32
Gavin had said heâd swing by, so Natalie left her door unlocked.
She waited with a sense of ease untii the prolonged silence behind her sparked nerve. Something off.
She turned around, only to catch Brian leaning casually against wall his gaze fixed on her with an unreadable expression.
Despite herself for any encounter with him Natalie couldnât but shiver, instinctively taking a step
âDisappointed for my presence Brianâs voice through the tension, laced with a hint of mockery as his lips parted in faint
sneer.
Natalie couldnât recall when he had slipped in, as a shadow. The hotelâs partially open restroom offered clues, having been on the running water and her reflection in the mirror. And then there was the voicemail she had sent to King. Had heard that, too?
She remained quiet for a moment before responding in a low voice, âPlease leave.â
Brian seemed to ignore her request chuckling softly instead. â
curious, does Gavin pay as he goes, or does he have some sort of subscription with you?
His insinuation hit her like a slap. Brian thought she was engaging in that sexual business? What did he take her for?
Natalie frowned, unable to hide her irritation. Pointing towards the door, she demanded with more force, âI said get out!
Before her hand could retract, Brian grabbed it fiercely, pulling her towards him against the wall.
She found herself enveloped in his unexpected embrace, her other hand lashing out towards his face without a second thought.
The sound of her slap was dull, the pain profound.
Brian didnât dodge but simply bore the brunt of it, and Natalie was momentarily stunned to see his lip bleeding from her strike.
âEnough?â His eyes shimmered with scorn as he spoke softly.
She had learned selfâdefense as a child, and it was Brian who had taught her. Now she was using those very skills against him.
As panic flickered across her face, he gripped her waist tightly and lifted her onto the bed.
âBrian, let me go!â Natalie had three years of training with Kingâs security company, where even the toughest instructors had trouble with her agility. Yet, with Brian, she seemed to have no chance to fight back.
She struggled to break free, but he captured both her hands with one of his, pinning them above her head on the bed.
âSince weâre settling Audreyâs debt, am I not a better deal than Gavin?â His eyes were icy as he stared down at her, his voice a low growl through clenched teeth.
This wasnât like Brian at all. He was always cold, always biting, but never had he spoken such shamelessly vile words, never had he forced her to do anything she didnât want to.
Pain whitened her face, and she gazed at him, close enough to feel his breath, lost and helpless.
âDonât look at me with those eyes. Iâm sick of it!â he snapped, taking a deep breath.
The pressure on her wrists increased.
Ever since she had been brought into the Howard family at six years old, she had looked at him with those innocent eyes. It wasnât until that fateful night he realized it was all a ploy, a trickery of Natalie and Audrey to wear down his defenses and get what they wanted.
Natalie turned even paler. After a moment, her voice trembled as she replied. âYouâre not tired of me looking at you. Youâre just tired of me.â
She had spent sixteen years trying to find a way to open the heart of a devil, yet no method seemed to penetrate his armor.