All Chapters of THE DON'S CAPTIVE MISTRESS : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

HAZELI don’t care, I tell myself. I shouldn’t care. It’s not like Axel and I are in a relationship. We’re not together, we're not dating, he’s not my boyfriend, he’s not my husband....he’s nothing. And so am I. I’m nothing to him....Nothing.So maybe what Kat said is right. Because yes, I’m not anything to Axel. I don’t mean anything to him. She’s probably right in her view that she’s above me. After all, she is… bumping uglies with Axel.But then I just hate it. I hate it so damn much. I hate it to the point where it physically hurts, where I want to cry until I can’t breathe, because people keep thinking I’m one of Axel’s whores.....one of his mistresses—when the reality is, I’m not. And he doesn’t even bother correcting them. Why would he? He just loves humiliating me.I should be used to this by now. This shouldn’t be anything new. But it still drives me mad.So I kick the tray of food to the ground. The glass shatters, everything clatters around me, and I keep going, knocking

HAZELThe next afternoon, Angela brings me a new attire.....a red dress, gold shoes, and even new jewelry. She doesn’t have to tell me who wants me to wear them or where I have to go, because I already know.So, at seven, I start getting ready. Yes, because I’m not going to be ready at eight sharp. He’s going to have to wait. Duh. If you’ve learned anything about me by now, it’s this: Axel can keep me here, but I don’t have to like it. And I can push some of those buttons—and I won’t waste a single chance. It’s one of the only things exciting about this place, anyway... When I get to push back.I’m already dressed, standing in front of the mirror. My fingers move through my hair as I pin it up into an updo, leaving a few soft strands trailing down the sides, brushing just above my ears. Then I start thinking about makeup.Do I want “girl next door” makeup?Or maybe “girls’ night out” makeup?Date night makeup?Party makeup?Hmm. Let’s see. What’s going to make him mad? What’s going

HAZEL“Yes, I was,” Mac says without shame. Then, turning to Axel, he continues, “Come on, Morelli. you’ve got so many women around you, and I really, really like this one. So, what do you say? How much can I pay for her.....for the night?”My eyes narrow. My heart stops.He did not just say that!I look at Axel, waiting for him to correct it, to say something, anything, but his smile stays perfectly in place.“How many figures are we talking?” Axel asks. His tone is calm. Controlled.Mac chuckles. “Tell me your price.”Axel’s mouth curls slightly but he doesn't respond. “Although, you know.....” Mac says, “we could exchange. I could give you a night with my wife… and you could let me be with your mistress over here.”My gaze snaps toward him again. He is ready to swap his wife for a night? Who are these people!?And did he just call me a Mistress? Why doesn’t Axel correct him? I’m not his mistress. And I’m not up for auction.Aren’t I?Because now… now I’m really starting to get wo

HAZEL“Nico,” I begin, my voice trembling. “You’re freaking me out, okay? I don’t care if he decides to kill me. I guess it was a long time coming....”He stares at me, unblinking. “He already sold me in there...to that man called Mac,” I say, the words tumbling out. “I’m supposed to go spend the night with him, and he paid Axel a million, okay? I know you don’t want to hear that; I know it sounds insane...but he sold me.”Nico doesn’t react. His expression doesn’t change. His silence is worse than if he had yelled.“I was mad, I was angry, and I was looking for an outlet,” I continue, my voice breaking. “The last thing I wanted was to sleep with a man I didn’t want. I wasn’t thinking.... I should’ve thought about you. And I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to drag you into my mess. It just happened.”He shakes his head, but not in understanding. It’s the kind of shake that comes when someone reaches a conclusion, when the line has already been drawn.He lights another cigarette. His hands are sh

HAZELWhen Nico finally decides to come back, I almost don’t recognize him. There’s a darkness in his eyes now, something sharp and dangerous. The nervousness is gone. The panic is gone.This version of Nico?It scares me. It’s the kind of look that says, Stay the fuck away.So I do. I don’t utter a word.He gets back into the car, slams the door, and starts driving. He doesn’t look at me once.When we reach the house, he doesn’t even wait. He just parks, gets out, and leaves me alone inside.I know there’s a guardhouse in the Morelli estate—sometimes he stays there, sometimes he goes to his own place. I don’t know where he’s headed now, and I shouldn’t care. I really shouldn’t.I get out of the car, rip off my heels because they’re killing me, and start walking up the stairs barefoot. When I finally step inside, I close the door behind me and just stand there, staring into the quiet house.For a long moment, I don’t move. I just breathe. Then, finally, I take a deep breath and start