Page 46 of Monster

“Would you prefer to have wine with brunch?”

I placed my own napkin in my lap. “No no no, mimosas are wonderful. I appreciate it, though.”

He grinned. “Of course. And if there’s something brunch is lacking, let me know. I can have the chef whip you up something in no time.”

I paused. “You have a chef?”

His grin grew to a smile. “I have lots of staff, yes. And one of them is my chef.”

For a moment, it felt like I was having a romantic date with some lover in a foreign country. Which would’ve been my plan, had this man not kidnapped me. The cruel reality of what this really was dawned on me and I wanted to cry. But, that little voice in the back of my head asked a very interesting question.

If he took me out of malice, why hasn’t he hurt me yet?

I mean, Teo had kidnapped me, right? Bought me from some bullshit auction? He even said it himself: he owned me. He had receipts that said as such, as disgusting as that felt to admit. But, he hadn’t so much as laid a hand on me in anger. Sure, he was demanding. It wasn’t as if he were trying to force me into something other than staying, though.

What does he get from all of this?

Rationally, it was money. I was a high-profile target to someone like him, especially if he knew who my mother was. Which was apparent from our first interactions at that client party back in the States. But, the decadence of this beach house and this meal and the private beach strip he owned? All of these things told me he didn’t need any money.

So, why the hell was he keeping me here?

Food touched down in front of me. “I’ve got a question.”

Teo picked up his fork. “Shoot.”

“Does your entire world revolve around money? Or, is that just the appearance you enjoy giving off?”

He calmly shook his head before a chuckle fell from his lips. In fact, it almost seemed like he was stifling laughter altogether, and I wasn’t sure why. Had I asked something funny? I didn’t think what I asked was funny. So, why the hell did it look like he was about to double over laughing?

“Teo?” I asked.

He cleared his throat. “My apologies. It’s just shocking to me that you haven’t put it together yet.”

I blinked. “Put what together?”

His eyes met mine. “You really haven’t figured it out yet, have you?”

“I’m honestly not following.”

He leaned back. “All right. I’ll bite. Why do you think my world revolves around money?”

And as I tried to ignore how absolutely idiotic that question seemed to me, I couldn't help but feel as if I were walking into a trap. A trap that could ultimately define my sole reason for being chained in his basement.

Don’t fuck it up. You’re so close.

* * *

I wasn’t shocked very easily in my line of work, but her question genuinely took me by surprise. I knew Miss Pettigrew was a smart woman. An astute woman. Someone who observed before she talked, like myself. I knew she was a woman who wanted all of the facts at her disposal before making any assumptions, especially with the career path she chose for her life. But, had her first week here really led her to such a pathetic conclusion?

She’s playing you for a fool. Don’t let her bait you.

If she thought she could outwit me, she had another thing coming. My wit and my plans and my devices had kept me alive this long in my own line of work, and I’d be damned if some bull-headed attorney from New York City got the best of me.

Still, she didn’t have to know that I knew she was leading me on.

I folded my arms over my chest. “I’m waiting.”

Charlotte shrugged. “I mean, look at this place.”

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