Page 30 of Arranged Addiction

“What are you talking about?”

“He might be your only chance right now, Casey. Do you hear me? I know Declan can be difficult and harsh. I know he’s even terrifying. But he’s powerful. His family is like yours, except even stronger and bigger. He might be your only shot. And if you’re smart, if you play this right, you can get things from him. You can get concessions?—”

I yank my hands back. “You sound insane. This is crazy.”

“Negotiate. But don’t walk away. Trust me, I know you’ll be afraid when you hear it all, but?—”

The front door opens. Sheila stops midsentence, her mouth wide with horror, and I watch as she quickly gets herself under control.

I feel sick. I don’t know what she’s talking about. But the look she gives me next makes me keep my mouth shut.

She stares at me like,if you say a word about what I just said, we’re both dead.

Declan comes into the room.

Chapter 9

Casey

It’s incredible how the mood shifts.

Sheila seemed stressed and slightly afraid, but now it’s like someone wrapped a noose around her neck. Her face shows nothing, no emotions, no worry, but her body is completely tense. She folds her hands in front of her and sits with her back straight like she’s at a job interview.

Declan doesn’t even look at her. He’s staring at me instead.

And he looks tired. But that somehow only makes him seem even more attractive. His clothes are rumpled and there are dark bags under his eyes. The stubble on his cheeks is gray in a few places. I have the sudden urge to get up and run to him.

If it weren’t for him, I don’t know how I ever would’ve gotten out of that apartment in one piece.

He walks toward us, still staring straight at me.

“How much did she tell you?” He stops and waits for an answer.

Anger sparks in my chest. There’s no,how are you feeling? No comment about Natalie. Nothing likeI’m so sorry. I don’t knowwhy that bothers me so much. That’s Declan’s personality. It’s straight to business with him.

“Too much.” I stare into his eyes and try to find something to make sense of all this. “Is it true? The man who killed my parents is the one who killed Natalie?”

He nods slowly. “I believe so, yes.”

“But you aren’t positive.”

“I haven’t seen him with my own eyes.” He comes closer. I’m aware of Sheila shrinking back slightly. Like she’s terrified. “Did she make it clear that you don’t have any other options right now?”

I glance at the woman who raised me. “I’m still trying to process.”

“I’m your only hope.” Declan looms over me, beautiful and terrible. There’s no emotion in his cold, brutal stare. He looks like a statue of a god. I know he’s warm, or at least I know his body can make me feel things I’ve never experienced right now, but there’s no hint of that man in this room.

“The police can protect me.”

“No, they can’t. Nobody can, not without serious resources, and the police aren’t equipped.”

“You think you are? Just because you’re some rich CEO?”

He shakes his head slowly. “I’m much more than that.”

“I don’t care.” I push my chair back and stand suddenly. I’m trembling with frustration. “You backed me into a corner.”

“Senesi did. Not me.”