Man of the House: A Dark Bad Boy Romance(108)

“Turn around. Head up the stairs another floor. Make a left out that door.”

“Okay.”

He stared at me. “Don’t wander around alone anymore,” he said.

“I’m not allowed to walk around?”

“Not anymore,” he said.

I quickly turned and walked away from him.

My heart was pounding in my chest. I had no clue what had happened to make people treat me this way, but I shouldn’t have been surprised. My family was likely killing their friends, and I was the poster child for the whole damn thing. As far as they were concerned, it was all my fault.

I quickly followed his instructions and went up to my floor, but instead of going to my door, I stopped at another one. Without really thinking, I knocked.

And he answered. I was a little surprised when Vince pulled open the door, looking tired.

“I thought I’d see you again, Princess,” Vince said.

“Can I come in?”

“Sure.” He turned aside and I went in. He shut the door behind me.

“People hate me,” I said.

“What?”

I sat down on the couch. “People hate me here now, Vince.”

He sighed. “What happened?”

“Some old guy down at the stables called me a whore. And a security guy told me not to wander around anymore.”

He shook his head. “The guy at the stables is just some old kook we keep around to take care of the horses. Ignore him.”

“What about the people staring at me? Whispering?”

“What do you want me to say?” Vince grunted.

“Am I in danger here?”

He thought about that for a second. “Shit,” he said softly. “I wish I could say no.”

“Is my child in danger? Our child?”

“No,” he said more forcefully. “We’re *s, but we don’t hurt kids.”

“What am I supposed to do, stay hidden in my room?”

“Might be for the best.”

“I should leave.”

He shook his head. “No, you shouldn’t.”

“If I’m not safe anymore, I’m leaving.”

“Listen to me, Kaley,” he said. “Arturo wants you alive and unharmed. You’ll be fine.”

“What happens when I’m not useful anymore?”

“Let me deal with that.”

“Will you deal with it, Vince?” I asked him seriously. “Will you go against your own people to save me if you have to?”

He stared at me, clearly surprised by the question.

“Don’t ask me that again,” he said slowly. “Don’t ever ask me to betray my people again.”

“Okay,” I said softly, feeling my heart sink.

“Listen to me.” He sat next to me. “I won’t let anyone bother you, okay?”

“Okay.”

“I’ll put the word out that you’re not to be bothered, and if anyone says anything to you, tell me.”

“Fine.”

He frowned at me, but I looked away.

“It’s going to be okay.”

“I’m sure it is.” I stood up. “I should go get Alexei and head back to my room.”

“Sure. Okay.”

I gave him another look and then turned and walked away. I pushed open the door and headed out into the hallway, walking back toward my room.

I didn’t feel better. I believed him when he said he’d do what he could to protect me, but I was afraid that if his people ordered him to hurt me or to get rid of Alexei, he’d listen.

I didn’t want to put him in that position, but I also didn’t want Alexei to be stolen from me. I couldn’t ask him to betray his people, and I wouldn’t.

If it ever came to that, I’d run away. That was my last option. I still had some money, though not much. I could get to California, change my name, get a job, start a new life.

Maybe I should do that anyway.

What had once felt like a refuge from the terrors of my family was quickly starting to feel like another oppressive force. I was less and less welcome in the Barone family mansion with every passing day, and I knew it.

I needed to start making a plan, or else risk getting left behind.





30





Vince





I was half awake when Kaley showed up at my door talking about Jacque the crazy horse guy.

I hadn’t noticed before, but she was right. The atmosphere in the house for her was definitely getting more and more dangerous. I’d warned her that it would, but I didn’t expect it to happen so soon.

I got changed and checked my phone. I had a message from Lucas, which I quickly pulled up and listened to.

“Vince, Russians hit back already this morning. Lost a few guys down at the docks. Come to Arturo’s study when you get this.”

I cursed and checked the time. That message had come in an hour ago. I quickly left my room and headed toward Arturo’s study.

This probably explained why Kaley had felt a shift in the house. If the Russians had started killing back already, people were going to start blaming her for their deaths. If I had known about it, I would have warned her.