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Margot

Matty walks in.

“I brought you coffee.” He holds out the mug like a peace offering.

“I wasn’t sure how you take yours, so I put cream and sugar in it.

If you don’t like it, we have more downstairs.

There are a few machines that I think also make coffee, but I don’t know how to use them.

You can ask Dotty. She’ll make some for you.

She was busy, and I didn’t want to be the reason you go two days without coffee. ”

He throws me a wink. A fucking wink.

That can’t be right. My captor cannot be sweet.

Wait… Dotty? Who the hell is Dotty?

“I won’t be the other woman,” I mutter under my breath before I can stop myself.

His brows furrow. “What?”

“Who’s Dotty?” I snap, my jaw clenched.

He stares for a second, before answering. “Dotty is the head of house. She’s in charge of cleaning, cooking, and whatnot.”

Oh .

I’m too relieved. Not that it matters. It doesn’t.

“She’s also old enough to be a grandmother.” His lips twitch. “So, how do you take your coffee? I’ll get it right tomorrow.”

“Caramel macchiato. Wait.” My stomach drops. “Tomorrow? You’re keeping me here another night?”

He winces. “I haven’t figured out what to do with you yet.”

I gape at him. “Excuse me? I’m leaving immediately!”

I storm towards the door, but he blocks my path, his broad frame unmovable.

“Move.”

“You know I can’t let you go. Just hang tight.”

Hang tight?

My voice rises. “What am I supposed to do all day? I will find a way to leave.”

Before he can respond, a bark cuts through the air.

Benny .

My heart lurches. “Where is he? Bring me to him now! If you hurt a hair on his head, I’ll kill you.”

Matty’s expression darkens. “I’ll take you to him. But if you cause any trouble, it’s Benny who’ll pay.”

Tears sting my eyes. I nod. I won’t let anything happen to Benny.

Matty leads me out of the room, down a series of hallways, and finally down a grand staircase.

I’ll never remember how to get back to our room.

His room. Not our room.

He’s out of his damn mind if he thinks I’ll spend another night in bed with him.

We enter a bedroom and my gaze locks onto the dog bed.

Benny.

Curled up, content, on a nicer bed than the one at home. A pile of new toys sit beside him .

I freeze.

Did this man buy my puppy a new bed and toys?

I sprint across the room, launching myself onto Benny. He lazily licks my face as I frantically check him over, searching for injuries. He’s okay. He’s more than okay. I bury my face in his fur, pressing kisses to his head.

“I missed you, Boo Boo. I’ll never leave you alone for that long again. I’m so sorry, Benny. I love you.”

Benny stares at me. Not traumatized. Not upset.

He looks… content.

Like he enjoys being here.

I glance at Matty. He’s leaning against the door, arms crossed, watching us with an unreadable expression.

Almost adoring.

That can’t be right. He wouldn’t care about me reuniting with my puppy.

When our eyes meet, his tone is calm, businesslike. “I need to get some work done. You can roam around but stay inside. I’ll have Dotty give you a tour.”

He turns to leave.

“Wait!” My voice rushes out. “Benny needs to go outside. He likes walks. He can’t stay cooped up all day.”

Matty looks at Benny, skeptically. “He doesn’t seem like the high-energy type.”

I double down. “He needs to run around.”

I pull out the big guns, channeling Benny’s puppy eyes.

I see the exact moment Matty caves.

“I’ll have a guard let him out every hour.”

I fake a lip tremble, a Benny classic. “No. I want to take him out.”

Matty exhales sharply. “Fine. But a guard will be glued to your side the entire time. Anything else? ”

I shake my head.

He turns and disappears down the hall.

I collapse beside Benny, and whisper, “How did we get here?”

***

I find the kitchen after about fifteen minutes of wandering. I'm going to need a map with the size of this place.

I tried to get Benny to come with me, but he refused to leave his new kingdom of treats and toys.

A warm, aged voice greets me. “Hello, dear. I was wondering when I’d see you.”

Dotty.

She reminds me so much of my Nana, I can’t even be mad at her.

“Here. Eat this.” She sets a plate of eggs, bacon, and toast in front of me, her tone leaving no room for argument.

I sit down and start eating. It’s delicious.

The kitchen is bright and pristine, all sleek appliances and a marble island at the center. The fridge is restaurant-sized. It smells amazing.

“I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I made something simple. You’ll tell me your favorites for my future menus.”

I swallow my bite. “Oh, I don’t plan on staying long.”

“Nonsense.” Dotty waves me off. “My sweet Matthias has never brought a girl home. Now that he has, we’re not going to let her go. He’s spent too much time working and not enough on finding a wife.”

I nearly choke.

“We’re not together.”

She smiles knowingly. “You’ll see soon enough.”

She’s planning our wedding. I can feel it.

Nope. No. Absolutely not !

Dotty takes my empty plate and claps her hands. “Now, time for your tour.”

“I–”

“You should get to know your new home.”

“Not my home.”

She ignores me. “I’m so proud of Matthias. He built all this from nothing. Unlike his brothers.” She tuts. “They take after their father.”

I go still.

“Brothers?” I ask carefully.

Dotty nods. “There are four of them. Matthias is the second-born. Dominic is the eldest. The poor man is far too serious. He should’ve run the company with Matthias, but instead, he chose the Syndicate .

Then there’s Roman. He’s close behind Matthias.

That troubled boy needs to sort through his anger issues.

And seek the Lord’s forgiveness for his offenses.

And finally, Sebastian. The baby. His brilliance is wasted on that life .

” Her voice turns wistful. “Evelyn didn’t raise them for that.

Their father, Damien, left them a dark legacy.

Only my sweet Matthias chose to work in the light. ”

My blood turns to ice.

Roman.

Roman, the psychopath torturing and potentially murdering someone, is Matty’s brother.

Syndicate. Offenses. Dark legacy.

What the hell did I get dragged into?

I force a blank expression. “What’s the Syndicate?”

Dotty freezes.

She plasters on a too-bright smile. “Let’s continue the tour”

I barely hear the rest.

Who is this man holding me captive?

How much danger am I in?