“Well, I guess we both need to work on trust. I trust you to behave while I work, and you trust me to take care of your father.”
“Why didn’t you come home last night?” I sound crazy, especially since I don’t actually like him.
“Why?”
“What do you mean?” I start pacing. I can’t be locked in this room for days—I’ll go insane.
“What difference does it make to you? You’re mine. That’s all you need to know.” His deep voice turns me on. God, if I’m not careful, I’m gonna start thinking he’s a good guy instead of the ruthless man who had Ryder turn off my dad’s oxygen.
“Please, tell me I’m not a prisoner. I promise to be good.” I stop and stare at the skanky picture of Crystal and stick my tongue out at it.
“You’re welcome to go shopping with Edge in a car. And Eve?”
“Yeah?”
“I want your phone on at all times.”
I roll my eyes. “Sounds perfect. Should I call you Prez? Master?”
“No, I want you to call me Jason.”
Silence. My heart is pounding as excitement snakes down to my belly.
“And when I get back, I’ll take you to see your dad. Be good, baby.” I hear the line go dead before I can respond.
“Shit.” I close my eyes taking in deep breaths. I look up to see Edge watching me.
“You okay?” His lips twitch as my face starts to burn. I’m sure I’m flushed.
“I’m fine,” I snap. “Do you guys go and take off all the time?”
He looks around the room bored. “Do you want me to take you somewhere?”
“No, I thought Dewey was my guy?” Hopefully I don’t sound obvious.
“Sorry, Wildcat, if you want out, you go with me. You want to stay here, Dewey is fine.” He turns to leave.
“Fine, I guess I’ll go to the pool.” I shut the door and think for a second. I can’t shoplift with Edge spying on me. Dewey was perfect but that seems to not be happening. I tap my new boot on the floor. Fuck it, at least I’ll have a killer tan if all I do is sit by the pool and swim until Jason comes back.
“Jason.” I say his name out loud and I like it. I grab my bikini and change. In all honesty, if I’m going to sunbathe every day, I will need another bathing suit. I toss some sunscreen into my bag and open my door, half excepting to see Edge. I’m alone. Clutching my bag close, I head down the steps. I’m barely outside when I’m joined by Edge.
“Now what? I thought you said this is Dewey’s turf?” I look around but it’s only us. I roll my eyes and go straight to my side of the pool and drop onto the cushioned lounger. A huge stainless grill, which wasn’t there yesterday, has appeared in the corner.
“Dewey’s busy today. I decided to join you.” Edge saunters over dressed in torn jeans, his vest, and boots.
I shade my eyes. “Really? Nice bathing suit.” I can’t help it—Edge is being absurd.
He lies back on the lounger next to me and throws one of his tatted arms over his eyes.
“Pretend I’m not here,” he grunts.
I scoot back and close my eyes. “That shouldn’t be hard,” I snip. The day is beautiful: sunny but not scorching. The warmth sinks into my skin and I sit up to spray on some sunscreen.
Standing, I observe Edge. He’s definitely hot, no doubt about it. Auburn hair, freckles but still tans. Tall, not as tall as Jason or Ryder, but tall.
“How old are you?” He drops his arm and opens one eye.
“Why?”
I shrug. “Curious.”
“Twenty-eight.” He closes his eyes again but puts a muscled arm behind his head.
“So, you fucked around on Dolly, huh?” I smirk as he instantly sits up.
“What did she tell you?” He looks tortured, almost sad at the mention of her.
“Just that loving a Disciple was like loving a rock star.”
Again his eyes change and he looks almost dazed at the pool. “She’s not cut out for this kind of life.” He reaches into his back pocket for his pack of cigarettes and lights up. “Very few are.” He looks at me as I spray the sunscreen all over my shoulders and arms.
“I guess.” I put my sunglasses back on. “I mean, she’s sweet and beautiful. If I was a guy, I’d want her.” Lifting the frames, I wink at him.
He snorts. “Wanting her is not the problem.”
“What is it then?” I lean back so that I can see his face.
Guilt is eating this guy up. He takes a huge inhale and lets it out slowly. “You need to be able to put up with a lot of shit, be able to support this kind of life…” He shakes his head. “Few women can live like this”—he gestures all around, his cigarette hanging out of his mouth—“and be happy.”