Page 39 of Inheritance

Was that about to happen to me?

The door flung open so fast I flinched.

A woman stumbled out, naked, flushed, euphoric. Drunk on life. A wine bottle tilted to her lips as she swayed, giggling softly to herself.

She saw me.

Froze.

Tilted her head in idle curiosity.

“Hello,” she said, unashamed of her nakedness or what dripped down her chin.

I said nothing.

Then Ivan came out, wearing only jeans. I looked up at his face and scooted away from him.

“Who is this?” she asked.

“Gabriel's girl.”

“Ivan,” the woman pleaded, but her tone didn’t match the seriousness I needed.

“Why is she here?” Her eyes narrowed, shifting from me to him.

“Quiet,” he snapped.

She lowered her head and gave him a lustful sideways glance as he walked toward me.

“Sophia, whyareyou here?”

I said nothing, but he kept staring.

“You kidnapped me.”

He laughed, looking out the window with a satisfied grin.

“Yes, I did. But why?”

I gulped, looked at the woman, then to the ground.

As if reading my thoughts, he put his hand to his bare chest, as if he were offended.

“I don't want to fuck you. I'm not an animal. I'm a married man. Caroline's more than enough for me."

I looked up sharply.

“Caroline?”

She smiled timidly, but her eyes were dark with desire. She put a hand to her mouth, as if she were ashamed of the giggle she let out but not her nakedness.

I blinked in disbelief.

“Gabriel, Damien, everyone's trying to save you.”

She gave Ivan a confused look. He responded with an evil smirk, then slapped her ass.

“Back to your room. Now.”