Page 5 of Vicious Vows

I only had myself to blame.

If I had any hope of fixing this problem between us, I would have to give in and obey him. Could I do that? My mouth had a way of getting me in trouble.

Marchello came into the sitting room dressed in one of his expensive suits. He glanced at my feet on the table. “What are you doing?”

“Painting my toenails.” I dipped the brush in the bottle and leaned forward. “I need a real pedicure.”

“You told me you could do it yourself when I bought you all those supplies.”

“I thought I could, but now I’ve changed my mind.” There was no chance he was going to unlock the fortress and let me out to get my nails done. “It’s not the same.”

“You’ll have to manage.” He pointed at me. “You’re in no position to ask me for anything.”

“Okay.”

“Okay?” He came closer to me. “What do you mean okay?”

“I mean it’s okay. You said no, and I have to listen, right?”

Abiding by his rules was the only way I could show him that I was being serious. I had to play his way.

“What are you up to?”

“Nothing.”

The bewildered look in his eyes was new. I had provoked a lot of emotions from him, but baffled wasn’t usually one of them.

“Are you going out?” I asked.

“I have to go to the dealership for a few hours,” he said. “I’ll be back in time for dinner.”

“I don’t like when you leave me.”

“I don’t like when you leave me either.” He glanced at his phone, but the meaning of his words were not lost on me. Was he ever going to let my little escape go?

“Try not to cause any problems today,” he said. “I don’t have time to deal with any issues.”

“How can I? I don’t have anyone to talk to.” I stroked the brush across my big toe, covering my nail with a shade that reminded me of watermelon bubble gum.Cool.

“That’s by design.”

“Where is Ricardo?” I had wanted to ask since coming to the penthouse, but the guilt of what might have happened to him because of me was too much to accept. “Is he alright?”

“Now you’re worried about Ricardo?”

“I’ve always been worried about Ricardo, but I didn’t think you would tell me anything about him.”

“You’re right.”

“Marchello, did you hurt him?” I twisted the cap back on the bottle and set it on the table. “Can I talk to him?”

He scrolled on his phone.

“Can I see him?” I asked.

“No.”

“Why not?”

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