Chapter Four

Julian POV

It was noon. My phone rang, and I glanced at the screen to see Silas name. 

I let it ring three times. Then I answered. "Hello, brother."

"You crossed a line," Silas spoke angrily. "She was mine. We had a deal."

"You had a deal with a bankrupt man,” I said. "I made a better offer.”

“It isn't about the money,” Silas hissed. “It is about the principle. You took her to spite me.”

"I took her because I could," I said. "Now, Silas, you must stay away from her. If you come near her, I will release the files on the Macau casino incident.”

I smirked as he stopped speaking. His breathing became labored on the other side of the phone. "You wouldn't."

"Try me!" I dared.

"Fine," Silas said. "Keep the girl. She is broken anyway. But this isn't over, Julian. You think you've won. But you're welcoming a Trojan horse into your home. She is a Vane. She will betray you. It is in her blood."

"I'm aware," I said, then hung up.

I glanced back at the monitor. Dahlia was now sitting on the couch. She wrapped her legs up under her. She was innocent-looking.

I remembered the night that I had sent her away. It was the hardest thing that I had ever done. But I had done it for her. I was much too old. My world was much too dark. I had wanted her to be able to live a normal life. But how could she be in love with me?

At this point, I was positive that she disliked me. I finished my drink.

I wanted to dislike her. I was going to use her as a tool against Marcus. That was the point.

But then, when I touched her chin last night, when I experienced her skin, I lost control.

I wanted her.

I wanted to own her, completely. Not only her debt. Her.

And that was a bad thing. Because in my world, the things you love most will be used as a knife.

I turned off the monitor. I had to get some work done. But that was hard. She was sleeping down the hall.

~

Dahlia POV

Two days passed.

I felt as if I was a ghost haunting Julian's apartment. Julian was rarely present. He left early in the morning, came back late, and if he was home, he remained in his study.

I toured the penthouse. There was a library, a gym, and a home theater. It was everything, but something was missing.

On the third day, the elevator signaled.

I was in the living room, reading a book. I looked up, awaiting Julian.

It wasn't Julian.

"Seraphina Cross entered. She was wearing a white suit. And she was holding a Birkin bag. She was not surprised to see me. She was clearly irritated."

"So it is true," she said. She tossed her keys into a bowl that sat near the door. She knew exactly where the bowl was. "He actually moved you in."

"What are you doing here?" I asked. I placed the book down.

"I have a key," she said. She went into the kitchen, opening the fridge. "I always have a key. Julian always forgets to take them back." She retrieved a bottle of sparkling water from the fridge.

She entered the living room, taking a seat on the armchair opposite me. She crossed her legs.

"Do you always sleep in the guest room?" she questioned.

"I should have kept quiet, but I stupidly responded: ‘Yes.’"

"That's great," she said. She drank some water from the cup I'd filled with water. Stupid bitch! "He keeps the master bedroom private. He can't sleep. He gets terrible dreams. But you wouldn't know that, would you?"

"How did he do that?" "Oh, he did?" But why was she telling

"Oh, roommates?" Seraphina laughed. "Sweetheart, he's bought you. You're a pet. You'd better know that he's always thinking of ways in which he can use you for his pleasure. But, sweetheart, I would advise you. You better not count on sleeping with him.”

"I'm not…" she interrupted me before I was able to finish.

“That's what you're to him. A sex toy. Keep that in mind, little whore.”

Her words grated against me.

She got up, went over to the coffee table, and grabbed a magazine. She restacked the issues, clearly establishing her territory.

"I will wait for him in the study," she stated. "We have some business to conduct. Do not disturb us."

She walked towards his office. She entered.

I sat there. My hands became cold.

She was right. I was just a prize. A trophy that he won.

I got up, went to the window, and pressed my hand against the glass. I watched the scene outside.

~

It was already late when Julian returned home.

I was in the kitchen preparing tea. I had not seen Seraphina leave. She must have left while I was taking a shower.

Julian enters with a wearied expression, with his toe unloosed.

He saw me and halted.

"Where is Seraphina?" he asked.

He must like her. She was the first thing he uttered.

"She left," I said. "A few hours ago."

He nodded, got up, went to the cabinet, and retrieved a glass. He reached for the whiskey again.

"She has a key," I said.

He stopped and looked at me. "She is my lawyer. She takes care of private contracts for me."

"She said she handles your nightmares as well," I added.

Julian turned completely. His eyes were hard. "She talks too much."

"I think you're close.”

"Does it matter?" he asked. "Are you bothered, little girl?"

"I'm not a little girl!" I shouted.

"I am a woman,” I declared. "And I am tired of being treated like a piece of furniture.”

Julian looked at me. His eyes traveled down to my lips. And then back to mine. A sudden change happened in the kitchen. It became hot.

"Be careful, Dahlia," he warned. His voice was low. "You don't want my attention."

"Maybe I do," I challenged.

He placed the glass on the table. It was loud with a sharp clinking sound.

He reached out and grabbed hold of my waist, pulling me towards him. I twitched, making contact with his warm hard body.

My hands went up to his chest. His heart was racing.

"What did you say again?" His deep voice spoke.

He leaned down, his face inches from mine. My lips were apart, waiting.

I held my breath. I'd never been kissed before. What should I do? Push him away. Just.

"Go to bed,” he growled. Turning his back on me, he said, "And lock your door.”

"Julian," I said

"Don't make me repeat it," he warned, his voice dropping deeper than before.

I instinctively reacted, turned, and ran from the kitchen to my room. The door shut firmly behind me.

I leaned against the wood, panting. My heart pounded.

He desired me as I desired him. I saw that in his eyes.

~

Just as my eyes fluttered open, I felt the rays of sunlight as I heard that peculiar cough.

"I thought I told you to lock the door." Closing my eyes, mine froze open as I slowly turned my head. How the heck did he get in there?