Chapter 132Katie's POVThe noise in the other room wakes me.I jump up and check the time. It’s six o’clock in the morning.I press my ear against the wall.There are people in the living room.Without wasting another moment, I dash to the bathroom and get ready.I shower, wash my hair, blow-dry my hair, curl my hair, and pull on a dress similar to the one I wore last night.It takes me five minutes to put on my makeup. Lipstick, eyeliner, and mascara.My cheeks are naturally flushed from the effort.Moments later, I slide my heels on and walk out of the room. By the time I reach the living room, the place is empty.Shit.Have I messed it up already?It would help to have a phone and communicate with my boss.I head to the door.“Where are you going?” a voice thunders behind me.I spin around, my hair moving down my back.“Oh. You’re here,” I say, and then I stop, thunderstruck.He wears a three-piece gray suit, a white shirt, and black tie and shoes. He has a metallic watch around h
Chapter 133Katie's POVThe fabric is stretchy, and so molded to my body that everything seems enhanced. The swell of my chest, the tapering of my waist, and the arching of my hips.Or I’m horny.My boobs seem slightly bigger, and my butt seems rounder.Hard and round, it looks so juicy.The heels give me those extra inches that make everything look more grown-up.’The color is vibrant but not quite bubblegum pink. I don’t look like a giant popsicle, I think. And my long dark hair balances out the big blob of vivacious pink.I walk out quite happy with how I look.He shoots me a side-eyed glance and reaches inside his pocket.A necklace dangles from his hand.“Turn around and lift your hair.”I do as I’m told, and he fastens the necklace around my neck.It’s cold against my skin as I touch it with my fingers.I don’t know what to think, but for a second there, it crosses my mind it’s only a prop.Something cute you pick up at the mall.“Make sure you don’t lose it. It’s about two mill
Chapter 134Katie's POVWhatever he wanted to accomplish, he succeeded in accomplishing.People look at me like I’m a trophy girl. I keep my mouth shut and do not move away from Cephus.Not even an inch.For one, the thought that I wear that expensive little thing around my neck gives me shivers.And then, it’s like that magnetic field between us has been activated once again, and my body wants to be as close as possible to him.Now, that has proved to be an unforeseeable complication.I can't k about him.And him?I don’t know what goes through his head.He seems in control.All the time.His focus is on the patrons.He talks to the people, laughs with them, and even sits down with them at a table, having drinks with them.He doesn’t pay much attention to me.As in, you know, when two people are together.We’re not together.We. Are. Not. Together.He bought my butt back from some mobster, and now he’s trying to convince everybody that he has satisfied his whim and has a call girl on
Chapter 135Katie's POVMy mind spins crazy thoughts about what might take place downstairs. About guns being drawn and people getting killed.I saw how Salla looked at Boris.He would’ve slashed his throat open if his disappearance didn’t create a headache for Cephus.Maybe Boris is a necessary evil, a part of some crooked deal that may or may not make sense but comes with rules they both need to abide by.Whatever the circumstances, Cephus had a good reason to send me upstairs.A sigh falls from my lips as I stare into the space in front of me and contemplate my life.The emptiness of the place gets to me as I struggle to unwind and not care about these men.Especially Cephus.But, I don’t go to sleep––I can’t––and wait for him regardless, wearing the dress and necklace he wanted me to wear, all anxious and frazzled.Eventually, I stroll to my room and go through every step I need to go through to make myself feel a little better.I take my clothes off, shower, and toss on a bathrob
Chapter 136Katie's POVMoments later, I walk to the first floor, saunter across the lobby, and head to the dining area overlooking one of the private pools.A round table with flowers and sparkling glasses, silverware, and porcelain plates for about eight people awaits there.A woman greets me and informs me I’ll be serving food.I can’t say I’m not surprised by the news.I have nothing against serving food, but things don’t make much sense to me. Have I been demoted overnight?Last night, I played the role of a trophy call girl, and now I’m waiting tables?In all fairness, he warned me I’d work for him around the clock in different capacities, doing all kinds of tasks.He never said I’d only do one thing. Or that I’d be his fake girlfriend.Strange things happen.So basically, he’s showing the world he can do whatever the fuck he wants, which shouldn’t surprise me.And that’s despite paying two million dollars for me.He even hinted two million dollars is nothing for him. The neckla
Chapter 137Katie's POV“The purple one and the blue one,” I say, leaning over the counter and pointing to the swimsuits displayed on the mannequins.“All right,” the woman behind the counter says. “I thought I had them displayed in the front. “Let me get you one of each. Anything else?” she asks.“I’m looking for a summer dress and some shorts.”“Everything is over there,” she says, pointing to the left.“Okay. I’ll be right back.”I peruse the clothing racks and end up with a red dress with narrow straps that tie on my shoulders, white shorts, two cropped tops, and flip-flops.“Are you an employee?” the woman asks while ringing up my items.I hesitate for a moment.“Uh… Yes. But I don’t have the badge with me.”“No problem.”She gives me the employee discount, and I’m happy about it.Despite all that, I opt against the blue swimming suit since I still consider it a splurge, and I walk out of the boutique with a shopping bag and a lot of cash in my pocket.There were forty-one hundre
Chapter 138Cephus’ POVI watch her find pleasure in everything that doesn’t hurt her.Things can’t get shittier than that.But the more dangerous your life is, the more intense the moments of peace are.I know that. I live like that. And that is about the only thing we have in common.Although there may be more.“There’s no problem,” I murmur when the leather couch squeaks as they slide into their seats behind me.Reluctantly, I take my eyes away from the beautiful woman and her tiny swimsuit and turn around.Gianni locks my eyes first.“Got something for yourself that might pull your mind away from the Russians, Boss?”Smiling, I lower myself in my seat.“You’re looking for trouble,” I joke.“What did I miss?” Vito asks.“It’s nothing new,” Gianni offers. “He likes that woman.”I gesture dismissively.“There’s nothing to like.”They go quiet, and there’s no way they believe me.When I lift my gaze, they both flash knowing smiles.“I don’t want to hear a word. She could be the bigges
Chapter 138Cephus’ POVI watch her find pleasure in everything that doesn’t hurt her.Things can’t get shittier than that.But the more dangerous your life is, the more intense the moments of peace are.I know that. I live like that. And that is about the only thing we have in common.Although there may be more.“There’s no problem,” I murmur when the leather couch squeaks as they slide into their seats behind me.Reluctantly, I take my eyes away from the beautiful woman and her tiny swimsuit and turn around.Gianni locks my eyes first.“Got something for yourself that might pull your mind away from the Russians, Boss?”Smiling, I lower myself in my seat.“You’re looking for trouble,” I joke.“What did I miss?” Vito asks.“It’s nothing new,” Gianni offers. “He likes that woman.”I gesture dismissively.“There’s nothing to like.”They go quiet, and there’s no way they believe me.When I lift my gaze, they both flash knowing smiles.“I don’t want to hear a word. She could be the bigges