Judge (Breeding #5)(2)

I nod in disappointment because I’d hoped he forgotten. I look at the man I’ve been living with for the past year. He’s isolated me from the world as much as possible since my father died and I had to move from New York to California.

He reaches out, resting his hand on the table palm up and I know he wants me to take it. I reluctantly release my clenched fingers in my lap to do what he wants. He closes his hand around mine in a tight hold and I try to mask my cringe.

“Things are going to change. It’s time for you to step into your role.”

“What do you mean?” I ask as I try to voice what I’d like to do now that I’m eighteen. “I’d still like to go to college after I’m finished with my last year.”

I was forced to homeschool for a few weeks when I got to California, but the state told my uncle that couldn’t continue. They said I had to be put back into high school since my father had specifically said so in his will and I only had a few classes left in order to finish. There was no need to homeschool at this point, but my uncle kept protesting it. He didn’t have as much power as he thought he did and money didn’t buy it.

At the end of the day, a judge had the final say.

I’m happy with the decision to be in school but not with starting a new school halfway through my senior year. At least I get out of this house for a couple days a week since I’m only part time.

“We've talked about this, Nora. If you want to continue your education after you graduate, then you can do it online.” He takes a bite of his breakfast. “When you’re not busy working for me.” He glances over at me and I’m pretty sure my face is completely blank. “I think it’s time you earn your keep around here.” His eyes roam over me and I’m instantly creeped out again.

As if he actually needs me to earn my keep. When my father died I was almost seventeen. He left me everything, but it was decided by my uncle that I would get monthly checks from my inheritance. The trust is set that way until I’m twenty-three or married. I have no idea what my father would have wanted for me. Maybe he would have wanted me to be some trophy wife like so many of the other women I saw with him over the years. But he could have wanted me to go to college and get an education like he did. Our relationship was never deep and he was beyond a workaholic. I guess he’d want me to go to college because of how he put me in private school and made that stipulation in his will.

If it was up to me, I would be out of here, leaving all this behind. I want to start a new life of my own away from here. The isolation of the last year has left me without knowing where to begin. Anyone I knew before lives across the country and hasn’t spoken to me since I left. My uncle cut off my phone and took my laptop. He told me it would be good for me to start fresh. I’m in a penthouse prison and could be easily forgotten after I’m done with school.

“You’ll be my assistant.”

“But you have Sasha,” I remind him. I try and stay as far away as I can from both of them. The idea of working with him makes me think I would be forever imprisoned.

“Trust me. I’ll have a use for you, too.” The air in my lungs freezes for a moment. “Hurry up and eat. I’ll take you with me to the office today.”

I do as I’m told because what choice do I have? It’s Monday and I go to school on Tuesdays and Thursdays since I only have two classes left. The time I’m at school isn’t much help in making friends. Everyone is already in their cliques and I’m not sure anyone notices me. At least I’ll get out of the house today. Maybe I can start to think of a plan to get away from my uncle, too. More than anything I’d like to get a look at my father’s will. I was never allowed to read over it, so maybe it will give me some kind of information on my mother.

After I choke down a few bites of my breakfast I stand up to go change. Harry reaches out quickly and grabs my wrist.

“Wear something pretty. I’m going to take you out to dinner tonight after work.” l nod and after a moment he releases his tight hold on me. “And Nora.” I stop but don’t turn around to look at him. “Remember if anyone asks, you’re not my niece.”

He repeats the same thing he’s been saying to me since I’ve come to stay with him. I nod silently again and go to my bedroom to get ready.

When I’m all set I go to the entryway to wait for Harry so that we can go to his office. At least I think that’s where we’ll go. It bounces around in my head how he always pretends in public that I’m not his niece. The only person I think actually knows is Sasha.

I hear her moan from the other room and I know they’re having sex. She’s always so loud. I wonder if she does it on purpose or if that’s how women sound when they’re having sex. The thought of Harry and sex makes me want to gag. Apparently it doesn’t for Sasha because it’s easy to tell she wants him. I don’t understand why. He’s always rude and dismissive of her. I don’t think she’d be happy if she knew about the other women that come in late at night. My uncle doesn’t hide them from me. I’m pretty sure he was getting it on with the tutor he hired for me for those first few weeks.

I find it hard to wrap my mind around having so many lovers. The act of sex to me seems intimate and close, or maybe I only feel that way because no one has ever looked at me with lust in their eyes except him and that makes me feel gross.