Leonardo's expression shifted slightly, becoming more businesslike. "There's one more thing we need to take care of today."

"What's that?" I asked, twirling the car keys between my fingers, still stunned by the surreal turn my life had taken.

"We need to get tested today."

"Tested?" I repeated before understanding dawned. "Oh, you mean for STIs?"

"Yes. HIV, hepatitis, the full panel." His tone was matter-of-fact, like discussing the weather rather than sexual health. "I've arranged for us both to visit a private clinic. Discretion is guaranteed."

I nodded, remembering our conversation from the previous night. "Right, we did talk about this."

As we walked back to his car, I gathered my courage to bring up something else that had been on my mind.

"Daddy," I began, testing the word on my tongue again. It still felt strange, but I couldn't deny the little thrill it gave me to say it. "I want to be clear about something else."

He raised an eyebrow, opening the passenger door for me. "Go on."

"I don't want to have sex without condoms," I said firmly. "At least for now. Maybe after a few days or weeks, but... not yet."

Leonardo considered this as he slid into the driver's seat beside me. "Reasonable request."

I exhaled, relieved he wasn't pushing back.

"I'll use condoms," he continued, starting the engine. "But I should warn you—" His voice dropped lower. "Sometimes when I'm particularly... aroused, things can get intense quickly. In those moments, I might not have the patience for slow, careful sex."

My mouth went dry as I imagined what that might entail.

"What I'm saying," he clarified, pulling out into traffic, "is that I might forget in the heat of the moment. So it's on you to remind me if it's important to you."

I swallowed hard, nodding. "I can do that."

"Good girl," he murmured, reaching over to squeeze my thigh. His hand was warm through the thin fabric of my dress, and I felt goosebumps rise on my skin.

The clinic was housed in a discreet building with no external signage. Inside, it looked more like a luxury spa than a medical facility, with plush seating and abstract art on the walls. The receptionist greeted Leonardo by name, which didn't surprise me at all.

"Mr. Salvatore, we're ready for you and your guest. Right this way."

We were led to separate rooms for our tests. My nurse was efficient and professional. She explained each test before taking blood and other samples. The whole process took less than thirty minutes.

"Results will be ready in a few hours," she informed me. "We'll call you directly."

When I emerged, Leonardo was already waiting, scrolling through his phone with a bored expression. He looked up when I approached.

"All done?" he asked.

"Yep. Quick and painless."

"Good." He checked his watch. "I have some business to attend to. Where would you prefer I drop you off? Your place or the penthouse?"

I considered for a moment. As tempting as that gorgeous penthouse was, I had a million things to take care of.

"My place, please. I've got a ton of stuff to do today."

Leonardo nodded, putting the car in drive. "The penthouse is yours to use whenever you want, but I understand you need your own space."

The drive to my apartment was mostly quiet.

When we pulled up outside my apartment building, I felt a flash of self-consciousness. The building wasn't a dump by any means, but compared to Leonardo's world, it might as well have been a cardboard box. He didn't comment on it; he just pulled smoothly into a parking spot.

"I'll have your results sent to you as soon as they're available," he said, turning to face me. "I expect you to do the same."

"Of course," I replied. It wasn't like I had anything to hide. My last hookup had been months ago, and we'd used protection.

Without warning, Leonardo reached for me, his hand cupping the back of my neck firmly as he pulled me into a hard kiss. His lips were demanding and possessive, making my head spin. When he finally released me, I was breathless.

"I'll see you tonight," he said, his voice low. "Be ready for me at eight."

"Yes, Daddy," I whispered, my heart racing at the intensity in his eyes.

He smirked, clearly pleased with my response, then waited until I got out of the car before driving away. I stood on the sidewalk for a moment, watching his sleek black car disappear around the corner.

The chill air snapped me back to reality. I glanced down at my new emerald dress, feeling like I was playing dress-up in someone else's clothes. Which, technically, I was.

After spending time in Leonardo's world of luxury, my apartment building looked even shabbier than usual.

"Mom?" I called out as I entered, though I knew she wouldn't be home. Sure enough, the apartment was empty, with a hastily scrawled note on the kitchen counter: "Double shift today. Leftovers in the fridge. Love you."

I kicked off my shoes and collapsed onto the couch, my mind racing. The events of the past twenty-four hours felt like some bizarre dream. I'd gone from desperate student to sugar baby with a penthouse and Mercedes in the blink of an eye.

But first things first. I needed to deal with Vincent.