Chapter 113
Maya's POV:
My voice was completely shot. It came out as a raspy, broken croak. Amy, being the innocent angel she was, just assumed I was sick.
I felt awkward for about three seconds, then I leaned into the lie. "Yeah, sweetie. I have a bit of a cold. I don't want you to catch it, so Mommy won't come to pick you up today. You stay with Great-Grandma and be a good girl."
"Okay, Mommy," Amy said obediently. "You have to see a doctor."
"I will. Don't worry about me, sweetie."
I hung up the phone and closed my eyes. I wasn't sleepy anymore, but I didn't want to open them. I didn't want to face Adam Sterling.
Last night had been chaos. It was like lightning striking dry ground. We couldn't stop. Just thinking about it made my legs feel like jelly.
Suddenly, a large hand slid under the duvet. It clamped around my waist and dragged me backward. My back hit a wall of hard muscle. A hot, wet kiss landed on my neck, sending a shiver down my spine.
"Adam..." I tried to speak, but that horrible duck voice came out again. It sounded hideous.
A low chuckle vibrated against my back.
I summoned every ounce of strength I had and scrambled out of his grip. I practically fell off the bed and ran barefoot into the bathroom. I slammed the door and leaned against the sink. When I looked in the mirror, my jaw dropped.
I was a disaster. My neck and shoulders looked like a war zone. Was Adam part vampire? He had bitten me everywhere. I couldn't go out like this.
I turned on the shower and stood under the hot water for ten minutes. When I stepped out, wrapped in a towel, the door opened. Adam walked in. He had a towel around his hips, and his hair was wet. He must have used the guest bathroom.
I glared at him. I walked past him into the living area to find my clothes from yesterday. I needed to get dressed and get out of here.
Adam intercepted me. He grabbed my arm and steered me toward the walk-in closet. It looked more like a high-end boutique than a closet. It was filled with designer clothes, all with the tags still on. I had seen this before, but it still overwhelmed me.
He reached up and pulled a long, cream-colored knit dress from a hanger. He shoved it into my hands. "Wear this. It's white. It suits you."
It had a high turtleneck. Good. At least he had the sense to cover his tracks.
I didn't have the energy to argue. I took the dress and turned to go back to the bathroom.
"Change here," Adam said. Then he turned and walked out of the closet.
I stood there for a second. Then I remembered my underwear. My bra was likely in shreds on the bedroom floor. I heard a rip last night. I scanned the room and opened a drawer in the center island. It was full of new lingerie. I grabbed a set that matched the dress.
Moving was painful. My legs ached, and my waist felt bruised. I hissed through my teeth as I pulled the dress on.
When I walked out, Adam was buttoning his shirt. He stopped and looked at me. The corner of his mouth curved up.
"Beautiful."
I ignored him. I saw my ruined bra on the side table. My face burned. I rushed over, snatched it, and stuffed it deep into my bag with my dirty clothes.
Adam moved silently behind me. He bent down and bit the tip of my ear.
A shiver went straight to my toes. My knees buckled.
"Baby, you are so sensitive," he whispered. His laugh was low and dark.
I snapped out of it. I shoved him away and covered my ear, backing up until I hit the sofa. "Adam Sterling! Do I look like a chew toy to you? You just sink your teeth in whenever you feel like it? Look at what you did to me!"
I angrily pulled up the sleeve of the knit dress. My arm was littered with red marks.
Adam stared at my arm. His pupils dilated. "Sorry. I couldn't control myself."
I huffed and pulled my sleeve down. I grabbed my bag.
"I had food sent up," he said, clearing his throat. "It's downstairs. Let's eat."
I didn't answer. I just put on my coat and headed for the stairs.
Adam's POV
The heating was on, but the air in the dining room was freezing.
We ate in silence. I tried to start a conversation, but Maya shut me down. She wouldn't even look at me. I knew last night had been intense. Maybe a little too crazy. I decided not to push her right now.
When she finished, I wiped my mouth. "I'll have movers pack up your apartment today."
Maya stood up and walked toward the door. "I'm not moving."
I grabbed my coat and car keys, chasing after her. "I'm driving you."
She stopped at the door. Her posture was stiff. I knew she was sore. Walking to the main road to hail a cab would be torture for her legs. She didn't fight me. She opened the passenger door and got in.
The drive to Somerville was quiet. I glanced at her a few times. She stared out the window, refusing to acknowledge my existence.
When we pulled up to her apartment building, she tried to open the door. It was locked. She turned to glare at me.
I reached over and took her hand. "Don't be angry. I'll be gentler next time."
She looked at me coldly. "There is no next time."
"Don't say that," I said, tightening my grip. "We're incredible together."
"Incredible for you, maybe," she snapped. "I wasn't comfortable at all."
"I'll be careful next time," I promised. "I'll make sure you enjoy it."
She rubbed her temples. "Unlock the door."
I hit the button. She got out without looking back. She walked stiffly into her building. I didn't follow her. I had other things to handle.
I dialed James Cooper's number as I pulled away from the curb. "Find out where Victoria Garrison is."
I drove back to the brownstone on Marlborough Street. By the time I parked, James called back.
"Mr. Sterling," James said. "Victoria is on a flight to France. She left last night."
I narrowed my eyes. "She runs fast."
"Do you want me to send someone to bring her back, sir?"
"No. Forget her for now. Tell Thomas Garrison to meet me at Sterling Global headquarters in an hour."
"Yes, sir. And there is one more thing."
"Speak."
"Claire Ashford. Her lawyers are claiming she had a mental break. The police transferred her to a psychiatric facility for evaluation."
My grip on the phone tightened. A cold smile touched my lips. I didn't expect Claire to play the insanity card to escape prison.
"Keep watching her," I said, my voice dropping. "I want to know every move she makes."