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Chapter Thirty-Five

Gracie

M y body aches like hell, but it’s delicious and not the kind of ache from a cruel punishment but one forged in love.

I can still smell the peach soothing balm on my skin that Vinny applied during the night.

Small pieces of the night flit through my mind, and I’m unable to decide if I dreamed them or not.

I think Vinny received a call, and I’m sure it was discussing my father, but I must be mistaken, he’d have at least mentioned it to me if it was.

He fucked me slowly like he was worshipping my body and fed from me while he spoke.

I touch my breasts, and they’re not as heavy as they were before I went down to the basement, but my mind is at war with myself, and nausea rushes through me.

Oh, holy hell, the basement. No wonder I’m so sore today. My cheeks flush as I consider the two cocks that stretched me wide open to the point of pain .

Pleasure took over me, and I fell into a dark, euphoric subspace I’ve only read about, one of pure bliss.

“Oh, god.” I palm my face and head toward the bathroom to freshen up, trying my best to ignore the sickness rolling in my stomach as a memory from last night infiltrates my head, “You’ll have your answers tomorrow, trust me, Papa.

” My father is in rehab, I know he is. Vinny would tell me if he wasn’t. It was a dream, it had to be.

After showering and freshening up, I head down the stairs, disappointed he’s already at the breakfast room table when I step inside. His jaw locks, and the glare behind his eyes is seething, so I step back, unsure of what brought this response on from him.

He shakes his head, then holds out his hand. “Don’t be alarmed, Little Pet. It’s me I’m angry with.” My eyebrows furrow. “Come.” I slip my hand into his, and he pulls me onto his lap. I wince at the tenderness of my ass hitting his leg, and he chuckles, causing me to narrow my eyes at him.

“I don’t want you naked around the house anymore.

” I lift my head to face him, hating the way he chastises me.

“I don’t want anyone else to see you like this but me.

” He cradles my face in the palms of his hands, and the warmth of his touch burrows beneath my skin, setting my heart alight, much like a torch.

The darkness in his eyes suddenly looks lighter than ever.

“You’re mine, Little Pet. My Gracie.” His words scorch my soul, burning through me with such strength the air is stolen from my lungs.

The truth behind his words is more than I could ever wish for.

“You’re mine,” he repeats, and tears fill my eyes. “Am I yours?” he rasps .

My heart kicks in my chest as I lick my lips, and he waits with bated breath for my response.

Can I do this? Can I give up my dream for freedom, Bonnie’s too?

But to what expense, that of a man who loves us unconditionally.

Surely that brings more security and love than any freedom can offer.

“You’re mine,” I whisper, and he exhales loudly.

A knock on the door interrupts us, and Vinny jumps up from his chair and places me on it, then he blocks me from view.

“You ready, sir?” Massio asks without so much as giving me a second glance.

Vinny brushes a hand through his hair. “Yeah, gimme a minute.”

Massio closes the door behind him, and Vinny shrugs off his suit jacket.

Before I know what’s happening, he’s pushing my arms through the sleeves.

“We’ll discuss this later.” He waves a hand over my body, then takes my chin between his fingers.

“I’ve asked you before to use a robe. I mean it, Gracie; you might be my little pet, but I don’t want anyone else to benefit from that.

You make me possessive as hell.” He chuckles to himself and shakes his head, then blows out a deep breath like it’s annoying.

“Yes, Daddy.” I smile, trying to fight back the smirk on my lips.

He licks his lips, and his eyes darken. “You’re my world, Little Pet, and I never want to lose you.

” He drags the back of his fingers down my cheek.

“If I could cage you forever, I would,” he murmurs.

My heart stutters; doesn’t he see? His house is a cage, albeit a luxurious one, but a cage no less .

He clears his throat, and his hand falls away from my face. “I shouldn’t be home late tonight, why don’t you wait up and we can have dinner together?” He glances outside. “On the patio,” he tacks on.

“Like a date?” Hope springs in my chest, and his laugh rumbles.

“I guess so. I’ll see you later, be a good girl.” He places a soft kiss on my head, strokes my hair, then leaves.

As soon as the door clicks shut, I feel a vibration against my chest, making me jump, and I slap my hand against it. “Shoot.” I dig into Vinny’s jacket pocket, realizing it’s his phone, and when I glance down at the message, it’s like ice has slid into my veins, invading my bloodstream.

The words dance on the screen as I blink and attempt to concentrate on what they say.

Rafael: I have Robert here waiting to spill his secrets.

Panic floods me, my head becomes woozy, and my entire body trembles. Spill his secrets? They have my father.

“You’ll have your answers tomorrow, trust me, Papa.” It wasn’t a dream last night.

My eyes flick toward the door, and I hear the heavy thud of Vinny’s footsteps approaching, so I shove the phone back in his pocket while I remain dumbstruck at what I just read.

The door swings open, and I startle. Vinny strides toward me, and I shrink back on my chair.

“Did I make you jump?” he asks. “I’m sorry, I forgot my phone.

” He leans over me and slides his hand into his jacket pocket to retrieve his phone.

“Got it.” He winks before heading toward the door.

The moment it clicks behind him, I release a breath.

We need to leave, and soon, because when Vinny finds out the truth, he will know I betrayed him, then there’s no going back.

I’ll be caged forever.