I only took the camera because Nikolas broke mine. And I really wanted a Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K camera.
Also, it didn’t escape my attention that Nikolas was protective of me. The fact that he snapped at the guy who assisted us spoke volumes. I’m totally ignoring how it made my stomach flutter.
He’s not all evil.
Maybe there’s hope.
That’s what I thought until my eyes dart over at all my expenses neatly printed on Stathoulis company stationery. Then my sight focuses on the allowance I’ll be given and the instructions on how I have to spend every cent.
I shake my head vehemently. “What’s this?” I say as I toss the papers on the table.
“I thought you could read,” he replies drily.
“That’s a hundred times more than the allowance I used to get. I know how much my father left us, and the amount on the page would deplete my mother’s savings within a year.”
Nikolas picks up the papers and glances over them before looking up at me. His indifferent expression grows dark, then he orders, “Sit, Theresa.”
I slump down in a chair then continue glaring at him.
As if he’s talking to a toddler, he explains, “You’ll be seen in public with me. I expect you to dress the part of a mafia princess. You’re a Stathoulis now.”
Anger explodes through me, and I dart back to my feet. Stalking up and down the small space between the kitchen and the living room, I shake my head. “I’m not a Stathoulis, and I sure as hell am not a mafia princess. I don’t want your money!”
Nikolas shoots up from the chair, his arm darts out, and grabbing hold of the back of my neck, he yanks me right against him. The glimmer of human I saw earlier is gone, and the devil is back in all his glory.
And damn, if I’m not starting to find it hot. Scary, but hot, nonetheless.
“It is not negotiable. You’ll take the fucking money and play your part,” he orders, his tone filled with the warning of certain death should I disobey.
My hand flies up and grabbing hold of his wrist, I swallow hard in his tight grip. It feels threatening, intense, and… and… “Let go of me,” I demand, not wanting to think of the heat flooding my abdomen.
Instead of listening, he tugs me closer still. “I’m done playing games for the day. You’ll fucking obey me or pay the consequences.” The underlying threat in his voice, along with the darkness swirling in his eyes, has me backing down, not wanting to find out what the consequences will be if I keep fighting.
He must see the submission on my face because he reigns in his explosive temper, loosening his hold on my neck.
Control freak.
Straightening his jacket, he looks at me like he’s a god and I’m nothing but a mere servant. “The first event is this Friday. My assistant will send you the details. Be there at seven p.m.”
With the order hanging in the air, he walks to the front door and lets himself out.
Taking a couple of steps forward, I sink down on the chair he was sitting on and suck in deep breaths of air.
That was unsettling. Nikolas might still be terrifying as hell, but things are changing in a way I can’t quite place.
Am I really attracted to him?
No.
Surely…
Ugh.
It’s just because he’s so damn attractive. Unfortunately, the rest of him still sucks.
Lifting a hand, I take hold of the papers and look at them again.
Fifty thousand dollars.
My. God.
I shake my head again, not even able to fathom the amount. What does Nikolas want in return for all this money? It’s certainly not out of the goodness of his heart.
There’s no way I can just accept it. It’s not about it being blood money. Hell, the inheritance my father left us came from the mafia.
I just don’t want Nikolas’ money. Shit, I need to get a job fast. I just wish I had more time in the day. My schedule is already overflowing with my studies.
I keep reading, taking in the list of specific clothing stores, jewelry stores, hairdressers, and various places I have to shop at.
This is really insane.
Digging my phone out of the bag with the full intention of calling my mother, I open the screen only to see a message from her. Opening it, I’m bombarded with a dozen photos, all of them showing her happy smile.
Shit, I don’t want to ruin her honeymoon.
I keep looking at the photos of her and Peter at the beach, at an opera house, having dinner at some classy restaurant.
Mom looks really happy.
My shoulders sag as I realize I won’t be able to run to my mother whenever Nikolas gives me hell. I’ll have to deal with him myself.
My mind starts to race, trying to come up with a solution to this new problem.
I’ll have to spend some of the funds to get new dresses for the damn events, but other than that, I’ll continue using my usual monthly allowance.
I can donate some of the money.
A smile starts to tug at my lips.
I can also save a portion for Mom.
With a satisfied grin forming on my face, I pull my laptop out to search for non-profit organizations I can support.
Two can play this game, Nikolas.
I spend twenty minutes checking the various organizations and decide to support Greenpeace and Doctors Without Borders.
Checking my bank account, it’s to see a whopping fifty thousand, eight hundred and twenty-three dollars.
“Greenpeace and Doctors Without Borders, thank you for your support, Nikolas,” I mutter as I add their banking details to my beneficiary list.
I transfer fifteen thousand to each of the organizations and open a savings account where I place fifteen thousand for mom.
That leaves me with five thousand to pad my closet with dresses, and I’m only doing it, so I don’t embarrass Mom when I represent her at events.
It’s definitely not for Nikolas.
Feeling better, I glance at my bag. My heart sinks as I tug it closer, and taking the pieces of my camera out, I remove the memory card and insert it into my laptop. When I see the footage hasn’t been ruined, the corner of my mouth lifts.
Ten minutes later, I realize I’m watching the footage of Nikolas on repeat. I slam the laptop shut and keep myself busy by placing the broken camera in the box after removing the new one. I’ll take it in for repairs tomorrow.
I fiddle with the new one, getting to know the feel of it and every function. Hours pass, and only when my stomach growls do I realize time’s run away with me.
Getting up, I head into the kitchen and take out ingredients to fix myself a turkey sandwich. I pour a glass of orange juice to wash the food down, and leaning back against the counter, I stand and eat, my eyes dancing over the camera.
At least something good came from today.
