Iniquitous (The Marked #3)(24)
10. SECRETS & LIES
Lucy came to wake me the next morning, carrying a serving tray of all my breakfast favorites, courtesy of Engel. As usual, she didn’t speak to me or make any direct eye contact. I wanted to ask her where she’d come from and how long she’d been enslaved here, but Maz wasn’t far behind and I knew that asking her questions would raise suspicion in him. I couldn’t risk all the progress I’d made with Engel this past week, convincing him that I was acclimating to my place here. Frankly, I couldn’t handle even the thought of having to exist another day in this place, pretending like Engel didn’t make me completely sick to my stomach. Tonight was the night we were finally breaking out of this place and nothing was going to get in my way. Besides, if everything went according to plan, Lucy wouldn’t be here for much longer either.
“Thank you,” I said to her as she placed the tray on my bed in front of me.
She ducked her chin down and then quickly scurried out of the room.
Dominic passed her on his way in, muttering something that was too low for me to hear.
“Morning, Princess.” He smiled at me jovially as he walked in, carrying a long emerald dress dangling from a wooden hanger. He stopped in front of the armoire and slung it over the mirror-clad door.
My heart picked up speed at the mere sight of him. “What’s that for?” I asked, ticking my chin at the dress.
“Wait outside,” said Dominic to Maz.
Maz nodded and left the room, closing the door behind himself.
“It’s your dress for this evening’s party.” He tweaked his eyebrows as though this were good news. “Engel is gathering some of his comrades tonight and has requested your attendance.”
My face scrunched up into a mess. “What the hell, Dominic?”
“Fret not, angel. Something tells me you won’t be able to make it tonight. And neither will he.” He winked as he walked over to my bedside. “How are we feeling this morning?” he asked, reaching out to move my hair from my neck. I’d made sure to cover myself when Lucy and Maz came in, just in case. The last thing I needed was someone spotting the fresh marks on my neck and tipping off Engel.
“You tell me,” I said, looking up at him under my lashes as I craned my head to the side. “I haven’t looked yet.”
“It’s nearly all healed.” He pulled back and flashed a devilish smile, clearly proud of his mark on me.
“So what’s this party about?” I asked him as I lifted the cover from my breakfast dish. Eggs and Bacon. AKA heaven on a plate. “And more importantly, is it going to mess up our plans?” I asked, picking up a piece of bacon.
“Nothing changes. We stick to our plan and if everything goes the way it’s supposed to, we’ll be out of here long before the event is set to commence.”
I liked the sound of that. I couldn’t wait to get as far away from this place as possible. Of course, that meant I’d be returning to Hollow Hills. The realization sent a wave of trepidation through me. I hadn’t given much thought to what would be waiting back home for me when I returned.
Or who I would be returning as.
There were so many unanswered questions, so much unfinished business. Unfinished love. My thoughts went to Trace just then. Beautiful Trace Macarthur. I hadn’t allowed myself to think of him very much these days. It hurt too much to remember him and I already had all the hurt I could tolerate. It was easier to push my thoughts of him away; easier to just let him go. It was what I had to do to survive this place. At least, that’s how it seemed.
“Angel?”
I met Dominic’s gaze.
“Did you hear anything I said?”
I shook my head. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t listening.”
“Never you mind then.” He smiled. “Finish your breakfast and join me outside. You have a big day ahead of you.”
A big day indeed. I took a deep breath and nodded.
After breakfast, Dominic and Maz took me down to the library. Engel had given me the pass for the day and thought I might enjoy some time to myself amongst his esteemed collection of classic novels. As much as I couldn’t stand the guy, I was pretty thrilled about my latest offering, especially after finding a first edition of my favorite Jane Austin novel. Even still, it hurt my heart that such a prized possession was owned by such an awful creature of debauchery.
With the book cradled to my chest, I plopped down on a lounge chair by the window and tried to quell my nerves long enough to forget where I was. Dominic took the seat across from me as Maz shuffled aimlessly down the aisles.
“God, I love the smell of books,” I said, fanning the pages as I inhaled its unique scent.
He leaned further back in his chair with an amused grin on his face.
“What? Don’t you read books?”
“Yes, angel. I read books. I don’t smell them.”
“Then you’re doing it all wrong,” I said and opened the book to the first chapter.
I heard him chuckle, but I didn’t look back up. I was already immersing myself in the story; the same one I’d read a hundred times before, each time, finding something new and exciting that I swore hadn’t been there the previous time.
I blew through the first couple of chapters without stopping once, and then jumped into the next one just as quickly. Who knew if I’d ever get another chance to read this book again. For all I knew, things could go terribly wrong tonight and I’d never again get to do any of the things I loved so dearly. When I glanced up to ponder the disturbing thought, I noticed Dominic was still staring at me—watching me with a strange look in his eyes—a faraway gaze I’d never seen before.