Page 40 of Hold Me

“Money’s not the issue. These are the rules. He doesn’t go anywhere with clients.”

“Can’t you change the rules a bit for me? Come on, I’m your friend.” I give her a pleading look. “Just ask him.”

“You want him that bad?” She eyes me suspiciously.

“Yeah, you know I always get what I want, and now I want him,” I say. “I don’t care what it takes to get him.”

“Maybe I could arrange something, but I have to ask.” She takes out her phone and quickly types something. “He’s really hard to get, you know. Not like Caleb and the others. Are you sure I can’t get you anyone else?”

“No.” I shake my head. “I want him and only him.”

Allie’s phone vibrates and she checks the message. “Sorry, he doesn’t want to.”

“What?” I look offended. “What do you mean he doesn’t want to? Did you tell him who I am?”

“Yeah, he’s just not... available.” She gives me an apologetic smile. I wonder if she’s texting Raphael, which means I probably chose the right guy. If this Isaac isn’t allowed to meet with me, then there’s probably a reason for that.

I take a frustrated breath. “Okay, that’s... inconvenient. Would he meet me for a drink then?”

“I don’t think that would be a good idea. Why?”

“You don’t understand. I want him. I don’t care how. If we go for a drink, I can slip something into it. Make him more agreeable...” I meet her eyes and her mouth goes slack.

“You’d do that?” She sucks in a quick breath.

I shrug. I have to make Raphael and her believe I’m like them so I can get into their inner circle. There’s no other way to gain their trust except to think like them. “Oh, come on. Look at me. Which guy wouldn’t want to have sex with me? I’ll even pay him after.”

Allie’s lips spread into a smile. “I see you’re quite decided on having him. May I ask what you intend to do with him?”

“Oh, just have some fun.” I grin. “I discovered a new side of me at that party of yours. Caleb is just not fulfilling my needs anymore... He doesn’t argue or fight me... He’s too... submissive.”

“That he is.” Allie nods. “Let me just...” She types another text on her phone, and I fight the urge to smile. If Katherine knew what I’m doing, she’d kill me. Even Caleb would, but there’s no other way to get the information I need, and Isaac might be the right choice.

I’ve seen the anger on his face. He wouldn’t be like Caleb. It’s a risk for me, though, in case I completely miscalculated him, but I can always say he’s lying about me. I doubt they’d believe his word over mine. If he can’t come to meet me somewhere like Caleb can, then Raphael has to be aware he can’t completely control him.

Another message comes, and Allie smiles. “I might have found a way for you to fulfill your fantasies.”

“Great.” I clap my hands. “How’d you do it?”

“There’s one thing first... You’ll have to meet with Raphael first. He’s... like Isaac’s manager, you know.” She gives me a long look. “Raphael has invited you to dinner. If you don’t mind, of course.”

“No, not at all.” My palms are getting sweaty, my heart pounding. Shit. I’m both thrilled and scared. Meeting face to face with the devil can’t be good, but it’s a chance for me to see his face and maybe come one step closer to discovering his real identity. I just have to be very, very careful.

“Good. I’ll text you the details when I get them.” She returns the phone into her purse. “You don’t know how glad I am that you finally shed your shy self. It was really infuriating at times.”

“I guess I can thank you for that. That party was an eye opener for me.”

“Glad I could help.” She smacks her lips together. “You didn’t tell anyone about this, did you?”

“No, I’m not crazy. You mustn’t tell anyone about this, either. I don’t want people to know such things about me. I can trust you, right?”

“Yeah, absolutely.” She bobs her head. “Oh, do you want some friendly advice for your dinner with Raphael?”

“Why not?”

“Wear something red. He loves red.”

“I will.” I hope Raphael doesn’t expect to have sex with me because that’s the one thing I’m not willing to do. “So the dinner is just... dinner?”