Chapter 10

Lying on my front, I skim the pages of a book Ricky brought up for me with my lunch yesterday. I fiddle with one of my long braids as I read, surprised he had this type of book just lying around. It’s a romance, and a steamy one at that.

My door opens, and I know Ricky’s behind me. Probably getting a superb view of my ass in the lavender booty shorts I selected this morning. They might have made me dress up for them the other night, but I much prefer to wear comfortable sportswear and tees. I don’t bother looking up at him as he places something on the bedside table beside me.

The bed dips, and I know he’s sitting right next to me. “You know what time it is, baby doll.”

I sigh, glancing over my shoulder. “Do what you have to, doc?”

His fingers brush over the back of my leg as he removes the bandage delicately. “You’re healing up nicely. I can remove your stitches today,” he says, dabbing something around the wound. “You could even leave your room if you want to?” Since dinner, they haven’t chained me to the bed or locked my door, but I have chosen to stay where I feel safe.

“Nope,” I huff. “But you can bring me another book. I’m done with this one.” I close the back cover, wishing my life could be like the story I just read.

“Harley, Alex is letting you get away with staying in your room because of your injury, but he won’t put up with it for much longer,” he warns me as he pulls the first thread from my skin. The thought of what he’s doing turns my stomach.

I close my eyes and bury my head in my pillow, trying to block out the awful sensation. “Guess you can tell him it’s still too sore. You know how badly it flared up after he forced me to come downstairs last time.”

“I won’t lie to my boss for you.” His voice holds a hint of remorse. Perhaps witnessing my confinement here day in and day out is invoking his more compassionate nature. Perhaps someone is finally starting to care about me.

I’m feeling extra fragile today. I haven’t left the confines of this room in four days, and it’s messing with my head. The asshole who locked me up is strangely becoming my friend.

“Why don’t you have a shower and get dressed? Venture downstairs for dinner rather than eat here alone.”

Tilting my head, I watch him, wondering if I can tempt him to give me something. Anything. “I might consider the idea if… if you tell me why I’m here.”

He raises a brow. “You’re here because you’re going to marry Alex.”

My eyes narrow in on him. We both know that makes little sense. “And how does that happen when I didn’t consent to marry him?”

“That you will have to ask him. ”

“Should I ask him why his friend has a thing for his soon-to-be wife as well?” I gaze back at him. I’ve seen the way he looks at me. He can’t deny he’s been flirting with me for days.

He tries to pull back from me, but I hold his hand tighter. This might be my only chance to get some answers.

“Ricky, please answer me. You know whatever Alessandro and I had ended a long time ago. He has no hold over me anymore. This engagement stuff is bullshit, just some power trip he’s on.”

His piercing eyes drop to my lips, and I feel how badly he wants me. I suck in a breath, knowing this is getting too real, because for some fucked-up reason, I want him as well.

With a guilty expression haunting his eyes, he abruptly stands and pulls away. He knows I’m right. “I’ll leave the door open so you can make your way downstairs after your shower.” He goes to the bathroom and washes his hands, then returns. I sit up so I can see him properly.

“I would rather live in the world of the imaginary than deal with him.”

Handing him the book I just finished, my eyes plead with him to get me a new one. The prospect of being locked up without any external stimulation may push me to the brink of insanity. My mind is already filled with improper thoughts about Ricky, causing me to teeter on the edge.

I watch him leave, then slump back down on my bed with a huff. “I’m not giving that asshole the satisfaction,” I call after him, hating that he’s ignoring my request. At first, I had assumed he would be the easiest target. Maddox has kept his distance mostly except for throwing me in the cold shower, and Alessandro is a closed book, bossy and arrogant as fuck. Ricky is flirty and somewhat invested in my well-being. But maybe he just has fun toying with me, and now that his doctor duties are finished, he’s going to throw me to the wolves. Or wolf, a big bad one.

“Is she medically unable to get out of bed?” The hair on the back of my neck stands up when I hear Alex’s deep voice just outside my room. Did he hear our conversation? Part of me hopes he did so he knows where we stand. What kind of asshole demands I have dinner with him just to tell me I’m being forced to marry him? Then ignores me for the next four days.

“She’s healing beautifully. I’ve removed her stitches and dressing. She will be back to normal and ready to run again in no time.” Ricky laughs, and I hate him all over again.

I wish I could run, but this place is locked up tighter than Fort fucking Knox. Pulling up my covers, I make myself comfortable in bed and give myself a protective layer between him and me. I’m not sure what my plan is to deal with him, but right now, pretending he doesn’t exist is high on my priority list.

“Good.” I feel his presence right behind me as he enters my room, but I don’t lift my head. “Shower and dress in something nice. You will join the three of us at our club tonight.”

That gets my attention. I flick my eyes to him, sudden anger radiating off me. “Like fuck I will. I’m not leaving this bed,” I snap back at him, my tone bitchy as all hell. He has to be kidding me.

He stalks closer, pulling the covers back in a rush. His expression changes slightly when he sees my scantily clothed body. The boss man likes my booty shorts and cropped shirt that shows off my belly. He seems momentarily lost for words, and I give myself a little mental high five for my choice of loungewear today.

“Get out of bed, Harley. You have half an hour to get yourself ready or I’m dragging you to the club as you are. ”

I snarl back at him, my eyes locking on his. He can’t just order me around. I’m about to tell him to fuck off when an idea comes to me. Locked up in this room, there is no way of escaping him, but in public, like a busy club, I could slip away into the shadows. Eventually, I sigh heavily, like I’m willing to give in to his request. Sitting up, I swing my legs over the edge of the bed.

He watches my every move.

Cheekily, I glance back over at Ricky. He just threw me under the bus. He could have lied for me, given me more time, but he showed me who he is and exactly where we stand. I tug at the bottom of my T-shirt, pulling it over my head, revealing my full tits in all their glory. There’s not really any need for a bra when you’re lazing about in bed all day.

“Fuck,” Ricky murmurs from the doorway. Yeah, asshole, you fuck me over, I’ll make you squirm. You might be loyal to your boss, but I know you want me.

I can also feel Alex’s anger simmering to a new level, and I’m even more pleased with myself.

I glance back over my shoulder at Ricky. “Don’t look so shocked, Ricky, not like you haven’t seen me naked already,” I sass before walking off toward the bathroom.

Alessandro glowers back at me. “Do we have a fucking problem?” he growls from behind me, but he’s not addressing me this time with his snippy attitude. He’s talking to Ricky.

Closing the door to the bathroom, I stand behind it, listening to the two of them.

“You know she’s a big fucking problem,” Ricky mutters back.

I laugh to myself. Asshole should have helped me. Now he’s back on my shit list with the other two .

“But she’s listening to you, so I guess you’re halfway there,” he adds. I guess I should have been an actor, not graphic designer. I just played these fools. And tonight, I get the fuck away from them.