“I’ll call her,” Huck replied.

  And ice crystals in my chest. They were causing havoc there too.

  “She also asked if she needed to get a dress for the party at the big house on Friday night. Said you mentioned it last week.”

  Silence. As in you could hear a pin drop. The pot in my hand slipped and clanged in the sink. I went to reach for it, but those ice crystals were wrapping around my neck at the moment, and I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to breathe soon. I turned and left the kitchen.

  I walked up the stairs, needing to get the hell away from Huck and the reminder that he fucked me like an animal but did the same to other women too. Opening the door to the bedroom I hadn’t slept in since before going to Maddy’s, I took a deep breath and told myself to get over it, then turned to close the door.

  Huck’s hand flat against the door stopped me. I hadn’t heard him follow me. I stared at him, then spun around and headed for the bathroom. He was not who I wanted to look at right now.

  “Trinity, stop,” he barked at me.

  Maybe it was the raging jealousy that had overtaken me, or perhaps I had just been pushed too far, but I spun around and glared at him. “You stop! I didn’t ask you to follow me in here.”

  The heat in his eyes flared, and I didn’t care if I was making him angry.

  “What the fuck was that down there?” he asked, narrowing his eyes at me.

  I let out a hard, bitter laugh. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe it was me hearing that your secretary-slash-cocksucker is going to a party with you!” I yelled. Yes, I was yelling. Who was I? I didn’t yell at men. I rarely yelled at anyone.

  “We fuck, Trinity. That’s what we do. You know that. I made it clear. Not once did I say we were an item or exclusive.”

  No, he hadn’t. He had just said I was to be exclusive.

  “Really? Hmm, so I can go fuck someone else? Gage maybe? I didn’t realize that the things you say when you’re fucking me don’t count. So, excuse me. I misunderstood. I am on the same page now. You can go.”

  I turned and stalked into the bathroom, but Huck’s chest was pressing against my back, forcing me into the room before I could even get past the doorway.

  I spun around and shoved at his chest, which was dumb because that never did anything.

  “GET OUT!” I shouted.

  He reached behind him and slammed the bathroom door.

  “You want another dick?” he asked, his voice a low growl. “Is that it? Mine isn’t enough now? I broke you in, and now, you want to fucking play?”

  My chest burned. My throat burned. I closed my eyes tightly and wondered if this was the moment I would cry. Had he pushed me to tears? After eight years?

  “I am making a point,” I said quietly.

  Then, I opened my eyes to look up at him. No tears. Not even wetness. He hadn’t managed it. I felt some strength from that.

  “Don’t tell me that my pussy belongs to you and expect me to just obey you if your dick is going to be shoved in another woman’s mouth. Or anywhere for that matter. I understand this is just sex. I accept it. But if this is just sex, then my pussy is mine, and I’ll do with it what I fucking please.”

  Huck’s nostrils flared as he glared at me. I didn’t look away. I wasn’t scared of him. He thought he could bully me, but he had no idea the shit I had survived. This was only hurting me because I cared about him. I felt things for him. And I didn’t want anyone but him to touch me. So, yes, maybe my pussy was his, but damn if I’d let him know it.

  “Okay,” he bit out.

  I frowned. “What does that mean? Okay?”

  He backed me up until my butt hit the sink and caged me in with his hands placed on each side of me. Lowering his head, he looked me in the eye. He smelled so good. God, why did he have to smell so good? Why did this have to be the man to make me feel?

  “Until we are done, that pussy is mine, and I won’t stick my dick anywhere but in you.”

  I had not expected that. I stared at him. Not sure if I believed him. This was Huck we were talking about. He liked to fuck. Ray-Ray was at work with him every day. She could break him down.

  “What?” he asked.

  I tilted my head to the side and shrugged. “Not sure I believe you.”

  His eyebrows drew together in a frown. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

  I shook my head. “I’ve seen Ray-Ray. She made sure to let me know that she takes care of your cock daily. You work with her every day. You expect me to believe if she unzips your jeans and gets on her knees to suck your cock, you’re going to turn that down?”

  Huck shoved his hand between my legs forcefully and squeezed my thigh. “Yeah, I do. Because since I ate your pussy in that garden shed, I’ve not had another woman. I can’t even get fucking hard for anyone else.”

  He looked so angry when he said it that I believed him. Maybe I had a portion of control over him the way he had over me. I hadn’t thought that was even possible.

  “Then, why are you taking Ray-Ray to a party? She looks better on your arm? Is that it?”

  He grinned then and shook his head. “What is with this jealousy and fucking sassy mouth, Trinity?”

  I crossed my arms over my chest. “I don’t like it either. Believe me, I didn’t ask for it.”

  He said nothing for a moment, and I wished he’d take his hand away from my thigh. It was too close to my pussy, and I was getting freaking wet. Damn him.

  “You need to check it. This will end eventually. Don’t start acting like a jealous girlfriend.”

  I raised my eyebrows and leaned closer to him. “Then, you don’t act like a jealous boyfriend,” I whispered.

  He pulled his hand away from me and stood up. “You’re right. We both need to remember it’s just sex. Nothing more.”

  I nodded, although the ice crystals were now jabbing me in the chest.

  He turned to leave and paused when he opened the door. I thought he’d say more, but he didn’t. I stood there as he walked out and left.

  Once I no longer heard his footsteps, I dropped my head into my hands and groaned. Being the vulnerable one in the sexlationship sucked. Yes, I had made that word up, but I didn’t know what else to call what we were doing.

  Twenty-Five

  Trinity

  Trying not to think about Ray-Ray with Huck all day and what Huck’s last comment had been before he walked out of the bathroom this morning meant I was focused on deep-cleaning things. I had even gone down to Huck’s bedroom and taken the bedding to wash again. My thoughts kept going from, When can I leave this place and get my life back? to, How will I leave this place and let Huck go? Stupid sex. It messed everything up.

  I was in the kitchen when the chime I’d finally figured out meant someone had come through the security gate went off. It was time for the guys to be coming home. They rarely arrived at the same time unless they were working together. I’d learned to have dinner ready by seven. They would eat when they were ready.

  The door to the garage opened, and I expected it to be Gage. He was always hungry and normally the first to arrive to all meals. However, Huck walked in alone with a shopping bag in one hand and a box in the other. My gaze dropped to the bag, and although I had never shopped at designer stores, I could tell that bag was from somewhere expensive. It had a fancy look to it.

  He lifted the bag and set it on the counter, then laid the long white box down beside it.

  “Here,” he said.

  I looked from the bag and box back to him. “What?” I asked.

  I realized Huck looked uncomfortable. It was a strange look for him. I was curious now.

  He waved his hand at the items on the counter. “This. Take it upstairs. Maddy sent it.”

  Why was Maddy sending me things?

  I shook my head, confused. “I don’t understand.”

  Huck walked around the counter and closed the distance between us, then grabbed my chin between his thumb and finger. “You were right. I don’t want you fucking anyone else, and I don’t want you going anywhere with someone else. Until we’ve got this out of our systems, then it’s exclusive. And that’s your dress, shoes, and jewelry for the party at the ranch on Friday night.”

  Butterflies—wild, crazy, fluttering butterflies—were inside my stomach and chest. That was all it took for him to make me forgive everything. I was too easy.

  “Ray-Ray has been transferred to another shop. She’s not going to be at mine anymore.”

  I stared at him, wanting to throw my arms around him and bury my face in his neck. I wouldn’t dare do it, but I wanted to. I had expected him to forget what I’d said this morning. Not for him to do this.

  “Trinity,” he said.

  “Yes?”

  “Are you done with dinner?”

  “Yes.”

  He grabbed my hips and spun me around. “To my room. I need to fuck.”

  My body tingled with anticipation. I looked back at him over my shoulder. “Before we do that, I want to do something else.”

  He frowned. “What?”

  Smiling, I licked my bottom lip. “Suck your cock.”

  “Fucking hell, you’re gonna kill me. Go. Now. Before I shove you to your knees right here.”

  The rest of the week, I spent my nights in Huck’s bed. If I let myself, I could pretend this was forever, that the happiness I was feeling wouldn’t end. However, I tried hard to keep reminding myself that Huck would tire of me soon. These things I felt for him, I couldn’t help. I was attached even though he’d told me not to be. I craved affection from him, and that was bad. I’d been deprived of affection and attachments my entire life. The little affection I’d gotten from Hayes was nothing compared to what I received from Huck. Although Hayes had loved me. That was something I couldn’t make sense of.

  Tonight, I would see Maddy again, and I hoped we’d get a moment alone. She was the only female friend I had to talk to. The cocktail party at the big house was Garrett’s celebration victory for all the wins that Hughes Farm had walked away with at the Kentucky Derby.

  The dress, shoes, and jewelry she’d chosen for me had taken my breath away. I’d never worn anything like this in my life. Thankfully, Maddy had a good eye for size. The dress fit perfectly. It wasn’t too revealing, but I felt sexy in it. The pink satin material shimmered in the light. It wasn’t low-cut exactly, but my boobs didn’t cover up easily. The back was bare, except for the thin crisscross straps. I hadn’t been sure I was going to be able to walk in the heels, but surprisingly, I had done just fine when I tested them out.

  Looking at myself one last time in the mirror, I touched the necklace. That was my only concern. That this was real. The diamonds weren’t big, but it was still a lot of diamonds. I didn’t want to consider what it was worth if they were real.

  I had never spent much time styling my hair. I had used a curling iron I’d found in the bathroom closet, but that was it. It was going to have to hang down. This was the best I could do. Although I knew that I simply wanted to please Huck, I was also aware that it was silly. Sure, I was going as his date, but this wasn’t the kind of date that led to something more. It would lead to us having sex tonight. That was it. I was just thankful it was me going with him and not Ray-Ray.

  A cocktail party with wealthy, powerful people at the home of a Mafia boss. I laughed at my reflection. What a crazy turn my life had taken. I tucked my phone and lip gloss into a small silver purse I’d found in the closet.

  My nerves began to multiply among themselves as I walked down the stairs and toward the voices in the living room. Huck, Gage, Levi, and I were riding to the ranch together. When I’d asked Gage and Levi about their dates, both had smiled and informed me they’d let me know before the night was over. Which meant they intended to find a female at the party and leave with her. That would have been Huck’s plan, too, if it wasn’t for me. I shoved that thought aside, not wanting to think about it. Not right now.

  I didn’t speak when I entered the room. Simply because I couldn’t. Huck was in a tuxedo. There was nothing that could have prepared me for that sight. I felt breathless, just looking at him. Gage and Levi were also in tuxedos, and they looked nice too. Gage was wearing a cowboy hat with his, which made me smile. They were all attractive men. Huck, however, stood out. His presence commanded attention.

  Gage noticed me first, and the appreciative gleam in his eyes made me want to sigh in relief.

  “Damn,” he drawled.

  It was then that Huck looked from his phone, and his gaze locked on me.

  I saw his jaw clench as his eyes traveled down my body. I held my breath when his eyes finally met mine again. I licked my lips nervously. He needed to say something. Anything.

  “Holy shit,” Levi said, walking up behind him.

  I didn’t look away from Huck. I needed his reassurance. It was pathetic, but I did. Unfortunately, he was the only man whose opinion I cared about.

  Finally, he stepped toward me and held out his hand. “Ready?” he asked.

  The disappointment sank like a lead weight in my stomach. I walked over to him and took his hand. I still held on to a shred of hope that he would say something. We all walked to the garage. Gage in front, us, then Levi. No one said anything, and the silence was deafening.

  I started thinking about my reflection in the mirror. I’d thought I looked nice. Maybe even pretty. The dress had given me confidence. Huck hadn’t been impressed though. Or maybe he just didn’t do compliments.

  Gage climbed into the driver’s seat, and Levi went over to sit in the passenger seat. Huck opened the back door and held my hand, helping me up in the heels I was wearing. I sat down and slid over, leaving plenty of room for him. Also because I needed some space. My self-esteem had taken a bit of a blow, and I needed to nurse it for a moment before walking into this land of the wealthy.

  Huck didn’t leave space between us when he climbed in. His leg was pressed against mine, and he rested his hand on my thigh. I stared down at it, then glanced up at him. Why couldn’t I just ask him what he thought of the dress? Or how I looked? We might just be having sex, but I could still ask him what he thought. I wanted to tell him how handsome he was, but I couldn’t seem to get the words out. I inhaled the hint of spice and cigar. It made me want to crawl in his lap and bury my face in his neck.

  I didn’t do that, of course, but I fantasized about it while I stared out the window. His hand tightened on my leg as we pulled through the security gate and onto the road.

  Gage and Levi were discussing someone I didn’t know who would be there tonight. Garrett didn’t trust him, and they were to keep their eyes on him. They made a joke about a silencer, but Huck said nothing. He continued to hold on to my thigh with a firm grip. As if I were going to jump out of the moving vehicle.

  I stared at his hand on my thigh, and for the life of me, I couldn’t think of a way to ask him what he thought of my dress or how I looked. Everything sounded like I was begging for approval, and I was not going to do that. I might plead with him when he was inside of me, but that was different.

  Gage asked Huck something about a deal, and Huck said it would be finalized on Monday. Other than that, nothing else was discussed. When we pulled under the entrance to Hughes Farm, I gasped. Twinkling white lights were everywhere. I sat up and looked out the front window, taking in everything. The entire mansion was lit up. It was breathtaking. Smiling, I glanced back at Huck and found him watching me.

  “It looks magical,” I said.

  He only nodded, but his gaze stayed locked on mine.

  Gage pulled the car to a stop in front of the house, and a man opened his door. I realized this was a valet parking situation when Huck stepped out and held his hand out to me. Outside of the car, it was even more incredible. Huck placed his hand on the small of my back as we walked up the path of fairy lights to the front door. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever experience anything like this again, so I took in every detail.

  “Does he always go all out like this?” I asked Huck.

  “Hughes goes all out for everything,” was his response, and then he took my hand and tucked it in the crook of his arm as we climbed the stairs.

  “The guests tonight, do they all know what he is … what you all are?” I asked.

  The entire group went silent. Huck stared at me. Was that something I wasn’t supposed to ask?

  “What do you mean?” he asked me.

  I shrugged. “Exactly what I asked. Do they all know Garrett is the boss and you’re”—I waved a hand toward them—“the Mafia?”

  “Shit,” Gage muttered under his breath.

  Huck’s hand fisted. “You been snooping, Trinity?” His tone was hard.

  I realized then that he had never told me. “No. Maddy told me when I stayed with her. I live with y’all. Even if she hadn’t, don’t you think I would have figured it out eventually?”

  Huck’s hand relaxed, and he nodded. “I wasn’t aware Maddy had spoken to you about it.”

  The front door swung open, and we walked inside. This was my first time inside the mansion, and in awe, I paused for a moment. Marble floor and a massive staircase that curled around, going up more than one floor. The chandelier that hung in the entrance was opulent.

  “Mr. Kingston,” the man at the door greeted Huck, then turned to the others as they entered.

  Huck walked us under the chandelier and through a large arched doorway. We made another turn and then went down a few steps before walking out the two open double doors leading out onto a terrace that overlooked an elaborate garden. There wasn’t a tree or bush that wasn’t twinkling. Music played as people mingled with drinks in their hands.

  To the right was a dance floor, and a live band sat off to the left of it. Tuxedo-clad men in cowboy hats and boots and beautiful women draped in expensive jewelry filled the area, making me feel more out of place than I had ever felt in my life.