Page 76 of Monster's Edge

Still, in this moment, I don’t want to be strong. I don’t want to wait because I know that Ian is used to winning. He lives to win. If I stay silent right now, he’s going to leave and send me off to shower. This is my only chance to find out what it is that he’s planning.

“Now it’s clear to me that my father is a monster. He’s in a relationship with a woman who is married.” His lover, Patricia, is married to another mob guy who probably wants to kill my father pretty badly right now. “He’s guarded me, keeping me under lock and key and I didn’t even know.” Probably because I didn’t want to know. Why would I question the status quo? “And he tried to sell me to Mr. Ricci, presumably to pay off debts.”

Ian waits.

I pause, pressing my lips together, and then I look up at him.

“Mr. Salucci, I know that my father has done something terrible to you. I don’t know what, but is there any chance that you’ll tell me what it is?”

Ian’s eyes widen just the slightest bit, and for a moment, I think that he’s going to tell me. I think I touched something there. I think I surprised him.

Before he can answer, though, there’s a knock at the door.

We’re being interrupted.

My heart falls as he steps back, breaking free from my legs. He points to the bathroom as he walks to reach for a robe. “Go shower, Rose. And clean up the bathroom.”

The spell is broken.

The moment is over.

And my chance slips into nothingness.

6

When I come back fromcleaning the bathroom, Ian is gone. There’s no note on the desk. The bed is still made. I glance around, wondering what I’m supposed to do now. He showed up, dropped the bombshell that we’re going to get married tomorrow, fucked me, and then bounced.

Seriously?

As if my life couldn’t get anymore dramatic, there’s a knock at the door. I don’t know who it is. I’m only wrapped in a towel, so I just call out honestly.

“Who is it? I’m naked.”

“It’s me.”

Georgetta.