Page 4 of Monster's Edge

My throathurts. It’s really dry. I’m not sure if it’s stress or the cold air or the drugs he slipped me last night. He seems pleased with my question, though. He’s happy I remembered my manners this time.

And this is the moment I realize we’re playing a game.

That’s all this is.

It’s some weird, twisted game and I’m going to have to do what he says if I want any chance of surviving.

I can’t tell whether Ian is a hero or a villain, but something tells me I won’t have to wait long to find out.

“You may, but I won’t answer you just yet. Tell me something, Rose.”

I choke back a sigh. He’s in charge. That’s why he isn’t going to answer. It’s a power play. I know this because it’s exactly how my father always is. He’ll do whatever it takes to remain in control, in charge. My dadalwaysneeds to be the most powerful person in the room. It’s how he runs all of his companies, and it’s how he gets shit done.

I nod, though. I know how to deal with guys like Ian. I’ve had 27 years of practice, after all.

“I’ll tell you whatever you want to know,” I whisper to him. I can’t promise that it’ll be the honest truth, but I’ll answer his questions. My only real goal right now is to get home. Once I’m back, I can go running to Daddy and tell him that his new business partner is a piece of shit who wants to take over my dad’s empire. That’s what Ian wants, isn’t it? He probably wants to take over the family businesses and push my dad out.

Dad’s getting old. It was always just a matter of time before something like this happened.

“Let’s start with your name.”

I look up at him sharply. He chuckles.

“M-My name?” Why is he asking my name? Heknowsmy name

“What’s your name, little flower?”

“Rose,” I whisper. “Rose Amato.”

“Good girl,” he murmurs. He squats down beside me and reaches out, stroking my hair. Shit. That shouldnotfeel as good as it does, but it does. It shouldn’t make me as horny as it does, but there I am: panting like a damn dog, greedily enjoying every stroke of his fingers.

Ian Salucci is a dangerous man. All of the men in my world are dangerous, but he’s worse than most. He has power and he knows how to use it. He has power and he knows how to wield it effectively.

“Such a pretty girl,” he murmurs as he keeps touching me. This. This is the kind of treatment a girl like me could get used to, and that’s exactly why I shouldn’t be enjoying it nearly as much as I am. What’s Ian’s endgame here? Is he going to butter me up and then murder me? Is he planning to blackmail my dad? I have no idea why he’s taken me or what he really wants, but if this is his play, then I’m in serious trouble.

I’m wet. Like,reallywet. Like, if Ian reaches up my dress and between my legs, I’m quite certain that my panties will be entirely soaked.

“Mr. Salucci...” I start to talk. I suddenly feel like I have a lot to say, but I don’t know how to say it. I’m not sure why he’s brought me here...whereverhereis. And I’m not sure what it is that he wants from me.

“Rose, it seems like you have a question,” he says. He keeps petting my hair, though, and I know that I’m about to purr like a damn cat if he keeps this up. The comfort of his touch mixes with my fear. Why do I feel comfortable while I also feel afraid? Why do I feel scared and excited at the same time?

“Mr. Salucci,” I try again. “Yes. Yes, I do have a question.”

“I have questions, too, Rose,” he tells me. Something tells me that Mr. Salucci’s questions are going to be a lot more difficult to answer than mine. Something tells me he already knows what I’m going to ask.

“Y-Y-You do?” I hate how my voice is trembling for him. It shouldn’t be. This guy isn’t worth my trembles. He’s not worth my pain or my fear, but he went through the trouble of kidnapping me, so unless he’s secretly a serial killer, maybe he’s not going to kill me right away.

“Let’s get you into something a little more comfortable before we start talking,” he tells me. He grips my hair, balling it up and holding it with his fist, and then he stands up while holding it. My head is jerked upward, and I’m forced to scramble to my feet to prevent being literally fucking scalped.

“What the fuck are you doing?” I snap before I can stop myself.

I should have stopped myself.

The slap that crosses my cheek in that moment seems to echo throughout the room. I hear it before the pain registers on my skin, and I cry out. My attempt to recoil fails because he doesn’t let go of my hair. I’m still being held firmly in place by Ian.

I’m completely at his mercy.

A second later he yanks my hair back, forcing my head up. He makes me look at him. The eye contact is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to experience, and I don’t really know what to do next.

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