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A wicked grin spread across my face as we stared each other down. "Mercer, the Princess is as good at playing games as any of us have ever wanted to be. And it's been an absolutepleasurekeeping up." I said smugly, running my thumb across my bottom lip.

"Tory wouldn't touch you with Mrs. McMillan's pussy." Noah snorted. "Unlike some people, that girl has a good head on her shoulders. And standards. Something you and your boys wouldn't know shit about."

I grabbed him by the shoulders and leaned in close. "You just wish you knew how loud she screamed when she gets off." I leaned back away from him, dusting his shoulder with one hand. "I'll let you in on a secret. It's loud enough to wake the whole manor. Run along and imagine that while you sit around wishing she'd let you take her to dinner."

Noah opened his mouth to say something but couldn't seem to find anything that matched the jealous rage written all over his features. He stepped away and moved past me, catching me with his shoulder on his way out. I'd never tell the good officer, but the memory of the sounds Victoria made when Leighton fucked her had me itching to break something. Forcing my anger back on its leash, I strolled deeper into the center, checking that Victoria was in her office before heading into the gym to unleash my unwanted jealousy on a punching bag.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Victoria

I breathed a sigh of relief as we rounded the fountain in front of the manor. Az's mood at the center had taken a significant downturn, so what had started out as an unusual but not altogether unpleasant day was ruined. I nearly leaped from the car as soon as it came to a stop and made my way into the house.

I hadn't made near the progress I'd wanted to, my calls to potential donors consistently interrupted by notifications. It was quickly starting to wear on my nerves.

"Have the productive day you wanted, Princess?" Rich leaned against the foyer wall as I walked through the house, heading for my rooms.

"Would have, if some asshole hadn't decided it would be fun constantly interrupting actual good work." I said, turning the corner and slamming my door behind me. It wasn't necessary, but it felt good.

I kicked my shoes off and started looking for something to lounge around in when my phone went off again.

"You have got to be shitting me." I sighed, eyeing the notification bar on the small square. I'd seen the same thing all day: 'private number.' I flipped the smartphone open to its full screen.

Don't forget who you belong to.

I sneered at the message on my screen. One name came to my mind, and with it, the images from the night he left me in the camera room almost a week ago. I rubbed a spot on my shoulder absently, where a mottled and bruised bite was still healing. The dull throb from the mark only served to frustrate me further. Didn't they have anything better to do?

As I was about to drop the phone, it started ringing, and I breathed a sigh of relief when Tiff's name popped up on the screen.

"Tory!" Her bubbly voice immediately made me smile. "What are you doing right now?"

"Not much, just got back from the center. And currently trying to ignore these assholes playing mind games." I set the phone to speakerphone so I could continue looking for something comfortable to wear for the rest of the evening.

"Sounds like fun. Well, I'm here, so don't pick anything out to change into."

"You're here?"

"Sweetie, you really need to work on your active listening skills. Yes, I'm here. Now come let me in."

"Just let yourself in, Tiff. I doubt it's locked right now. The Az-holes are home." I picked up my phone and headed toward my bedroom door.

I had to hold the phone away from myself as Tiffany's squealing laughter pierced the air. I smirked, chuckling at myself. It took a couple of minutes for her to settle down. She was still laughing as I stepped out into the sitting room, heading for the door.

"Okay, now that I've looked like an insane person sitting in your driveway laughing for too long. Come, let me in. I don't want your prison guards to shoot me or have to deal with your warden."

I groaned inwardly as I moved through the foyer, seeing Rich come out of his office at the exact moment she made her comment. He arched a brow, and the corners of his mouth turned down, but he didn't say anything. I hung up the phone and opened the door as Tiffany stepped out of her Tesla Roadster.

"If I have to pay for that remark, you're paying me back with interest, Tiff." I smiled at her as she hugged me. "What are you up to?"

"I've come to make your warden turn you loose for the night. You can't stay locked up like this. It's not healthy. So find a cute outfit. We're going out tonight." Tiff breezed past me like me leaving the house was always a huge fight.

I followed her helplessly to the family room the boys had converted into a billiards room. Rich, Craig, and Az were chatting as Craig lined up his shot. Tiff walked in, snagged the beer from Az's hand, and took a long swig before offering it back.

"Tiffany… I was beginning to think the house was too peaceful." He said with a sneer, grabbing another beer from the mini-fridge by the bar.

"You know you missed me. With Leighton out of the house, who else is going to keep you on your toes?" She chirped, turning to eye the table. "Cutthroat, good game. I'd offer to give you boys lessons if we didn't have plans this evening."

"Jesus fucking Christ." Rich said, running a hand over his face. "This shit again, girls? Is your survival instinct just broken?"