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My hope that Mara is stronger than my mother is making out wavers when I recognize the tuft of the mustache that enters my office two nanoseconds before the face of its owner.
Rafael’s exhaustion of a long week filters through his tone when he announces, “There’s someone downstairs asking to speak with you.”
I shift my eyes to the test results I was given earlier while saying, “I’m busy.”
“I told him that, but the concierge said he’s refusing to take no for an answer from anyone but you.” When I sit up straighter, he mutters, “It ain’t him. I don’t care how many years pass. I willneverforget that fucker’s face.” He steps deeper into my office like he’s suddenly aware of the cause of the change in my scent. It’s more feminine than manly, and it makes my blood boil. “He said it is regarding Miskaela.”
“Who?” I ask, lost.
Rafael shrugs but remains quiet, leaving the ball on my side of the court.
With how worked up I am, I should take more time to consider my objections. But when a bull wants to charge, he wants to charge. So instead of telling the stranger the appropriate channels to approach me, I jerk up my chin, inviting him into a sanctum nowhere near as calm as it once was since it now smells like the perfume of my abuser.
24
MARA
Asqueak pops from my lips when a heavily slurred voice behind me says, “Why are you wandering the dark corridors of the servants’ quarters at this time of night, sweetheart?”
This is why I should have listened to my intuition when it cautioned me to leave the conversation Ark and I desperately need to business hours.
After deliberating our exchange for an hour and wishfully hoping Ark would return, I hobbled halfway to the underground parking garage before I allowed my heart to talk over my fears. It told me it was rude to leave without first telling Ark of my plans and that discussing our relationship during work hours was injudicious, considering the basis of my heart’s pleas.
It wants Ark as badly as his eyes displayed he wants me when he spoke those exact words.
I also want the chance to prove I can protect my daughter. I’ve fought for Tillie all my life, from the moment she was conceived, so Ark’s fears aren’t valid. I will protect my daughter better than my parents protected me, and that shield will grow tenfold with a man like Ark at my side.
The walk down the long corridors that weave throughout this building wasn’t pleasant, but I made it without a twinge crossing my features.
My strengths are greater than I’ve made out, and it is time for Ark to learn that.
I want him to know the real me. The good and the bad.
I just wish I’d had the courage to use the main access point of his apartment when the slurred voice returns. “Did you hear me, sweetheart?” My pulse is thumping so loudly that I don’t realize he is directly behind me until his alcohol-laced breath fans the back of my neck. “I asked what you’re doing down here.”
He spins me to face him, his grip aggressive. I give him a tight smile when his eyes finally make their way from my breasts to my face, and then square my shoulders, willing myself to look anything but frightened.
“I w-work here.”
My bravery is all an act, and the elevator attendant who glared at me weeks ago knows it. “You w-w-work here?” He rolls his bloodshot eyes, making way for maliciousness. “This ain’t no fairy tale, princess. Andhesure as fuck ain’t no prince.”
I shouldn’t know who his last sentence refers to. Over three dozen men are residents of this building, but the way his eyes slit further while looking past my shoulder announces who his disdain belongs to. Ark’s office door is only mere feet from where we stand.
I shy away from the unnamed man when he attempts to curl the wayward strand of hair Ark fixed into place earlier around his finger. His expression appears disappointed until he notices my trembling thighs. He looks like the type who prefers his women more scared than satisfied.
“Do you know he got me fired?” A sneer hardens his features, making them even uglier. “Supposedly, he didn’t like the way I looked at you.”
“No-no, I didn’t kn-know that.”
Hepfftsme as if I lied. “I’m not surprised he noticed me watching you. You’rereallypretty.” He wets his lips, his greasy tongue’s slither enough to flip my stomach. “But from what I’ve heard, he’s done with you now. Kicked out with barely a scratch on ya.” His eyes are once again on my breasts. “Guess he’s nicked up enough for the both of you.” I flinch as if he struck me when an evil smile stretches across his face. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ll keep the marks to a minimum. Why spoil a perfect canvas before the masterpiece is fully unveiled?”
One step and I’m gone. I sprint to Ark’s office before pushing through his door as if his privacy is null and void when it comes to me.
When I notice the office is barren of a soul, I race for the main entrance door, my sore ankle a thing of the past.
As my hand circles the antique doorknob, I’m squashed against the door firmly enough for my lungs to squeal. A tattooed hand pins my head to the door while another clamps my thigh just below the hem of my uniform.
“No… pl-please,” I beg, thrashing and screaming, mindful silence never wins and having far more to live for this time not to fight.